Method and apparatus for assigning radiation room

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method performed by a processor of a radiation room assignment apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring radiation therapy data of a patient scheduled for radiation therapy; predicting an assignment suitability score for each radiation room for the patient having the radiation therapy data by using a radiation room assignment model configured to predict a radiation room assignment suitability score by using the radiation therapy data as an input; and determining a radiation room to which the patient is to be assigned on the basis of the predicted score.

Description

Radiation Room Assignment Method and Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for assigning radiation rooms based on radiation dose.

[0002] Radiation therapy is one of the three major cancer treatments, along with surgery and chemotherapy, depending on the type and stage of cancer. By irradiating the body with high-energy radiation, radiation therapy can destroy cancer cells or reduce the size of tumors prior to surgery.

[0003] Since the maintenance costs of radiation therapy devices are substantial as well as the purchase costs, medical institutions that have introduced such devices must secure revenue by maintaining an operating rate above a certain level.

[0004] However, in most medical facilities, the assignment of radiology rooms is carried out by administrators. Since medical staff must consider various clinical factors—such as the patient's diagnostic status, mobility, and necessary auxiliary equipment—as well as the characteristics of the radiology room, it takes a considerable amount of time to make an assignment. Furthermore, even after considering all factors, optimal assignments are often not achieved because the rooms are assigned based on the subjective judgment of the medical staff.

[0005] The background description of the invention is provided to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. The matters described in the background description should not be construed as an acknowledgment that they exist as prior art.

[0006] Accordingly, a patient scheduling method designed to treat as many patients as possible in conventional radiology rooms has been disclosed. While this conventional method allows for the treatment of as many patients as possible per unit of time, it can be inefficient in terms of overall operations because it requires a large number of medical personnel to treat a high volume of patients while adhering to radiation safety management standards applicable to radiation therapy. Furthermore, applying the conventional scheduling method while maintaining existing staffing levels may lead to an imbalance in workload intensity between radiology rooms and an excessive workload on medical staff; additionally, focusing on efficiency limits the ability to reflect the individual characteristics of patients.

[0007] Therefore, a new method for assigning radiation rooms is required to overcome the inefficiency and subjectivity of the manual assignment system, ensure a high utilization rate of expensive radiation therapy devices, avoid violating legal regulations, and take into account the workload of medical staff.

[0008] As a result, the inventors of the present invention have devised a method for generating a radiation room assignment schedule that is practically feasible and derives maximum efficiency by considering radiation treatment planning variables, including the patient's diagnostic status and the operational status of the treatment room (hereinafter referred to as the “radiation room”).

[0009] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0010] To solve the problem described above, a method for assigning a radiation room based on radiation dose according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The method is configured to include the steps of: acquiring radiation therapy data of a patient scheduled for radiation therapy; predicting a radiation room assignment suitability score for a patient with the radiation therapy data using a radiation room assignment model configured to predict a radiation room assignment suitability score using the radiation therapy data as input; and determining the radiation room to which the patient will be assigned based on the predicted score.

[0011] According to a feature of the present invention, prior to the step of acquiring radiation therapy data, the invention may further include the step of acquiring dynamic operation data and static operation data of a radiation room and the step of adjusting model parameters of the radiation room assignment model based on the dynamic operation data.

[0012] According to a feature of the present invention, the dynamic operation data may include the total radiation dose per radiation room of previously assigned patients, at least one of a patient who received radiation therapy within a previously set period and the treatment site of the patient.

[0013] According to a feature of the present invention, the step of calculating the assignment suitability score may further include a step of determining whether the total radiation dose calculated based on the radiation therapy data and the total radiation dose per radiation room exceed the allowable operating load, and a step of excluding radiation rooms that exceed the allowable operating load from the suitability score calculation target based on the determination result.

[0014] According to a feature of the present invention, the static operation data may include at least one of a list of position fixing devices for a radiation room, an entry path into the radiation room, and structural characteristics of the radiation room.

[0015] According to a feature of the present invention, the step of calculating the assignment suitability score may further include a step of determining whether entry into the radiation room is possible using a patient transport means determined based on the radiation therapy data, and a step of excluding a radiation room that is inaccessible from the suitability score calculation target based on the result of the determination.

[0016] According to a feature of the present invention, the radiation therapy data may include at least one of the patient's prescribed dose (MU, Monitor Unit), RT Plan, mobility status, whether a posture fixation device is required, diagnosis, treatment site, and pre- and post-treatment items.

[0017] According to a feature of the present invention, the step of determining the radiation room may further include the step of providing a user interface for selecting an assignable radiation room and a radiation room assignment date based on the predicted suitability score.

[0018] According to a feature of the present invention, the step of providing the user interface may further include the step of displaying parameters regarding the predicted fit score as one of the radiation rooms is selected by the user.

[0019] To solve the problem described above, a radiation room assignment device according to another embodiment of the present invention is provided. The device comprises a communication interface, a memory, and a processor operably connected to the communication interface and the memory. The processor is configured to acquire radiation therapy data of a patient scheduled for radiation therapy, predict a radiation room assignment suitability score for a patient with the radiation therapy data using a radiation room assignment model configured to predict a radiation room assignment suitability score using the radiation therapy data as input, and determine the radiation room to which the patient will be assigned based on the predicted score.

[0020] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0021] The present invention can automate the manual and time-consuming task of assigning radiation rooms. In particular, by digitizing patient conditions and radiation room characteristics, the optimal radiation room for each patient can be matched based on objective data. For example, the present invention can secure a high utilization rate of radiation therapy devices without violating legal regulations, while maximizing hospital operational efficiency, reducing the workload of medical staff, and improving the quality of medical services.

[0022] The present invention can ensure equity in work intensity across different radiation rooms. Furthermore, by automatically performing radiation room assignments that comprehensively consider the patient's radiation dose and treatment schedule, as well as the medical staff's radiation exposure and work schedule, the workload of medical staff required to generate radiation room assignment schedules can be reduced.

[0023] The present invention can improve the efficiency of radiation therapy operations by medical staff by assigning radiation rooms based on the treatment plan according to the patient's current condition and the geographical characteristics of the building. For example, patients undergoing similar treatments can be assigned to the same radiation room, and patients who move by wheelchair or bed can be assigned to a radiation room that minimizes mobility inconvenience.

[0024] The present invention can significantly improve work efficiency regarding the planning and implementation of radiation therapy by assigning a radiation room considering the patient's current condition and the geographical characteristics of the radiation room.

[0025] The effects according to the present invention are not limited to those exemplified above, and a wider variety of effects are included within the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a radiation room assignment method based on radiation dose according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radiation room assignment system based on radiation dose according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radiation room assignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a radiation room assignment method based on radiation dose according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a radiation room assignment model according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a medical staff device using a radiation room assignment system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIGS. 7 to 9 are exemplary diagrams of a user interface screen for radiation room assignment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar components.

[0034] In this document, expressions such as "have," "can have," "include," or "can include" refer to the existence of the relevant feature (e.g., numerical values, functions, actions, or components, etc.) and do not exclude the existence of additional features.

[0035] In this document, expressions such as “A or B,” “at least one of A or / and B,” or “one or more of A or / and B” may include all possible combinations of items listed together. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A or B” may refer to cases including (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) both at least one A and at least one B.

[0036] Expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in this document may modify various components regardless of order and / or importance, and are used merely to distinguish one component from another without limiting such components. For example, a first user device and a second user device may represent different user devices regardless of order or importance. For example, without departing from the scope of rights set forth in this document, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, a second component may be renamed a first component.

[0037] Where it is stated that a certain component (e.g., a first component) is "(operatively or communicatively) coupled with" or "connected to" another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that the said certain component may be directly connected to the said other component or connected through another component (e.g., a third component). On the other hand, where it is stated that a certain component (e.g., a first component) is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), it may be understood that no other component (e.g., a third component) exists between the said certain component and the said other component.

[0038] As used in this document, the expression “configured to” may be replaced, depending on the context, with, for example, “suitable for,” “having the capacity to,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of.” The term “configured to” does not necessarily mean “specifically designed to” in hardware. Instead, in some situations, the expression “device configured to” may mean that the device is “capable of” in conjunction with other devices or components. For example, the phrase “processor configured to perform A, B, and C” may mean a dedicated processor for performing those operations (e.g., an embedded processor) or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) capable of performing those operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

[0039] The terms used in this document are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art described in this document. Terms used in this document that are defined in general dictionaries may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as they have in the context of the relevant technology, and are not to be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this document. In some cases, even terms defined in this document may not be interpreted to exclude the embodiments of this document.

[0040] The features of each of the various embodiments of the present invention may be combined or combined with one another, either partially or wholly, and as will be fully understood by those skilled in the art, various technical interlocking and operation are possible, and each embodiment may be implemented independently of one another or together in an interlocking relationship.

[0041] For clarity in the interpretation of this specification, the terms used in this specification are defined below.

[0042] As used herein, the term “radiology room assignment model” may be a model trained to predict a radiology room assignment suitability score using radiation therapy data as input. Specifically, the radiology room assignment model may be at least one of Multi-layer Perception (MLP), Random Forest, XgBoost, LightGBM, CatBoost, and a pre-trained model. The radiology room assignment model can predict different patient assignment suitability scores for each radiology room. For example, the radiology room assignment model can predict the assignment suitability scores for radiology rooms A, B, and C for a single patient on a daily or hourly basis.

[0043] As used in this specification, the term “radiation therapy data” may refer to various data regarding a patient obtained prior to radiation therapy. Specifically, radiation therapy data may refer to data obtained prior to the radiation room assignment stage, namely through patient consultation, medical staff’s treatment planning, and contouring. For example, radiation therapy data may include at least one of the patient’s prescribed dose (Monitor Unit), RT-Plan, mobility status, whether a posture immobilization device is required, diagnosis, treatment site, and pre- and post-treatment items.

[0044] As used in this specification, the terms “dynamic operational data” and “static operational data” may refer to various data relating to a radiation room providing radiation therapy. Specifically, dynamic operational data may include at least one of the total radiation dose per radiation room for previously assigned patients, identification data of patients who received radiation therapy within a pre-set period, the patient’s diagnosis, and the treatment site of the patient. Additionally, static operational data may include at least one of a list of positioning devices for the radiation room, an entry path to the radiation room, and structural characteristics of the radiation room.

[0045] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a radiation room assignment method based on radiation dose according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, a radiation room assignment method according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to provide a user interface (10) that can select a radiation room that can be assigned to the patient on a device (200) held by a medical staff member who has treated a patient scheduled for radiation therapy. For example, the medical staff member device (200) may input the patient's radiation therapy data obtained by the medical staff member onto the user interface (10) and may output a user interface (10) that displays the dates of the radiation rooms that can be assigned.

[0048] A radiation room assignment method according to one embodiment of the present invention is not merely an assignment method that indicates a radiation room with an empty reservation as an assignable radiation room based on the status of medical appointments, but may be an assignment method that reflects various variables such as a maximum operating load that does not violate legal regulations, equity in the work intensity of medical staff assigned to the radiation room, the type of treatment, and the geographical characteristics of the radiation room.

[0049] Conventionally, considering such various variables, the efficiency of establishing a radiation therapy schedule has been reduced because a specific medical team specializing solely in radiation room assignment, i.e., radiation room scheduling, assigns the patient's radiation room. However, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a medical team treating the patient or a medical team performing radiation therapy can establish a radiation therapy plan for the patient based on the radiation rooms and dates that can be assigned to the patient, which are output directly to the medical team device (200).

[0050] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radiation room assignment system based on radiation dose according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, the radiation room assignment system (1000) may be a system configured to automatically establish radiation room scheduling. Specifically, the radiation room assignment system (1000) may include a radiation room assignment device (100), a medical staff device (200) capable of checking the radiation room assignment results, and a radiation therapy device (300) capable of performing radiation therapy.

[0052] The radiation room assignment device (100) may include a general-purpose computer, a laptop, and a data server, etc., as a server of an automatic assignment service provider capable of assigning a radiation room by considering the patient's radiation therapy variables and the hospital's radiation room operation variables. Specifically, the radiation room assignment device (100) may provide a user interface for radiation room assignment and schedule setting to a medical staff device (200). The radiation room assignment device (100) may receive the patient's radiation therapy data from the medical staff device (200) and, based on this, may assign a radiation room where the patient can begin treatment quickly.

[0053] In various embodiments, the radiation room assignment device (100) can obtain radiation therapy data for a patient scheduled for radiation therapy, dynamic operational data and static operational data for a radiation room providing radiation therapy from a medical staff device (200). Specifically, the radiation room assignment device (100) can obtain radiation therapy data including at least one of the patient's prescribed dose (MU, Monitor Unit), RT Plan, mobility status, whether a posture fixation device is required, diagnosis, treatment site, and pre- and post-treatment items. Additionally, the radiation room assignment device (100) can obtain dynamic operational data including at least one of the total radiation dose per radiation room for previously assigned patients (e.g., total weekly radiation dose for scheduled patients), patients who received radiation therapy within a pre-set period (e.g., patient identification data, diagnosis), and the treatment site of the patient. Additionally, the radiation room assignment device (100) can obtain static operational data including at least one of the radiation room's list of posture fixation devices, the entry path to the radiation room, and the structural characteristics of the radiation room.

[0054] In various embodiments, the radiation room assignment device (100) can predict the suitability of a patient's assignment to a radiation room by using a radiation room assignment model that takes radiation therapy data as input. Specifically, the radiation room assignment device (100) can obtain a suitability score for assignment to a radiation room by inputting the patient's radiation therapy data into a radiation room assignment model configured to predict a suitability score for assignment to a radiation room by taking radiation therapy data as input. In addition, the radiation room assignment model can adjust the model parameters of the radiation room assignment model based on dynamic operation data of the radiation room.

[0055] In various embodiments, the radiation room assignment device (100) may edit a list of radiation rooms to be targeted for predicting assignment suitability based on dynamic operation data and static operation data regarding the radiation rooms. For example, the radiation room assignment device (100) may determine whether the radiation dose calculated based on radiation room treatment data and the total radiation dose per radiation room exceed the allowable operating load by adjusting model parameters. Here, the allowable operating load is based on the effective dose and may be defined as a range not exceeding 50 mSv per year or 100 mSv over 5 years, or a range not exceeding the annual standard value for specific organs (lens 150 mSv, skin 500 mSv, hands, feet, other organs / tissues 500 mSv). Additionally, a weekly effective dose standard may be defined by dividing the annual effective dose by the number of weeks. Furthermore, the allowable operating load may be defined as 5 mGy per year and 0.02 mGy per week based on the absorbed dose. Accordingly, when the patient is assigned to a radiation room, if the daily allowable operating load is exceeded, the radiation room assignment device (100) may exclude the radiation room exceeding the allowable operating load from the calculation of the suitability score. As another example, the radiation room assignment device (100) may determine whether entry into the radiation room is possible using a means of patient transport determined based on radiation room treatment data. The radiation room assignment device (100) may determine whether obstacles, the height of obstacles, ramps, the length of ramps, and the width of access routes in the movement path between the treatment room and the radiation room satisfy the mobility criteria values ​​of the patient's means of transport (e.g., wheelchair, bed). Based on the determination result, the radiation room assignment device (100) may exclude radiation rooms that are inaccessible from the calculation of the suitability score. In this way, the radiation room assignment device (100) may numerically define, as an assignment suitability score, where it is most desirable to assign a patient with specific radiation treatment data, considering the operational status of the radiation room.

[0056] In various embodiments, the radiation room assignment device (100) can determine the radiation room to which a patient will be assigned based on a predicted suitability score. Specifically, the radiation room assignment device (100) may determine and provide an assignable radiation room based on the predicted score using a radiation room assignment model, or provide a user interface for selecting an assignable radiation room and a radiation room assignment date. Additionally, the radiation room assignment device (100) may display parameters regarding the predicted suitability score as one of the radiation rooms is selected by the user within the user interface. Specifically, the radiation room assignment device (100) may display parameters with a high influence that contributed to increasing the suitability score and parameters with a low influence that contributed to decreasing the suitability score. That is, the radiation room assignment device (100) can display the operational variable that is most suitable or least suitable for the patient when considering the patient's radiation therapy data, among the total radiation dose per radiation room of previously assigned patients, patients who received radiation therapy within a pre-set period and the treatment site of the patient, a list of position fixation devices in the radiation room, the entry path to the radiation room, and the structural characteristics of the radiation room. For example, if a radiation room is selected by the user that has position fixation devices to enhance the convenience of radiation therapy but has difficulties in the movement path, the radiation room assignment device (100) can display a warning regarding the structural characteristics of the radiation room or the feature that the position fixation devices exist through the user interface.

[0057] The medical staff device (200) is a device possessed by medical staff who treat patients and establish radiation therapy plans, and may include smartphones, tablet PCs (Personal Computers), laptops, and PCs. The medical staff device (200) may install or run a web or mobile application or program provided by the radiation room assignment device (100). For example, the medical staff device (200) may run a web page or program for radiation room assignment and may input the patient's radiation therapy data for radiation room assignment. The medical staff device (100) may output a list of radiation rooms available for assignment to the patient provided by the radiation room assignment device (100).

[0058] A radiation therapy device (300) is a device that provides radiation therapy to a patient according to a radiation therapy plan and may be equipped in a radiation room. For example, the radiation therapy device (300) may include at least one device among an external beam radiation therapy device that irradiates radiation from the outside, such as a low-energy X-ray therapy device, a cobalt-60 remote therapy device, a linear accelerator, or a particle accelerator, a brachytherapy device that treats by injecting a radiation source into the patient's body, or an intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) device.

[0059] In various embodiments, as medical personnel can operate the radiation therapy device (300) to treat a patient assigned to a radiation room, the radiation therapy device (300) may also be understood as a medical personnel device (200). Accordingly, in the case of the radiation therapy device (300), a Web or Mobile application or program provided by the radiation room assignment device (100) may be installed or executed.

[0060] In various embodiments, the radiation room assignment system (1000) may further include a medical data acquisition device (not shown) for acquiring patient radiation therapy data. The medical data acquisition device may be a device capable of generating radiation therapy data in conjunction with a medical imaging device capable of acquiring medical images. Specifically, the medical data acquisition device may be a device capable of acquiring medical images and generating a radiation therapy plan based on medical images by being linked with a CT (Computed Tomography) device, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) device, a CT simulator, and a CR (Computed Radiography) device. Here, the radiation therapy data may include medical image data and radiation therapy plan data based on medical images. For example, the medical data acquisition device may acquire radiation therapy data such as CT, RTSS (RT Structure Set), RT-Plan, and RT-Dose.

[0061] Up to now, a radiation room assignment system (1000) according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described, and below, a radiation room assignment device (100) that provides an automatic radiation room assignment service will be described.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radiation room assignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3, the radiation room assignment device (100) may include a communication interface (110), a memory (120), an I / O interface (130), and a processor (140), and each component may communicate with one or more communication buses or signal lines.

[0064] The communication interface (110) can be connected to the medical staff device (200) and the radiation therapy device (300) via a wired / wireless communication network to exchange data. For example, the communication interface (110) can receive radiation therapy data from the medical staff device (200), such as patient identification data, pathological diagnosis name, mobility status, whether a posture fixation device is needed, treatment site, pre- and post-treatment items, CT, RTSS (RT Structure Set), RT-Plan, and RT-Dose. As another example, the communication interface (110) can transmit a user interface displaying a radiation room assignment list to the medical staff device (200). Additionally, the communication interface (110) can receive operational data related to the radiation room from the medical staff device (200) linked to the radiation therapy device (300). For example, the communication interface (110) can receive from the medical staff device (200) the total weekly radiation dose of patients scheduled by radiation room, a list of posture fixation devices provided in the radiation room, the diagnosis of patients treated within a specified period, the distribution of treatment sites, and geographical features of the radiation room.

[0065] Meanwhile, a communication interface (110) that enables the transmission and reception of such data includes a wired communication port (111) and a wireless circuit (112), wherein the wired communication port (111) may include one or more wired interfaces, for example, Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire, etc. Additionally, the wireless circuit (112) may transmit and receive data with an external device through an RF signal or an optical signal. Furthermore, wireless communication may use at least one of a plurality of communication standards, protocols, and technologies, such as GSM, EDGE, CDMA, TDMA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, VoIP, Wi-MAX, or any other suitable communication protocol.

[0066] The memory (120) can store various data used in the radiation room assignment device (100). For example, the memory (120) can store a user interface screen for radiation room assignment provided to the medical staff device (200), a radiation room assignment model configured to predict radiation room assignment suitability scores and its training data, radiation therapy data per patient, dynamic operation data per radiation room and static operation data, etc.

[0067] In various embodiments, the memory (120) may include a volatile or non-volatile recording medium capable of storing various data, commands, and information. For example, the memory (120) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM, SRAM, ROM, EEPROM, PROM, network storage, cloud, and blockchain database.

[0068] In various embodiments, the memory (120) may store at least one configuration of an operating system (121), a communication module (122), a user interface module (123), and one or more applications (124).

[0069] An operating system (121) (e.g., embedded operating systems such as LINUX, UNIX, MAC OS, WINDOWS, VxWorks, etc.) may include various software components and drivers for controlling and managing general system operations (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and may support communication between various hardware, firmware, and software components.

[0070] The communication module (123) can support communication with another device through the communication interface (110). The communication module (120) may include various software components for processing data received by the wired communication port (111) or wireless circuit (112) of the communication interface (110).

[0071] The user interface module (123) can receive requests or inputs from a user, such as a keyboard, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc., through the I / O interface (130) and provide a user interface on the display.

[0072] The application (124) may include a program or module configured to be executed by one or more processors (140). Here, the application for machine learning model computation may be implemented on a server farm.

[0073] The I / O interface (130) can connect at least one of the input / output devices (not shown) of the radiation room assignment device (100), such as a display, keyboard, touch screen, and microphone, to the user interface module (123). The I / O interface (130) can receive user input (e.g., voice input, keyboard input, touch input, etc.) together with the user interface module (123) and process commands based on the received input.

[0074] The processor (140) is connected to the communication interface (110), memory (120), and I / O interface (130) to control the overall operation of the radiation room assignment device (100), and can execute various commands to assign a radiation therapy room suitable for the patient and hospital operating conditions through an application or program stored in the memory (120).

[0075] The processor (140) may correspond to a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an AP (Application Processor). Additionally, the processor (140) may be implemented in the form of an Integrated Chip (IC), such as a System on Chip (SoC) that integrates various computing devices. Alternatively, the processor (140) may include a module for computing artificial neural network models, such as a Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

[0076] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, a method for the processor (140) of the radiation room assignment device (100) to assign a radiation room will be explained.

[0077] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a radiation room assignment method based on radiation dose according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 4, the processor (140) can acquire radiation therapy data of a patient scheduled for radiation therapy (S110). Specifically, the processor (140) can provide a user interface for radiation room assignment and schedule setting to the medical staff device (200), and can receive the patient's radiation therapy data from the medical staff device (200). For example, the patient's radiation therapy data may include at least one of the patient's prescribed dose (MU, Monitor Unit), RT Plan, mobility status, whether a posture fixation device is required, diagnosis, treatment site, and pre- and post-treatment items.

[0079] In various embodiments, the processor (140) may obtain dynamic operational data and static operational data for a radiation room providing radiation therapy from a medical staff device (200). Specifically, the processor (140) may obtain dynamic operational data including the total radiation dose per radiation room for assigned patients (e.g., total weekly radiation dose for scheduled patients), patients who received radiation therapy within a set period (e.g., patient identification data, diagnosis), and at least one of the treatment sites of the patients. Additionally, the processor (140) may obtain static operational data including a list of position fixation devices for the radiation room, an entry path to the radiation room, and at least one of the structural characteristics of the radiation room.

[0080] After step S110, the processor (140) can predict the patient's suitability for assignment to a radiation room using a radiation room assignment model that takes radiation therapy data as input (S120). Specifically, the processor (140) can obtain the suitability score for assignment to a radiation room by inputting the patient's radiation therapy data into a radiation room assignment model configured to predict the suitability score for assignment to a radiation room using radiation therapy data as input. In addition, the radiation room assignment model can adjust the model parameters of the radiation room assignment model based on the dynamic operation data of the radiation room.

[0081] In this regard, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a radiation room assignment model according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, the processor (140) can input patient radiation therapy data (21) into a radiation room assignment model (20). Specifically, the radiation room assignment model (10) may be at least one of a Multi-layer Perception (MLP), Random Forest, XgBoost, LightGBM, CatBoost, and a pre-trained model. The radiation room assignment model (10) can predict patient assignment suitability scores (22) that differ by radiation room. For example, the processor (140) can calculate assignment suitability scores (22) for multiple radiation rooms in a hospital through the radiation room assignment model (20). Additionally, the processor (140) can predict radiation assignment suitability scores on an hourly basis rather than a daily basis.

[0083] In this way, the processor (140) can obtain a suitability score by considering whether the position fixation device used in patient simulation exists in the radiation room through the radiation room assignment model (20). Additionally, the processor (140) can obtain a suitability score by considering whether there is a radiation room among multiple radiation rooms to which a patient with a pathological diagnosis, treatment site, treatment method, and pre- and post-treatment items similar to the patient is assigned. Furthermore, the processor (140) can award bonus points in order of workload or relatively low workload among multiple radiation rooms through the radiation room assignment model (20). Here, workload can be determined based on the dynamic operation data of the radiation room. That is, the processor (140) can score how suitable it is for the patient to be assigned to each radiation room by inputting the patient's radiation treatment data into the radiation room assignment model (20), which uses the dynamic operation data and static operation data of the radiation room as criteria for calculating the suitability score.

[0084] After step S120, the processor (140) can determine the radiation room to which the patient will be assigned based on the predicted fit score (S130). Specifically, the processor (140) can determine and provide the radiation room available for assignment based on the predicted score using a radiation room assignment model, or provide a user interface for selecting the available radiation room and the radiation room assignment date. In addition, the processor (140) can display parameters regarding the predicted fit score as one radiation room is selected by the user within the user interface. Specifically, the processor (140) can display parameters with a high influence that contributed to increasing the fit score and parameters with a low influence that contributed to decreasing the fit score. That is, the processor (140) can display the operational variable that is most suitable or least suitable for the patient when considering the patient's radiation treatment data among the total radiation dose per radiation room of previously assigned patients, patients who received radiation therapy within a pre-set period and the treatment sites of those patients, a list of positional fixation devices in the radiation room, the entry path to the radiation room, and the structural characteristics of the radiation room. For example, if a user selects a radiation room where movement is easy because there is no ramp in the entry path to the radiation room, but variations in operation are expected because the treatment area differs based on the assigned patients, the processor (140) can display a warning regarding the entry path characteristics of the radiation room or the radiation room assignment characteristics through the user interface.

[0085] In various embodiments, the processor (140) may edit a list of radiation rooms to be targeted for predicting assignment suitability based on dynamic operation data and static operation data regarding the radiation rooms. For example, the processor (140) may determine whether the radiation dose calculated based on radiation room treatment data and the total radiation dose per radiation room exceed the allowable operating load by adjusting model parameters. Here, the allowable operating load may be defined as not exceeding 50 mSv per year or 100 mSv over 5 years based on the effective dose, or not exceeding the annual threshold for specific organs (lens 150 mSv, skin 500 mSv, hands, feet, and other organs / tissues 500 mSv). Additionally, a weekly effective dose threshold may be defined by dividing the annual effective dose by the number of weeks. Furthermore, the allowable operating load may be defined as 5 mGy per year and 0.02 mGy per week based on the absorbed dose. Accordingly, when the patient is assigned to a radiation room, if the daily allowable operating load is exceeded, the processor (140) may exclude the radiation room that exceeds the allowable operating load from the calculation of the suitability score. As another example, the processor (140) may determine whether entry into the radiation room is possible using the patient's means of transport determined based on the radiation room treatment data. The processor (140) may determine whether obstacles, the height of obstacles, ramps, the length of ramps, and the width of access routes in the path between the treatment room and the radiation room satisfy the mobility criteria values ​​for the patient's means of transport (e.g., wheelchair, bed, crutches). Based on the determination result, the processor (140) may exclude the radiation room that is inaccessible from the calculation of the suitability score. In this way, the processor (140) may numerically define, as an assignment suitability score, where it is most desirable to assign a patient with specific radiation treatment data, considering the operational status of the radiation room.

[0086] Up to now, a radiation room assignment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described. According to the present invention, the radiation room assignment device (100) can predict the earliest date for treating a patient in each radiation room by considering the patient's current condition and the operating status of the radiation room using a radiation room assignment model.

[0087] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, a medical staff device (200) that performs radiation room assignment and scheduling will be described.

[0088] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a medical staff device using a radiation room assignment system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 6, the medical device (200) may include a memory interface (210), one or more processors (220) and a peripheral interface (230). Various components within the medical device (200) may be connected by one or more communication buses or signal lines.

[0090] The memory interface (210) is connected to the memory (250) and can transmit various data to the processor (220). Here, the memory (250) may include at least one type of storage medium among flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), RAM, SRAM, ROM, EEPROM, PROM, network storage, cloud, and blockchain database.

[0091] In various embodiments, the memory (250) may store medical staff identification data, patient identification data, patient list, radiation therapy data regarding the patient's diagnosis results, and configurations of web pages or program screens for radiation room assignment required for the patient's radiation therapy. Additionally, the memory (250) may store the structure of a radiation assignment model and its learning data for performing a radiation room assignment method of the radiation room assignment device (100).

[0092] In various embodiments, memory (250) may store at least one of an operating system (251), a communication module (252), a graphical user interface module (GUI) (253), a sensor processing module (254), a telephone module (255), and an application module (256). Specifically, the operating system (251) may include instructions for processing basic system services and instructions for performing hardware operations. The communication module (252) may communicate with at least one of one or more other devices, computers, and servers. The graphical user interface module (GUI) (253) may process a graphical user interface. The sensor processing module (254) may process sensor-related functions (e.g., processing voice input received through one or more microphones (292)). The telephone module (255) may process telephone-related functions. The application module (256) may perform various functions of a user application, such as electronic messaging, web browsing, media processing, navigation, imaging, and other processing functions. In addition, the medical staff device (200) can store one or more software applications (256-1, 256-2) associated with any one type of service (e.g., an application for radiation room assignment) in memory (250).

[0093] In various embodiments, the memory (250) can store a digital assistant client module (257) (hereinafter, DA client module) and accordingly store commands for performing client-side functions of the digital assistant and various user data (258) (e.g., user-customized vocabulary data, preference data, user's electronic address book, etc.).

[0094] Meanwhile, the DA client module (257) can obtain voice input, text input, touch input and / or gesture input from a user through various user interfaces (e.g., I / O subsystem (240)) provided in the medical device (200).

[0095] Additionally, the DA client module (257) can output data in the form of audiovisual and tactile elements. For example, the DA client module (257) can output data consisting of a combination of at least two of voice, sound, notifications, text messages, menus, graphics, videos, animations, and vibrations. Furthermore, the DA client module (257) can communicate with a digital assistant server (not shown) using a communication subsystem (280).

[0096] In various embodiments, the DA client module (257) may collect additional information about the surrounding environment of the medical device (200) from various sensors, subsystems, and peripheral devices to construct the context associated with the user input. For example, the DA client module (257) may provide context information along with the user input to a digital assistant server to infer the user's intent. Here, the context information that may accompany the user input may include sensor information, e.g., lighting, ambient noise, ambient temperature, images, videos, etc. of the surrounding environment. As another example, the context information may include the physical state of the medical device (200) (e.g., device orientation, device location, device temperature, power level, speed, acceleration, motion patterns, cellular signal strength, etc.). As yet another example, the context information may include information related to the software state of the medical device (200) (e.g., processes running on the medical device (200), installed programs, past and present network activity, background services, error logs, resource usage, etc.).

[0097] In various embodiments, the memory (250) may include additional or deleted instructions. Furthermore, the medical device (200) may include additional configurations in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, or exclude some configurations.

[0098] The processor (220) can control the overall operation of the medical staff device (200) and can execute various commands to assign a radiation room based on the patient's health condition and the operating condition of the radiation room by running an application or program stored in memory (250).

[0099] The processor (220) may correspond to a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an AP (Application Processor). Additionally, the processor (220) may be implemented in the form of an integrated chip (IC), such as a System on Chip (SoC) that integrates various computing devices that perform machine learning, such as a Neural Processing Unit (NPU).

[0100] The peripheral interface (230) is connected to various sensors, subsystems, and peripheral devices and can provide data to enable the medical device (200) to perform various functions. Here, it can be understood that the medical device (200) performing a function is performed by the processor (220).

[0101] The peripheral interface (230) may receive data from a motion sensor (260), a light sensor (light sensor) (261), and a proximity sensor (262), thereby enabling the medical device (200) to perform orientation, light, and proximity detection functions. As another example, the peripheral interface (230) may receive data from other sensors (262) (positioning system—GPS receiver, temperature sensor, biometric sensor), thereby enabling the medical device (200) to perform functions related to the other sensors (262).

[0102] In various embodiments, the medical device (200) may include a camera subsystem (270) connected to a peripheral interface (230) and an optical sensor (271) connected thereto, thereby enabling the medical device (200) to perform various shooting functions such as taking photos and recording video clips.

[0103] In various embodiments, the medical device (200) may include a communication subsystem (280) connected to a peripheral interface (230). The communication subsystem (280) is composed of one or more wired / wireless networks and may include various communication ports, radio frequency transceivers, and optical transceivers.

[0104] In various embodiments, the medical device (200) includes an audio subsystem (290) connected to a peripheral interface (230), and the audio subsystem (290) includes one or more speakers (291) and one or more microphones (292), so that the medical device (200) can perform voice-operated functions, such as voice recognition, voice replication, digital recording, and telephone functions.

[0105] In various embodiments, the medical staff device (200) may include an I / O subsystem (240) connected to a peripheral interface (230). For example, the I / O subsystem (240) may control a touch screen (243) included in the medical staff device (200) through a touch screen controller (241).

[0106] For example, the touch screen controller (241) can detect user contact and movement or interruption of contact and movement using any one of a plurality of touch sensing technologies, such as capacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave technology, proximity sensor array, etc. As another example, the I / O subsystem (240) can control other input / control devices (244) included in the medical device (200) through other input controller(s) (242). As an example, other input controller(s) (242) can control one or more pointer devices such as buttons, rocker switches, thumb wheels, infrared ports, USB ports, and styluses.

[0107] In various embodiments, the processor (220) can obtain radiation therapy data of a patient scheduled for radiation therapy through input from medical staff. Additionally, the processor (220) can predict the patient's suitability for radiation room assignment using a radiation room assignment model that takes the radiation therapy data as input. Specifically, the processor (220) can obtain the suitability score for radiation room assignment by inputting the patient's radiation therapy data into a radiation room assignment model configured to predict the suitability score for radiation room assignment using the radiation therapy data as input. Based on the predicted suitability score, the processor (220) can determine the radiation room to which the patient will be assigned.

[0108] In this regard, FIGS. 7 to 9 are exemplary diagrams of a user interface screen for radiation room assignment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 7 through 9, the processor (220) may provide a user interface (10) for finally determining the patient's radiation room based on the radiation room assignment suitability. Specifically, the user interface (10) may include an area (11) representing the patient's radiation therapy data, an area (12) representing suitability by radiation room, an area (13) representing assignment precautions and parameter information, and an area (14) for displaying the schedule by radiation room and radiation rooms selectable by medical staff. For example, the processor (220) may provide the patient's radiation therapy data log in the area (11) representing radiation therapy data as shown in FIG. 8. Additionally, the processor (220) may provide a suitability score and treatment time by treatment room in the area (12) representing suitability by radiation room as shown in [Table 1] below.

[0110] Radiation Performance Conformity (%) Time Required (min) No. 301 Harmony pro 55.7% No. 1530 Linac 26.11% No. 1531 Linac 15.11% No. 1533 Linac 3.08% 15

[0111] Additionally, the processor (220) may provide a schedule for each radiation room as shown in FIG. 9, and may highlight (15) the radiation rooms that medical staff can select on the schedule. Here, the radiation rooms that medical staff can select may be radiation rooms where the assignment suitability score is higher than or equal to a preset score. For example, when medical staff select one radiation room, the processor (220) may display parameters that have a low influence on the suitability score predicted by the radiation room assignment model in the area (13) displaying precautions and parameter information. For example, if a user selects a radiation room that has a high workload but can increase work efficiency because the patient's diagnosis and diagnosis site are the same, the processor (220) may display precautions regarding the workload in the area (13) displaying assignment precautions within the user interface (10). So far, a medical staff device (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described. According to the present invention, the medical staff device (200) allows any medical staff member to establish a radiation room schedule sufficient to maintain a high operating rate while satisfying legal regulations of the radiation room, and accordingly, can significantly improve work efficiency regarding the planning and implementation of radiation therapy.

[0112] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments and may be modified in various ways within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical spirits within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method performed by a processor of a radiation room assignment device, Step of acquiring radiation therapy data for a patient scheduled for radiation therapy; A step of predicting the radiation room assignment suitability score of a patient with the radiation therapy data using a radiation room assignment model configured to predict the radiation room assignment suitability score using the radiation therapy data as input; and A radiation room assignment method based on radiation dose, comprising the step of determining the radiation room to which the patient will be assigned based on the predicted score above.

2. In Paragraph 1, Prior to the step of acquiring the above radiation therapy data, A step of acquiring dynamic operation data and static operation data of a radiation room; and A radiation dose-based radiation room assignment method further comprising the step of adjusting model parameters of the radiation room assignment model based on the dynamic operation data.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above dynamic operation data is, A radiation dose-based radiation room assignment method comprising the total radiation dose per radiation room of previously assigned patients, patients who received radiation therapy within a previously set period, and at least one of the treatment sites of said patients.

4. In Paragraph 3, The step of calculating the above assignment suitability score is, A step of determining whether the radiation dose calculated based on the above radiation therapy data and the total radiation dose per radiation room exceed the allowable operating load, and A radiation dose-based radiation room allocation method further comprising the step of excluding radiation rooms exceeding the allowable operating load from the suitability score calculation based on the judgment result.

5. In Paragraph 2, The above static operation data is, A radiation room assignment method based on radiation dose, comprising at least one of a list of position fixation devices for the radiation room, an entry path to the radiation room, and structural characteristics of the radiation room.

6. In Paragraph 5, The step of calculating the above assignment suitability score is, A step of determining whether entry into the radiation room is possible using a means of patient transport determined based on the above radiation therapy data, and A radiation dose-based radiation room assignment method further comprising the step of excluding inaccessible radiation rooms from the suitability score calculation based on the judgment result.

7. In Paragraph 1, The above radiation therapy data is, A radiation room assignment method based on radiation dose, comprising at least one of the patient's prescribed dose (MU, Monitor Unit), RT plan, mobility status, whether a posture fixation device is required, diagnosis, treatment site, and pre- and post-treatment items.

8. In Paragraph 1, The step of determining the above radiation room is, A radiation dose-based radiation room assignment method further comprising the step of providing a user interface for selecting an assignable radiation room and a radiation room assignment date based on the predicted fit score.

9. In Paragraph 8, The step of providing the above user interface is, A radiation dose-based radiation room assignment method further comprising the step of displaying parameters regarding the predicted fit score as one radiation room is selected by a user.

10. Communication interface; Memory; and A processor operably connected to the communication interface and the memory; comprising The above processor is, A radiation room assignment device configured to acquire radiation therapy data of a patient scheduled for radiation therapy, use a radiation room assignment model configured to predict a radiation room assignment suitability score using the radiation therapy data as input, predict a radiation room assignment suitability score for a patient with the radiation therapy data, and determine the radiation room to which the patient will be assigned based on the predicted score.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above processor is, A radiation room assignment device further configured to acquire dynamic operation data and static operation data of a radiation room prior to acquiring the above radiation therapy data, and to adjust model parameters of the radiation room assignment model based on the above dynamic operation data.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above dynamic operation data is, A radiation room assignment device comprising the total radiation dose per radiation room of previously assigned patients, a patient who received radiation therapy within a previously set period, and at least one of the treatment sites of the patient.

13. In Paragraph 12, The above processor is, A radiation room assignment device further configured to determine whether the radiation dose calculated based on the radiation therapy data and the total radiation dose per radiation room exceed the allowable operating load while calculating the assignment suitability score, and, based on the result of the determination, to exclude radiation rooms that exceed the allowable operating load from the suitability score calculation.

14. In Paragraph 11, The above static operation data is, A radiation room assignment device comprising at least one of a list of position fixation devices for a radiation room, an entry path into the radiation room, and structural characteristics of the radiation room.

15. In Paragraph 12, The above processor is, A radiation room assignment device further configured to determine whether entry into the radiation room is possible using a patient's means of transport determined based on the radiation therapy data while calculating the assignment suitability score, and to exclude radiation rooms that are inaccessible from the suitability score calculation based on the result of the determination.

16. In Paragraph 10, The above radiation therapy data is, A radiation room assignment device comprising at least one of the patient's prescribed dose (MU, Monitor Unit), RT plan, mobility status, whether a posture fixation device is required, diagnosis, treatment site, and pre- and post-treatment items.

17. In Paragraph 10, The above processor is, A radiation room assignment device further configured to provide a user interface for selecting an assignable radiation room and a radiation room assignment date based on the predicted fit score while determining the radiation room.

18. In Paragraph 17, The above processor is, A radiation room assignment device further configured to display parameters regarding the predicted fit score as one radiation room is selected by the user while providing the above user interface.

Images