Embedded Fluorescent Optical Fiber Probe for Radiation Dose Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiation dose detectors are too large, have insufficient material safety, short lifetimes, and poor sensitivity, making real-time monitoring of radiation absorbed dose during radiotherapy challenging, especially for in-vivo measurements, and they lack direct and reusable position calibration methods.

Innovation Solution

An embedded optical fiber radiation dose detector with a hollow core optical fiber probe and embedded fluorescent material, which improves signal coupling and reduces sensor size, allowing for real-time monitoring of radiation doses and minimizing side effects during radiotherapy by using a micro-processed optical fiber with a fluorescent material embedded in its core, and optionally a capillary optical fiber for enhanced sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional radiation dose detectors are used, then radiation dose can be detected, but the detectors are too large for in-vivo measurements and have poor sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoiddetector size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorescent material is embedded within the hollow core of the optical fiber probe, creating a nested structure where the detection medium is contained inside the fiber. This allows the detector to be miniaturized for in-vivo use while maintaining adequate sensitivity through the concentrated fluorescent material within the core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical fiber probe uses a thin-walled hollow core structure that allows flexibility and miniaturization. The thin film walls enable the probe to be inserted into the body cavity while the fluorescent material embedded in the core provides the detection function, resolving the contradiction between small size and detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Measurement precision

If fluorescent material is applied on optical fiber surface with cladding removed, then radiation dose can be detected, but signal coupling efficiency is low and sensitivity is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal coupling efficiencyVSAvoiddetection sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the fluorescent material from the surface application method and embeds it within the hollow core of the optical fiber. This removes the problematic surface coupling issue and places the fluorescent material in a position where it can efficiently couple signals directly into the fiber core, improving both coupling efficiency and sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow core of the optical fiber acts as an intermediary structure that contains and positions the fluorescent material. This intermediate structure facilitates efficient energy transfer from the fluorescent material to the optical fiber, improving signal coupling without requiring complex surface modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If standard sensors are used for radiation dose detection, then dose measurement is possible, but material safety is insufficient and lifetime is short

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial safetyVSAvoidsensor lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces conventional mechanical/electronic radiation sensors with an optical-based detection system using fluorescent material and optical fiber. This substitution eliminates the material safety and lifetime issues of standard sensors by using biocompatible optical materials that can be safely implanted and provide long-term stable performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables real-time in-vivo radiation dose monitoring, improving the efficacy of radiotherapy while ensuring patient safety by providing precise tumor location calibration and accurate radiation dose measurement.

Implementation Method 1

a first fluorescent material is embedded in a terminal of the detecting end of the first optical fiber probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS10162063B2Radiation dose detector with embedded optical fibers

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 JIANGSU GONGDA COLLABORATION MEDICAL ROBOT CO LTD

AI summary

An embedded optical fiber radiation dose detector, includes: a first optical fiber probe, wherein a first end of the first optical fiber probe is connected to a first light intensity detector, and a second end of the first optical fiber probe is a detecting end, wherein a first fluorescent material is embedded in a terminal of the detecting end of the first optical fiber probe. Advantages are as follows: the optical fiber probes of the present invention have an embedded structure, wherein an optical fiber probe, whose core is hollow inside, is produced with a micro processing technology, and the fluorescent material is embedded therein, so as to significantly improve an efficiency of coupling radiation-generated fluorescent signals into the cores of the optical fibers, and significantly decreases a size of an optical fiber sensor.