Modular Multi-Leaf Collimator for Portion-Specific Diagnostic Dose Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional diagnostic radiation apparatuses struggle to effectively reduce radiation exposure to areas outside the area of interest during imaging, limiting the ability to adjust shielding based on the specific portions of the body.

Innovation Solution

A modular dose adjustment device with a multi-leaf collimator and actuator system that adjusts radiation transmittance for each portion of the irradiation area, controlled by a communication module and controller, allowing real-time adjustment based on user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a shielding material is directly attached to the patient's body or protective clothing is worn, then radiation exposure is reduced, but the ability to adjust shielding for different portions is limited and patient comfort is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidadjustability of shielding
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The collimator is divided into multiple independently controllable leaves, each capable of adjusting the radiation field for different anatomical regions. This segmentation allows precise control of radiation exposure for each portion of the patient's body, resolving the contradiction between reducing overall radiation and maintaining adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collimator leaves are made dynamically adjustable during the imaging procedure, allowing real-time modification of the radiation field shape and size. This dynamic control enables optimization of radiation protection for each specific imaging scenario while maintaining diagnostic quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a collimator with fixed field shape is used, then the radiation exposure range is limited, but the flexibility to adapt to different diagnostic needs is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation exposure rangeVSAvoidfield shape flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The collimator system employs dynamically adjustable leaves that can change the field shape in real-time according to diagnostic requirements. This transforms the fixed field shape limitation into a flexible, adaptable system that can optimize radiation exposure for each specific imaging task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including field size, field shape, and positioning of the radiation beam. These parameter changes are coordinated to reduce radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic image quality for different anatomical regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a modular dose adjustment device is added to the diagnostic radiation apparatus, then radiation exposure control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation exposure controlVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dose adjustment device integrates multiple functions including radiation field shaping, positioning, and real-time control within a single modular unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices while achieving comprehensive radiation exposure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated control capabilities where the controller automatically adjusts collimator leaf positions based on pre-programmed protocols or real-time imaging feedback, reducing the need for complex manual operation and simplifying the user interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device provides customizable radiation shielding for each portion, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure without structural changes to the apparatus, enhancing safety and image clarity.

Implementation Method 1

a multi-leaf collimator configured to adjust transmittance for a portion in an irradiation area of diagnostic radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4018933B1Dose adjustment device mountable to diagnostic radiation equipment and dose adjustment system including same
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 KOREA INST OF RADIOLOGICAL & MEDICAL SCI
  • EP4018933B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4018933B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4018933B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dose adjustment device mountable to diagnostic radiation equipment, and a dose adjustment system including same, the dose adjustment device including: a power supply unit; a multi-leaf collimator which is configured to be able to adjust the transmittance for each portion of an irradiation area for diagnostic radiation; a driving unit which is configured to be able to independently adjust the position of each single leaf included in the multi-leaf collimator; a communication module which is configured to be able to communicate with the outside; and a control unit which controls the driving unit so that the transmittance of each portion of the irradiation area for diagnostic radiation can be adjusted according to signals received from the communication module. The dose adjustment device mountable to diagnostic radiation equipment and the dose adjustment system including same according to the present invention allow radiation exposure in each portion of in the irradiation area to be prevented, and are configured as modules that are attachable to diagnostic radiation equipment, thus having the effect of allowing a radiation shielding function to be easily added to existing equipment without changing the structure thereof.