Collimator Control Architecture for Real-Time Tumor Motion Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control devices for collimators in radiation therapy lack the precision and dynamic control needed to compensate for tumor or organ movement in real-time during treatment, particularly under high time constraints.
Innovation Solution
A control device architecture comprising a programmable logic controller, multiple controller nodes, and device controllers connected via real-time bus interfaces, allowing for a hierarchical master-slave relationship to manage and adjust collimator parts with high precision and speed, incorporating actuators and sensors for real-time position and velocity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional control device is used for collimators, then the system structure is simpler, but the precision and dynamic control capability to compensate for tumor or organ movement in real-time is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into multiple controller nodes (first controller node, second controller node, etc.), each responsible for controlling specific collimator parts. This segmentation allows distributed real-time control of individual collimator leaves while maintaining overall system coordination, achieving high precision position control without requiring a monolithic complex control system
Solution Approach 2:
The control device implements dynamic control by continuously receiving actual position information from sensors and calculating target position information based on real-time tumor or organ movement. The controller dynamically adjusts collimator part positions during radiation delivery, enabling real-time compensation for patient movement rather than static pre-planned positioning
2Speed
If a conventional control device is used for collimators, then the device is easier to maintain, but the speed and time resolution for dynamic treatment under high time constraints is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is divided into multiple independent controller nodes, each capable of autonomous real-time control of specific collimator parts. This segmentation enables parallel processing and simultaneous control of multiple collimator leaves, achieving high-speed adjustment without requiring sequential control from a single controller
Solution Approach 2:
The control device implements real-time feedback control by continuously receiving actual position information from sensors connected to collimator parts. The controller compares actual positions with target positions and dynamically adjusts control signals to achieve precise positioning within strict time constraints, enabling closed-loop control at high speeds
3Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring and positioning is implemented, then the treatment precision is improved, but the loss of time for data processing and control signal transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into multiple controller nodes that independently process position data and generate control signals for specific collimator parts. This segmentation enables parallel data processing, reducing the overall time required for complete system control while maintaining precise positioning of all collimator leaves simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs preliminary calculation of target position information based on received actual position data before radiation delivery begins. By pre-calculating positioning requirements and preparing control signals in advance, the system minimizes real-time processing delays during actual treatment while maintaining accurate position control
Data Source
AI summary
A control device (110) for controlling at least one collimator is disclosed, wherein the collimator has a plurality of parts being designed for collimating and shaping rays, wherein the rays are generated for treating a predefined body part of a patient, wherein the control device (110) comprises a programmable logic controller (112), a plurality of controller nodes (114), a plurality of device controllers (118), and a plurality of real-time bus interfaces (116). Herein, the programmable logic controller (112) is designated as a first master device (122) with respect to each of the controller nodes (114), wherein the programmable logic controller (112) is designed for superordinate control of the plurality of parts of the collimator. Further, each of the controller nodes (114) is designated as a first slave device (124) with respect to the programmable logic controller (112), wherein the controller node (114) is designated as a second master device (126) with respect to at least one corresponding device controller (118), wherein the controller node (114) is designed for controlling at least one corresponding part of the collimator, wherein the controller node (114) is connected to the programmable logic controller (112) by one of the real-time bus interfaces (116). Further, each of the device controllers (118) is designated as a second slave device (128) with respect to a corresponding controller node (114), wherein each of the device controllers (118) is designed for controlling at least one of an actuator (130) and a sensor (132), wherein the actuator (130) is designed for adjusting a corresponding part of the collimator, and wherein the sensor (132) is designed for providing data related to position and/or velocity information with respect to the corresponding part of the collimator, wherein the device controller (118) is connected to the corresponding controller node (114) by one of the real-time bus interfaces (116).