Online Adaptive Radiotherapy Plan Updates for Intrafraction Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiotherapy techniques struggle with patient deformations during treatment, leading to inaccuracies in dose distribution due to intrafraction motion, which current adaptive methods fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic online adaptive radiotherapy method that modifies treatment plans in real-time by updating control points using treatment imaging data to compensate for patient deformations during radiotherapy sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a reference radiotherapy treatment plan is used without adaptation, then the treatment plan can be executed efficiently, but the radiation delivery accuracy deteriorates due to patient anatomy changes during treatment sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the treatment plan by continuously updating control points based on real-time imaging data acquired during the treatment session. The system transitions from a static reference plan to a dynamically adjusted plan that adapts to intrafraction anatomical changes, thereby maintaining radiation delivery accuracy while preserving treatment execution efficiency through automated real-time modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by acquiring treatment imaging data during the session and using this information to update control points of the treatment plan. The imaging feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and adjustment of radiation beam parameters based on actual patient anatomy, ensuring accurate dose delivery despite anatomical deformations that occur during treatment.
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time adaptation of treatment plans is implemented, then radiation delivery accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional imaging and computation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging system and treatment delivery system into an integrated workflow where treatment imaging data is acquired and processed within the same treatment session infrastructure. By combining these functions and sharing hardware resources (such as using the treatment beam for imaging), the system reduces overall complexity while enabling real-time adaptation for accurate radiation delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically updating control points based on imaging data without requiring manual intervention. The automated adaptation process reduces the need for complex human-operated adjustment mechanisms, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high radiation delivery accuracy through self-correcting capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If treatment imaging data is obtained and used to update control points during the session, then the precision of radiation dose delivery is improved, but the treatment time increases due to additional imaging and plan modification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous adaptation during the treatment session by acquiring imaging data and updating control points without interrupting the treatment workflow. The system maintains continuous useful action by seamlessly integrating imaging and plan modification steps into the ongoing treatment process, thereby improving dose delivery precision while minimizing additional treatment time through uninterrupted operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup by establishing the reference treatment plan and imaging protocol before the treatment session begins. By preparing the adaptation framework in advance, the system enables rapid real-time updates during treatment without adding significant time overhead, thus improving precision while limiting time loss through pre-configured automated processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A reference radiotherapy treatment plan having a plurality of control points, such as a sequence of gantry angles, aperture leaf positions, and intensity weights, can be adapted during the radiotherapy treatment session. Treatment imaging data of a patient may be obtained during the radiotherapy treatment session and one or more parameters may be determined using the treatment imaging data. Then, a current radiotherapy treatment plan may be generated based on the parameter(s). The reference radiotherapy treatment plan for the radiotherapy treatment session may be modified during the radiotherapy treatment session by updating one of the plurality of control points of the reference radiotherapy treatment plan with a control point of a current radiotherapy treatment plan, which may compensate for patient deformations during the delivery of radiotherapy treatment, or intrafraction patient deformations and thereby improve the delivery accuracy and efficacy of radiation doses to a patient undergoing radiotherapy treatment.