Brachytherapy Seed Loading Turret with Inspection Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for loading brachytherapy seeds and spacers into implantation sleeves are cumbersome and difficult to rearrange, making it challenging to adjust dosage or placement patterns during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A modular device with a turret assembly for selecting cartridges, a spring-biased plunger for loading seeds and spacers, and a transparent inspection area for sequence visualization, allowing for easy rearrangement and loading into a sleeve with pre-spaced compartments for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple sliding selectors are used to select cartridges, then the device structure is simple, but the ease of operation and ability to rearrange seeds is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static sliding selectors with a rotatable turret assembly that dynamically positions cartridges. The turret can rotate to bring different cartridges into the loading position, and the hinged inspection door can open to allow manual rearrangement of seeds. This dynamic structure enables flexible cartridge selection and seed reconfiguration while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The turret assembly serves multiple functions: it stores multiple cartridges, selects which cartridge is active, and positions the selected cartridge for loading. The inspection assembly with its hinged door provides both viewing capability and manual access for rearrangement. This multi-functional design consolidates several operations into unified structures, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If seeds and spacers are pre-loaded into sleeves before treatment, then the treatment plan is fixed, but the ability to adjust dosage or placement during treatment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection assembly provides a preliminary viewing and rearrangement stage before final loading into the sleeve. Seeds and spacers can be positioned and verified in the inspection channel before commitment to the sleeve, allowing quick adjustments without requiring complete unloading and reloading. This preliminary action reduces time loss by enabling minor corrections in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection assembly acts as an intermediary between the cartridge and the sleeve. It provides a buffer zone where seeds can be viewed, counted, and rearranged before final insertion into the sleeve. This intermediary structure enables flexible adjustment during the loading process without directly interfering with the sleeve insertion procedure, thus maintaining adaptability while minimizing time loss.
3Manufacturing precision
If seeds are loaded without visual inspection capability, then the loading process is faster, but the precision of seed placement and sequence verification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection channel is designed with transparent or translucent walls that allow visual inspection of seeds and spacers during loading. The transparent view window enables operators to see the sequence, verify correct pellets, and detect errors without interrupting the loading flow. This visual feedback maintains precision while preserving loading speed by eliminating the need for stopping to inspect.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection assembly enables self-verification during the loading process. Operators can visually confirm seed identity, sequence, and placement without external assistance or complex verification systems. This self-service inspection maintains high precision while keeping the loading process continuous and efficient, as operators can immediately correct errors without leaving the loading station.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for loading brachytherapy seeds and spacers into a sleeve. The device holds two or more seed or spacer cartridges of different radioactive species and dosage. The user rotates a selector for selecting a desired cartridge and, with each depression of a spring-biased plunger, pushes a seed or spacer into a channel in an inspection area. The process is repeated for the desired number and order of seeds and spacers in sequence to form a strand. The strand can be seen in the channel with the unaided eye through a transparent window. The window is part of a hinged door that can be opened and the sequence of the seeds and spacers rearranged with forceps. Once the strand is arranged as desired, it is pushed into a sleeve in a removable sleeve holder. During radiation treatment, the filled sleeve is removed from the sleeve holder and implanted into patient.