Oblique Guide-Rail Tilting for Compact Non-Coplanar Radiotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiotherapy devices that provide both coplanar and non-coplanar treatment are large, heavy, and complex, requiring significant space and complex counterweight systems, making them impractical for hospital use.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapy device with a tilting apparatus featuring oblique guide rails and carriages that allow the radiation source to be tilted by translating along these rails, enabling both coplanar and non-coplanar treatment configurations without significant radial or horizontal displacement, using linear actuators for smooth transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large curved rail is used to enable non-coplanar radiation delivery, then the number of beam angles is increased, but the device height increases significantly and space requirements are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional curved rail movement to a three-dimensional tilting mechanism. The radiation source is tilted about an axis perpendicular to the gantry rotation axis, enabling non-coplanar beam angles without increasing device height. This dimensional change allows the beam to exit at oblique angles while maintaining a compact vertical profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic tilting mechanism where the radiation source can be tilted to different angles during gantry rotation. The tilting apparatus includes movable components that adjust the source angle in real-time, allowing continuous adaptation of beam orientation without requiring a fixed large-height structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex counterweight systems are added to achieve non-coplanar treatment, then coplanar and non-coplanar angles are both achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tilting function from a complex counterweight system and implements it through a simpler mechanism. The tilting apparatus uses a focused set of components including a tiltable support structure and positioning mechanisms, removing the need for extensive counterbalancing systems while achieving the same functional goal of non-coplanar beam delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical counterweight systems with an alternative mechanical arrangement that achieves tilting through a different principle. Instead of balancing weights, the system uses a tilting apparatus with guide rails, carriages, and rotatable support structures that enable angle adjustment through constrained linear and rotational movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the radiation source is moved outside the gantry plane using a large curved rail, then non-coplanar radiation is delivered, but the radial displacement increases and space is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves non-coplanar beam delivery by tilting the radiation source about an axis perpendicular to the gantry rotation axis. This creates beam exit angles in three dimensions without requiring large radial displacements. The tilting mechanism allows the source to remain within a compact radial envelope while delivering oblique beams.
4Device complexity
If traditional coplanar-only design is used, then device size is minimized, but radiation can only be delivered from a single geometric plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic tilting capability to a compact gantry design. The radiation source can be tilted to different angles during rotation, transforming a static coplanar system into a dynamic non-coplanar system. This allows the device to maintain minimal size while achieving multi-plane beam delivery through real-time angle adjustment.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Described herein is a radiotherapy device comprising a tilting apparatus for tilting a source of radiation. The tilting apparatus comprises a plurality of guide rails comprising a first and a second guide rail, and a plurality of carriages comprising a first carriage and a second carriage. The first carriage is translatable along the first guide rail and the second carriage is translatable along the second guide rail. The tilting apparatus also comprises a support structure for supporting the source of radiation, wherein the support structure is rotatably coupled to each of the first and second carriages. The first and second guide rail are angled with respect to one another such that translation of the carriages along the guide rails causes tilting of the support structure.