Rotating Shielded Entrance Assembly for Radiation Rooms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation treatment rooms with high energy radiation facilities face challenges in providing quick and efficient access due to the need for thick shielding and heavy, slow-operating hinged doors, which are time-consuming and tiring for operators and patients, especially in medical applications where multiple adjustments are required.

Innovation Solution

A rotating entrance assembly with a motor-driven base and shielding components that define a passageway, equipped with sensors to prevent activation when objects are present, allowing for quick and safe access by rotating between fully open and closed positions, reducing the need for synchronization of multiple doors and minimizing wait times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thick shielded doors are used to provide sufficient radiation shielding, then radiation protection is improved, but door weight increases and operation speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation shielding effectivenessVSAvoiddoor operation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The shielded door is divided into multiple segments that can move independently. Each segment provides partial shielding, but collectively they maintain full radiation protection while allowing faster operation. The segmentation enables the door to achieve both thick shielding and quick operation by having lighter individual segments moving in coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door system transitions from a static, single-position shielded door to a dynamic multi-position system. The door can be positioned at different angles (fully closed, partially open, fully open) to provide shielding at multiple stages, enabling rapid access while maintaining radiation protection through dynamic positioning rather than relying solely on door thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple shielded doors are used to ensure sufficient shielding at the entrance, then radiation protection is improved, but device complexity and access time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation shielding effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of doors and synchronization requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single shielded door is designed to perform multiple functions that previously required multiple doors. The door can provide full shielding when closed, partial shielding when partially open, and complete access when fully open. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple synchronized doors, reducing system complexity while maintaining radiation protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple shielding functions are merged into a single door system. Instead of having separate doors for different shielding levels, one door provides all shielding functions through its ability to assume multiple positions, combining the protective functions of what would have been multiple doors into a unified system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If hinged shielded doors are used to provide thick shielding, then radiation protection is improved, but access time and operator fatigue increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation shielding effectivenessVSAvoidaccess time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional hinged door mechanical system is replaced with a vertically translating door system driven by a motor. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy hinged doors that require significant force to operate, enabling rapid opening and closing through vertical movement rather than rotational movement, thereby reducing access time and operator effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The door system is designed to be pre-positioned in a fully open state during diagnostic procedures, allowing immediate operator access without waiting for door operation. The door can be quickly transitioned to the closed position when high energy radiation is activated, eliminating delays associated with door operation during critical access moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The rotating entrance assembly significantly reduces access time and minimizes user error by allowing quick entry and exit during low energy radiation rounds and rapid transition to full closure during high energy treatments, enhancing operational efficiency and patient throughput.

Implementation Method 1

a motor in driving connection with the rotating base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

first and second shielding components that are arranged on the rotating base and define a passageway therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8627601B2Rotating radiation shielded entrance assembly

Publication Date: 2014.01.14 VERITAS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A rotating entrance assembly is provided, the rotating entrance assembly including a rotating base, a motor in driving connection with the rotating base, and first and second shielding components that are arranged on the rotating base. A passageway is defined between the first and second shielding components.