Gynecological Irradiation Applicator with Interlocking Guide Tubes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gynecological irradiation instruments are cumbersome and prone to inaccurate positioning due to shifting components, requiring skilled personnel and often performed under anesthesia, which increases the risk of excessive radiation exposure to surrounding tissues.

Innovation Solution

A gynecological instrument featuring source guide tubes with a coupling piece outside the patient that hook together upon insertion, utilizing a central flange-shaped stop to fixate the tubes relative to each other, preventing shifting and ensuring accurate positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple tubes are assembled and fixed by screw clamp outside the patient, then the catheters can be connected to the remote afterloading machine, but the tubes may shift relative to each other during treatment and the positioning is inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate tubes into a single integrated applicator unit with pre-fixed geometric relationships. The tubes are combined into one piece that maintains fixed spacing between irradiation elements, eliminating the need for separate assembly and fixation of multiple tubes during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The geometric relationships and spacing between tubes are pre-established during manufacturing of the integrated applicator. The relative positions of all irradiation elements are predetermined and fixed in the single-piece structure, so no positioning adjustments are needed during treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the applicator is introduced tube by tube and fixed by screw clamp, then the catheters can be assembled, but the process is laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion speedVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple tubes that would otherwise need to be assembled separately are merged into a single integrated applicator unit. This allows the entire assembly to be inserted as one piece, dramatically reducing the time required for assembly and insertion compared to handling multiple separate tubes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator is designed as a single segmented unit that can be introduced through the cervix as one piece. The integrated design allows rapid insertion without the need for step-by-step assembly of multiple components during the medical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If gauze is used to stuff the interspace to prevent shifting, then the catheters can be positioned, but the process is painful and uncomfortable and requires anesthesia

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator integrates all positioning and spacing functions into its structural design. The fixed geometric relationships between tubes are built into the single-piece construction, eliminating the need for gauze packing or other mechanical restraint methods that cause patient discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical restraint system using gauze packing is replaced by the inherent structural stability of the integrated applicator. The fixed geometric relationships and rigid construction of the single-piece design provide positioning stability without requiring additional mechanical restraint materials that cause pain and discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the catheters are not fixed relative to each other, then the instrument can be flexible, but the catheters may shift and expose surrounding tissues to excessive radiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidradiation exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple catheters are merged into a single integrated applicator unit with fixed geometric relationships. This ensures that the relative positions of all irradiation elements remain constant during treatment, preventing shifting that could expose surrounding tissues to excessive radiation while maintaining ease of insertion as one piece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7871365B2Gynecological instrument

Publication Date: 2011.01.18 NUCLETRON OPERATIONS

AI summary

An apparatus is described for irradiating cervical cancer, comprising multiple source guide tubes with a coupling piece situated outside the patient that connects the tubes outside the patient. The source guide tubes are formed such that the portions of the tubes situated in the patient upon insertion hook to each other so that the tubes are locked relative to each other. In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a central catheter tube to be guided into the uterus, which is provided with a flange-shaped stop for stabilizing the central tube relative to the uterus, the stop being formed for securing a position of the central tube relative to the further source guide tubes.