Brachytherapy 3D-Scanner Using Scintillator Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brachytherapy methods lack efficient instrumentation for precise positioning of radionuclide emitters and additional X-ray sources, with existing systems being complex and potentially detrimental to patients due to inaccurate exposure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a synchronous 3D-scanner tightly linked to a base-plate with a mesh-work and grid-shaped coordinate scale, using triangulation techniques with needle-type catheters and scintillator-sensors for real-time 3D-positioning and dosimetry estimation, coupled with remote-position-verification-devices for precise alignment during brachytherapy planning and treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical tracking with pinhole gamma camera is used for real-time tracking of radiation emitters, then spatial resolution and tracking accuracy are improved, but radiation overexposure of healthy organs occurs and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from the imaging system by using separate electromagnetic sensors embedded in the applicator rather than relying on continuous gamma camera imaging. This allows spatial resolution to be maintained while eliminating the need for repeated high-dose radiation exposure to track emitter positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic sensors serve multiple functions: they track the position of radiation emitters, monitor applicator placement, and provide real-time feedback for dose delivery verification. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate optical tracking and imaging systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Speed
If electromagnetic tracking with EM field generator is used for localization of sensors, then real-time positioning is achieved, but magnetic field distortion occurs due to nearby medical devices and additional hardware components must be placed close to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electromagnetic tracking sensors directly into the brachytherapy applicator structure itself, rather than using separate external tracking hardware. This integration eliminates the need for additional hardware components near the patient while maintaining real-time positioning capabilities through the embedded sensors.
3Area of stationary object
If X-ray imaging systems are used for patient positioning, then large volumes of patient body can be tracked, but detrimental intensive irradiation is delivered to the patient for auxiliary positioning purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the X-ray imaging system with an electromagnetic sensing system that uses non-ionizing electromagnetic fields for tracking. This substitution maintains the ability to track patient and applicator positions throughout the treatment volume while eliminating the harmful intensive irradiation associated with X-ray imaging.
4Reliability
If multiple separate apparatuses are used for identification and control of radiation emitter positions, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but system complexity and measurement uncertainty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning sensors, dosimetry detectors, and tracking functions into a single integrated electromagnetic sensing system embedded in the applicator. This unified approach provides comprehensive monitoring of radiation emitter positions and dose delivery while reducing the number of separate apparatuses, thereby decreasing system complexity and measurement uncertainty.
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 precise and efficient 3D-positioning and dosimetry tasks during brachytherapy procedures, reducing exposure risks and improving treatment accuracy by using a unified system for both planning and verification stages.
Implementation Method 1
synchronous 3D-scanner composed of an arrangement of internal scintillator-sensors (3) operating as temporal and position beacons
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
This invention discloses a system and self-consistent method for brachytherapy procedure planning and verification. Those are based on instantaneous 3D-positioning of radionuclide emitters (5) and spatial 3D-dosimetry in a brachytherapy phantom (1), before brachytherapy in-vivo treatment. Spatial positioning and dosimetry are performed by the triangulation technique using needle-type probes being fixed in time-space-resolved coordinates, thus operating as 3D-scanner. The system (2) comprises a base-plate (10) with mesh-work (21), a plurality of catheter-installation grooves (20), and at least three needle-type scaling catheters (6) with probes internally comprising scintillator-sensors (3) as optical beacons, and dosimeters (4). The catheter (6) probes are positioned within the phantom (1) for brachytherapy planning and verification. The coordinates of 3D-scanner (3-9) are tightly linked to the base-plate (10) and the installation grooves (20) of the phantom (1) via marked labels and by RPVD means. The invention facilitates the brachytherapy planning and verification stage, wherein the obtained verification results further can be efficiently applied for brachytherapy in vivo treatment procedure, by increasing spatial precision of the therapeutic dose applied to a patient.