Thermoplastic Mask Pressure Sensor for Head Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In head and neck radiation therapy, the movement of the patient's head within a thermoplastic mask can cause inaccuracies in radiation delivery, leading to potential damage to normal tissues and reduced treatment effectiveness, as existing systems lack precise monitoring and control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A thermoplastic mask system equipped with a pressure sensor positioned between the mask and the patient's head, which transmits pressure data to a computer system to detect movement and control radiation therapy by discontinuing treatment if excessive movement occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermoplastic mask is used to fix the patient's head, then the head can be secured in position, but movement of the head within the mask can still occur causing radiation delivery inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides real-time feedback on head position by detecting pressure changes between the mask and head. This feedback is transmitted to a control system that can alert operators or automatically adjust the radiation beam position to compensate for detected movements, thereby maintaining radiation delivery precision despite head movement within the mask.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical fixation (thermoplastic mask alone) with a sensor-based monitoring system. The pressure sensor detects head position changes and converts them into electrical signals for processing, substituting mechanical monitoring with electronic detection to achieve more precise movement tracking and compensation.
2Manufacturing precision
If high precision radiation therapy is performed, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damage to normal tissues increases if patient movement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor continuously monitors head position and provides real-time feedback to the radiation control system. When movement is detected, the system can either alert operators to pause treatment or automatically adjust the radiation beam positioning, ensuring that high-precision radiation remains targeted at the tumor while avoiding damage to surrounding normal tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting head movement before radiation is delivered to an incorrect position. The pressure sensor continuously monitors during setup and treatment, and the control system can preemptively adjust beam positioning or pause treatment before misaligned radiation reaches normal tissues, preventing harmful effects before they occur.
3Measurement precision
If a pressure sensor is added to monitor head movement, then movement detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor acts as an intermediary element placed between the mask and the patient's head. It converts mechanical pressure changes from head movement into electrical signals that can be processed by the control system. This intermediary approach enables precise movement detection without requiring complex modifications to the mask structure itself, keeping the overall system relatively simple while achieving high measurement precision.
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 system ensures safe and accurate radiation therapy by confirming head movement and adjusting treatment accordingly, reducing the risk of damage to normal tissues and improving treatment precision.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor provided between a mask and a body in a therapy of head and neck cancer using radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic mask monitoring system using a pressure sensor. Specifically, a thermoplastic mask according to the present invention may include: a mask having a shape determined according to a shape of a first region which is at least a part of a patient's body by using thermoplasticity, fixing the first region in close contact with the first region, and receiving radiation; and a pressure sensor provided between the mask and the first region and sensing pressure induced by a space generated between the mask and the first region.