Dual Balloon Gynecological Brachytherapy Applicator Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gynecological brachytherapy applicators face challenges in immobilizing and displacing the vaginal region during pre-treatment simulation and radiation therapy, leading to potential misalignment and excessive radiation exposure to surrounding tissues like the bladder and rectum, which can cause severe side effects.
Innovation Solution
The use of inflatable balloons affixed to a gynecological brachytherapy applicator, with fiducial markers and radiation sensors, to securely position the applicator within the vaginal cavity, minimizing exposure to sensitive areas by displacing the bladder and rectum away from the treatment site and allowing for precise radiation delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gynecological brachytherapy applicators are used without balloon immobilization, then the procedure is simpler, but the vaginal region cannot be effectively immobilized and displaced, leading to misalignment and excessive radiation exposure to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing balloons inside the applicator structure, which are then inflated to provide immobilization. The balloons are contained within the applicator framework during insertion and only expand to their functional size once positioned, creating a nested configuration that combines simplicity of insertion with complexity of function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using inflatable balloons that can change volume from a compact deflated state during insertion to an expanded state for immobilization. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt its configuration based on the operational phase, reducing complexity during insertion while providing reliable immobilization during treatment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If balloons are inflated to immobilize the vaginal region, then radiation exposure to critical tissues is reduced, but the device complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inflating the balloons before radiation delivery to pre-position the bladder and rectum away from the treatment field. This advance preparation ensures that critical tissues are displaced before the harmful radiation is administered, preventing exposure rather than correcting it afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloons serve as an intermediary element between the radiation source and critical tissues. By introducing this intermediate structure, the patent creates a physical barrier and displacement mechanism that protects the bladder and rectum from direct radiation exposure without requiring modification to the radiation delivery system itself.
3Measurement precision
If fiducial markers and radiation sensors are integrated with the balloons, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the balloon structure by integrating fiducial markers and radiation sensors directly with the balloon material or surface. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components and reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision for radiation delivery accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A gynecological balloon apparatus has a first balloon and a second balloon disposed with a gynecological brachytherapy applicator. The first and second balloons are each movable between an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The first and second balloons may conform to a shape of a vaginal cavity when in their inflated conditions. A radiation detecting sensor and a motion detecting sensor may be positioned with the apparatus.