Movable Floor Imaging Support for Particle Therapy Gantry
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Solution Overview
Problem
In particle therapy systems with a rotatably mounted gantry, the arrangement of an imaging device is challenging due to space constraints and the risk of collisions with moving elements, limiting flexible imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A particle therapy system with a movable floor that stably supports the imaging device, allowing it to remain in the treatment room and rotate with the gantry, featuring a floor segment that remains in place and supports the imaging device independently of the gantry's position, along with a robot arm for flexible positioning of the imaging unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging device is arranged on a movable floor in a treatment room with a rotatable gantry, then flexible imaging capabilities are enabled independent of gantry position, but the device complexity and risk of collisions with moving elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The floor is divided into multiple movable floor segments that can be independently positioned. Each segment can be moved to different locations within the treatment room, allowing the imaging device to be placed on the appropriate segment depending on the gantry position and imaging requirements, thereby enabling flexible imaging while managing system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is mounted on a movable floor segment rather than being fixed to the gantry or treatment room structure. This dynamic mounting allows the floor segment to be repositioned according to the gantry's rotational position, enabling the imaging device to maintain optimal positioning relative to the patient and gantry while avoiding collisions with moving elements
2Productivity
If the imaging device remains in the treatment room on the movable floor, then immediate availability for imaging is achieved, but space constraints and collision risks with gantry elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment room floor is segmented into multiple movable sections. The imaging device is placed on a specific floor segment that can be independently repositioned. When the gantry rotates to positions where collision might occur, the floor segment can be moved to a safe location, while the imaging device remains immediately available for use when the gantry is in appropriate positions
Solution Approach 2:
The movable floor segment acts as an intermediary between the imaging device and the treatment room environment. It provides a flexible mounting platform that can be positioned to avoid collisions with gantry elements while keeping the imaging device accessible and ready for immediate use when conditions permit
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 flexible and immediate imaging capabilities regardless of the gantry's position, reducing the complexity of the imaging process and avoiding collisions, while maintaining a stable and accessible imaging device close to the patient.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device which includes an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, with which x-ray images of the patient to be treated can be recorded
Data Source
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AI summary
The particle therapy system (2) has a treatment chamber (6), and a rotatable gantry (4) with a radiation treatment unit, by which a particle beam emitted from different angles in the treatment chamber. A movable floor is provided in the treatment chamber. An imaging device is disposed on the movably supported floor. The movably supported floor is formed such that it bears the weight of the imaging device.