Eyelid Plaque Radiation Shielding for Ocular Cancer
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for eyelid cancers, such as radiation therapy, often result in side effects like infection, pain, and damage to the eye, and there is a need for a method to minimize radiation exposure to other organs during treatment.
Innovation Solution
An eyelid plaque is designed to enclose a radiation source, providing a radiation shield that reduces radiation leakage and allows for the use of low doses over a longer period, minimizing damage to adjacent tissues by confining the radiation to the treatment area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation therapy is used to treat eyelid cancers, then cancer treatment effectiveness is improved, but damage to adjacent organs and structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plaque incorporates a radiation shield made of lead or other radiopaque material that is selectively positioned to block radiation from reaching adjacent sensitive structures such as the eyeball, while allowing radiation to treat the cancer. This creates different radiation protection qualities in different spatial locations relative to the radiation source.
2Loss of time
If high dose radiation is used to treat cancer, then treatment duration is reduced, but side effects and damage to surrounding tissues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation shield is positioned beforehand to protect sensitive structures from radiation exposure. This pre-positioned protection allows the use of higher radiation doses or longer treatment durations without increasing damage to adjacent organs, as the shield cushions these structures from harmful radiation effects.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation shield is added to the plaque, then protection of adjacent organs is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plaque is constructed as a composite device combining radiopaque shielding material (lead or other dense materials) with radiolucent or transparent materials that allow radiation passage. This composite structure integrates both protective and therapeutic functions within a single plaque unit, managing complexity through material composition rather than separate components.
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
The eyelid plaque effectively delivers radiation to the cancer while minimizing collateral damage to other organs, potentially reducing side effects associated with existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The enclosure defines a radiation shield that reduces radiation exiting the eyelid plaque and entering other organs and structures proximate the cancer being treated
Data Source
AI summary
An eyelid plaque and a method of using the plaque to treat eye cancers. The eyelid plaque is placed on the eyelid such that it defines an enclosure within which the radiation source resides. The enclosure defines a radiation shield that reduces radiation entering other organs and structures proximate the cancer being treated.