Rotating Target X-Ray Apparatus for Dual-Energy Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing x-ray apparatus in radiotherapy require duplication of parts and careful alignment to produce both diagnostic and therapeutic beams, which complicates the process and may lead to unnecessary destruction of healthy cells due to misalignment.
Innovation Solution
An x-ray apparatus with a linear accelerator capable of producing electron beams at selectable energies, a rotating target with inhomogeneous materials, and a filter housing with moving filters, allowing for synchronized energy changes to optimize beam production and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate radiation sources are used for diagnostic and therapeutic beams, then both imaging and treatment functions are achieved, but device complexity increases due to duplication of parts
Solution Approach 1:
A single linear accelerator is designed to perform both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic treatment functions by dynamically adjusting beam energy. The system uses a rotating target with different material sections (e.g., tungsten for high energy therapy, carbon for low energy imaging) that are selectively presented to the electron beam, allowing one device to replace what would traditionally require two separate radiation sources
Solution Approach 2:
The target is made rotatable to dynamically switch between different materials and thus different beam energies. The rotation mechanism allows the system to transition between diagnostic and therapeutic modes by presenting the appropriate target material to the electron beam at the required moment, enabling adaptive functionality without physical reconfiguration
2Manufacturing precision
If two radiation sources are mounted on the same gantry, then alignment for correlated imaging and treatment is improved, but device complexity and alignment requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic and therapeutic radiation paths are merged into a single beam line originating from one linear accelerator. By using a common electron source and single target assembly rather than two separate sources, the system eliminates the need for complex inter-source alignment while maintaining precise correlation between imaging and treatment beams through shared optical pathways
3Speed
If beam energy is switched at high speed, then concurrent therapy and monitoring are enabled, but energy selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target rotates at a periodic speed that synchronizes with the linear accelerator's pulse structure. By matching the rotation period to the pulse repetition frequency, the system automatically presents the correct target material for each pulse sequence (e.g., tungsten for therapeutic pulses, carbon for diagnostic pulses), enabling high-speed energy switching through simple rotational mechanics rather than complex active selection mechanisms
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
Enables efficient switching between diagnostic and therapeutic energies, reducing the need for duplication and ensuring accurate alignment, thereby minimizing damage to healthy cells during cancer treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a linear accelerator adapted to produce a beam of electrons at one of at least two selectable energies
Implementation Method 2
a target to which the beam is directed thereby to produce a beam of x-radiation
Data Source
AI summary
X-ray apparatus comprises a linear accelerator adapted to produce a beam of electrons at one of at least two selectable energies and being controlled to change the selected energy on a periodic basis, and a target to which the beam is directed thereby to produce a beam of x-radiation, the target being non-homogenous and being driven to move periodically in synchrony with the change of the selected energy. In this way, the target can move so that a different part is exposed to the electron beam when different pulses arrive. This enables the appropriate target material to be employed depending on the selected energy. The easiest form of periodic movement for the target is likely to be a rotational movement.