Composite Therapeutic Radiation Fin Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fin designs for collimating therapeutic radiation, particularly in radiotherapy, face challenges in achieving the required precision and cost-effectiveness due to the use of tungsten for both collimation and holding areas, which is expensive and difficult to join with other materials, limiting the accuracy and increasing material costs.
Innovation Solution
A fin design where the collimation area is made of tungsten or a tungsten compound for radiation attenuation, and the holding area is made of a different material like titanium or stainless steel, soldered together with a compensating layer to manage thermal expansion differences, allowing for precise adjustment and reduced material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holding area is made of tungsten to match the collimation area material, then the fin achieves sufficient radiation attenuation and structural integrity, but the material cost increases significantly and the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials to different parts of the fin based on their specific functional requirements. The collimation area uses tungsten for optimal radiation attenuation, while the holding area uses a less expensive material such as aluminum or plastic that provides sufficient mechanical support without requiring the same radiation shielding properties. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction by eliminating unnecessary tungsten usage in non-critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin is constructed as a composite structure combining tungsten in the collimation area with alternative materials in the holding area. This composite approach allows each material to be used where it provides the most value - tungsten for radiation attenuation where absolutely necessary, and cheaper materials for structural support where radiation shielding is not critical - thereby reducing overall material cost while maintaining reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If the holding area is made of a different material than the collimation area, then the material cost is reduced and weight is minimized, but joining difficulties arise due to different thermal expansion coefficients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solder as an intermediary material that joins the tungsten collimation area to the alternative material holding area. The solder acts as a mediator that can accommodate the different thermal expansion coefficients of the two base materials, creating a reliable joint without requiring the materials to be directly bonded. This intermediary layer resolves the manufacturing difficulty by providing a transition zone that handles the thermal mismatch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the joining process by using soldering instead of direct mechanical or thermal bonding. The soldering process involves melting the solder material to create a joint, which allows for accommodation of different thermal expansion properties. This parameter change in the joining method enables successful assembly of dissimilar materials that would be difficult to join by conventional means.
3Manufacturing precision
If wire erosion is used to cut the fin from a block, then the required precision of 5 μm to 0.2 μm is achieved, but heat input causes stresses in the fin, particularly when made of single-material tungsten
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with alternative materials in the holding area reduces the overall thermal mass compared to a fully tungsten fin. This reduction in thermal mass decreases the magnitude of thermal stresses generated during wire erosion machining. Additionally, the alternative materials in the holding area may have different thermal properties that help distribute and reduce stress concentrations during the machining process.
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 design achieves precise collimation of therapeutic radiation while minimizing material costs and weight, ensuring accurate positioning and handling of the fin, and enabling the use of more cost-effective materials for the holding area without compromising radiation shielding.
Implementation Method 1
the material of the collimation area must be made of a material that attenuates the therapeutic radiation. For this purpose, the fin typically consists of tungsten or a compound comprising tungsten or tungsten compound
Implementation Method 2
tungsten has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion or thermal coefficient than steel or copper, for example. In order to prevent the introduction of heat, for example due to wire erosion of the fin, from causing stresses in the fin
Data Source
AI summary
One or more example embodiments of the present invention relates to a fin for collimating therapeutic radiation. The fin comprises a collimation area made of a first material and a holding area made of a second material. Herein, the collimation area and the holding area are soldered together. Herein, the first material is formed to collimate therapeutic radiation. Herein, the holding area can be coupled to an adjustment device for adjusting the fin.