Wireless Afterloader Eliminates Cable Hazards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional brachytherapy afterloader systems are hindered by tangled and cumbersome wires, which pose safety hazards, require multiple cable lengths for different treatment rooms, lead to premature equipment failure, and complicate the use of medical imaging technologies like MRI.

Innovation Solution

A wireless afterloader system featuring a central processing unit, complex programmable logic devices with transceivers for wireless communication, and battery power, allowing for wireless operation and reduced setup time across multiple treatment rooms, while ensuring safe and reliable radiation delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired afterloader systems are used with power cords and signal cables, then the afterloader can be powered and controlled, but the cables become tangled and create safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveafterloader operation reliabilityVSAvoidcable tangling and safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the power cord and signal cables from the afterloader system by integrating a battery pack for power and wireless communication capabilities. This extraction of the harmful cable elements eliminates tangling and safety hazards while maintaining the afterloader's operational reliability through alternative power and control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based power and signal transmission system with a wireless system using electromagnetic fields. The afterloader communicates with the treatment control system wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical cable connections and their associated safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cable lengths are used to accommodate different treatment rooms, then the afterloader can be used in various rooms, but the setup time and overhead costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveafterloader compatibility with different treatment roomsVSAvoidsetup time and overhead costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the afterloader universally adaptable to different treatment rooms by eliminating cable length constraints. The wireless communication system and rechargeable battery enable the device to function in any treatment room configuration without requiring different cable lengths, reducing setup time and overhead costs while maintaining full versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If cables and connectors are used in the afterloader system, then power and signals can be transmitted, but they wear down and break requiring replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and signal transmissionVSAvoidcable and connector lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes cables and connectors from the system by implementing wireless communication and an integrated battery pack. This eliminates the wear and breakage issues inherent in physical cable connections while maintaining reliable power and signal transmission through wireless electromagnetic fields and internal power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If shielded and filtered cables are used for MRI compatibility, then the afterloader can be used with medical imaging technologies, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMRI compatibilityVSAvoidcost of shielded and filtered cables

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the expensive shielded and filtered cable system with wireless communication technology. This substitution eliminates the need for costly cable modifications while maintaining MRI compatibility, as wireless electromagnetic communication does not require physical cable connections that would need shielding and filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11383099B2Wireless afterloader

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 NUCLETRON OPERATIONS

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure may be drawn to wireless afterloaders. Exemplary afterloaders may include a central processing unit, a first complex programmable logic device having a memory, a transceiver operably connected to the complex programmable logic device, wherein the transceiver is configured to wirelessly receive data from a second complex programmable logic device separate from the wireless afterloader, and a battery.