Modular Treatment Bed Electrode Module for Hyperthermia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hyperthermia treatment couches face challenges in stabilizing the patient's head during electro-hyperthermia therapy, particularly when treating head tumors, due to the use of pillows that can slip and distort the electromagnetic field, leading to instability and interference.
Innovation Solution
A modular treatment couch with an electrode module featuring a water-filled cavity above the lying surface, where the electrode is positioned to minimize field disruption, and a viscoelastic foam structure for comfort and stability, ensuring the electromagnetic field penetrates the tissue with minimal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pillow is used to position the patient's head on the treatment table, then the head can be positioned, but the pillow may shift during treatment causing unstable head position and disrupting the electromagnetic field
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment table is divided into modular sections, with the head region separated as an independent module that can be adjusted and positioned separately from the rest of the table, allowing stable head positioning without relying on pillows
Solution Approach 2:
A specially designed interface structure acts as an intermediary between the head and the treatment table surface, providing stable positioning while maintaining electromagnetic field integrity, replacing the problematic pillow intermediary
2Ease of operation
If a pillow is used to support the head, then positioning is achieved, but the irregular shape of the pillow disrupts or distorts the generated electromagnetic field
Solution Approach 1:
The head support structure is designed with specific local geometric properties that are optimized for both positioning and electromagnetic field compatibility, replacing the irregular pillow shape with a controlled geometry that minimizes field distortion
Solution Approach 2:
The shape and dimensions of the head support interface are carefully controlled with precise parameters to minimize electromagnetic field disruption, replacing the variable parameters of an irregular pillow with fixed, optimized geometric parameters
3Productivity
If the electrode is placed close to the patient's head for effective treatment, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the risk of burns increases without proper shielding
Solution Approach 1:
A shielding structure is introduced as an intermediary between the electrode and the patient's head, allowing the electrode to be positioned close for effective treatment while the shield prevents direct harmful contact and reduces burn risk
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding structure is integrated into the treatment table design, providing automatic protection without requiring additional external devices or complex adjustment mechanisms, making the safety feature inherent to the 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
The modular design and water-filled cavity in the electrode module provide a stable and interference-free environment for the patient's head, allowing for effective penetration of the electromagnetic field and reducing the risk of burns, while maintaining patient comfort and stability during treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a cavity (13) which is at least partially filled with water (33), wherein the water volume is in the range of 3 to 5 liters. This allows the electromagnetic field from the electrode (23) arranged in the electrode module (9) to be transmitted to the tissue to be treated with particularly little interference or loss
Implementation Method 2
In this therapy, corresponding electrodes are placed on both sides of the tissue, and an electromagnetic field in the range of 8 to 15 MHz is applied. This heats the tumor tissue in particular
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a treatment table suitable for the application of hyperthermia and an electrode module for use with the treatment table.