Hybrid CT-MRI Image Allocation for Radiation Treatment Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation treatment planning methods face challenges in accurately distinguishing tumor tissue and organs at risk due to limited soft tissue contrast in computed tomography (CT) images, leading to potential errors in radiation dosage and increased patient discomfort from separate imaging modalities.
Innovation Solution
The method involves acquiring CT image data and allocating magnetic resonance (MR) image data using an atlas-based approach or artificial neural networks to enhance soft tissue contrast, allowing for improved identification of tumor and organ structures without the need for additional patient imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If computed tomography (CT) imaging is used for radiation treatment planning, then electron density maps can be obtained for accurate dose calculation, but soft tissue contrast is insufficient for accurate tumor and organ identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges CT imaging and MRI imaging into a hybrid imaging system that acquires both electron density information from CT and soft tissue contrast information from MRI simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between needing accurate electron density measurements and requiring good soft tissue contrast for tumor and organ identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite imaging approach that combines the advantages of two different imaging modalities (CT and MRI) into a unified hybrid system, where CT provides electron density data and MRI provides soft tissue contrast, together forming a complete imaging solution for radiation treatment planning
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to improve soft tissue contrast, then tumor and organ identification is improved, but electron density information is insufficient for accurate dose calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid imaging system merges MRI's superior soft tissue contrast capabilities with CT's electron density measurement capabilities, allowing the system to achieve both accurate tumor and organ identification and accurate electron density mapping for dose calculation
3Loss of information
If separate CT and MRI imaging modalities are used for radiation treatment planning, then both electron density information and soft tissue contrast are obtained, but patient discomfort and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate imaging procedures into a single hybrid imaging session, where both CT and MRI scanning are performed in one operational workflow, reducing patient discomfort and simplifying the overall treatment planning process while maintaining complete imaging data
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for supporting radiation treatment planning for a patient. In an embodiment, the method includes acquiring computed tomography image data for the patient, which has been acquired from the patient using a computed tomography device; allocating magnetic resonance image data to the computed tomography image data using the computed tomography image data, wherein the magnetic resonance image data has been acquired from at least one examination subject that differs from the patient using a magnetic resonance unit; and providing the computed tomography image data together with the magnetic resonance image data allocated to the computed tomography image data to support the radiation treatment planning for the patient.