Configurable Radiotherapy Couch Top for MRI Head Coil Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiotherapy couch tops in magnetic resonance imaging systems are flat and uncomfortable, necessitating repeated installation and uninstallation for different imaging and therapy configurations, limiting their use for both radiotherapy simulation and conventional MRI.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapy couch top with a depression or receptacle for a flat head support plate and a magnetic resonance imaging head coil, allowing seamless conversion between therapy simulation and conventional MRI configurations without uninstallation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radiotherapy couch top is used in a magnetic resonance imaging system, then radiotherapy simulation can be performed with consistent positioning, but the flat surface is uncomfortable for conventional MRI and requires repeated installation and uninstallation
Solution Approach 1:
The couch top is designed with a movable, adjustable surface that can dynamically change its configuration. The surface includes movable sections that can be adjusted to create curved or flat configurations, allowing the same couch top to provide comfort for conventional MRI (curved) and flat positioning for radiotherapy simulation (flat), eliminating the need for repeated installation and uninstallation
Solution Approach 2:
The couch top is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple functions: it provides a flat surface for radiotherapy simulation with consistent positioning, a curved surface for patient comfort in conventional MRI, and can accommodate various positioning aids and fixtures. This multi-functional design allows a single couch top to replace multiple specialized surfaces
2Manufacturing precision
If the couch top surface is made flat for radiotherapy simulation, then consistent positioning is achieved, but patient comfort for conventional MRI is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The couch top surface is designed with movable sections that can be adjusted during the scanning process. The surface can transition from a flat configuration (for radiotherapy simulation precision) to a curved configuration (for patient comfort in conventional MRI), allowing both requirements to be met by the same physical surface at different times
3Reliability
If a recessed portion is added to accommodate RF head coil, then imaging geometry is optimized, but the flat surface for radiotherapy simulation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The couch top is designed with movable surface sections that can be adjusted to create recessed portions when needed for RF head coil accommodation during conventional MRI, and then restored to a flat surface when radiotherapy simulation is required. This dynamic adjustment allows the couch top to provide both the recessed geometry for optimized imaging and the flat surface for consistent radiotherapy positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The couch top surface is divided into multiple movable segments or sections. These segments can be independently adjusted to create recessed portions for RF head coil accommodation or to maintain a flat surface for radiotherapy simulation. The segmentation allows localized modification without compromising the overall flatness when needed
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a medical system (400) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (402) configured for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data (444, 444') from a subject (418) within an imaging zone (408). The medical system further comprises a subject support (100) configured for supporting at least a portion of the subject within the imaging zone, wherein the subject support comprises a radiotherapy couch top (102) 5 configured for receiving the subject. The radiotherapy couch top comprises a flat surface (104) configured for supporting the subject. The radiotherapy couch top further comprises a head support region (110) configured for receiving a head of the subject, wherein the head region comprises a depression (108). The head region is configured for receiving a flat head support plate (112). The medical system further comprises a flat head support plate. The flat head support plate is configured to form part of the flat surface (104') when installed in the head region.