Angled Anatomical Separator for Radiotherapy Surface Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical positioning devices fail to effectively create and maintain space between anatomical surfaces during treatments like radiotherapy, leading to increased radiation exposure, skin toxicity, and cosmetic issues, while being cumbersome and incompatible with existing medical equipment.

Innovation Solution

An anatomical separator with angled contact surfaces, made from air-equivalent or radiotransparent materials, is designed to maintain separation between anatomical surfaces, reducing radiation dose and improving patient positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional positioning aids are used to maintain spacing between anatomical surfaces, then some separation is achieved, but the devices are cumbersome and add complexity to the treatment setup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidsetup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a novel intermediary device - the anatomical separator - specifically designed to mediate between anatomical surfaces that need separation. This separator uses a wedge-shaped configuration with a first surface contacting a first anatomical surface and a second surface contacting a second anatomical surface, creating effective separation while maintaining simplicity in the treatment setup process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the separator by using a wedge shape with specific angle relationships between the first and second surfaces. This parameter optimization allows the device to achieve effective separation with minimal complexity, as the angular configuration naturally guides placement and maintains spacing without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If anatomical surfaces are left in close contact during radiotherapy, then patient positioning is simple, but radiation exposure to skin folds and overlapping tissues increases causing skin toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning simplicityVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anatomical separator acts as an intermediary barrier placed between anatomical surfaces that would otherwise be in close contact. This mediator device creates the necessary space to reduce radiation exposure to skin folds and overlapping tissues while maintaining relatively simple patient positioning procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of close anatomical contact (which causes skin toxicity) into a benefit by using the wedge-shaped separator to create controlled spacing. The separator transforms the problematic close-contact geometry into a beneficial separated configuration that protects skin while maintaining positioning ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If conventional separators are used, then some spacing is achieved, but they do not effectively create separation between adjacent anatomical surfaces and may interfere with radiation beams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacing maintenanceVSAvoidradiation interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the separator by configuring the first and second surfaces at specific angles relative to each other. This angular parameter design ensures effective spacing maintenance while the separator's material properties and geometry are optimized to minimize radiation beam interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by designing the separator with different surface characteristics - the first surface is configured to contact a first anatomical surface while the second surface contacts a second anatomical surface, with each surface optimized for its specific contact application. This localized optimization ensures effective separation while minimizing radiation interference at critical interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250325833A1Anatomical separator for medical treatments

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 FURNO THOMAS

AI summary

A separator for medical applications includes a first contact surface configured for contacting a first anatomical surface of a patient to be imaged, and a second contact surface configured for contacting a second anatomical surface of the patient to be imaged to space the first anatomical surface from the second anatomical surface. The first contact surface is angled relative to the second contact surface. The separator maintains spacing between anatomical surfaces during radiotherapy procedures, potentially reducing radiation exposure to sensitive areas. The separator may comprise air equivalent or radiotransparent materials and can be used in various anatomical regions where skin folds or adjacent body parts need separation for improved therapy results.