Couch Positioning Compensation for Medical Imaging Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical procedures, the sagging of couches during movement between imaging and treatment devices leads to poor image quality and inaccurate positioning of anatomical points, especially in multi-modality imaging and IGRT, due to inherent errors in coordinate system mapping.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize markers on the couch, detected by sensors or cameras, to determine spatial positions of subjects through image acquisition and transformation data, allowing for precise adjustment of the couch's position to align with treatment coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the couch is moved between imaging and treatment devices, then the subject can be positioned for both imaging and treatment, but the couch sags or deflects causing poor image quality and inaccurate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging and positioning at the imaging device before moving the couch to the treatment device. By completing all imaging and coordinate mapping operations while the couch is in the imaging position, the system avoids the need to perform precise measurements during couch movement or at the treatment position, thereby eliminating sagging-induced positioning errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a coordinate system map that copies the spatial relationships from the imaging device coordinate system to the treatment device coordinate system. This virtual copy allows the treatment device to operate based on pre-acquired imaging data without requiring the couch to be physically present at the imaging device during treatment, thus avoiding sagging issues while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Productivity
If conventional Fan-Beam CT is used for IGRT, then the couch must be moved between treatment and imaging positions, but this introduces additional movement errors on top of other imaging errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the imaging and treatment workflows by performing all imaging operations at a single fixed position rather than requiring couch movement between separate imaging and treatment positions. This consolidation eliminates movement-induced errors while maintaining the sequential nature of the treatment workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary imaging and coordinate mapping at the imaging device before the couch moves to the treatment device. By completing all imaging operations in advance, the system eliminates the need for additional imaging during couch movement or at the treatment position, thereby avoiding introduction of movement errors while maintaining treatment workflow efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the couch is extended along the longitudinal direction for multi-modality imaging, then the subject can be scanned at multiple regions, but the couch sags causing poor image qualities and imprecise fused images
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging at all required positions and extends while the couch is in the imaging device position. By completing all imaging operations before the couch moves to the treatment device, the system avoids introducing movement-induced errors that would compromise image fusion precision, while still enabling multi-modality imaging capability.
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
This approach ensures accurate spatial positioning of subjects by compensating for couch sagging and movement errors, thereby improving image quality and precision in medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring a first image including a target point and a first reference point, the target point corresponding to at least one part of a subject, the first reference point corresponding to a first marker disposed on the couch
Implementation Method 2
the radiation therapy device to perform radiation therapy on the subject based on the second spatial position of the at least one part of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include acquiring a first image including a target point and a first reference point, the target point corresponding to at least one part of a subject, the first reference point corresponding to a first marker disposed on the couch of the medical device; determining a first spatial position of the first marker, the first spatial position corresponding to a first working position of the couch; determining a first spatial position of the at least one part of the subject based on the first image and the first spatial position of the first marker; determining a second spatial position of the first marker, the second spatial position corresponding to a second working position of the couch; determining a second spatial position of the at least one part of the subject based on the second spatial position of the first marker and the first spatial position of the at least one part of the subject. In some embodiments, the method may further include adjusting the second working position of the couch based on the second spatial position of the at least one part of the subject.