Composite Radiation Collimator Slat for Lower-Cost Precision Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of slats for collimating therapy radiation is complex and cost-intensive due to the need for tungsten or tungsten compounds in both the collimation and holding regions, which are difficult to join and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A slat design where the collimation region is made from a first material (e.g., tungsten or tungsten compounds) and the holding region is made from a second material (e.g., steel or aluminum), connected via a stable connection point using methods like gluing, welding, or soldering, allowing for precision and cost reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the holding region is manufactured from tungsten or a tungsten compound to match the collimation region material, then the slat achieves sufficient mechanical strength and thermal stability, but the production cost increases significantly and the manufacturing complexity increases due to difficulty in joining different materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials to different regions of the slat based on local functional requirements. The collimation region uses tungsten or tungsten compound for radiation attenuation, while the holding region uses a different material optimized for mechanical properties and cost-effectiveness. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary use of expensive tungsten in the holding region while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining tungsten (or tungsten compound) for the collimation region with a different material for the holding region. This composite approach allows each region to be optimized independently - the collimation region for radiation attenuation and the holding region for mechanical strength and cost efficiency - thereby resolving the contradiction between strength requirements and manufacturing cost.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the holding region is manufactured from tungsten or a tungsten compound to match the collimation region material, then the slat achieves uniform thermal properties, but the production time increases and the manufacturing complexity increases due to difficulty in joining tungsten to other materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recognizes that uniform thermal properties throughout the entire slat are not necessary - only the collimation region requires specific thermal stability for radiation attenuation. The holding region can use materials with different thermal properties since it does not directly interact with the radiation beam. This local quality approach reduces production time by allowing the holding region to be manufactured from more easily processed materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the slat into two distinct segments: the collimation region made from tungsten or tungsten compound and the holding region made from a different material. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently using optimal processes for each material, then joined together. This resolves the contradiction by avoiding the time-consuming process of manufacturing the entire slat from difficult-to-process tungsten while maintaining thermal stability where required.
3Reliability
If the entire slat is manufactured from tungsten or a tungsten compound to ensure radiation attenuation, then the radiation collimation effectiveness is maximized, but the slat weight increases and the material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies radiation-attenuating material (tungsten or tungsten compound) only to the collimation region where it is functionally required, rather than throughout the entire slat. The holding region uses a different material that does not need to provide radiation attenuation. This local quality approach maintains radiation collimation effectiveness while significantly reducing the overall weight and cost of the slat.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the radiation attenuation function from the entire slat and concentrates it only in the collimation region. The holding region is separated from the radiation interaction function and uses a different material. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing unnecessary tungsten material from the holding region, thereby reducing weight and cost while preserving radiation collimation effectiveness in the critical collimation region.
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 minimizes material costs, reduces the slat's weight, and simplifies the production process while maintaining the necessary radiation attenuation and mechanical properties, enabling precise adjustment and effective collimation of therapy radiation.
Implementation Method 1
the slat is typically composed of tungsten or a compound comprising tungsten or a tungsten compound... the first material is embodied for collimating therapy radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a slat for collimating therapy radiation, comprising a collimation region made from a first material; and a holding region made from a second material, wherein the collimation region and the holding region are connected together by a connection point, the first material is configured to collimate therapy radiation, and the holding region is couplable to an adjusting facility for adjusting the slat.