Cylindrical Shell Shutter for Intra-Operative Radiation Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraoperative radiation therapy methods are limited by the inability to precisely target small cancerous lesions due to inadequate visualization, organ motion tracking, and the inability to restrict radiation doses effectively, leading to collateral damage to healthy tissues, especially in abdominal cancers where tumors are close to vital organs.
Innovation Solution
A robotic intraoperative radiation therapy device with a capsule containing a radioactive source and a cylindrical shell shutter system that allows precise control of radiation exposure, integrated with a surgical robot for real-time visualization and targeting, using a series of concentric cylindrical shells to occlude and expose the radiation source, minimizing leakage and enabling precise delivery of therapeutic doses to tumors while sparing normal tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional radiation therapy methods are used, then radiation can be delivered to treat cancer, but the radiation cannot be precisely targeted to small lesions, causing collateral damage to healthy tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation containment shutter system is divided into multiple concentric cylindrical shells (first shell, second shell, third shell) that can independently rotate around the radiation source. Each shell contains apertures that can be aligned or offset to control radiation exposure, allowing precise segmentation of the radiation field to target only the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical shells are designed to rotate dynamically around the central radiation source, enabling real-time adjustment of the radiation field. The shells can transition between aligned positions (to deliver radiation through the aperture) and offset positions (to occlude and contain radiation), providing dynamic control over radiation delivery to precisely target moving or irregularly shaped tumors.
2Reliability
If a single thick sliding shutter is used to occlude radiation, then radiation containment is achieved, but significant air gaps are created that allow radiation leakage
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple concentric cylindrical shells are nested around the central radiation source, with each shell containing apertures that can be independently positioned. This nested structure allows the apertures of different shells to be offset from one another when in the occluded position, creating overlapping shielding zones that eliminate air gaps and prevent radiation leakage while maintaining effective radiation containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-plane shutter to a three-dimensional concentric cylindrical structure. The apertures in each cylindrical shell can be rotated to different angular positions, creating a multi-dimensional shielding arrangement where offset apertures in adjacent shells provide overlapping coverage that eliminates radiation leakage paths.
3Measurement precision
If a robotic system with real-time visualization is integrated, then precise targeting of tumors is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: it provides precise positioning of the radiation delivery device, real-time visualization of the tumor and surrounding structures, and control of the cylindrical shutter system. This multi-functional integration enables precise tumor targeting while managing system complexity through unified control architecture.
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 precise and minimally invasive radiation therapy, reducing collateral damage to healthy tissues and allowing for the treatment of previously inoperable cancers by providing real-time control over radiation exposure and targeting, thereby improving treatment outcomes for abdominal cancers.
Implementation Method 1
a series of concentric cylindrical shells which when aligned form a uniform cone, and when offset correctly, maximize occlusion of radiation
Data Source
AI summary
This invention proposes a capsule to administer radiation to a patient to be mounted on an arm, preferably a robotic arm such as on and in coordination with a Da Vinci® Surgical Robot, in order to control radiation exposure using a cylindrical shell shutter system designed to minimize leakage from a centrally located radiation source, while permitting full exposure of irradiated subject material or space when the cylindrical shell shutter system is opened. Using a series of concentric cylindrical shells which each contain an offset conically-shaped aperture from that of an adjacent cylindrical shell, when the cylindrical shells rotate into an “open” position, the apertures form a smooth cone to an outer emission aperture and expose the radiation source to adjacent tissue. When rotated to be “closed” or “off, the offset apertures and shells occlude the source, preventing full-strength radiation exposure and minimizing radiation leakage.