Brachytherapy Apparatus Planning for Swelling-Induced Position Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Brachytherapy quality is compromised due to tissue swelling after radiation source implantation, causing relative position changes between the radiation source and the target region, which affects the accuracy of treatment.
Innovation Solution
A brachytherapy apparatus that includes a placing unit for inserting radiation sources close to a target region, an imaging unit for monitoring swelling, a spatial parameter determination unit to assess changes, a treatment time window determination unit to minimize swelling-induced changes, and a planning unit to adjust placement times and positions based on real-time imaging data, ensuring accurate radiation delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the placing unit is inserted into the living object to place the radiation source close to the target region, then the radiation can be directed to the target region for treatment, but the living object swells causing the relative position between the radiation source and target region to change, reducing treatment quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines a placing plan before inserting the placing unit, including predetermined placing positions and placing times. By planning in advance when to place the radiation source at each position, the system accounts for upcoming swelling and schedules placements to occur within a treatment time window before significant swelling occurs, thereby maintaining position accuracy despite the inevitable swelling after insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates an imaging unit that generates images of the living object over time to monitor swelling. The spatial parameter determination unit determines spatial parameters from these images, and the treatment time window determination unit uses this feedback to identify when swelling is minimal. This continuous monitoring and feedback loop allows the system to adjust and optimize the placing plan based on actual swelling progression, ensuring accurate radiation delivery
2Measurement precision
If real-time imaging and monitoring are implemented to track swelling and adjust placement, then position accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit serves multiple functions: it generates images over time to monitor swelling, enables determination of spatial parameters, and provides data for both treatment time window determination and placing plan optimization. By making the imaging system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby managing complexity while achieving precise measurement of spatial parameters and swelling progression
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a brachytherapy apparatus (1) for applying a brachytherapy to a living object. The brachytherapy apparatus comprises a planning unit (14) for determining a placing plan defining placing positions and placing times for one or several radiation sources within the living object and close to a target region. The placing plan is determined such that the placing times are within a treatment time window determined by a treatment time window determination unit (13), wherein within the treatment time window a change of a spatial parameter of the living object caused by swelling is minimized. An adverse influence on the brachytherapy due to swelling can thereby be minimized, which improves the quality of the brachytherapy.