Adjustable Oral Stent for Head and Neck Radiotherapy Shielding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During head and neck cancer radiotherapy, healthy tissues often suffer from radiation damage, leading to acute mucosal reactions and potential limitations in treatment efficacy due to soft tissue or bone necrosis, which can compromise the delivery of the intended radiation dose.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable oral stenting device comprising an upper tray, a lower tray, and an actuator with a ratcheting mechanism, made from thermoplastic material, designed to change the angular relationship between the trays, along with a tongue depressor and teeth guard structures, is used to shield healthy tissues and stabilize the mouth and tongue during radiotherapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiotherapy is delivered to head and neck cancers, then treatment efficacy is improved, but healthy tissues suffer radiation damage causing acute mucosal reactions and potential necrosis
Solution Approach 1:
The oral stenting device is divided into an upper tray and a lower tray that can be adjusted independently to different angular relationships, allowing selective shielding of different healthy tissue areas while maintaining radiation delivery to tumor sites
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable oral stent acts as an intermediary physical barrier between the radiation source and healthy oral tissues, selectively blocking radiation paths to protect mucosal surfaces and bone structures while permitting treatment of cancerous regions
2Reliability
If the mouth is stabilized during radiotherapy, then treatment delivery is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The oral stent incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows the angular relationship between upper and lower trays to be dynamically modified, enabling a single device structure to adapt to multiple treatment positions and patient anatomies without requiring multiple fixed devices
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable oral stent is designed to perform multiple functions: stabilizing the mouth, shielding healthy tissues, and accommodating different treatment angles, all within a single integrated device structure that reduces the need for multiple specialized components
3Adaptability or versatility
If the oral stent is made adjustable to accommodate patient anatomy, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable mechanism allows the oral stent to transition between different angular configurations, enabling customization to individual patient anatomies while maintaining a relatively simple base structure that does not require complex mechanical systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively shields healthy tissues and stabilizes the mouth and tongue, allowing for more comfortable and effective radiation therapy by adjusting to accommodate the patient's anatomy and reducing radiation exposure to sensitive areas.
Implementation Method 1
The base member can comprise a thermoplastic material
Data Source
AI summary
This document provides methods and materials related to oral stenting. For example, oral stenting devices (e.g., adjustable oral stenting devices) and methods for using oral stenting devices for radiation therapy are provided.