Adjustable Couch Rotating Coupling for Yaw Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation treatment apparatuses, such as tomotherapy machines, lack adjustability in the yaw direction, making precise targeting of treatment sites challenging and increasing the risk of damage to normal organs and secondary cancers.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable couch system with a rotating-coupling mechanism allows for detachable adjustment in the yaw direction, enabling precise positioning without replacing the entire medical couch, utilizing a first couch with fixing means and a second couch with rotating-coupling means to rotate about a perpendicular axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional radiation treatment apparatus with a fixed couch is used, then the device complexity is low and costs are reduced, but the adjustability in yaw direction is impossible and treatment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The couch system is divided into a fixed first couch and a movable second couch with rotating-coupling means. The second couch can be detached and repositioned to provide yaw direction adjustment, while the first couch remains fixed to maintain overall system stability. This segmentation allows precision improvement without requiring the entire couch to be complex and replaceable.
Solution Approach 2:
The second couch is designed with rotating-coupling means that enable dynamic adjustment in the yaw direction. The coupling mechanism allows the second couch to rotate relative to the first couch, providing adjustable positioning capabilities. This dynamic element adds only the necessary degree of freedom without making the entire system complex.
2Manufacturing precision
If the entire medical couch is replaced to achieve yaw adjustment, then the treatment precision is improved, but the cost increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing the entire medical couch, only the second couch component is made detachable and adjustable. The first couch remains permanently installed, providing a stable base. This segmentation allows yaw adjustment functionality to be added without the complexity and cost of replacing the complete couch system.
Solution Approach 2:
The second couch is designed as a universal component that can be detached and repositioned to provide both roll and yaw direction adjustments when combined with the first couch. This multi-functional component serves multiple positioning purposes without requiring separate specialized equipment.
3Manufacturing precision
If the entire medical couch is replaced for yaw adjustability, then the treatment accuracy is improved and retakes are reduced, but the treatment time increases due to equipment replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The second couch with rotating-coupling means is pre-configured with adjustment capabilities before being attached to the first couch. This allows yaw direction adjustments to be made quickly during treatment setup without requiring time-consuming equipment replacement. The preliminary preparation of the adjustable component reduces overall treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic rotating-coupling mechanism allows rapid adjustment of the second couch in the yaw direction during treatment. This dynamic adjustability enables quick repositioning without the need to replace static equipment, thereby reducing treatment time while maintaining accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed couch is used in conventional radiation treatment, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different treatment positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The couch system is segmented into a fixed first couch and a detachable second couch with rotating-coupling means. This segmentation allows the second couch to be independently positioned and oriented to accommodate different treatment positions and angles, enhancing adaptability without requiring the entire couch system to be complex and reconfigurable.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an adjustable couch that can be mounted on a medical couch, the adjustable couch comprising: a first couch provided with a fixing means to be fixed to the medical couch; and a second couch disposed on the first couch and provided with a rotating-coupling means to be coupled rotatably about a first axis perpendicular to an upper surface of the first couch.