Removable Adapter for Imaging and Treatment Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging and treatment heads for organs or tissues, such as those for thyroid or breast tumors, are inflexible, limiting the ability to change imaging modalities based on specific treatment needs and requiring precise but fixed positioning of imaging and treatment components, which restricts adaptability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A modular design featuring a removably mounted adapter that allows for precise positioning and sealing of various imaging means relative to the treatment means, enabling the use of different imaging modalities and adjusting the focal point of ultrasound probes for improved precision and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging means are fixed to the head using gluing or housing integration, then precise positioning relative to treatment means is achieved, but adaptability to different imaging modalities is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging means are segmented from the treatment head by introducing a removable adapter as an intermediate component. This allows the imaging means to be detached and replaced with different types (e.g., linear array, curved array, different frequencies) while maintaining precise positioning through the adapter's standardized interface with the treatment means.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable adapter serves as an intermediary component between the treatment means and imaging means. The adapter provides standardized mounting interfaces that ensure precise positioning while enabling the removal and replacement of imaging means according to different treatment requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If imaging means are removably mounted on an adapter, then adaptability to different imaging modalities is improved, but positioning precision relative to treatment means may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as a precision intermediary that provides standardized mounting interfaces with tolerance control. It ensures that regardless of which imaging means are attached, their position relative to the treatment means remains precisely controlled through the adapter's engineered connection points and alignment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of imaging means (different arrays, frequencies, geometries) while maintaining a consistent positioning standard. This multi-functional adapter ensures that adaptability does not come at the cost of positioning precision.
3Device complexity
If a single head design is used for all imaging means, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize for specific treatment sites is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The head system is segmented into a permanent treatment means component and removable imaging means components. The treatment head maintains a standardized interface, while the imaging means can be optimized for specific treatment sites (e.g., thyroid, breast, uterus) and swapped as needed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining optimization capability.
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
This design enhances the adaptability and precision of imaging and treatment heads, allowing for the use of diverse imaging modalities and improving the accuracy of treatments by decoupling imaging and treatment components, thus enabling more effective targeting of tissues without compromising precision.
Implementation Method 1
The adapter comprises a front wall positioned in front of the emission/reception face of the imaging means and at least partially closing the window, said front wall forming a diverging lens, capable of moving the focal point away from the waves or radiation emitted through the lens and the propagation space.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a head for imaging and treating a living being's organ or tissue, in particular useful for treating prostate or thyroidal tumors, said head comprising imaging means (2), such as an ultrasound probe, for emitting waves or rays to provide an image representation of a tissue or organ to be treated, treating means (4) for locally treating said tissue or organ, the treating means being capable of emitting waves or rays for treating the tissue or organ. The invention is characterized in that the imaging means (2) are removably mounted on an adapter (3; 3') for positioning the imaging means (2) relative to the treating means (4).