Radiation Beam Scattering for Imaging Contrast and Dose Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy devices face challenges with large therapeutic heads that compress treatment space, high system complexity, and increased costs due to expensive image guiding devices, which result in poor image contrast and excessive radiation exposure to patients.
Innovation Solution
An imaging method that uses a radiation source to emit a high-energy beam, which is then scattered to reduce energy, allowing for lower-energy beams to be used for imaging, thereby improving contrast and reducing patient radiation exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a treatment beam with high energy is used for imaging, then the device cost is reduced, but the image contrast deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A scattering body is introduced as an intermediary component between the radiation source and the patient. The scattering body converts the high-energy treatment beam into a lower-energy imaging beam through scattering, enabling cost-effective imaging with improved contrast without requiring separate expensive imaging devices
Solution Approach 2:
The energy parameter of the radiation beam is changed by passing it through a scattering body. The scattering process reduces the beam energy from treatment level to imaging level, transforming the beam's properties to achieve both cost reduction and improved image contrast
2Device complexity
If a treatment beam with high energy is used for pre-treatment positioning, then the device structure is simplified, but the harmful radiation dose to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scattering body acts as a mediator that transforms the high-energy treatment beam into a lower-energy imaging beam, reducing the harmful radiation dose to the patient while maintaining system simplicity by avoiding separate imaging devices
Solution Approach 2:
The energy parameter of the beam is modified through scattering, reducing it from high energy (harmful for positioning) to low energy (safe for imaging), thereby decreasing patient radiation exposure while using the same radiation source
3Measurement precision
If a separate image guiding device is used, then the imaging quality is improved, but the treatment space is compressed and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging function is merged with the treatment beam system by using the treatment radiation source and adding a scattering body, eliminating the need for separate expensive imaging devices while maintaining imaging quality and reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation source is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both treatment and imaging purposes through the scattering body, allowing one component to perform multiple functions and reducing overall system 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
The method enhances image clarity by differentiating lesions from surrounding tissues and reduces the additional radiation dose to patients, optimizing treatment space and device cost.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging method includes: emitting, by the radiation source, a beam of rays having a first energy; emitting a beam of rays having a second energy through performing a primary scattering on the beam of rays emitted by the radiation source
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging method uses a radiation source, shielding body, therapeutic head, and treatment device. The imaging method uses the radiation source is applied in the treatment device. The treatment device includes a radiation source. The imaging method comprises: the radiation source emitting a radiation beam having a first energy; primary scattering the radiation beam emitted by the radiation source to emit a radiation beam having a second energy; the radiation beam after primary scattering passing through a human body lesion, wherein the second energy is lower than the first energy; receiving the radiation beam passing through the human body lesion; and establishing a lesion image according to the received radiation beam.