Radiotherapy Apparatus Integrating Focused and Conformal Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Gamma Knife devices cannot integrate stereotactic multi-source focused radiation therapy with conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, limiting treatment options for tumors of varying shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapy apparatus incorporating a base, gantry, therapeutic head, and counterweight, featuring multiple focusing and conformal radioactive sources, a switch part with through holes, and a collimator assembly with focusing and multi-leaf collimators, allowing for precise alignment and modulation of radiation beams to treat tumors accurately and conformally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a Gamma Knife device uses stereotactic multi-source focused radiation therapy, then high energy treatment point can be formed for destroying tumors, but it cannot provide conformal therapy for complicated tumor shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines stereotactic multi-source focused radiation therapy components (focusing radioactive sources and focusing collimators) with conformal radiation therapy components (multi-leaf collimator and conformal radioactive source) into a single therapeutic head assembly. This merging allows the device to perform both focused therapy and conformal therapy without requiring separate devices, thereby improving treatment versatility while managing device complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The therapeutic head is designed as a universal assembly that can perform multiple functions: it can switch between focused radiation therapy mode (using focusing radioactive sources and collimators) and conformal radiation therapy mode (using multi-leaf collimator and conformal radioactive source). This multi-functionality is achieved through a shared structural platform that accommodates different source-collimator configurations, allowing one device to serve multiple treatment purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single Gamma Knife device is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but it cannot provide both focused therapy and conformal therapy options
Solution Approach 1:
The therapeutic head is segmented into distinct functional modules: focusing radioactive sources, conformal radioactive source, focusing collimators, multi-leaf collimator, and switching mechanisms. Each module can be independently controlled or activated based on treatment requirements. This segmentation allows the complex functionality to be organized into manageable components that can be selectively engaged, providing treatment option variety while keeping the overall device structure organized and controllable.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiotherapy apparatus incorporating multi-source focusing therapy and conformal and intensity-modulated therapy is disclosed. The radiotherapy apparatus includes a base, a movable couch, a gantry, at least one therapeutic head, and a counterweight. The therapeutic head includes a shielding part, a source carrier received in the shielding part, provided with a focusing radioactive source for focused therapy and a conformal radioactive source for conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy, a switch part configured for controlling on/off the source, a shielding door configured for controllably shielding the radiation beams of the radioactive sources; and a collimator assembly. By using this apparatus, accurate multi-source focused therapy and conformal therapy can be implemented in a single current Gamma Knife device.