Beam Shaping Device CT Verification Without Accelerator Beam Time

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for quality assurance of beam shaping devices in radiation therapy do not adequately address manufacturing defects, which can lead to deviations from the planned dose distribution, and require time-consuming and costly use of particle accelerators for measurement.

Innovation Solution

A method involving CT-scanning and dose engine simulation to compare the actual CT-image of the beam shaping device with a reference dose distribution, allowing for quantitative analysis of dose distribution and identification of defects without requiring beam time, using a treatment planning system to establish a planned device design and calculate dose distributions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If particle accelerator is used for quality assurance measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality assurance measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the beam shaping device using CT scan data and performs dose distribution calculations on this digital replica. This virtual model allows quality assurance measurements to be performed computationally rather than requiring physical particle accelerator measurements, thereby eliminating time consumption and cost associated with accelerator usage while maintaining measurement accuracy through sophisticated algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical particle accelerator system with a computational system consisting of CT scanner and dose calculation algorithms. Instead of using physical particle beams to measure device characteristics, the system uses X-ray CT imaging combined with Monte Carlo or analytical dose calculation methods to predict and verify dose distributions, substituting complex mechanical measurement infrastructure with accessible imaging and computational tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If particle accelerator is used for quality assurance measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality assurance measurement accuracyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the beam shaping device using CT scan data and performs dose distribution calculations on this digital replica. This virtual model allows quality assurance measurements to be performed computationally rather than requiring physical particle accelerator measurements, thereby eliminating time consumption and cost associated with accelerator usage while maintaining measurement accuracy through sophisticated algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical particle accelerator system with a computational system consisting of CT scanner and dose calculation algorithms. Instead of using physical particle beams to measure device characteristics, the system uses X-ray CT imaging combined with Monte Carlo or analytical dose calculation methods to predict and verify dose distributions, substituting complex mechanical measurement infrastructure with accessible imaging and computational tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If manufacturing defects are not identified, then device complexity is reduced, but dose distribution accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedose distribution accuracyVSAvoidquality assurance process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs quality assurance calculations and defect identification before the device is used for actual patient treatment. By computing the expected dose distribution from the manufactured device geometry obtained via CT scan and comparing it with the planned dose distribution, the system identifies potential manufacturing defects in advance, allowing for corrections to be made before clinical use without adding complexity to the treatment delivery process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computational intermediary layer between device manufacturing and clinical treatment. This intermediary consists of dose calculation algorithms that take the manufactured device geometry as input and produce predicted dose distributions, serving as a bridge that translates physical device characteristics into dosimetric outcomes and enables defect identification without requiring complex physical measurement setups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables fast and cost-effective quality assurance of beam shaping devices, ensuring accurate dose delivery by identifying and correcting manufacturing defects, thus optimizing treatment plans without the need for particle accelerator use.

Implementation Method 1

establishing a CT-scan of the beam shaping device to yield an actual CT-image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray attenuation: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS12442780B2Off line quality control of a beam shaping device for radiation therapy

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 ION BEAM APPL

AI summary

A method for assessing a quality of a beam shaping device includes, establishing with a treatment planning system (TPS) the planned device design of the beam shaping device, manufacturing the beam shaping device according to the planned device design, establishing a CT-scan of the beam shaping device to yield an actual CT-image, determining dimensions and local materials densities from the actual CT-image, determining a calculated dose distribution in the treatment volume (V), and comparing the calculated dose distribution (cDD) with a reference dose distribution (rDD).