Radiation Therapy Couch Top Extension with Segmented Strength and Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current couch tops for radiation therapy and imaging lack flexibility, strength, and safety, with different designs required for various clinical applications and patient sizes, and there is a need for improved radiation attenuation and identification systems.

Innovation Solution

A couch top extension with a core construction featuring a varying strength section and a uniform radiation section, equipped with identification markers for safe and simple attachment and detachment, and a coding system to ensure correct extension usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single couch top design is used for all clinical applications, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different patient sizes and clinical needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different patient sizes and clinical applicationsVSAvoidcouch top system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The couch top system is divided into a base couch top and multiple exchangeable extension boards that can be attached as needed. Each extension board is designed for specific clinical applications or patient size ranges, allowing the system to adapt to different requirements without requiring a completely different couch top for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base couch top is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of extension boards. This universal coupling mechanism allows a single base unit to perform multiple functions by exchanging different extension boards, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If couch top extensions are made with uniform thickness for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing precision is improved, but strength and stiffness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextension board strength and stiffnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The extension boards feature non-uniform thickness distribution with varying cross-sectional areas along their length. Thicker sections are positioned in regions requiring higher strength and stiffness (such as load-bearing areas), while thinner sections are used where less structural support is needed. This local variation in geometry optimizes the strength-to-manufacturing-complexity ratio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If couch top extensions are designed with optimized strength and stiffness, then mechanical performance is improved, but radiation attenuation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecouch top strength and stiffnessVSAvoidradiation attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The extension boards utilize composite material construction, combining materials with different properties to achieve both mechanical strength and radiation transparency. The composite structure allows optimization of both strength and radiation attenuation characteristics simultaneously, rather than having to compromise one for the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the extension board are constructed with materials or thicknesses optimized for their specific function: areas requiring high strength use thicker or more robust materials, while areas in the radiation path use thinner sections or radiation-transparent materials to minimize attenuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If exchangeable extension boards are used to increase flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but safety risks from incorrect attachment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in couch top configurationVSAvoidsafety of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual attachment verification with an automated identification and verification system. Sensors and identification mechanisms automatically detect whether the correct extension board is properly attached, eliminating reliance on operator memory or visual inspection and providing objective confirmation of correct configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information about the attachment status. The identification system detects and communicates the type and proper attachment status of extension boards to the control system, which can then provide feedback to operators or automatically adjust treatment parameters based on the detected configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11717238B2Couch top extension for radiation therapy and imaging

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS INTERNATIONAL AG

AI summary

A couch top extension includes a first section and a second section extending from the first section. The first section has a varying shape profile and the second section has a substantially uniform shape profile. A couch top extension includes an extension board comprising one or more identifiers capable of providing a detectable signal indicative of an identification of the extension board.