Adjustable Brachytherapy Applicator for Cavity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In brachytherapy, determining a suitable applicator shape and size for irradiating a cavity within a body is challenging due to the cavity's location inside the body, making it difficult to select an appropriate applicator without trial and error.
Innovation Solution
A brachytherapy apparatus with a rod-shaped main element, adjustable holders, and flexible side elements that change width based on the relative position of the holders, allowing for precise measurement of the cavity size using a measuring apparatus, enabling the selection of a suitable applicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If trial and error method is used to determine applicator size, then applicator selection can be made, but time consumption increases and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error method of applicator selection with an electronic measurement system. A measuring apparatus with holders and flexible side elements electronically measures cavity dimensions, substituting the manual mechanical fitting process with an electronic detection and calculation system that provides precise measurements without physical trial and error.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a measurement model that copies the cavity's dimensional characteristics. The measuring apparatus replicates the cavity's size and shape parameters through its adjustable holders and side elements, allowing the cavity dimensions to be determined indirectly through measurement rather than direct physical fitting of multiple applicators.
2Reliability
If rigid applicator is used to protect tube, then tube is protected and sterile barrier is maintained, but adaptability to different cavity shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the applicator system through flexible side elements that can adapt to different cavity shapes and sizes. The measuring apparatus includes holders and side elements that can be positioned and adjusted to match the specific dimensions of each cavity, allowing the same basic applicator design to adapt to various anatomical variations while maintaining the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator is divided into modular components including a main element, holders, and flexible side elements. This segmentation allows individual components to be adjusted independently to match the cavity geometry, providing both the structural integrity needed for protection and the flexibility required for adaptation to different shapes.
Data Source
AI summary
A brachytherapy apparatus and a brachytherapy method using the brachytherapy apparatus are provided. The brachytherapy apparatus includes a rod-shaped main element, a first holder, a second holder, side elements which extend between the first holder and the second holder and which are flexible and connected to the first holder and the second holder in such a way that a change in the relative position of the first holder in relation to the second holder brings about a change in the distance between the main element and the at least one side element, and a measuring apparatus configured to specify a measurement value based on at least one coordinate of the relative position of the first holder in relation to the second holder, said measurement value representing a quantity that depends on the distance.