Deformable Pillow Patient Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional immobilization devices used in radiotherapy, such as thermoplastic masks, do not adapt to contour changes and can be uncomfortable for patients, while existing movement detection systems during medical procedures often require rigid immobilization to ensure accurate targeting of treatment radiation.
Innovation Solution
A movement detection device comprising a deformable surface with an indicator responsive to profile changes, an imaging device to capture and analyze these changes, and a processor to derive and output information on patient movement, allowing for real-time adjustments or safety measures to prevent excessive movement during medical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermoplastic mask is used for immobilization, then the patient position is fixed during treatment, but the device does not adapt to contour changes and causes patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible deformable surface (pillow) instead of a rigid thermoplastic mask. The pillow can adapt to patient's head contour changes while maintaining positional stability through optical tracking of markers attached to the pillow surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical constraint system (rigid mask) with an optical tracking system. Cameras detect marker positions on the deformable pillow to monitor patient movement, eliminating the need for rigid mechanical immobilization.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid immobilization is used to ensure accurate targeting, then treatment precision is improved, but patient comfort and adaptability to contour changes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rigid immobilization with an optical tracking system that uses cameras to monitor marker positions on a deformable pillow, achieving precise targeting without rigid constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the patient's head position through camera detection of markers. This optical information is processed to determine actual position, replacing the need for physical rigid copying or constraint.
3Ease of operation
If a deformable surface with optical tracking is used instead of rigid immobilization, then patient comfort and adaptability are improved, but the complexity of the detection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces markers as intermediary objects attached to the deformable pillow. These markers serve as mediators between the patient's head position and the camera system, simplifying the detection process compared to direct complex imaging of the patient's anatomy.
4Speed
If optical cameras are used to monitor patient position, then real-time movement detection is achieved, but the system requires complex processing and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of marker positions and processes these copies to determine patient movement. This approach simplifies real-time tracking compared to direct mechanical measurement, enabling fast detection through image processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A movement detection device for detecting quantitatively the movement of a patient by capturing images of a deformable surface having an indicator associated therewith, the indicator being responsive to changes in a profile of the deformable surface. The captured images are analysed to derive a patient movement from the changes in the profile of the deformable surface. For example, the movement detection device of the invention can detect the sense (translational and/or rotational) and magnitude of the patient movement. This information may enable real time adjustment of the treatment signal or indeed provide a safety facility whereby should there be detection that the patent has moved or has moved beyond certain parameters, the device that is observing or treating the patent is switched off.