Single-Use Brachytherapy Handle-Cap Coupling Against Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brachytherapy systems allow for re-use without proper repair, potentially compromising safety and efficacy due to disengagement of the handle and cap, which can lead to improper re-engagement and handling of radionuclide brachytherapy sources.
Innovation Solution
The system is designed as a single-use device where disengagement of the handle and cap alters the coupling portions, rendering them unable to re-engage without repair, ensuring the system cannot be reused in the same manner, and includes features like trays and immobilization mechanisms to facilitate safe disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the brachytherapy system is designed as a reusable device with detachable handle and cap, then the device can be used multiple times, but safety and efficacy are compromised due to improper re-engagement after disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single-use brachytherapy system where the handle and cap are designed as disposable components that are discarded after one use. This eliminates the risk of improper re-engagement and ensures safety and efficacy by preventing reuse of components that have been disassembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate handle and cap components that are permanently disconnected after use. The coupling portions are designed to be altered during the disconnection process, ensuring that the components cannot be re-engaged, thus maintaining safety while allowing controlled single-use operation.
2Reliability
If the handle and cap are permanently connected, then the system cannot be reused, but disassembly is needed to access the radionuclide brachytherapy source
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling portions are pre-designed with features that facilitate controlled disassembly through specific motions (pushing, twisting, pulling). The alteration mechanism is built into the coupling design, so that the act of disassembly itself automatically prevents future re-engagement, ensuring reliability while enabling access to the source.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling portions are designed to allow re-engagement, then the device can be reused, but the system may be improperly re-assembled compromising safety
Solution Approach 1:
The handle and cap are designed as single-use disposable components. After the radionuclide source is removed by disassembling the handle and cap, the components are discarded and cannot be reused. This eliminates the risk of improper re-engagement entirely by making re-use impossible rather than just difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling portions feature asymmetric alteration during disassembly, where the handle coupling portion and cap coupling portion are changed in incompatible ways (e.g., one is pushed off while the other remains, or twisting alters the geometry). This asymmetric change ensures that even if both components are present, they cannot be re-engaged in the correct configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Single-use brachytherapy systems for application of beta radiation to a target tissue, and methods of use. The single-use brachytherapy systems herein feature a cap into which a radionuclide brachytherapy source (RBS) can be inserted and a handle that removably attaches to the cap. When the handle is disengaged from the cap in order to access the RBS, the system is rendered useless for its original purpose, for its use as it was originally intended, for its use as prescribed, unless repaired.