Multi-Source Gamma-Ray Radiosurgery Device with Pivoting Irradiation Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stereotactic radiosurgery systems, such as the Gamma Knife and GammaPod, are underutilized due to their limited application to specific anatomical sites, leading to resource waste and suboptimal dose distribution between tumors and surrounding normal structures, as they rely on geometric focusing with limited solid angles and source arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-source gamma-ray radiosurgery system with a pivotally mounted irradiation head unit capable of single-axis rotation up to 90 degrees, combined with a patient support couch and articulating stand for flexible positioning, allows for increased solid angle focusing and optimized treatment planning based on anatomical relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single-site dedicated radiosurgery device (Gamma Knife or GammaPod) is used, then treatment precision for that specific site is optimized, but device utilization rate decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The radiosurgery device is designed with a universal treatment space that can accommodate both breast and head treatments. The irradiation head unit can be positioned to treat different anatomical sites, making the device capable of performing multiple treatment types. This multi-functionality allows the same device to serve diverse clinical needs, thereby increasing utilization rate while maintaining treatment precision through adaptable positioning systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple Cobalt-60 sources are distributed over a limited solid angle, then geometric focusing is achieved, but the dose ratio between tumor and surrounding normal structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces rotational freedom to the irradiation head unit, adding a temporal dimension to the source arrangement. Instead of having sources fixed in a limited solid angle, the system can rotate the head unit to bring different source configurations into position. This effectively increases the usable solid angle over time, allowing for improved geometric focusing and higher dose ratios while maintaining precision through controlled rotation and positioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate dedicated devices are used for breast and head treatments, then treatment quality for each site is optimized, but healthcare costs and resource waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates both breast and head treatment capabilities into a single system with a universal treatment space. The irradiation head unit can be positioned and configured for either breast or head treatments, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices. This consolidation reduces resource waste and healthcare costs while maintaining treatment quality through adaptable positioning and source configuration that can be optimized for each specific treatment site.
4Device complexity
If the irradiation head unit is fixed in position, then device structure is simple, but adaptability to different anatomical sites and treatment plans is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiation head unit is designed with rotational and positional freedom, allowing it to be dynamically adjusted between different treatment configurations. The head unit can rotate to different angles and positions to accommodate various anatomical sites and treatment plans. This dynamic capability provides adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity through the use of rotational joints and positioning mechanisms that add flexibility without excessive 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
This configuration enhances the dose ratio between the tumor and surrounding tissues, increases treatment efficiency, and reduces resource utilization costs by enabling dual-site treatment, thus improving accessibility and treatment quality.
Implementation Method 1
By collimating the gamma-rays emitted by all the sources distributed in a solid angle toward a single point, maximum radiation dose is at the focal point and the surrounding regions get a fractional share of the radiation exposure burden
Implementation Method 2
Multiple (25-36) Co-60 sources are distributed over a range of latitudinal angles in a hemispherical structure to form multiple Gamma-ray beams
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a cancerous region in a breast and/or in the head of a patient using a single radiosurgery device by placing the irradiation unit on an axle is disclosed. By pivoting the whole irradiation system, the treatment space can face different directions to accommodate the site of treatment. By continuously or sequentially pivoting the irradiation head unit and assigning different irradiation times to different pivoting angles, not only maximum degrees of expansion of the solid angle can be used for focusing the radiation beams to the target but also different regions of non-target tissues can have different shares of radiation doses based on how critical and radiation tolerant they are.