Radiation Therapy Applicator With Tilting Absorption Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiation therapy applicators are limited in accessing tissues that are not easily reachable due to fixed radiation directions, requiring cumbersome repositioning of organs like the intestine during procedures such as pelvic bone irradiation, and lack easy cleaning and sterilization features.

Innovation Solution

A radiation therapy applicator with a base body and a movably connected absorption body that allows tilting of the radiation direction relative to the main axis, featuring a rotatable absorption body with a locking mechanism for adjustable radiation angles and easy cleaning, and interchangeable absorption means for customizable beam characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the applicator uses a fixed radiation direction along the main axis, then the structure is simple, but it cannot reach tissues that are not easily accessible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to tissueVSAvoidapplicator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption body is made rotatable relative to the base body, allowing the radiation direction to be dynamically adjusted to different angles. This enables the applicator to reach tissues that are not easily accessible while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator is divided into two main segments: a base body for receiving the radiation source and an absorption body for defining radiation direction. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the absorption body to achieve different radiation angles without complicating the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the absorption body is fixed to the base body, then the structure is stable, but the applicator is difficult to clean and sterilize

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning and sterilizationVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption body is detachably connected to the base body, allowing it to be separated for easy cleaning and sterilization. This segmentation maintains structural stability during use while enabling convenient maintenance when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables precise irradiation of hard-to-reach tissues by adjusting radiation direction and characteristics, facilitating more effective treatment while ensuring easy cleaning and sterilization of the applicator.

Implementation Method 1

it is customary to selectively absorb some spatial directions of the emitted radiation, so that a preferred radiation direction is defined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2812072B1Flexible applicator for radiation therapy
Publication Date: 2016.09.28 CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
  • EP2812072B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2812072B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP2812072B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an applicator (1) for use in radiation therapy, comprising: - a main part (2) for receiving a radiation source, said main part (2) having a hollow chamber in the main part interior, wherein the hollow chamber extends along a main axis (A) of the main part; and - an absorption body (4) which is movably connected to the main part (2) and which influences the radiation exiting the radiation source such that a preferred radiation direction is defined. The absorption body (4) can be moved relative to the main part (2) such that the preferred radiation direction can be tilted relative to the main axis (A) of the main part into a plurality of different positions.