Cherenkov Light Correction for Radiation Dose Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cherenkov emission imaging during radiation therapy is affected by tissue optical properties, leading to non-proportional measurements of deposited dose due to attenuation from tissues like adipose, fibroglandular, muscle, and skin pigmentation, limiting quantitative accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses volumetric images from CT or MRI to determine tissue composition and electron density, applying correction factors to Cherenkov emission images to account for tissue-specific attenuation, and also incorporates reflectance images for further correction, thereby generating calibrated images that accurately represent the radiation dose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Cherenkov emission imaging is used during radiation therapy, then real-time non-contact sampling of the entire dose field is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to tissue optical attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction process that uses independently measured tissue optical properties (absorption and scattering coefficients) to compensate for attenuation effects. By measuring these optical properties separately through reflectance imaging or lookup tables and applying them as correction factors to the Cherenkov emission images, the system recovers the true dose distribution without sacrificing real-time imaging capability.
2Measurement precision
If correction factors are applied to Cherenkov images, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of tissue optical properties before applying correction factors to the Cherenkov emission images. By obtaining absorption and scattering coefficients through reflectance imaging or lookup tables in advance, and pre-calculating correction factors based on these measurements, the system simplifies the actual correction process and reduces computational complexity during real-time operation.
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 significantly improves the accuracy of Cherenkov light images as a surrogate for absorbed dose by correcting for tissue and skin attenuation, reducing variability and ensuring that the delivered radiation dose aligns with the planned treatment, thereby enhancing the precision of radiation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
Imaging Cherenkov emission during radiation therapy cancer treatments can provide a realtime, non-contact sampling of the entire dose field. The Cherenkov signal emitted from tissue is proportional to deposited dose
Implementation Method 2
the Cherenkov signal as captured by an external camera is affected by attenuation from optical properties intrinsic to tissue of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring radiation treatment images Cherenkov emissions from tissue of a subject. A processor of the system determines densities of a surface layer of the subject from 3D images of the tissue to determine correction factors. The processor uses these factors to correct the Cherenkov images for attenuation of Cherenkov light by tissue, making them proportional to radiation dose. In embodiments, the system obtains reflectance images of the subject, determines second correction factors therefrom, and applies the second correction factors to the Cherenkov emissions images. In embodiments, the corrected images of Cherenkov emissions are compared to dose maps of a treatment plan. A method of correcting Cherenkov emissions images includes determining tissue characteristics from CT or MRI images in a surface volume where Cherenkov is expected, using; imaging Cherenkov emissions; and using the tissue characteristics to correct the images for variations in Cherenkov light propagation through the tissue.