Patient Head Fixation Device with Disposable Bite-Block
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fixation methods for patients undergoing fractionated radiation therapy are not suitable for ensuring precise and repeatable alignment of the head relative to the radiation therapy unit, leading to potential damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A fixation device comprising an interface unit, a bite-block, and a positioning arrangement with joints and adhesive for secure and flexible immobilization of the head, allowing for accurate and repeatable positioning during treatment sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid fixation frame with pins is used to immobilize the patient's head, then the head can be securely fixed during treatment, but the fixation method becomes invasive and unsuitable for fractionated therapy where repeated positioning is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable bite-block that is discarded after each treatment session, eliminating the need for invasive permanent fixation devices. The bite-block provides sufficient fixation stability for each session while allowing complete removal and replacement for subsequent sessions, thus enabling fractionated therapy without cumulative trauma to the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system is divided into separate components: a reusable positioning interface unit and a disposable bite-block. This segmentation allows the bite-block to be replaced between sessions while the interface unit remains, combining the reliability of a stable fixation system with the ease of repeated positioning through simple component replacement.
2Productivity
If the patient's head is repositioned between treatment sessions, then fractionated therapy can be delivered, but achieving the exact same position with high precision is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The interface unit is pre-configured with precise geometric features and reference marks that establish a consistent coordinate system. Before each treatment session, the bite-block is positioned using this pre-established reference system, ensuring that the patient's head is reproducibly positioned with high precision without requiring complex measurement procedures during repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface unit creates a reproducible physical template or reference framework that is copied or referenced during each treatment session. This allows the exact same spatial relationship to be recreated repeatedly, ensuring that the treatment volume aligns precisely with the radiation focus point across multiple sessions.
3Measurement precision
If a complex fixation device is used to ensure precise positioning, then repositioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex positioning and measurement functions into a separate, dedicated interface unit that provides precise geometric references. The bite-block itself remains simple in structure, requiring only basic positioning actions. This separation allows high positioning accuracy to be achieved through the specialized interface unit while keeping the overall system easy to operate.
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 solution provides a tensionless and comfortable fixation method that ensures high repositioning accuracy, minimizing artifacts in radiation therapy and allowing for precise alignment of the head during each treatment session, suitable for fractionated radiation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a positioning arrangement adapted to be fixated by means of an adhesive for fixation of the bite-block
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a fixation device and a method for immobilizing a head of a patient relative a treatment unit or medical device during treatment of the head. The fixation device is provided with an interface unit adapted to be fixated in relation to an adaptor unit for connection to the treatment unit, or to a frame for connection to the medical device. Furthermore, the fixation device is provided with a bite-block for being inserted into a mouth of a patient and a positioning arrangement movably connecting the bite-block to the interface unit. The positioning arrangement is adapted to be fixated by means of an adhesive for fixation of the bite-block such that the head of a patient can be immobilized relative said adaptor unit or frame.