Radiation Release Capsule Directional Control via Sliding Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation sources implanted in the body lack control over radiation directionality and dosage, leading to inadequate treatment precision and increased risk to healthy tissues, as they cannot be turned on or off remotely, and require frequent hospital visits for dose adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A radiation release capsule with a radiopaque inner housing and a slidable outer housing, equipped with a microcontroller and radiation detector, allows for directional control of radiation exposure by blocking or unblocking apertures, enabling remote adjustment of dosage and duration of treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If radiation sources are implanted in the body, then radiation treatment can be delivered to tumor areas, but radiation directionality and dosage cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is segmented into a directional emission component and a shielding component. The capsule includes an aperture for directional radiation emission and a slidable outer housing with shielding material that can be positioned to control radiation direction. This segmentation allows independent optimization of radiation delivery precision and control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer housing is designed to be slidable relative to the inner housing, transforming the static radiation source into a dynamic system. The slidable mechanism allows real-time adjustment of radiation directionality and dosage by changing the position of the shielding material, enabling precise control without increasing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If radiation sources are implanted, then treatment can be performed, but the radiation cannot be turned on or off remotely
Solution Approach 1:
A controller acts as an intermediary between external control systems and the radiation source. The controller receives commands from external devices and translates them into mechanical movements of the slidable outer housing, enabling remote on/off control and dosage adjustment without direct complex control systems at the implant site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a mechanical slidable mechanism. The outer housing moves mechanically to block or unblock the aperture, providing simple and reliable remote control. This mechanical substitution reduces the complexity of electronic control systems while maintaining ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If radiation sources are implanted, then treatment can be delivered, but dosage amount cannot be controlled remotely
Solution Approach 1:
The dosage control is achieved by changing the physical parameter of the aperture opening size through the slidable outer housing. By adjusting the position of the outer housing, the effective aperture size changes, thereby controlling the radiation dosage. This parameter change approach provides precise dosage control without complex control mechanisms.
4Shape
If radiation sources are implanted, then treatment can be performed, but directivity of radiation cannot be controlled once implanted
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding material is strategically positioned at specific locations on the outer housing to create directional radiation patterns. By varying the position and configuration of the shielding material, different radiation directions can be controlled. This local quality approach enables directional control without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire device.
5Productivity
If conventional radiation treatment is used, then treatment can be delivered, but frequent hospital visits are required for dose adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The implanted radiation source system provides self-service capability through remote control. The slidable outer housing can be adjusted from outside the body to modify radiation dosage and direction, eliminating the need for frequent hospital visits. This self-service approach significantly improves treatment efficiency and reduces time loss for patients.
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 solution enhances treatment precision by minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues and maximizing it to tumor areas, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and improving treatment efficacy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
inner housing that is radiopaque... outer housing that is radiopaque... blocking or unblocking apertures
Implementation Method 2
equipped with a microcontroller and radiation detector, allows for directional control of radiation exposure
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a radiation release capsule for controlling radiation exposure and selectively providing electromagnetic pulse therapy, electric field therapy, or treatment drug or gas delivery at a treatment site associated with a treatment environment in accordance with a treatment cycle. The radiation release capsule includes an inner housing that is radiopaque, the inner housing includes an aperture and defines a cavity configured to at least encompass a radiation source. An outer housing is radiopaque. A case is radiation permeable and surrounds the inner housing and outer housing. One of the housing is repositionable blocking all or some of the aperture through which radiation dosage is directionally delivered to the treatment site. A control system operates the radiation release capsule. The capsule can be operated locally by an authorized person to deliver treatment or wirelessly data communicate and be managed remotely in telemedicine applications.