Multi-Source Rotating Radiation System for Non-Coplanar Stereotactic Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapeutical systems with ring-shaped imagers are limited to coplanar stereotactic radiation delivery due to their design, which restricts the rotation of the treatment couch, resulting in suboptimal dose distribution and extended treatment times for non-coplanar stereotactic treatments, especially for lesions outside the cranial region.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapeutical system featuring multiple high-intensity radiation sources configured to rotate around a common axis, combined with a compact multileaf collimator (MLC) and a ring-shaped imager, enabling non-coplanar stereotactic radiation delivery without couch rotation, allowing for precise and rapid treatment of any body part within 0.1-20 seconds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a ring-shaped imager is used for image guidance, then imaging capability is provided, but the treatment couch cannot rotate within the ring, limiting radiation delivery to coplanar manner only
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the radiation delivery function into multiple independent radiation sources (at least two, preferably three or more) that can be independently controlled. Each source can be rotated independently around the common rotation axis, allowing non-coplanar stereotactic radiation delivery while maintaining the ring-shaped imager structure for image guidance.
2Device complexity
If conventional single-source ring-shaped systems are used, then device structure is simplified, but treatment time is extended to 30-60 minutes for non-coplanar stereotactic treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple radiation sources (at least two, preferably three or more) that can rotate independently around a common rotation axis. This merging of multiple sources enables simultaneous non-coplanar stereotactic radiation delivery from multiple directions, reducing treatment time to 0.1-20 seconds while maintaining relatively simple individual source structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous radiation delivery from multiple sources simultaneously around the common rotation axis, eliminating the need for sequential treatment steps. The independent rotation and control of multiple sources allow uninterrupted radiation delivery, reducing total treatment time from 30-60 minutes to 0.1-20 seconds.
3Loss of time
If multiple radiation sources are used for non-coplanar stereotactic treatment, then treatment time is reduced to 0.1-20 seconds, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple radiation sources that share common structural and control features. Each source can perform the same functions (radiation generation, rotation, positioning) and can be independently controlled. This universality allows the system to achieve fast treatment delivery while managing complexity through standardized, interchangeable components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If couch rotation is allowed within ring-shaped imager, then non-coplanar stereotactic treatment is enabled, but imaging guidance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the radiation delivery function from the imaging function. The ring-shaped imager remains stationary to maintain precise imaging guidance, while multiple radiation sources are segmented and can rotate independently around the common rotation axis. This segmentation allows non-coplanar stereotactic treatment without compromising image guidance precision.
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 configuration allows for high-precision, high-conformal non-coplanar stereotactic radiation treatment in a short time, reducing radiation damage to circulating immune cells and mitigating motion-induced problems, while integrating ring-shaped imaging for precise image guidance.
Implementation Method 1
The DNA damage may be caused by either direct or indirect ionization of the DNA atoms. Indirect ionization of DNA atoms involves the ionization of non-DNA atoms such as water, forming free radicals such as hydroxyl radicals that damage the DNA.
Implementation Method 2
two or more high-intensity radiation sources configured to rotate around a common rotation axis and target at a common point on the rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a radiotherapeutical or radiosurgical system comprising at least two high-intensity radiation sources configured to rotate around a common rotation axis and a ring-shaped imaging device. A three-source configuration is considered as the most cost-effective and will be used as an example for illustration. The configuration of these high-intensity radiation sources and use of a unique compact MLC for each of the radiation sources make it possible for the system to rapidly deliver high-conformal non-coplanar stereotactic radiation treatment in one gantry rotation without any couch rotation. Therefore the invention can deliver high precision and high-conformal non-coplanar stereotactic radiation treatment to any part of the body in an extremely short time (0.1-20 seconds), which may exhibit numerous advantages over the prior art, such as reduction of radiation damage to the circulating immune cells in blood and mitigation of patient motion-induced problems, among others.