Neutron Therapy Table Rotation for Uniform Dose Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neutron capture therapy apparatuses face challenges in achieving uniform radiation dose distribution during cancer treatment, particularly in boron neutron capture therapy, due to irradiation in a single direction, which affects treatment efficacy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a neutron ray irradiation unit that performs first and second irradiations in different directions, combined with a posture change unit to adjust the patient's position between irradiations, and includes a drug injection unit with a pipe holding mechanism to maintain drug flow stability and protect control units from radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single-direction neutron irradiation is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the radiation dose distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the irradiation system movable through a posture change unit that rotates the treatment table, enabling the neutron ray irradiation unit to irradiate from multiple directions sequentially rather than requiring a complex multi-directional stationary system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms a single-direction irradiation approach into multi-directional irradiation by adding temporal and angular dimensions - irradiating from different directions at different times while changing the patient's posture, thereby achieving uniform dose distribution without requiring simultaneous multi-directional irradiation complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple-direction neutron irradiation is implemented, then the radiation dose distribution uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The posture change unit dynamically adjusts the treatment table rotation angle between irradiation sessions, allowing a single neutron ray irradiation unit to achieve multi-directional irradiation effects through temporal sequencing rather than spatial complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment process uses periodic action by alternating between different irradiation directions with table rotations in between, performing first irradiation from one direction, rotating the table, then performing second irradiation from another direction, achieving uniform dose distribution through periodic multi-directional exposure
3Manufacturing precision
If large-scale devices are used for multi-directional irradiation, then the radiation dose distribution uniformity is improved, but the treatment throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into discrete irradiation sessions from different directions, with each session using a simplified irradiation configuration, allowing faster setup and treatment execution compared to large-scale complex multi-directional systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical multi-directional irradiation systems with a simpler system that uses table rotation and sequential irradiation, substituting mechanical complexity with a more efficient combination of simple irradiation and positional adjustment
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 the uniformity of radiation dose distribution, reduces the risk of pipe disruptions, and minimizes worker exposure to radiation, thereby improving treatment efficiency and throughput.
Implementation Method 1
boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) using a boron compound is known as neutron capture therapy that irradiates a cancer cell with a neutron ray to kill the cancer cell
Implementation Method 2
the cancer cells are selectively destroyed using the scattering of heavy charged particles that is caused by the irradiation of boron with the neutron ray
Data Source
AI summary
A neutron capture therapy apparatus includes a neutron ray irradiation unit that irradiates an irradiation target with a neutron ray, a drug injection unit that injects a drug to the irradiation target, and a posture change unit that changes a posture of the irradiation target. The neutron ray irradiation unit performs first irradiation for irradiating the irradiation target with the neutron ray in a first incident direction, and performs second irradiation for irradiating the irradiation target with the neutron ray in a second incident direction different from the first incident direction, and the posture change unit is capable of changing the posture of the irradiation target between a time of the first irradiation and a time of the second irradiation.