U.S. patent application number 14/921033 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-11 for shielded structure for radiation treatment equipment and method of asembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is RAD Technology Medical Systems LLC. Invention is credited to Theodore M. Englehart, Joe Don Garrison, Eric Landau, Ronald C. McCarthy, Cheri Ann Oquist, Gary Zeik.
Application Number | 20160038766 14/921033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25320019 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160038766 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zeik; Gary ; et al. |
February 11, 2016 |
SHIELDED STRUCTURE FOR RADIATION TREATMENT EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF
ASEMBLY
Abstract
A modularized approach for rapidly and cost effectively
assembling a structure suitable for housing radiation emitting
equipment is disclosed. The modules include reinforced walls to
contain radiation shielding fill material. The modules are
transported empty and then filled on site with the fill material to
form a radiation shielding barrier around radiation emitting
equipment.
Inventors: |
Zeik; Gary; (Plantation,
FL) ; Landau; Eric; (Calabasas, CA) ;
Garrison; Joe Don; (Indianapolis, IN) ; Oquist; Cheri
Ann; (Wellington, FL) ; McCarthy; Ronald C.;
(Westwood, MA) ; Englehart; Theodore M.;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RAD Technology Medical Systems LLC |
Aventura |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
25320019 |
Appl. No.: |
14/921033 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12710638 |
Feb 23, 2010 |
9171649 |
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14921033 |
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11301036 |
Dec 12, 2005 |
7665249 |
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12710638 |
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09854970 |
May 14, 2001 |
6973758 |
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11301036 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N 5/10 20130101; G21F
3/04 20130101; E04B 2001/925 20130101; E04H 3/08 20130101; E04H
1/125 20130101; E04B 1/92 20130101; E04H 2001/1283 20130101; E04B
1/3483 20130101; E04H 1/1277 20130101; A61N 2005/1094 20130101;
E04H 1/1205 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61N 5/10 20060101
A61N005/10; E04B 1/92 20060101 E04B001/92; E04H 3/08 20060101
E04H003/08 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A modular radiation therapy facility, comprising: a plurality
of free-standing transportable modules connected to form a central
treatment area and a radiation shielding barrier substantially
surrounding the central treatment area, the central treatment area
adapted for human occupation and containing a therapeutic radiation
source for performing radiation therapy on a patient, the modules
comprising three dimensional volumetric units which are
structurally capable of being shipped as an independent unit and
which comprise parts of the finished structure; the barrier
including first and second spaced apart rigid walls and a quantity
of radiation shielding material contained between the first and
second walls, the barrier further including first and second solid
shielding structures facing the central treatment area and disposed
on opposing sides of the therapeutic radiation source.
20. The modular radiation therapy facility of claim 19 in which the
radiation shielding material includes granular material neighboring
the solid shielding structures.
21. The modular radiation therapy facility of claim 19 in which the
radiation shielding material includes granular material in fluid
communication between adjacent modules.
22. The modular radiation therapy facility of claim 21 in which the
radiation shielding material includes granular material neighboring
the solid shielding structures.
23. The modular radiation therapy facility of claim 19 in which the
first and second solid shielding structures comprise first and
second shielding panels.
24. The modular radiation therapy facility of claim 23 in which the
first and second shielding panels comprise steel.
25. The modular radiation therapy facility of claim 23 in which the
first and second shielding panels comprise lead.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/301,036 filed Dec. 12, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,249,
which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/854,970
filed May 14, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,758, the disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to structures and
portions thereof for housing radiation emitting equipment and
shielding humans working near the equipment. More particularly but
not exclusively the present invention relates to a modularized
approach for rapidly and cost effectively assembling a structure
suitable for housing radiation emitting equipment. In a preferred
embodiment, the structure may be used in medical applications.
[0003] Radiation is used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients
in various ways. However, while controlled doses can be beneficial
to a patient, those working with the radiation or merely in the
surrounding area need to be protected from the harmful effects of
the radiation. Accordingly, shielding is traditionally provided to
isolate the radiation source from those in the surrounding area and
provide some protection from the levels associated with normal use
of the equipment and also, to some extent, to accidents with the
radiation equipment.
[0004] However, the need for shielding, which is traditionally
provided by concrete walls or mounds of dirt, severely limits the
feasibility of radiation treatment centers in many locations. This
limitation is due at least in part to the high cost of constructing
these buildings and to the inability to easily disassemble or
remodel the centers to accommodate new development of the
surrounding structures and land. Accordingly, new apparata and
techniques are needed for rapidly and economically constructing
radiation treatment centers to allow facilities to be located
wherever patients needs require such facilities. Various
embodiments of the present invention address these and other
needs.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention provides systems and techniques for
rapidly and cost effectively assembling structures for radiation
emitting equipment. While the actual nature of the invention
covered herein can only be determined with reference to the claims
appended hereto, certain aspects of the invention that are
characteristic of the embodiments disclosed herein are described
briefly as follows.
[0006] In one aspect, a system for housing radiation emitting
equipment comprises: a plurality of modules that are connected to
form an interior area and a barrier substantially surrounding the
interior area. The interior area is adapted for human occupation
and to contain radiation emitting equipment, and the modules
comprise a support frame structure and at least one wall, wherein
the support frame structure is horizontally elongated and permits
the module to be free standing. The barrier includes first and
second spaced apart rigid walls and a quantity of radiation
shielding filler material contained between the first and second
walls. The quantity of filler material is sufficient to
substantially reduce the measurable radiation level outside the
interior area when radiation is emitted from the radiation emitting
equipment. In one refinement of this system at least two of the
plurality of modules each include portions of said first and second
spaced apart rigid walls, the portions defining a channel
comprising a portion of the barrier. In another refinement,
radiation shielding plates are mounted to the support frame
structure at selected locations to provide additional radiation
shielding. In a still further refinement, a second plurality of
modules are connected to form a roof over the interior area, the
roof including a roof barrier above the interior area comprising a
rigid floor supporting a quantity of radiation shielding filler
material above the interior area. In another refinement, the
interior area comprises a portion of at least one module that
includes a frame structure for supporting the radiation emitting
equipment.
[0007] In another aspect, a method of constructing a structure for
housing radiation emitting equipment comprises: transporting a
plurality of modules to a site; positioning the modules adjacent
each other with a major axis of each module horizontal; connecting
adjacent modules; forming a channel spanning adjacent modules;
pouring radiation shielding filler material into the channel to
form a barrier; and providing radiation emitting equipment in a
central area bordered by the barrier; wherein the quantity of
filler material is sufficient to substantially reduce the
measurable level of radiation outside the central area when
radiation is emitted by the equipment in the central area. In one
refinement, the modules each have a long side and a short side and
connecting adjacent modules involves connecting their long sides
together. In another refinement, a floor structure is formed over
the central area; and radiation shielding filler material is poured
onto the floor structure.
[0008] In another aspect, a method for constructing a structure
housing radiation emitting equipment comprises: providing a piece
of radiation emitting equipment; providing a free standing frame
structure; supporting spaced apart rigid walls with the frame
structure to form a channel open at the bottom of the frame
structure and laterally spaced from the radiation emitting
equipment; and pouring a sufficient amount of a granular fill
material into the channel to form a radiation barrier to protect
persons on one side of the barrier from the harmful effects of the
radiation emitted by the radiation emitting equipment on the other
side of the barrier. In one refinement, a plurality of free
standing frame structures are provided and the channel spans
between frame structures. In another refinement, a support frame
structure is provided attached to the free standing frame
structure; and the radiation emitting equipment is supported on the
support frame structure. In a still further refinement, a direction
is selected relative to the radiation emitting equipment; and
radiation shielding plates are attached to the free standing frame
structure to provide additional shielding in the selected
direction.
[0009] In another aspect, a method comprises: providing a
transportable module for forming a structure, the module
comprising: a free standing frame structure, a pair of spaced apart
reinforced rigid walls mounted to the frame and defining a channel
space between the walls, wherein at least a portion of the channel
space between the walls does not contain a ceiling or a floor,
lifting the module by its ends; placing the module on a foundation
with a major axis of the module horizontal; and filling the channel
space with a radiation shielding granular fill, the granular fill
contacting the foundation to form a substantially continuous
lateral barrier to protect persons on a first side of the channel
space from radiation emitted by a piece of radiation emitting
equipment on a second opposing side of the channel space. In one
refinement, lateral forces acting from inside the channel to force
the walls apart are resisted with rigid supports connected in the
channel space between the walls. In another refinement, a piece of
therapeutic radiation emitting equipment is provided on the second
side of the channel space, and a human on the second side is
subjected to therapeutic radiation doses with the therapeutic
radiation emitting equipment. In a still further refinement, a
plurality of modules are provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled modular
structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view in partial section
of the modular structure of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the first floor level of the
structure of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the second floor level of the
structure of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a first pod in the embodiment
of FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0015] FIG. 5A is a side elevational view in full section of the
FIG. 5 pod.
[0016] FIG. 5B is a partial enlarged top plan view in full section
of adjacent wall segments and a wall support.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a second pod from the
embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0018] FIG. 6A is a side elevational view in full section of the
FIG. 6 pod.
[0019] FIG. 6B is a top plan view in full section of the FIG. 6
pod.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in full section of a third
pod from the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a sixth, second floor pod from
FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 8A is a side elevational view in full section of the
FIG. 8 pod.
[0023] FIG. 8B is an end elevational view in full section of the
FIG. 8 pod.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a ninth, second floor pod.
[0025] FIG. 9A is an end elevational view in full section of the
FIG. 9 pod.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a top plan view in full section of an alternative
arrangement for a third pod in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view in full section of the
FIG. 10 pod.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an alternative arrangement for
a ninth, roof pod in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view in full section of the
FIG. 12 pod.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the lifting mechanism
for the retractable threshold.
[0031] FIG. 14A is a side elevational view in full section of the
threshold of FIG. 14 in the raised position adjacent the closed
vault door.
[0032] FIG. 15A is an end elevational view in partial section of a
representative connection between the lower rails forming the long
sides of adjacent pods.
[0033] FIG. 15B is a top plan view in partial section of a
representation connection between the corner posts of adjacent
pods.
[0034] FIG. 15C is a top plan view in partial section of a
representative connection between interior wall segments of
adjacent pods.
[0035] FIG. 15D is an end elevational view in partial section of an
upper rail connection between adjacent pods.
[0036] FIG. 15E is a top plan view in partial section of an
adjacent pod connection to a door gusset portion of a pod.
[0037] FIG. 15F is a side elevational view in partial section of a
representative connection between an end of a roof pod with the
outer wall and frame of a footprint pod.
[0038] FIG. 15G is a side elevational view in partial section of a
representative connection of the load support beams in the roof
pods with the roof support structures in the footprint pods.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, such alterations and further modifications in the
illustrated structures and methods, and such further applications
of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being
contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to
which the invention relates.
[0040] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, structure 40 for housing
therapeutic radiation equipment is depicted. Structure 40 is a
modular unit that is assembled to form a radiation therapy vault
room 50, and can be delivered to a site in sections with all
equipment and finishings in place. The individual sections 101-110,
herein referred to as pods or modules, are preferably each capable
of being shipped by rail, ship, or overland freight and of being
assembled together using commonly available equipment such as
cranes or container movers. In addition, the pods are preferably
built to meet the US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations
concerning travel on the interstate highways. Currently, the DOT
code includes a weight limitation of 85,000 pounds including the
tractor and the trailer along with size limitations of a width not
exceeding 14 feet, a height not exceeding 13 feet 6 inches, and a
length not exceeding 53 feet.
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, as assembled, the modular
structure 40 includes a total of ten pods and has two or more
interior rooms. One room 50 is adapted to contain equipment capable
of being used to perform radiation therapy, and the other room 60
is adapted to be used as a control area suitable for use by a
radiation therapist operating the equipment contained in room 50.
Either room 50 and/or room 60 can be further divided into
additional rooms, for example to provide a patient waiting area or
multiple treatment areas. The modular unit 40 also has a series of
interior and adjoining containers that can be filled with radiation
shield material to form a barrier 70 around the treatment area 50
and a roof barrier 80 above the treatment area 50. The radiation
shield material can be a flowable and/or granular material such as
sand.
[0042] Five pods (pods 101-105 referred to as the footprint pods)
are used to form the footprint of the building 40 (see FIG. 3). An
additional five pods, (pods 106-110, referred to as the roof pods)
are placed on top of and perpendicular to the five footprint pods
(see FIG. 4). Of the five roof pods, four pods (pods 106-109,
referred to as the "roof shielding pods") give additional radiation
shielding in the vertical direction by way of the roof barrier 80,
whereas pod 110 is primarily used as a storage area.
[0043] Pods 102, 103, and 104 connect together to form the interior
workspace or therapy room 50. These pods align to form a continuous
unobstructed space, for example a space measuring approximately 24
feet wide and 20 feet in length. Pod 103 serves as the center
footprint pod, containing most of the medical equipment, and has
quick connections for electrical power and a mounting platform for
the medical equipment 600. A weather seal can be incorporated along
the joints between all of the footprint pods as well.
[0044] Pod 101 is attached to the exterior side of pod 102, and pod
105 is attached to the exterior side of pod 104. These two pods
(pod 101 and pod 105), together with portions of pods 102-104,
receive the radiation shielding material to form the barrier 70.
The barrier 70 extends substantially around all sides of the room
50, with pod 102 including a doorway to permit access to the
treatment room 50. The roof shielding pods (pods 106-109) are
placed above and connected to the five footprint pods, at least
pods 101 and 105 including roof support structures 120, 122 to
support the load of the roof pods. Pods 106-109 are used for
radiation shielding purposes whereas pod 110 can be reserved to
house the electrical equipment, telephone equipment and other
utilities.
[0045] For assembly a suitable foundation, such as a concrete slab,
is first created. The foundation is then leveled and the first of
the footprint pods, for example pod 103, is placed on and anchored
to the foundation. The remaining footprint pods are then
sequentially placed and attached to their respective adjoining
pod(s) and to the foundation and a weather seal is formed between
adjoining pods and the foundation. A portion of the radiation
shielding material can then be pumped into the containers of the
various footprint pods to form the barrier 70.
[0046] Either before or after filling the containers of the various
footprint pods with the radiation shielding material, the roof pods
can be placed on and attached to the five footprint pods. A weather
seal can then be made between the footprint pods and the roof pods
as well as between adjoining roof pods. The modular structure 40
can then be filled with the shielding material. Electrical, water
and sewage are then connected to the modular unit. By providing the
structure 40 as a modular unit, the assembly time from the pods'
arrival on site to the finished structure 40 can be minimized. It
is envisioned that the formation of the structure 40 would only
take on the order of a few (3-4) days, greatly decreasing the time
and cost traditionally needed to construct a radiation treatment
facility.
[0047] Having described the general layout of the pods and the
formation of the structure, more particular features of the
individual pods are considered. Each of the pods can be built with
an outside dimension generally the same as a standard eight by
forty foot extended height (9'6'') shipping container. The pods are
transportable, which means that they each meet DOT regulations and
codes for overland freight. Optionally, each can also be rigidly
constructed to be capable of being lifted from the end points by a
container mover. They can also be formed to be stacked five pods
high, for example during transit in an ocean going vessel. The pods
can also be constructed to be shipped and stacked with other
container types where the other containers having a gross weight of
96,000 pounds each. The shipping weight of each pod, including any
additional shielding or support structures or other integrated
components, but without the radiation shielding fill material, is
most preferably consistent with DOT shipping regulations for moving
by truck without special permitting.
[0048] More particularly, each of the pods is constructed of a
steel exterior skeleton or frame 90 (see FIG. 5) that generally
defines the outer edges of the pod. The frame 90 is preferably
formed of square channel and flat plate steel welded, bolted, or
otherwise securely fastened together to form the boundaries of the
generally rectangular solid shape of the pod. "C" shaped beams 92
form the longer lower sides of the rectangular footprint of each
pod, with angled rails 96 forming the upper borders. Rectangular
posts 94 form the four side edges between the upper 96 and lower 92
rails. Where present, wall segments are secured to the interior of
the skeleton or frame 90 (for example by welds or rivets) with any
wall or floor segments intended to contain the radiation fill
material formed of flat sheet steel. Other wall, floor, or ceiling
segments can be mounted to the frame and formed of any suitable
building material. Where, a wall, floor, or ceiling segment is not
present in any individual pod, or is of non-load bearing
construction, structural rigidity of the pod can be increased to
the desired level by providing rigid support members between
segments of frame 90.
[0049] Turning now to FIG. 5, pod 101 is constructed in two
regions, a fill area 210 and a finishable area 212. The fill area
210 forms a part of the barrier 70 and does not contain a floor so
that the radiation shielding material provided into area 210 can be
substantially continuous to the foundation. Area 210 also does not
have a ceiling. The finishable area 212 has no side wall along the
section that joins to pod 102, but a floor can be provided. The
interior of area 212 can be suitable for interior finishing of the
floors, wall and ceiling to make it a patient area.
[0050] Fill area 210 is defined by oppositely disposed vertical
inside and outside walls 214 and 216 and side walls 215 and 217.
Optionally, inside wall 216 is at least partially absent at the
portion that adjoins to the barrier regions of pod 102 to permit
fill material to flow between the adjacent barrier regions. Each of
the walls are rigid and can be reinforced to contain the load of
the radiation fill material without substantial deflection. Each of
the walls are constructed of flat panel steel and have a plurality
of vertically oriented supports 202 welded or otherwise affixed
thereto at spaced intervals along the wall length. Where more than
one wall panel 510 is required to span the length of a wall, the
supports 202 also serve to connect adjacent panels of the wall
material. (See FIG. 5B) The supports are elongated pieces with a
"L" shaped cross section having one flat portion 202b welded or
riveted to adjacent steel wall sections 510 and a second flat
portion 202a generally perpendicular to the wall panels 510. The
perpendicular extending portions of supports 202 are tapered such
that they are thicker at the bottom of the walls where the largest
lateral force from the fill material can be expected. (See FIG.
5A)
[0051] For additional lateral support in the radiation fill area,
rigid horizontal supports 204 are also affixed generally between
the top portions (204a in FIG. 5A) and bottom portions (204b) of
the walls, or equivalently directly to the frame structure 90.
Steel supports 204 extend between walls 216 and 214 and at angles
between wall 215 and walls 216 and 214 and between wall 217 and
walls 214 and 216.
[0052] In typical use the lateral force on the walls of container
210 could be 170,000 pounds at a pressure of approximately 6.4
pounds per square inch. The maximum lateral force could be
increased by the weight of the fill from the roof pods on the top
of pod 101, and the wall material, thickness and supports should be
chosen to support the load.
[0053] It is to be understood that the actual load and pressures
experienced by the various portions of the pods might vary by a
factor of 10 or more in either direction from any of the estimated
loads presented herein. Among other things, these exemplary loads
can be expected to depend on the density of the fill material. In
addition, the walls and/or associated supports can be designed to
withstand several times the expected load for any particular
application.
[0054] In addition, access ports can be placed at appropriate
intervals along the walls of container 210 to allow a pump or other
suitable fill mechanism to fill and empty the container of the
shielding material. Alternatively the fill portion 210 can be
filled and emptied through its open top and bottom.
[0055] Pod 101 is constructed to include central region 218 in
which additional shielding, such as a lead plate, may be added.
Region 218 can be, for example, eight feet wide by 9.5 feet high
and seven inches thick and located near the center of pod 101 or
wherever relatively larger radiation levels could be expected (for
example depending on the orientation and use of the medical device
in room 50). A variety of shielding materials may be used for this
purpose and they may be a passive or a structural part of the pod.
Diagonally extending rigid lateral supports 219 are provided to
accommodate any additional weight of the additional shielding
material.
[0056] The roof shielding pods will be placed on top of pod 101
perpendicular to the footprint pods and filled with radiation
shielding material. The weight of the filled roof shielding pods
could be as high as 250,000 pounds each, all of which load can be
substantially supported by pod 101 and pod 105. Pod 101 includes
roof supports 120 as a portion of the wall to hold one half of the
weight of the four roof shielding pods and transfer the weight to
the foundation below. As discussed above, the majority of portion
210, like similar fill areas of the other footprint pods, has an
open top to allow fluid communication with the roof pods.
[0057] Turning now to FIG. 6 and with continued reference to FIGS.
3 and 4, pod 102 is adjacent to pod 101. Pod 102 also has several
regions within it. Region 220 is eight feet wide by six feet deep
and the full height of the pod. It is located in the rear of the
pod and forms a portion of the barrier 70. When filled with
radiation shielding material the weight of the fill in portion 220
might be 44,0000 pounds with approximately 6.4 pounds per square
inch of weight. Area 220 does not contain a floor or ceiling so
that the shielding material can be substantially continuous to the
foundation and to the roof barrier. The lateral force on the side
walls might be 34,000 pounds, and the maximum lateral force could
be increased by the weight of the fill from the roof shielding pods
on the top of this pod. The wall material, thickness and supports
should be chosen to support these exemplary loads or the load for
any particular application.
[0058] Area 221 contains a vault door 130. Door 130 is five feet
wide by seven and one half feet high. The door is a hollow steel
door eight inches thick. The hollow portion of the door can be
filled with four inches of lead, and 3.8 inches of boridated
polyethylene. It is envisioned that the weight of the door with its
frame and additional wall shielding adjacent to the frame will be
approximately 10,000 pounds.
[0059] Door 130 is located between areas 221a and 221b that, like
area 220, are adapted to receive the radiation fill material. Door
130 separates the control room 60, or patient area 65 (of which
area 222 is a part) from the treatment room 50 allowing access back
and forth. Area 222 also includes a standard exterior door
consistent with local building codes to allow access to the patient
area 65.
[0060] Portions 223 and 222 are suitable for interior finishing of
the floors, walls and ceiling to make it a patient area. They can
also have provision for a quick connect for electricity, for
lighting and to operate the vault door 130.
[0061] Pod 102 also includes a door jam mechanism to be used for
additional protection against radiation out leakage in the event
there is no maze shielding walls (as is traditionally provided at
the entrance to radiation rooms) or when the maze is not sufficient
to adequately block radiation leakage. The mechanism includes a
lifting mechanism coupled to a retractable threshold 132 that pops
up to be adjacent to door 130 upon the closing of the vault door
130, effectively blocking radiation leakage. The threshold 132
retracts, returning to its place upon the opening of the door. The
lifting mechanism can include a pair of hydraulic cylinders 134,
136 (see FIGS. 14 and 14A) of the type known as pancake cylinders.
A gear or lever assembly actuatable under the force of the closing
door could also be used. The lifting mechanism (cylinders 134, 136)
are electronically or hydraulically activated by a switch that
senses whether the door is open or closed, for example by provision
of a pair of cooperating magnetic sensors mounted on the door and
door jam respectively. Preferably the threshold 132 is
electronically interlocked with a pair of door switches and/or with
the radiation machine 600 such that the machine 600 is prohibited
from being in use when the door 130 or the threshold 132 are in a
position to allow radiation leakage from the room.
[0062] The door jam is normally hidden and level with the floor so
as not to be a hazard for persons walking across it. When the vault
door 130 is closed, cylinders 134, 136 raise the threshold above
the bottom of the door to block radiation leakage under the door.
In the event of any emergency, the pop-up mechanism of the door jam
can work in conjunction with the vault door and/or be actuated
manually. For example, the door jam can require electrical power to
stay in the raised position such that in the event of a power
failure, the threshold 132 automatically retracts under its own
weight. The door jam is an enhancement to any radiation therapy
center, as most centers do not utilize any type of a seal under a
vault door. The door jam is not restricted to the use of the
modular system and can be retrofitted to any type of door as would
occur to those of skill in the art when presented with the present
disclosure.
[0063] Pod 103 is located in between pod 102 and pod 104. It is to
be built with an outside dimension the same as an eight by
forty-foot extended height (9'6'') shipping container. When
finished, it can meet DOT regulations and codes and be capable of
being lifted from the end points by a container mover.
[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 7, pod 103 is divided into four
sections. Sections 302 and 306 are fill areas that do not contain a
ceiling or a floor and are open to the fill areas of the adjacent
pods. The lateral force on the side walls might be 34,000 pounds,
where the maximum lateral force could be increased by the weight of
the fill from the roof shielding pods on the top of this pod. The
wall material, thickness and supports should be chosen to support
this exemplary load or the load dictated by any particular
application. Access ports can be placed at appropriate intervals to
allow a vacuum pump to fill and empty the container of the
shielding material.
[0065] Additional shielding panels 303 and 305 are added between
areas 302 and 304 and between areas 304 and 306. Steel may be used
for this purpose, and it may be a passive or a structural part of
the pod.
[0066] There is no side wall on areas 304 and 308 adjacent to pods
102 or 104. Pod 103 is capable of being connected to pods 102 and
104 with a watertight weather seal and it has provisions to anchor
it to the foundation in accordance with standard building codes for
a mobile building. Areas 304 and 308 are suitable for interior
finishing of the floors, walls and ceiling to make it a patient
area.
[0067] Pod 103 is adapted to hold a medical treatment device, such
as one containing a therapeutic radiation source. There are several
manufacturers of such equipment, and the design of the structure
and pod 103 in particular will be as universal as is economically
possible to allow for the incorporation of as many different makes
and models of the treatment device as possible. In general, the
average machine weighs 18,000 pounds and bolts to a base plate such
as base plate 310. The bolts that hold the machine are at one end
of the machine and the bulk of the weight is at the other some ten
feet forward of the bolts yielding a significant moment of torque.
A steel base frame is incorporated into the steel frame of pod 103
to accommodate this torque. The frame is sufficiently rigid such
that regardless of any bending or twisting during transit, when the
frame of pod 103 is placed on a precision leveled foundation, the
machine will be level to within the manufacturers specifications.
Other electrical equipment including a control console, modulator
rack, power transformers, and power filters can also be mounted
within pod 103. Wiring conduits are built into the frame to service
the electrical equipment.
[0068] Pod 104 is substantially a mirror image of pod 102 with a
few minor exceptions. Pod 104 fits in between pods 103 and 105, and
does not include a vault door. In addition, whereas portion 222 of
pod 102 included an exterior door, the equivalent portion of pod
104 can include other amenities such as plumbing for a wash
basin.
[0069] Pod 105 is substantially a mirror image of pod 101 although
it is contemplated that the equivalent portion to portion 212 of
pod 101 will be adapted for a different purpose, such as storage,
restrooms, etc.
[0070] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 8B, pod 106 is one of four
roof shielding containers to be placed on top of and perpendicular
to footprint pods 101 through 105. Each of the roof shielding
containers can be built with an outside dimension the same as a
standard shipping container. Pod 106 is placed at the rear of the
modular unit. The bottom of pod 106 attaches to the top of the
footprint pods 101 through 105. The side of pod 106 that attaches
to pod 107 does not have a wall, but it includes a central rigid
support between the upper and lower frame segments. When finished
it can meet DOT regulations and codes, and be capable of being
lifted from the end points by a container mover. It can also be
capable of being stacked five containers high with the other
containers having a gross weight of 96,000 pounds each and be
capable of being shipped with a gross weight of 96,000 pounds. The
shipping weight of the pod with the additional shielding and the
roof support structures but without the radiation shielding fill
material is preferably consistent with DOT shipping regulation for
moving by truck without special permitting.
[0071] As is the case for all of the roof pods, there is no floor
in pod 106 in the area over pod 101 and pod 105 and over the
shielding containers in pods 102, 103 and 104 although there is a
steel floor over the treatment room portions of the footprint pods.
In addition, there is a ceiling or roof covering all of pod 106 (as
is also the case for all the roof pods). When filled with radiation
shielding material the total weight of the fill could be 243,200
pounds with approximately 5.3 pounds per square inch of weight on
both the shielding in the lower pods and on the floor in the
existing areas of this pod. The lateral force on the side walls
could be 115,520 pounds. The lateral force could be approximately
5.3 pounds per square inch occurring near the bottom of the pod.
The wall material and thickness and supports should chosen to
support this exemplary load or any particular load depending on the
application. Access ports can be placed at appropriate intervals to
allow a vacuum pump to fill and empty the container of the
shielding material. In particular, access ports 325 can be provided
along the roof as a series of spaced apart holes with normally
closed spring loaded covering flaps through which access to the
interior space of the roof pods can be selectively provided.
[0072] Pod 106 is supported by the four steel supports 120 in pods
101 and 105. It is constructed to span pods 102, 103 and 104
without bowing or placing any undue stress on these three pods, and
includes a pair of I-beams 320, 321 to distribute the load on the
steel floor to supports 120.
[0073] Pod 107 is another of four roof shielding containers to be
placed on top of and perpendicular to the footprint pods 101
through 105. It is placed in front of and adjacent to pod 106 at
the rear of the modular unit. The bottom of pod 107 attaches to the
top of footprint pods 101 through 105. The side of pod 107 that
attaches to pod 108 also does not have a wall, which helps to
minimize gaps and/or radiation leaks through the roof. Pod 107
attaches to the five footprint pods and to pod 106 and 108. There
will be no floor in pod 107 in the area over pod 101 and pod 105.
When filled with radiation shielding material the total weight of
the fill could be 243,200 pounds with approximately 5.3 pounds per
square inch of weight on both the shielding in the lower pods and
on the floor in the existing areas of this pod. The lateral force
on the side walls could be approximately 115,520 pounds. The wall
material and thickness and supports should be chosen to support
this exemplary load or the particular load as determined by the
application. Access ports are placed at appropriate intervals to
allow a vacuum pump to fill and empty the container of the
shielding material.
[0074] Pod 107 is supported by the supports 120 in pods 101 and
105. It is be constructed to span pods 102, 103 and 104 without
bowing or placing any undue stress on these three pods, and
includes four I-beams to span pods 102 though 104 and distribute
the load to the supports 120.
[0075] Pod 108 is one of four roof shielding containers to be
placed on top of and perpendicular to the footprint pods 101
through 105. It is placed in front of and adjacent to pod 107 near
the center of the modular unit unit. The bottom of pod 108 will
attach to the top of footprint pods 101 through 105. One side of
pod 108 will attach to pod 107 and the other side will attach to
pod 109. There is no floor in pod 108 in the area over pod 101 and
pod 105. When filled with radiation shielding material the total
weight of the fill could be 243,200 pounds with approximately 5.3
pounds per square inch of weight on both the shielding in the lower
pods and on the floor in the existing areas of this pod. The
lateral force on the side walls could be 115,520 pounds. As
discussed above with respect to the other pods, the wall material
and thickness and supports should be chosen to support this
exemplary load. Access ports can also be placed at appropriate
intervals to allow a vacuum pump to fill and empty the container of
the shielding material.
[0076] Pod 108 is supported by the supports 120 in pods 101 and
105. It is be constructed to span pods 102, 103 and 104 without
bowing or placing any undue stress on these three pods, and
includes four I-beams to span pods 102 though 104 and distribute
the load to the supports 120.
[0077] With reference to FIGS. 9 and 9A, pod 109 is one of four
roof shielding containers to be placed on top of and perpendicular
to the footprint pods 101 through 105. It will be placed in front
of and adjacent to pod 108 near the center of the unit. The bottom
505 of pod 109 will attach to the top of footprint pods 101 through
105. There is no floor in pod 109 in the area over pod 101 and pod
105 and over the shielding containers in pods 102, 103 and 104.
When filled with radiation shielding material the total weight of
the fill could be 243,200 pounds with approximately 5.3 pounds per
square inch of weight on both the shielding in the lower pods and
on the floor in the existing areas of this pod. The lateral force
on the side walls could be 115,520 pounds. As described above with
respect to the other pods, the wall material and thickness and
supports should be chosen to support this exemplary load. Access
ports can also be placed at appropriate intervals to allow a vacuum
pump to fill and empty the container of the shielding material.
[0078] Pod 109 is supported by the supports 120 in pods 101 and
105. It is be constructed to span pods 102, 103 and 104 without
bowing or placing any undue stress on these three pods, and
includes I-beams 520, 521 to span pods 102 though 104 and
distribute the load to the supports 120.
[0079] Pod 110 is a utility area that will be one of the five roof
pods. Pod 110 will be placed on top of and perpendicular to pods
101 through 105. Pod 110 will have several rooms built into it.
These rooms will be for utility areas and will be built to be
consistent with local building codes for electrical, telephone,
plumbing and other utilities as required.
[0080] It is envisioned that pod 110 could also be supported by
supports placed in pods 101 and 105. However, it is envisioned that
since pod 110 would not contain the radiation fill material, the
load of pod 110 would be substantially less than the load of any of
pods 106 through 109 and thus can be supported in any conventional
fashion.
[0081] In one variation of the modular structure the medical device
can be removed and replaced after the structure is completed in a
simple and efficient manner. This variation involves modifications
to pods 103 and 109 such that the portion of pod 103 containing the
medical device and any associated control system can be removed and
replaced while the remainder of the structure and the majority of
the radiation fill material remains in place.
[0082] Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, pod 103a, which is a
modified version of pod 103, is depicted. Pod 103a includes
radiation fill section 402 that is separated from the radiation
treatment room 50 by lead shield 403. The removable portion of pod
103a includes the treatment room portion 404, barrier portion 420
and control room portion 406. The treatment room portion 404
includes the base plate that would be coupled to the medical device
and is removable with respect to treatment room portions 410 and
408. The control room portion 406 includes the associated control
equipment and electronics and is electrically coupled to and
integral with portions 420 and 404.
[0083] The barrier comprising portions 416, 418 and 420 in pod 103a
can be filled with radiation shielding fill material. Portions 416
and 418 are relatively fixed and would normally remain filled with
shielding material even during the medical device interchange
operation. The center barrier portion 420 is part of the removable
section of pod 103a and can be evacuated of its radiation fill
material as necessary to remove and replace the medical device. The
walls of radiation fill portions 416 and 418 abutting portion 420
are reinforced to contain the load of fill material when portion
420 is evacuated.
[0084] The associated electronic controls for the medical device
are included on portion 406, which is adapted to be slid out
between portions 412 and 414. While each of sections 404, 420 and
416 are preferably coupled together, they could be separately
removable. In addition rollers or other slide assisting means are
preferably provided under the removable sections so that the
removable section of pod 103a can easily be decoupled and removed
and replaced.
[0085] In addition provisions can be made to stop the flow of fill
material from the roof sections above portion 420 as the removable
portion of pod 103a are removed. Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13,
pod 109a, which is a modified version of pod 109, is depicted. Pod
109a is substantially identical to pod 109 save the centralized
trapezoidal portion 450 which is located to cover portion 420 in
pod 103a. Portion 450 is constructed of reinforced steel and has
access ports to both fill and evacuate portion 450 of radiation
fill material when removable section of pod 103a is to be removed.
The lateral sides of portion 450 are constructed to contain the
load of the remaining radiation fill material in pod 109a from
falling into portion 420 during medical device removal and
swapping.
[0086] As can be appreciated by those of skill in the art when
provided with the present disclosure, the modular structure can be
formed by sequentially placing and connecting the pods in proper
alignment. To facilitate construction and alignment of the pods,
adjacent pods can be provided with quick locking and/or aligning
devices and/or the pods can be connected in any conventional
fashion. For example adjacent sides of two pods can be provided
with a post and receiving hole to align with the respective post or
receiving hole of the adjacent pod.
[0087] Turning now to FIG. 15A, a representative connection between
the lower rails 92 of a pair of footprint pods is illustrated.
Alignment post 515 of rail 92a is received in the hole 516 of rail
92b, and the two rails are secured by a bolt and locking washer
assembly 530.
[0088] Turning to FIG. 15B, a representative connection between the
vertical posts 94 at the corners of adjacent pods is illustrated.
Post 94b, including wall section 511b, is connected with long bolt
assembly 531 to post 94a, including adjacent wall section 511a.
[0089] Turning now to FIG. 15C, an interior wall connection between
adjacent pods is illustrated. Adjoining rails 96, or equivalently
wall supports 202, are connected by bolt assembly 532. One or more
of the rails 96 can include a reinforced wall portions, such as
wall 303. (See FIG. 7)
[0090] As shown in FIG. 15D, the rails 96a and b (of adjacent pods)
holding ceiling panels 540 a and b are connected in similar fashion
as are adjacent interior wall portions. The ceiling panels 540a and
540 b could be the ceiling over the central treatment area 50, or
the ceiling panels could serve as the roof over the entire
structure, as would be the case in the respective connection
between pods 106 and 107.
[0091] Turning to FIG. 15E, a representative connection between an
interior portion of pod 101 with the door gusset 540 of pod 102 is
illustrated. A representative wall panel 510, reinforced with
support 202, is secured to a portion of the door gusset 540 with a
standard bolt assembly.
[0092] Turning now to FIG. 15F, a representative connection between
the ends of a roof pod with the outside walls of pods 101 and 105
is depicted. The upper frame rail 96 from the outside wall 510 of a
footprint pod receives a bolt assembly holding the lower beam 92
forming the bottom of a roof pod, such as pod 107. A spacer 550 can
also be included between the pods.
[0093] Turning now to FIG. 15G, a representative connection between
an I-beam in the roof pod and the roof support in the footprint pod
is depicted. I-beam 321 (see FIG. 8-8B) is connected through the
floor of the roof pod and into a top flat portion of the support
120 (see FIG. 3) with a bolt assembly.
[0094] In addition while each radiation fill material containing
section of each of the individual pods can include their own access
port or ports for filling and removing radiation fill material, in
one embodiment only the roof pods have access ports. In this
embodiment the access ports can be along the top roof section of
the roof pods and radiation fill material provided into those roof
pods can flow by gravity into the appropriate portions of the
footprint pods 101 through 105.
[0095] It is also envisioned that the modular structure can be
disassembled by sequentially decoupling and removing the pods. For
the roof pods, the radiation fill material can be pumped out of or
otherwise removed from the containers prior to lifting the pods.
The footprint pods, since there is no floor in the barrier
sections, can be lifted by their ends with the filler material
being left behind. It may be necessary to rap the sides of the pods
as they are being lifted to assure that the filler does not stick
to the inside of the pods. Alternatively, the filler material can
be pumped out of the footprint pods prior to their removal.
[0096] While in the preferred embodiment, the radiation shielding
filler material is sand or another solid flowable or granular
radiation adsorbent material, other types of filler material can be
used. Examples include, without limitation, silica, dirt, lead,
lead shot, steel, scrap pieces (such as metal punch outs), and
various combinations or mixtures of the above. Where the barrier
region is made substantially fluid tight such as by providing a
bladder and/or caulking throughout the barrier region once the pods
are constructed, the filler material can be a liquid (such as
water) or a slurry (such as a flowable fill concrete). Furthermore,
it is contemplated that the specific type of shielding material and
the physical dimension of the barrier region can be together varied
and selected to provide the necessary radiation shielding based on
a particular application and a particular radiation source. As
discussed throughout, the density of the fill material will
determine at least to some extent the load on the walls of the
barrier, and the walls can be constructed and/or reinforced as
appropriate based on the expected load and any applicable building
codes or construction techniques.
[0097] While the structure illustrated herein is constructed
substantially entirely from free-standing pods, it is contemplated
that the pods could only form a portion of a treatment facility.
For example pods 102 and/or 103 could be provided wherein the
remainder of the structure and/or the barrier (i.e. that formed in
the illustrated embodiment by the remainder of the pods) could be
constructed by any building technique now known or hereafter
developed. For example portions of the structure could be
transported as preformed but collapsed portions that would be
assembled and arranged around the placed pods.
[0098] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the specific features shown and described, since the means herein
disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into
effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or
modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims
appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of
equivalents.
* * * * *