Calculating Curved Needles Deformation in Automated High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy Operations

The article outlines the approach to applying the mechatronic technologies and robotic systems in carrying out the brachytherapy operations. To calculate the elastic state of the flexible needles of different geometry in the prostate model, a mathematical model of the flexible needle deformation has been applied which took into account the medium reaction and was based on the theory of flexible and elastic rods. The numeric calculations for different types of needles have been introduced for the first time. Also for the first time the advantages of applying flexible needles for brachytherapy procedure have been mathematically justified.