Radiation Therapy Table Joint With Beam-Free Auto-Locking Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical tables for radiation therapy often have joints that interfere with treatment or imaging, or require support beams that inhibit treatment delivery, when extension panels are used.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly that securely connects and disconnects an extension panel to a patient support panel using a spring-biased pivotable button and lever mechanism, with a secondary lock to prevent upward movement, allowing for easy extension and retraction without disrupting treatment or imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a releasably securable joint is used to connect extension panel to patient support panel, then the extension panel can be readily connected and disconnected, but the joint may interfere with treatment and imaging or require support beams that inhibit treatment delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly is extracted from the treatment field area and positioned at the end of the patient support panel, separating the connection mechanism from the radiation beam path. This allows the extension panel to be connected and disconnected without support beams interfering with treatment delivery or imaging, while maintaining ease of operation through the spring-biased pivotable button mechanism
2Ease of operation
If the joint is located near the superior end of the patient support panel for easy access, then operation is easier, but it interferes with treatment and imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly is positioned in a spatial location that is accessible for operation but outside the treatment and imaging field. By placing the joint at the distal end of the patient support panel rather than near the superior end, the mechanism remains accessible while being removed from the harmful radiation beam path, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and interference with treatment
3Stability of the object's composition
If support beams are used to stabilize the extension panel, then structural stability is improved, but they interrupt and inhibit treatment delivery or clear imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The support beams are completely removed from the system. Instead, the patent uses a joint assembly with locking members that engage with tabs on the extension panel, providing structural stability through a beamless design. This extraction of support beams eliminates the interruption and inhibition of treatment delivery and clear imaging while maintaining extension panel stability through the locking mechanism
4Ease of operation
If a simple locking mechanism is used for the joint, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of secure connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism merges multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: the spring-biased pivotable button controls lever movement, which simultaneously engages and disengages multiple locking members with tabs on the extension panel. This unified design maintains ease of operation through a single actuator while ensuring reliable secure connection through coordinated engagement of multiple locking points
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 joint assembly allows for a stable and interference-free expansion of the treatment area, eliminating the need for support beams and ensuring safe and efficient patient positioning during radiation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
The joint assembly enables the extension panel to be readily connected to and disconnected from the patient support panel. The first body member comprises an actuator assembly (e.g., a spring-biased pivotable button and an associated extendable-retractable lever)
Data Source
AI summary
A joint assembly for forming a two part radiation therapy treatment table is disclosed. The treatment table includes a patient support panel to which one portion of the joint assembly is secured, and a table extension panel to which another portion of the joint assembly is secured. The joint assembly self-aligns, self levels, is immediately stable, and locks automatically by its weight and downward pressure. The joint assembly also includes an automatic failsafe secondary lock that resists joint release if upward forces are applied. Disengaging the secondary lock requires and results in no displacement of the two panels. Upon separation of the two panels the lock resets automatically.