Universal Beam Trigger Interface for Radiation Gating Switchovers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing radiation therapy systems face challenges in efficiently switching between different physiological cycle measuring devices and beam delivery systems, leading to increased installation errors, safety risks, and reduced patient throughput due to the need for frequent reconnection and reconfiguration of cables and control systems.

Innovation Solution

A universal beam triggering interface (UBTI) device that allows simultaneous connection of multiple triggering apparatuses and components, enabling seamless selection and generation of a universal triggering signal for enabling or disabling beam delivery and patient positioning verification systems, reducing the need for frequent reconnections and simplifying the switching process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple triggering apparatuses are connected to the radiation treatment system, then the versatility and adaptability of the system is improved, but the device complexity and installation error risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to support multiple triggering apparatusesVSAvoidcomplexity of switching between apparatuses
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal triggering interface that can accept multiple types of triggering apparatuses (respiratory cycle measuring devices, positioning verification systems, beam delivery systems) through a single standardized connection. This multi-functional interface eliminates the need for separate dedicated connections for each apparatus type, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The triggering interface acts as an intermediary device between various triggering apparatuses and the radiation treatment system. It provides a standardized mediation layer that simplifies connections by handling the complexity of interfacing with different apparatus types internally, while presenting a uniform interface to the operator and system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If triggering apparatuses are re-installed and re-configured for different treatments, then the adaptability to different treatment types is improved, but the loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate different treatment typesVSAvoidpatient throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration by maintaining permanent connections between the triggering interface and various triggering apparatuses. The interface is pre-configured to recognize and handle multiple apparatus types, so that when a treatment requires a specific apparatus, no physical reconnection or reconfiguration is needed - the system is already prepared to accept and process signals from any connected apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The triggering interface maintains continuous operational readiness by keeping all triggering apparatuses permanently connected and recognized. This eliminates interruptions for reconnection and reconfiguration between treatments, ensuring continuous useful action and maximizing patient throughput while maintaining adaptability to different treatment types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If cables are disconnected and reconnected for each triggering apparatus, then the ease of operation for switching apparatuses is improved, but the reliability and safety decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of switching between apparatusesVSAvoidsafety of beam gating system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The triggering interface serves as a safe intermediary that manages all connections between triggering apparatuses and the radiation treatment system. It provides standardized, permanent connections that eliminate the need for operator intervention in cable disconnection and reconnection. The interface internally manages the switching between apparatuses through software control, thereby maintaining reliability and safety while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The triggering interface performs self-service by automatically managing the selection and activation of different triggering apparatuses based on treatment requirements. The system autonomously handles the switching process without requiring operators to physically disconnect and reconnect cables, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with manual cable handling while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If quality control is performed after each re-installation, then the reliability of the beam gating system is improved, but the loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper operation of beam gating systemVSAvoidtime for quality control procedures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The triggering interface performs preliminary quality assurance by maintaining permanent, pre-configured connections between all triggering apparatuses and the system. Quality control is built into the permanent installation rather than being required after each re-installation. The interface continuously monitors and validates connections, eliminating the need for repeated quality control procedures while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20110092760A1Device For Selecting A Beam Triggering Apparatus
Publication Date: 2011.04.21 ION BEAM APPL
  • US20110092760A1 patent drawing
  • US20110092760A1 patent drawing
  • US20110092760A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention is related to device for selecting one of several triggering apparatuses, which are simultaneously connectable to said device. The triggering apparatuses are arranged for producing each a triggering signal to enable/disable one or more components of a radiation treatment apparatus. The triggering signals depend on detected parameters. The device includes means for receiving triggering signals from the several triggering apparatuses, when all of the apparatuses are connected to the device, input means for selecting one of the triggering apparatuses, means for generating a universal triggering signal for the one or more components on the basis of said received triggering signal from the selected triggering apparatus, and means for sending the universal triggering signal to the one or more components.