Motorized QA Cradle With Sensor Feedback for Radiation Therapy Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation therapy systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately aligning quality assurance devices for comprehensive data acquisition, particularly for modulated treatment modalities, which is crucial for ensuring the precision and safety of cancer treatment.

Innovation Solution

A cradle and feedback mechanism that includes a base, translation stage, rotation and tilt adjustment assemblies, and a position sensor, along with a controller, to automate the alignment and positioning of quality assurance devices on medical linear accelerators, utilizing stepper motors and annular support gears for precise angular adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual alignment methods are used for quality assurance devices, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment time and productivity are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment speedVSAvoidalignment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-aligning features where the quality assurance device automatically orients itself using integrated alignment marks that interact with laser reference lines. The device includes self-adjusting mechanical components that automatically compensate for positioning errors, reducing the need for complex manual intervention while maintaining high alignment speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional manual mechanical alignment procedures with an automated optical-mechanical system. Laser beams provide optical reference lines, and motorized positioning mechanisms with encoders replace manual adjustment, enabling rapid automated alignment while reducing operator burden and increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive data acquisition is performed for modulated treatment modalities, then measurement precision is improved, but alignment time and productivity are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidalignment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary alignment using laser reference lines and alignment marks before comprehensive data acquisition. The mechanical positioning system pre-positions the device using encoder feedback, and alignment marks are pre-aligned with laser beams, establishing an accurate reference frame before detailed measurements begin, thus reducing total alignment time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms including encoders on motorized positioning systems and alignment marks detected by sensors. The system continuously monitors position and orientation, providing real-time feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts positioning to maintain alignment accuracy within specified tolerances throughout the data acquisition process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If automated positioning systems are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator intervention requirementVSAvoidpositioning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated positioning system is designed with multi-functional capabilities that justify its complexity. The same motorized stages and encoder systems used for alignment also enable rapid repositioning for different measurement scenarios, support multiple treatment modalities, and provide automated data collection. This universal functionality distributes the complexity across multiple useful operations, improving ease of operation overall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables rapid, automated, and accurate alignment of quality assurance devices, allowing for comprehensive data acquisition within 30 minutes with minimal operator intervention, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of radiation therapy quality assurance.

Implementation Method 1

a position sensor adapted to provide accurate measurements of a current position of the cradle during cradle position adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a stepper motor adapted so that the stepper motor drives the pinion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion:

Implementation Method 3

Each stepper motor may include a height adjustment screw

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS12427343B2Cradle and feedback mechanism for automated device alignment in radiation therapy

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION

AI summary

An apparatus adapted for automated device alignment in radiation therapy quality assurance, includes a base, a rotation adjustment assembly supported on the base, a tilt adjustment assembly supported on the rotation adjustment assembly, a quality assurance device supported on a cradle of the tilt adjustment assembly, a position sensor adapted to provide accurate measurements of a current position of the cradle during cradle position adjustment, and a controller configured to control operation of the rotation adjustment assembly and the tilt adjustment assembly and receive data from the position sensor respecting the current position of the cradle.