Openable Hyperthermia Applicator Housing for MRI Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hyperthermia systems for cancer treatment using electromagnetic radiation (EMR) require complex and bulky applicator housings that need to surround the patient's body, making it difficult to position the patient accurately and integrate with standard MRI systems, which can lead to unnecessary complications and limitations in treatment precision.
Innovation Solution
An openable EMR applicator housing with separable upper and lower shells that allows easy patient access and positioning, eliminating the need for a full-body support structure and enabling the housing to be placed on a standard patient support surface, facilitating easier insertion into an MRI system while maintaining a ring of electromagnetic energy applicators around the treatment area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full-body applicator housing is used to surround the patient, then the electromagnetic energy applicators can effectively treat the tissue, but the housing becomes complex and bulky making it difficult to position the patient accurately and integrate with standard MRI systems
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator housing is divided into separable upper and lower shells that can be assembled around the patient's body. This segmentation allows the housing to be more compact and easier to position while still providing the necessary electromagnetic energy applicators for effective treatment of the target tissue area.
2Ease of operation
If a full-body support structure is integrated into the applicator housing, then the patient can be supported during treatment, but the housing size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support function is extracted from the applicator housing and provided separately by a support table. This allows the housing to be reduced in size and complexity while still maintaining effective patient support during the hyperthermia treatment procedure.
3Device complexity
If the applicator housing is designed to be compact and simple, then it is easier to position and integrate with MRI systems, but it may be difficult to provide adequate support for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The support table is designed as a universal component that can be used with the compact applicator housing while providing adequate patient support. This multi-functional approach allows the simple housing to work effectively with the support structure, maintaining both simplicity and ease of operation.
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 design reduces the size and complexity of the applicator housing, allows for precise patient positioning, and enables efficient hyperthermia treatment by simplifying the patient support system, enhancing treatment accessibility and compatibility with MRI systems.
Implementation Method 1
The dielectric fluid will generally be deionized water... electromagnetic energy applicators positioned around a portion of a living body or tissue mass to be treated wherein the power and phase of the electromagnetic energy radiated by each electromagnetic energy applicator can be controlled
Implementation Method 2
fill the space between the electromagnetic energy applicators and the surface (skin) of the portion of the patient received in the opening. The dielectric fluid will generally be deionized water
Data Source
AI summary
EMR applicators of an EMR applicator array are provided in an openable applicator housing to allow easy patient entrance to and exit therefrom so that the portion of the patient's body that contains the tissue to be treated can be positioned directly into the applicator housing without the applicator housing having to be moved along the patient's body. This can eliminate or reduce the need for full body supporting structure as part of the applicator housing. The applicator housing provides support for the portion of the body positioned therein, and support pads or pillows, separate from the applicator housing, can replace the need for a full body support as part of the applicator housing. The housing can reduce the size and complication of prior art applicator housings, and can be placed along with the patient, on a patient support surface, such as in a standard MRI system.