Catheterized Plasma X-Ray Source for Localized Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plasma x-ray sources are not widely accepted for medical imaging and tumor treatment due to high costs, short equipment lifetimes, and the predominantly non-line radiation they produce, which results in unnecessary radiation exposure to patients.
Innovation Solution
A catheter-based pinched plasma radiation source with a narrow transmission line delivering high-voltage pulses to a small-pinch plasma load, allowing for localized x-ray delivery within the body, potentially reducing radiation exposure and enhancing spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If plasma x-ray sources are used, then spatial resolution and radiation dose can be improved, but equipment cost and lifetime are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable micro-electrode assemblies that are inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily replaced. Each assembly contains micro-scale electrodes (cathode and anode) separated by a small gap, designed for single-use or limited-use applications. After deployment, the entire assembly is discarded rather than repaired, solving the reliability issue while maintaining the high spatial resolution benefits of plasma x-ray generation.
2Measurement precision
If plasma x-ray sources are used, then spatial resolution can be improved, but equipment cost is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: a reusable housing containing the power supply and control electronics, and disposable micro-electrode assemblies. This segmentation allows the expensive plasma generation capability to be isolated in small, inexpensive units that can be mass-produced and discarded, while the expensive electronics are reused across multiple patients and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mass-producible micro-electrode assemblies that can be manufactured using standard microfabrication techniques. These micro-scale copies of the electrode structure can be produced in large quantities at low cost, enabling the expensive plasma x-ray technology to be deployed widely without proportionally increasing system cost.
3Device complexity
If conventional beam-on-target x-ray generation is used, then equipment cost and lifetime are improved, but radiation dose to patient is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent delivers x-rays locally at the treatment site within the patient's body using the catheter-based micro-electrode assembly. The plasma is generated in-situ at the target location, and x-rays are produced only where needed, minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This localized approach contrasts with external beam methods that irradiate larger volumes of tissue.
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
This approach enables efficient, localized radiation delivery with reduced patient exposure, offering a promising alternative to conventional sources by generating x-rays predominantly in the 10-60 keV range, suitable for cancer treatment and imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma is compressed under the influence of its own magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a small puff of gas (i.e., a 'micropuff') is ionized and electromagnetically excited by a high-voltage pulse
Implementation Method 3
Heated plasmas are known to be useful for the generation of x-radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation generator useful for medical applications, among others, is provided. The radiation generator includes a catheter; a plasma discharge chamber situated within a terminal portion of the catheter, a cathode and an anode positioned within the plasma discharge chamber and separated by a gap, and a high-voltage transmission line extensive through the interior of the catheter and terminating on the cathode and anode so as to deliver, in operation, one or more voltage pulses across the gap.