Rotatable Radiation Source and Imager Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy systems face challenges in accurately controlling the amount, location, and distribution of radiation within a patient's body due to patient movement and changes in organ structure, leading to suboptimal radiation exposure to tumors and healthy tissues.
Innovation Solution
A radiation system with a structure that includes a radiation source and an imager, where the radiation source is rotatable relative to the imaging device, allowing for precise positioning and alignment of the radiation beam to match the patient's anatomy, and a docking system for efficient patient support positioning between diagnostic and treatment devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the patient is moved from a first patient support to a second patient support between imaging and treatment, then the patient can be positioned for different procedures, but the position and shape of the target tissue may change, reducing radiation delivery accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the imaging device and treatment device into a single integrated system with a common patient support, eliminating the need to transfer the patient between separate devices. This merging approach maintains patient position consistency while providing both imaging and treatment capabilities through the same support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient support is designed to serve multiple functions - supporting the patient during both imaging procedures and radiation treatment sessions. The support system incorporates features that accommodate both diagnostic and therapeutic operations without requiring patient relocation, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy across different procedural phases.
2Device complexity
If the radiation source is fixed relative to the imaging device, then the system structure is simpler, but the ability to precisely align the radiation beam with the patient's anatomy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is made rotatable relative to the imaging device, transforming it from a fixed to a dynamic component. This rotational capability allows the radiation beam to be precisely angled and aligned with the patient's anatomy from multiple directions, significantly improving beam alignment precision while maintaining reasonable system complexity through a single degree of freedom rotation mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used for imaging and treatment, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the transportation distance increases and patient position changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device and treatment device are merged into a single integrated platform that houses both functional components. This consolidation eliminates the need for patient transportation between separate devices, reducing both time loss and position changes while maintaining the specialized capabilities of each device through dedicated components within the unified system.
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 configuration enhances the accuracy of radiation delivery, reduces the risk of misalignment, and minimizes exposure to healthy tissues by allowing for real-time adjustments and precise targeting of tumor regions.
Implementation Method 1
a first radiation source configured for emitting treatment radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation system includes a first ring, a radiation source capable of providing radiation suitable for treating a patient, the radiation source secured to the first ring, a second ring located behind the first ring, and an imager secured to the second ring. A radiation system includes a first device having a radiation source capable of generating a radiation beam suitable for treating a patient, and a second device having imaging capability, wherein the first device is oriented at an angle that is less than 180° relative to the second device. A radiation system includes a structure having a first opening, a radiation source rotatably coupled to the structure, an imaging device rotatable relative to the structure, and a processor for controlling a rotation of the radiation source and a rotation of the imaging device, wherein the radiation source is rotatable relative to the imaging device.