Brachytherapy Source Guide Apparatus with Treatment Window
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current source guide systems for brachytherapy treatments face challenges in accurately determining radiation source positions due to varying catheter lengths and shapes, leading to complex and error-prone processes, which can result in incorrect irradiations and patient mobility restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A source guide system with a setting unit for determining source positions relative to a treatment window expanding from a reference position near the catheter's proximal end, and a control unit for guiding the source to predetermined positions within the body, allowing for precise irradiation and flexible patient movement by using fixed catheter lengths and simplified marker systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If marker wires with markers every cm are provided in catheters for position determination, then source positioning can be attempted, but the number of marker points becomes very large and complicated, leading to measuring errors and incorrect irradiations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex marker wire system with multiple markers every cm from the catheter. Instead, it uses a simplified approach where only the proximal end of the catheter serves as the reference point, removing the source of complexity while maintaining positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning reference into discrete segments: the proximal end of the catheter is defined as reference position 0, and source positions are calculated as integer multiples of 100 mm from this reference. This segmentation reduces continuous complexity to discrete, manageable reference points.
2Device complexity
If catheters are made with fixed length to simplify positioning, then source position calculation is simplified, but a part of the catheter always needs to project outside the patient, causing bending and movement restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capability where the catheter length can be varied based on the specific treatment requirements and patient anatomy. The source guide system can adapt to different catheter lengths, allowing the catheter to be shortened or lengthened to minimize external projection while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of catheter length from fixed to variable. By allowing catheter length to be adjusted according to treatment needs, the system can optimize both positioning simplicity and patient mobility, eliminating the need for excessive external projection.
3Device complexity
If source guide systems use fixed length catheters with reference position at proximal end, then source position calculation is simplified to integer multiples of 100 mm, but larger irradiation areas require larger step positions (2.5 mm to 10 mm)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the source guide system continuously monitors and adjusts source position based on the simplified reference system. This feedback ensures that even with integer-based positioning calculations, the actual source placement achieves the required precision for irradiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary positioning calculations based on the simplified reference system before actual irradiation. By pre-calculating source positions as integer multiples of 100 mm from the proximal end reference, the system prepares accurate positioning data in advance, ensuring precision is maintained despite the simplified calculation method.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a source guide apparatus for guiding and locating a radiation source in a human body, wherein a catheter is provided in a body and connected to the apparatus, and wherein the proximal end is kept in a predetermined position with respect to the body. According to the invention, a treatment window is set, which is situated within the body, within which the source can be kept in respective positions, wherein the treatment window has a fixed window width and a reference position situated at a predetermined distance with respect to the proximal end of the catheter. The source guide apparatus guides the source through the catheter to a predetermined position in the body, measured relative to the treatment window.