Peripheral Simulator for BNCT Patient Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation treatment systems face challenges in maintaining the precise positioning of irradiation targets during irradiation, as shifts can occur due to contact with peripheral structures in the irradiation chamber.
Innovation Solution
A treatment preparation apparatus is provided with an object to which the irradiation target is fixed, and a peripheral simulator that replicates the peripheral portions of the object in the irradiation chamber, allowing for accurate positioning in the preparation chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the irradiation target is positioned in the preparation chamber without simulating peripheral structures, then the positioning process is simple and quick, but the target may shift during irradiation due to contact with peripheral structures in the irradiation chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by introducing a peripheral simulator that replicates the peripheral structures of the irradiation chamber into the preparation chamber. This simulator creates a virtual model of the actual irradiation environment, allowing operators to position the irradiation target as it would be positioned in the real chamber, thereby ensuring positioning accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple preparation chamber design.
2Measurement precision
If workers enter the irradiation chamber to adjust the irradiation target position, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but worker exposure to radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling all positioning adjustments to be performed in advance in the preparation chamber using the peripheral simulator. The irradiation target is positioned and adjusted on the treatment table before being transferred to the irradiation chamber, eliminating the need for workers to enter the chamber for positioning adjustments and thereby preventing radiation exposure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the treatment table is designed to move between preparation chamber and irradiation chamber, then flexible positioning is achieved, but the risk of target shift during transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral simulator creates a precise virtual representation of the irradiation chamber environment, allowing the treatment table to be positioned accurately in the preparation chamber before transfer. This copying approach ensures that the relative positions of the irradiation target and peripheral structures are predetermined and stable, minimizing shifts during table transfer while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment preparation apparatus includes a peripheral simulator that simulates a peripheral portion of the object after the object is disposed in the irradiation chamber, when fixing the relative position of the object to the irradiation target in the preparation chamber. Therefore, when positioning the patient in the preparation chamber, by using the peripheral simulator, the positioning can be performed in consideration of the peripheral portion of the object in the irradiation chamber. That is, in the preparation chamber, the patient can be fixed at a position in the irradiation chamber where shift is unlikely to occur, considering the positional relationship between the patient and the peripheral portion. From the above, when positioning the patient in the preparation chamber, it is possible to position the patient at a position that shift is unlikely to occur during irradiation.