Modular Jig System for Radiation Oncology Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiological imaging systems require repeated entry and exit of the radiation treatment vault for positioning and measuring multiple calibration phantoms, consuming valuable time and reducing system availability.
Innovation Solution
A modular jig system comprising a plurality of carrier jigs and an adapter jig that allows multiple calibration phantoms to be set up and oriented on a treatment couch simultaneously, using dovetail interfaces for interconnection and positioning assistants for secure placement, enabling efficient imaging without repeated vault entries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple calibration phantoms are measured sequentially with repeated vault entries, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but time consumption increases and system availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides multiple calibration phantoms into separate carrier jigs that can be independently positioned and measured. Each phantom is secured in its own carrier jig, allowing sequential measurement without removing phantoms from the vault, thus eliminating repeated entry/exit time while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple calibration phantoms are pre-positioned in carrier jigs within the vault before measurement begins. This preliminary arrangement allows the imaging system to continuously measure each phantom in sequence without interruption, eliminating the time loss associated with repeated vault entries while preserving measurement precision.
2Productivity
If multiple calibration phantoms are positioned simultaneously in the vault, then system availability increases, but positioning complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into multiple independent carrier jigs, each capable of holding and positioning a single calibration phantom. These modular carrier jigs can be independently adjusted and positioned, simplifying the overall complexity while enabling simultaneous presence of multiple phantoms in the vault, thus improving system availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier jigs are designed with universal features including dovetail interfaces for interconnection, adjustable positioning assistants, and standardized mounting mechanisms. This universality allows the same carrier jig design to accommodate different phantom types and sizes, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and thereby managing complexity while supporting multiple phantoms simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If custom positioning devices are made for each phantom shape and vendor, then positioning precision is optimized, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier jigs incorporate universal positioning assistants with adjustable features that can accommodate various phantom shapes, sizes, and vendor-specific geometries. The dovetail interfaces and standardized mounting mechanisms allow a single carrier jig design to serve multiple phantom types, maintaining positioning precision without requiring custom-manufactured devices for each phantom variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning assistants on the carrier jigs are designed to be adjustable and reconfigurable, allowing dynamic adaptation to different phantom geometries. This adjustability enables precise positioning for various phantom types using the same carrier jig, eliminating the need for custom-manufactured rigid positioning devices for each phantom type.
4Measurement precision
If a single carrier jig holds one calibration phantom, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but time is lost removing and replacing phantoms between measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent carrier jigs, each holding one calibration phantom with precise positioning. This segmentation allows all phantoms to remain in the vault simultaneously, and the imaging system can measure each phantom in sequence without removing or replacing them, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while eliminating the time loss associated with phantom replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
The modular jig system may comprise a plurality of carrier jigs and an adapter jig. The plurality of carrier jigs may be operable to support and orient calibration phantoms on a treatment couch within a radiation oncology treatment vault. An individual carrier jig selected from the plurality of carrier jigs may be used to support one calibration phantom at a time. The plurality of carrier jigs may be interconnected to place and orient multiple calibration phantoms. The adapter jig may be operable to position the calibration phantoms at fixed reference locations relative to the treatment couch. The treatment couch may be positioned to image one of the calibration phantoms and the treatment couch may be repositioned such that each of the calibration phantoms may be imaged.