Multi-Leaf Collimator Pinion-Rack Drive for Radiotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-leaf collimator devices for radiotherapy are expensive and inefficient in applying precise radiation to treatment areas due to high manufacturing costs and manual control limitations, which can lead to increased treatment time and exposure risks.
Innovation Solution
A multi-leaf collimator device with a box-shaped frame, symmetrically arranged collimators featuring rack gears, and a motion driving unit with pinion gears and motors that allow for precise linear and rotational motion control, enabling efficient shaping of radiation treatment areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional multi-leaf collimator devices are used, then radiation can be applied to treatment areas, but manufacturing costs are high and treatment efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple independent leaves that can move separately, allowing flexible shaping of radiation fields. Each leaf can be independently controlled to create complex treatment areas, improving both manufacturing feasibility and treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator leaves are designed to be dynamically adjustable during treatment, enabling real-time modification of radiation fields. This dynamic capability allows a single device to replace multiple static shields, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high treatment efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If manual control methods are used for collimator operation, then device structure can be simpler, but treatment time increases and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information about leaf positions and radiation delivery, enabling precise control and automatic adjustments. This feedback loop reduces treatment time by eliminating manual measurement and positioning steps while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical control is replaced with automated drive mechanisms that can precisely position collimator leaves without human intervention. This substitution reduces treatment time while improving control precision through motorized positioning systems with encoded feedback.
3Manufacturing precision
If radiation opening and closing devices are opened only when organs are at specific positions, then radiation precision is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of collimator leaves based on pre-acquired imaging data, so that radiation fields are pre-configured before treatment begins. This preliminary action reduces the need for repeated positioning adjustments during treatment, maintaining precision while reducing overall treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator leaves remain in optimal positions continuously throughout the treatment process, eliminating repeated opening and closing operations. This continuous positioning maintains radiation precision while significantly reducing treatment time by avoiding cyclic adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-leaf collimator device for radiotherapy, including: a frame that has a box shape and has through-holes formed in top and bottom surfaces thereof; a plurality of collimators that are received in the frame, wherein each of the collimators includes a rack gear formed on the top surface of the collimator, the collimators are symmetrically arranged in a left-right direction about a central portion of the frame, and are slidably provided on the frame; and a motion driving unit that includes a pinion gear that is formed to be detachable from the rack gear formed on the top surface of the collimator, and is provided on the frame to move the pinion gear in a front-back direction of the frame and an up-down direction of the frame.