Optical Detector System for Real-Time Radiation Dose Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for intraoperative radiation therapy face challenges in achieving uniform and precise radiation dose distribution, particularly due to tissue movement during irradiation, which can result in inadequate tumor cell destruction or excessive exposure to healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses a substance with an optically observable property, such as fluorescent dyes, to monitor the radiation dose by capturing light emitted or reflected from the irradiated area, allowing for real-time calculation and adjustment of the radiation dose through a processor unit, ensuring precise and controlled irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard applicators are used to generate radiation dose distribution, then a certain dose distribution pattern is achieved, but uniform and precise radiation dose over the entire tissue surface cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using optical detectors to continuously monitor the radiation dose distribution in real-time and providing this information back to the control system. The control system then adjusts the radiation source position or parameters based on this feedback to achieve uniform and precise dose distribution, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning methods with optical detection and control systems. Instead of relying solely on mechanical precision to position the radiation source, the system uses optical detectors to measure dose distribution and electronically controls the radiation source, achieving more precise and uniform dose distribution
2Measurement precision
If the applicator placement is highly precise to control dose, then dose control is improved, but the complexity of positioning and alignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by using optical detectors to automatically measure the actual dose distribution and feed this information back to the control system. This eliminates the need for highly precise manual positioning and alignment, as the system autonomously adjusts based on real-time measurements, reducing positioning complexity while maintaining dose control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning and alignment procedures with an optical detection and electronic control system. The optical detectors automatically measure dose distribution, and the control system electronically adjusts the radiation source, substituting mechanical precision requirements with optical measurement and electronic control
3Reliability
If high radiation dose is applied to destroy tumor cells, then tumor cell destruction is improved, but healthy tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring radiation dose distribution with optical detectors and adjusting the radiation source in real-time. This ensures that high doses are precisely delivered only to tumor regions while automatically reducing or stopping radiation in healthy tissue areas, thereby maintaining tumor destruction effectiveness while minimizing healthy tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by spatially differentiating the radiation dose distribution. Through optical detection and real-time control, the system delivers high radiation doses specifically to tumor regions while maintaining lower or zero doses in healthy tissue regions, achieving localized tumor destruction without excessive damage to surrounding healthy tissue
4Measurement precision
If real-time dose monitoring is implemented, then dose control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic dosimetry systems with optical detection methods. Optical detectors measure radiation-induced changes in the tissue (such as color or fluorescence changes) to provide real-time dose information, simplifying the monitoring system while maintaining or improving measurement precision through the optical detection approach
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 enables precise control of the radiation dose, minimizing damage to healthy tissue while ensuring effective tumor cell destruction, even with tissue movement during irradiation.
Implementation Method 1
A detector system captures light being emitted from the object in order to detect the optically observable property
Implementation Method 2
an optical detector system that is configured to capture light exiting from an irradiated region of the object and to generate a detector signal based on the captured light
Data Source
AI summary
In order to achieve improved dose control, a device for irradiating an object having an optically observable property is provided. The device includes an applicator for irradiating the object, and a detector system that is configured to capture light being emitted from an irradiated region and, based thereon, to generate a detector signal. A processor unit is configured to calculate a value for the property based thereon and, based on the calculated value, to determine a dose for the irradiation.