Self-Shielding Radiation Capsule for Minimal Building Retrofit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation systems for imaging and treatment generate significant radiation, requiring costly retrofits to buildings for adequate shielding to protect operators and occupants, and there is a need for more efficient and versatile radiation delivery systems.

Innovation Solution

A radiation system with a rotatable capsule and shielding material that attenuates radiation to 5 mR/hr or less within 3 meters from the isocenter, featuring a movable radiation source and collimator, allowing for reduced radiation exposure and flexible treatment angles, and optionally includes a patient support for upright positioning and gantry translation for vertical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If existing radiation systems are used for imaging and treatment, then radiation treatment capability is provided, but significant radiation is generated requiring costly building retrofits for shielding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuilding retrofit costVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the shielding function from the building structure and relocates it to the treatment device itself through the capsule assembly. The shielding material is integrated into the capsule that houses the radiation source, allowing the device to be self-shielding and eliminating the need for extensive building retrofits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule assembly acts as an intermediary between the radiation source and the surrounding environment. It contains the radiation source and provides attenuation, serving as a mobile shielding barrier that moves with the treatment device rather than requiring fixed building shielding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If radiation shielding is provided through building retrofits, then operator and occupant protection is achieved, but device flexibility and location options are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation flexibilityVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding arrangement is made dynamic by integrating it into the movable capsule assembly that can be positioned anywhere within the treatment room. Unlike fixed building shields, this mobile shielding system adapts to different treatment locations and angles, providing both protection and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule assembly serves multiple functions: it houses the radiation source, provides shielding through integrated attenuation material, and enables flexible positioning. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate building retrofit shielding while maintaining operator and occupant protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If extensive building shielding is installed, then radiation exposure is reduced, but system complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidshielding system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the shielding function with the capsule assembly that already contains the radiation source. By combining these functions into a single integrated unit, the system reduces complexity compared to separate building retrofit shielding while maintaining effective radiation attenuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding effectiveness is achieved by changing the parameters of the capsule assembly - specifically by incorporating attenuation material with appropriate density and thickness within the capsule structure. This modifies the radiation interaction parameters locally at the source rather than requiring global building modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system reduces the need for extensive building retrofits by minimizing radiation exposure, allowing for safe operation in various locations without additional shielding, while maintaining effective treatment capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

the capsule includes a shielding material for attenuating radiation resulted from an operation of the radiation source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10449393B2Radiation systems with minimal or no shielding requirement on building

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A radiation system includes a support, a capsule rotatably coupled to the support, a radiation source movably coupled to the capsule, wherein the radiation source is configured to provide a treatment radiation beam, and is capable of being turned on or off in response to a control signal, and a collimator located next to the radiation source, wherein the capsule defines a space for accommodating a portion of a patient, and includes a shielding material for attenuating radiation resulted from an operation of the radiation source, and wherein the shielding material is configured to limit a radiation exposure level to 5 mR/hr or less within 5 meters from an isocenter.