X-ray Detection System Radial Positioning for Particle Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current particle therapy systems face challenges in improving treatment throughput and medical practitioner access due to the need for slow and precise positioning of the X-ray generator and detection system, which is time-consuming and limits the size of the treatment cage.
Innovation Solution
A particle therapy system with a gantry, an irradiation system, and a treatment cage featuring an arc-like and horizontal orbit with X-ray sources outside the gantry and detection systems inside, eliminating the need for axial movement of the X-ray components, allowing for faster positioning and larger treatment cage size while maintaining easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the X-ray generator and detection system are positioned using axial movement within the gantry, then positioning precision can be maintained, but the positioning time increases and treatment throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the X-ray generator and detection system from axial movement along the gantry axis to radial positioning on the gantry's outer circumference. This dimensional change allows the components to be positioned at different angular locations around the patient without requiring slow axial traversal, thereby maintaining positioning precision while significantly reducing positioning time and improving treatment throughput.
2Ease of operation
If the treatment cage size is increased to improve practitioner access, then ease of operation improves, but the space available for X-ray component positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the X-ray generator and detection system on the outer circumference of the gantry rather than within the central treatment cage volume, the patent effectively utilizes the radial dimension. This allows the treatment cage to be enlarged for improved practitioner access while the X-ray components occupy the peripheral space, resolving the spatial conflict between cage size and component positioning area.
3Productivity
If the X-ray generator is positioned outside the gantry and detection system inside, then positioning speed increases and treatment throughput improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the X-ray imaging system into two separate components: the X-ray generator positioned outside the gantry and the detection system positioned inside. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned for its function, with the generator in the periphery for quick positioning and the detector inside for accurate detection, thereby improving treatment throughput while managing system complexity through functional separation.
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
This configuration enhances treatment throughput by reducing positioning time and allowing easier medical practitioner access, while maintaining accurate X-ray delivery and detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray detection system disposed inside the surrounding member, attached to the irradiation system, and detecting an X-ray from the X-ray source
Data Source
AI summary
A particle therapy system has an irradiation system attached to a rotary drum of a gantry. A radiation treatment cage disposed in the rotary drum includes a movable floor including a horizontal floor portion. The movable floor includes a number of footboards connected bendably and X-ray transmission plates. The movable floor has a slide member at each end thereof, and the slide member is movably attached to a guide rail that is provided for each of opposite side surfaces of the irradiation system. X-ray sources are disposed outside the rotary drum apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the rotary drum and attached to the outer surface of the rotary drum. The irradiation system includes X-ray detection systems opposite to the X-ray sources.