Integrated Neutron Therapy Shielding and Beam Shaping Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional neutron therapy apparatuses for boron neutron capture therapy require large, bulky structures to achieve multi-angle irradiation, necessitating even larger external rotary apparatuses and significant space, which hinders miniaturization and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A neutron therapy apparatus with a beam shaping assembly including a moderator and reflector for neutron energy moderation and enhancement, a neutron generator for ion beam-generated neutrons, and a shielding assembly that moves with the beam shaping assembly to provide multi-angle irradiation while minimizing radioactive leakage through arc-shaped shielding portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional neutron therapy apparatus is fixed on an external rotary apparatus to achieve multi-angle irradiation, then multi-angle irradiation capability is improved, but the overall structure becomes bulky and requires large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam shaping assembly and shielding assembly into a single integrated unit that rotates together. The shielding assembly is directly coupled to the beam shaping assembly, eliminating the need for separate rotary apparatuses. This integration allows multi-angle irradiation capability while significantly reducing the overall apparatus volume and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic rotation mechanism where the beam shaping assembly and shielding assembly rotate together as one unit. The rotation drive unit enables the integrated assembly to change angles dynamically, providing multi-angle irradiation capability without requiring large external rotary apparatuses, thus reducing the overall apparatus volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the beam shaping assembly rotates independently from shielding, then irradiation flexibility is improved, but radioactive ray leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding assembly is integrated with the beam shaping assembly, forming a unified rotating unit. This ensures that the shielding assembly rotates synchronously with the beam shaping assembly, maintaining continuous shielding coverage during rotation. The integration guarantees that shielding portions always correspond to the beam shaping assembly's position, preventing radioactive ray leakage while preserving irradiation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotation drive unit as an intermediary mechanism that couples the beam shaping assembly and shielding assembly. This rotation drive unit ensures synchronized rotation of both assemblies, maintaining the relative positional relationship between shielding portions and the beam shaping assembly during rotation, thus preventing leakage while enabling flexible irradiation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large external rotary apparatus is used to drive the neutron therapy apparatus, then multi-angle irradiation is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beam shaping assembly and shielding assembly into a single rotating unit with a unified rotation drive. This integration eliminates the need for complex external rotary apparatuses, reducing device complexity while maintaining multi-angle irradiation capability. The simplified structure consists of one rotation drive unit controlling one integrated assembly, significantly reducing overall system complexity.
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 compact, efficient multi-angle neutron beam irradiation with reduced radioactive leakage, improving the miniaturization and application of neutron therapy apparatuses while maintaining effective neutron intensity and shielding.
Implementation Method 1
a moderator and a reflector surrounding the moderator, wherein the moderator moderates neutrons to a predetermined energy spectrum
Implementation Method 2
the reflector guides deflected neutrons back to enhance the neutron intensity in the predetermined energy spectrum
Implementation Method 3
a neutron generator embedded inside the beam shaping assembly, wherein the neutron generator generates neutrons after irradiated by an ion beam
Implementation Method 4
a shielding assembly connected to the beam shaping assembly, wherein the shielding assembly moves together with the beam shaping assembly and shields the radioactive rays leaked from the beam shaping assembly
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide a neutron therapy apparatus which give multi angles neutron beam irradiation, the neutron therapy apparatus includes: a beam shaping assembly including a moderator and a reflector surrounding the moderator, wherein the moderator moderates neutrons to a predetermined energy spectrum and the reflector guides deflected neutrons back to enhance the neutron intensity in the predetermined energy spectrum; a neutron generator embedded inside the beam shaping assembly, wherein the neutron generator generates neutrons after irradiated by an ion beam; and an irradiation room for receiving a irradiated object, a shielding assembly connected to the beam shaping assembly, wherein the shielding assembly moves together with the beam shaping assembly and shields the radioactive rays leaked from the beam shaping assembly all the time.