Breast Positioning Paddle for Radiation Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for positioning breasts during radiation therapy fail to effectively reduce skin folds and associated skin toxicity in women with larger or pendulous breasts, leading to increased discomfort, infection risk, and cosmetic issues, as existing devices are often cumbersome, inefficient, and do not adequately address the challenge of varying breast sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A breast positioning device comprising a paddle with planar faces oriented at a right angle, supported by an adjustable structure, which can be attached to a radiation treatment board, designed to minimize skin folds by supporting the breast from both lateral and inferior sides, made from materials that are transparent to radiation, such as carbon fibre composite, allowing for improved positioning and reduced radiation exposure to sensitive areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional positioning methods (brassiere or adhesive tape) are used, then the breast can be positioned during treatment, but the breast tissue is too heavy to be supported effectively and skin folds are not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device is divided into multiple support surfaces including a lateral support surface and an inferior support surface, each designed to support specific regions of the breast. This segmentation allows the device to distribute the weight of heavy breast tissue across multiple contact points rather than relying on a single support mechanism like a brassiere or adhesive tape.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device acts as an intermediary structure between the patient's body and the radiation treatment system. It provides a stable platform that supports the breast in the correct position while being transparent to radiation, thereby mediating between the mechanical support requirement and the radiation treatment requirement.
2Device complexity
If the breast is not properly positioned, then positioning is simpler, but skin folds remain causing increased skin toxicity and radiation exposure to sensitive areas
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device features different surface orientations designed for specific local functions: a lateral support surface oriented to support the outer aspect of the breast and an inferior support surface oriented to support the lower aspect. This local differentiation of surface properties allows the device to address skin fold formation in specific critical areas without requiring complex overall restructuring.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces a new spatial dimension for support by adding the inferior support surface in addition to the lateral support surface. This multi-dimensional support approach eliminates skin folds by providing support from multiple directions, thereby reducing skin toxicity and protecting sensitive areas from excessive radiation exposure.
3Strength
If opaque positioning materials are used, then the structure provides adequate support, but radiation exposure to sensitive areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device is constructed from composite materials that combine mechanical strength with radiation transparency. This allows the structure to provide adequate support for heavy breast tissue while simultaneously allowing radiation to pass through without significant attenuation, thereby reducing radiation exposure to sensitive areas such as the heart, lungs, and liver.
4Device complexity
If a single support surface is used, then the device is simpler, but it cannot accommodate a wide range of breast sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device incorporates adjustable and flexible elements that allow it to adapt dynamically to different breast sizes and shapes. The support surfaces are designed to conform to the unique geometry of each patient's breast, providing customized positioning without requiring multiple different devices for different breast types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device reduces skin folds and irradiated volume of heart, lung, and liver, minimizing side effects and improving treatment outcomes by accommodating a wide range of breast sizes and shapes, while maintaining radiation transparency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The paddle and support structure are both substantially transparent to radiation of the type to be used in the radiation treatment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and apparatus to decrease acute and late skin toxicity for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. This invention will enable better breast positioning during therapy, eliminating skin folds and reducing the skin dose below that required for development of moist desquamation. The present invention has the potential to reduce the volume of normal tissue and organs at risk of being irradiated during a course of whole breast radiation therapy.