Beam Shape Verification for Radiation Therapy Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The precision and speed of tumor position verification in radiation therapy are compromised due to the complexity of 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy, which require accurate and rapid alignment of radiation beams with anatomical features to avoid damaging healthy tissues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that aligns beam shapes generated during treatment planning with pre-treatment images of the lesion using a common coordinate system, allowing for real-time adjustments of patient positioning and MLC leaf configurations to ensure accurate beam alignment with the tumor, utilizing 3D imaging and laser systems for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy are used to deliver conformal radiation doses, then the precision of tumor dose delivery is improved, but the complexity of beam alignment and patient positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing beam shape verification before actual radiation treatment delivery. The system superimposes planned beam shapes with pre-treatment images to verify alignment and identify positioning errors in advance, allowing corrections to be made before the complex conformal radiation delivery begins. This pre-verification approach reduces the complexity of real-time alignment by addressing misalignment issues beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary verification system that acts as a mediator between the treatment planning phase and the treatment delivery phase. This intermediary system includes image acquisition devices, beam shape generation modules, and superposition verification software that facilitate alignment without being part of the actual radiation delivery mechanism. The intermediary verification process simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high precision through separate verification and delivery subsystems.
2Measurement precision
If multiple intersecting shaped radiation beams are used to conform to tumor shape, then the accuracy of tumor targeting is improved, but the time required for position verification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex verification process into separate, manageable components. The system segments the verification task into: (1) acquiring pre-treatment images, (2) generating beam shape representations from treatment plans, (3) superimposing and comparing beam shapes with images, and (4) calculating displacement vectors. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables parallel processing, significantly reducing total verification time while maintaining high accuracy for multiple intersecting beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment procedures with automated computational verification. Instead of relying on time-consuming manual positioning adjustments and mechanical verification tools, the system uses computer-generated beam shape superposition with digital images to automatically verify tumor position and calculate required corrections. This substitution of mechanical verification with computational methods dramatically reduces verification time while improving consistency and accuracy for complex multi-beam configurations.
3Productivity
If higher radiation doses are targeted at the tumor with tighter safety margins, then the effectiveness of tumor treatment is improved, but the sensitivity to positioning errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by providing real-time verification of beam alignment with tumor position using superimposed beam shape images. The system calculates displacement vectors that quantify the difference between planned and actual positions, giving immediate feedback to operators about positioning accuracy. This feedback mechanism is crucial when using higher doses with tighter margins, as it allows for real-time detection and correction of even small positioning errors that could compromise treatment safety and effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient's lesion is localized for the purpose of administering radiation treatment by obtaining a beam shape representation along one or more beam directions of a radiation treatment device. An image corresponding to the lesion is obtained from each beam direction, and the beam shape and image are fixed to a common coordinate system to facilitate alignment.