CAD software streamlines medical system design

A SolidWorks Corporation product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 25, 2008

Still River Systems' proton therapy design will cost hospitals only a fraction of current costs and occupy one room instead of a large city block.

Still River Systems is using SolidWorks 3D CAD software to develop a compact and affordable proton radiotherapy treatment device.

Unlike conventional X-ray based radiation therapy systems, Still River Systems' Monarch250 uses proton beams for radiotherapy.

Proton beam radiotherapy employs a particle accelerator device that uses electric fields to propel electrically charged particles at high speeds and then contain and shape them to output a highly focused proton beam toward a precisely defined target.

This technology can sharply reduce damage to healthy tissue by precisely focusing the radiation dose to the tumor.

Proton radiotherapy is especially valuable in critical structures of the body like the eye, brain, base of the skull, spine and prostate.

It also limits radiation exposure for safe treatment of children.

Proton beam radiotherapy has been in use since the 1950s, but is only available in five facilities in the United States and 28 centres worldwide.

While it typically costs more than US $140 million to build a proton therapy facility, Still River Systems' new design will cost hospitals only a fraction of current costs and occupy one room instead of a large city block.

"The design is challenging, with more than 10,000 parts ranging from a 1/8in long pin to a large magnet that swings on a gantry supported by bearings the size of a tractor tire", said Barry Mendell, Still River Systems' engineering services manager.

"It was assumed we were using SolidWorks from the start".

"80% of the mechanical engineers hired to participate on the project were already SolidWorks users and no one has ever questioned the choice".

"For the remainder of the nonSolidWorks users who were experienced with other 3D modeling applications, the learning curve was minimal".

"SolidWorks works flawlessly with our GibbsCAM software and provides the capabilities for sheet metal, weldments, process pipes, cable routing, surfacing and motion required for our various mechanical assemblies".

Still Rivers Systems uses PDMWorks data management software to control CAD file revisions and manage CAD projects and uses SolidWorks' CosmosWorks design analysis software to check the structural strength of various parts and assemblies.

Renderings in SolidWorks' PhotoWorks software and videos created in SolidWorks Animator software help Still River Systems communicate project details to other parties.

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