Movable Electromagnet Electron Beam Steering for Dose Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for delivering ionizing radiation to products face inefficiencies in dose uniformity and radiation waste, as they struggle to maintain a minimum ionizing radiation dose while avoiding damage to the product and adhering to regulatory limits, leading to suboptimal processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an electron accelerator and a movable electromagnet within a vacuum chamber to steer electrons towards the product, adjusting the steering angle based on the electromagnet's position, ensuring a convergent radiation beam for improved dose uniformity and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed electromagnet configuration is used to deliver ionizing radiation to products, then the system structure is simple, but the dose uniformity ratio deteriorates and radiation waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet is made movable along the axis of the vacuum chamber, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position. This enables the system to adapt the magnetic field configuration to different product heights and geometries, achieving uniform dose distribution without requiring a complex fixed multi-electromagnet system
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the magnetic field parameters (strength and position) dynamically during operation. By adjusting the electromagnet's position along the vacuum chamber axis and modifying the electric current in the coil assembly, the system optimizes the electron beam steering angle to achieve uniform irradiation across products of varying heights
2Reliability
If the ionizing radiation dose is increased to ensure efficacy, then the minimum dose requirement is met, but the maximum dose limit is exceeded causing product damage
Solution Approach 1:
The movable electromagnet enables localized control of the electron beam steering angle. By adjusting the electromagnet position, the system directs electrons to different regions of the product, ensuring that each area receives an appropriate dose within the safe range, preventing both under-irradiation and over-irradiation damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs controllers that monitor and adjust the electromagnet position and electric current in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures the electron beam is precisely steered to achieve uniform dose distribution, maintaining doses within the therapeutic window between minimum efficacy and maximum safety limits
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive electromagnet positioning is used to irradiate products of varying heights, then dose uniformity improves, but the device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single electromagnet is made dynamically adjustable along the vacuum chamber axis, replacing the need for multiple fixed electromagnets or extensive repositioning operations. This dynamic configuration allows the system to efficiently handle products of varying heights while maintaining dose uniformity and processing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The movable electromagnet serves multiple functions: it can irradiate products of different heights, adjust beam steering angles, and maintain dose uniformity across various product geometries. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for complex multi-electromagnet systems while preserving processing efficiency
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
This approach enhances dose uniformity and processing efficiency by minimizing wasted ionizing energy, allowing for uniform irradiation of products of varying heights without the need for extensive electromagnet positioning, thus improving the overall efficiency of the irradiation process.
Implementation Method 1
the electromagnet to generate a magnetic field in the vacuum chamber, the magnetic field being a function of an electric current circulating in the coil assembly
Implementation Method 2
the electromagnet to generate a magnetic field in the vacuum chamber... to have the electromagnet steer electrons from the vacuum chamber toward the product
Data Source
AI summary
An electron beam from an accelerator is injected into a vacuum chamber and bent approximately 90 degrees by an electromagnet, which can be translated along the vacuum chamber and along the propagation direction of the electron beam. Under the influence of the electromagnet, electrons exit the scan chamber through a thin metal vacuum barrier and are directed toward the product to be irradiated. There can be an x-ray converter located between the electron beam and the product. As the electromagnet moves along the scan chamber and along the direction of the electron beam, the bending angle of the electron beam can be adjusted as a function of the position of the electromagnet with respect to the product.