Deformable Lung Phantom with Independent Actuators for Irregular Breathing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy techniques for treating thoracic and abdominal cancers face challenges in accurately delivering doses due to irregular respiratory motion, as they often assume periodic breathing patterns, which is inadequate for patients with irregular breathing. Existing phantoms either lack external motion simulation or have constant internal-external correlation, failing to accurately represent the varying engagement of thoracic and abdominal muscles during respiration.
Innovation Solution
A deformable lung motion phantom device with independently programmable actuators simulating both external and internal motions, allowing variable correlation between external and internal markers, closely replicating human thoracic anatomy's respiratory motion by compressing and decompressing a variable-stiffness insert with patient-derived motion trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If periodic breathing patterns are assumed for radiation therapy motion management, then the treatment planning process is simplified, but the accuracy of dose delivery deteriorates for patients with irregular breathing patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static periodic motion assumptions to dynamic irregular motion modeling by using multiple actuators with independently controllable motion trajectories that can replicate patient-specific irregular breathing patterns, thereby maintaining accuracy while managing complexity through programmable control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the motion parameters from fixed periodic functions to variable trajectories that can be programmed to match patient-specific irregular breathing patterns, allowing the phantom to adapt its motion characteristics to different clinical scenarios and improve dose delivery accuracy
2Shape
If rigid phantoms are used for motion simulation, then the external motion can be simulated, but the internal deformability and muscle engagement variation during respiration cannot be represented
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom is segmented into multiple independent components including the outer shell, deformable insert, and internal structures, each capable of independent motion control through separate actuators, allowing simultaneous simulation of external chest wall motion and internal organ deformability
Solution Approach 2:
The phantom incorporates a deformable insert within the outer shell that can flex and deform to simulate internal organ motion and thoracic muscle engagement variations, while the outer shell maintains its shape for external motion simulation, combining both rigid and flexible characteristics
3Measurement precision
If deformable phantoms with programmable motion are used, then the internal and external motion correlation can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple motion simulation capabilities into a single integrated phantom structure where the outer shell, deformable insert, and internal structures work together through coordinated actuator control to simulate the correlated motion between external chest wall and internal organs during respiration
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 phantom device effectively simulates the complex motion of thoracic anatomy during respiration, enabling more accurate prediction of tumor movement and dose delivery, addressing the limitations of existing phantoms by providing a reproducible and variable correlation between external and internal motions, thus improving radiation oncology treatment planning.
Implementation Method 1
compressing and decompressing a variable-stiffness insert
Data Source
AI summary
A lung motion phantom device and method of operation. The device has a body having an outer shell and a lung insert, a first actuator connected to a first drive linkage for driving a first displacement of an internal volume of the lung insert and an outer surface of the outer shell in a first direction, a second actuator connected to a second drive linkage for driving a second displacement of the internal volume of the lung insert and the outer surface of the outer shell in a second direction different than the first direction, and a controller programmed to control the first and second actuators such that the first and second displacements simulate movement of an external surface and an interior of a thoracic region of a patient.