CAREER: Injectable Transponder for Precise Radiotherapy Tumor Targeting and Dosimetry

This project aims to transform cancer radiotherapy by developing an innovative injectable transponder system that enables precise tumor targeting and enhances the effectiveness of radiation dose delivery during treatment. Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, used in over half of all cases, but its effectiveness is often hindered by challenges in accurately monitoring tumor motion and radiation dose delivery in real time. Current methods rely on immobilization devices and computational models, which can lead to either under-treatment of tumors or damage to healthy tissues. The project addresses these challenges by creating a minimally invasive implantable device that can be powered by X-ray beams during radiotherapy treatment. This device will provide real-time feedback on tumor location and radiation dose, allowing for dynamic adjustments to improve treatment accuracy and patient safety. By enabling precise targeting and reducing damage to healthy tissues, this innovation has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for millions of cancer patients, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance the quality of life for those undergoing radiotherapy. Beyond healthcare, the project will contribute to education and workforce development by engaging students in hands-on research and fostering industry collaborations. The research of this project focuses on developing a photonuclear-powered, wirelessly localizable injectable transponder for precise radiotherapy tumor targeting and dosimetry during radiotherapy. The system combining novel hardware and signal-processing algorithms will address key challenges in power, localization accuracy, and miniaturization by leveraging high-energy photons and electrons generated during radiotherapy to power the implant. The transponder will harvest energy from X-ray or electron beams, eliminating the need for batteries and enabling operation during treatment sessions. The transponder features a miniaturized antenna and backscatter circuit capable of measuring and communicating radiation doses in real time. A custom-designed radar will be developed to achieve millimeter-level accurate localization of the implant, even within biological tissues. The research will involve designing and testing hardware, developing advanced algorithms including supervised AI/machine-learning algorithms, and conducting in-vitro evaluations using tissue phantoms and motion simulators. The project is expected to advance knowledge in wireless sensing, energy harvesting, and medical device design, paving the way for more effective and safer cancer treatments while contributing to interdisciplinary research and education. The outcomes of this project can potentially lead to significantly improved clinical effectiveness of cancer treatments and benefit millions of patients. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2540465 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Aline Eid | Institution: Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, ANN ARBOR, MI | Award Amount: $550,000 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2540465 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2540465.html