Boron Neutron Capture Treatment Planning With Blood Boron Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radiotherapy methods, such as photon or electron therapy, cause significant damage to normal tissues due to the sensitivity differences of tumor cells, and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) requires accurate irradiation dose control to minimize this damage, but existing systems are laborious and costly due to discrepancies between preset and actual blood boron concentrations.

Innovation Solution

A BNCT system with modules for image acquisition, detection, treatment planning, processing, and correction to generate a preset treatment plan, simulate dose rates, and correct irradiation time based on actual blood boron concentration, reducing the need for continuous drug injection and simplifying the treatment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a preset blood boron concentration is used for simulation and calculation to formulate a treatment plan, then treatment expenses are reduced and the treatment process is simplified, but there is an error in the treatment plan when the actual blood boron concentration differs from the preset value

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of treatment planningVSAvoidaccuracy of treatment plan
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs simulation and calculation using multiple preset blood boron concentrations before treatment to establish a functional relationship. This preliminary action creates a lookup table or model that can quickly determine corrected irradiation time based on actual measurements, avoiding the need for complex recalculation during treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures the actual blood boron concentration before irradiation and uses this feedback to correct the treatment plan. The correction module adjusts the irradiation time based on the difference between actual and preset concentrations, ensuring accurate dosage delivery while maintaining process efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If simulation and calculation are performed again according to the actual blood boron concentration to obtain a new treatment plan, then the accuracy of the treatment plan is improved, but the total treatment time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of treatment planVSAvoidtotal treatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates treatment plans for multiple preset blood boron concentrations before the actual treatment. This preliminary action creates a database of corrected irradiation times that can be quickly retrieved and applied based on the actual measured concentration, eliminating the need for time-consuming recalculation during treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects the appropriate treatment plan from pre-calculated options based on the actual blood boron concentration. Rather than performing static recalculation, the system adapts the treatment parameters in real-time by selecting from pre-computed solutions, maintaining accuracy while minimizing treatment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the treatment system utilization rate is improved by reducing treatment time, then productivity increases, but the accuracy of dose delivery may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment system utilization rateVSAvoidaccuracy of dose delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates corrected irradiation times for multiple preset blood boron concentrations, creating a lookup table that enables rapid determination of accurate treatment parameters. This preliminary computation ensures both dosimetric accuracy and efficient treatment delivery without requiring time-consuming calculations during the actual treatment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the actual blood boron concentration measurement is used to select or adjust the treatment plan from pre-calculated options. This ensures that the most accurate treatment parameters are applied based on actual patient conditions, maintaining dosimetric precision while utilizing efficient lookup-based correction rather than time-consuming recalculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The system improves treatment efficiency and reduces costs by accurately adjusting irradiation times based on actual blood boron concentrations, ensuring minimal tissue damage and effective tumor cell killing without additional drug administration.

Implementation Method 1

with a large capture cross section of the boron (10B), and a short track length of the high-linear energy transfer (LET) particles generated by the nuclear reaction, the BNCT serves as a better alternative to treat the cancers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNeutron capture: Nuclear Fission

Implementation Method 2

the nuclear reaction between the accelerated charged particles and the target generates a neutron line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNuclear reaction: Nuclear Fusion

Data Source

PatentEP4613325A1Boron neutron capture treatment system and working method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 NEUBORON THERAPY SYST LTD
  • EP4613325A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4613325A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4613325A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a boron neutron capture treatment system and a working method therefor. The boron neutron capture treatment system comprises an image acquiring module configured for acquiring a medical image of an irradiated body, a detecting module configured for detecting the actual concentration of blood boron in the irradiated body, a treatment planning module for generating a preset treatment plan on the basis of medical image data, a processing module for acquiring a functional relationship between the concentration of blood boron and a dose rate on the basis of the preset treatment plan and a plurality of groups of preset concentrations of blood boron, and a correction module. The correction module obtains a corrected irradiation time on the basis of the functional relationship and the actual concentration of blood boron, such that a boron-containing medicament can be prevented from being injected into a patient before treatment, thereby saving the treatment cost and simplifying the treatment process.