Dynamic Arc Radiotherapy Volume-Based Algorithm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapy techniques, such as dynamic arc radiotherapy, face challenges in efficiently delivering sufficient radiation doses to tumors while minimizing exposure to critical organs, leading to time-consuming and error-prone manual calculations for optimal arc angles, which increases the risk of side effects like radiation pneumonitis.
Innovation Solution
A volume-based algorithm is used to segment organ volumes and calculate an optimal arc angle by setting a minimum desired radiation dose for critical organs, allowing for the prediction and optimization of low radiation dose distribution in lungs, thereby reducing the risk of side effects and improving the efficiency of radiotherapy planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dynamic arc radiotherapy is used to deliver sufficient radiation doses to tumors, then tumor conformity and radiation dose evenness improve, but the risk of excessive radiation exposure to critical organs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of arc angle from a fixed manual setting to a dynamically optimized value calculated by the volume-based algorithm. The algorithm computes the optimal arc angle θ based on tumor volume Vt, planning target volume VPTV, and lung volume VL using the formula θ = f(Vt, VPTV, VL), thereby adjusting the radiation delivery parameters to achieve better tumor conformity while reducing exposure to critical organs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of arc angle selection by radiation oncologists and medical physicists with an automated computational algorithm. This substitution eliminates human error and subjectivity, providing objective, reproducible optimization of radiation delivery parameters based on patient-specific anatomical and tumor characteristics.
2Reliability
If manual calculation and repeated testing are used to determine optimal arc angle, then clinical experience can be applied, but time consumption and artificial errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the treatment planning system to automatically calculate and optimize the arc angle without requiring manual intervention from radiation oncologists or medical physicists. The volume-based algorithm self-determines the optimal arc angle based on input parameters (tumor volume, PTV volume, lung volume), eliminating the need for repeated manual testing and reducing treatment planning time while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computational algorithm as an intermediary between patient anatomy and treatment planning decisions. This algorithm processes anatomical data and tumor characteristics to generate optimized arc angle recommendations, serving as an objective mediator that complements clinical judgment while reducing subjectivity and manual workload.
3Manufacturing precision
If more beam angles are used to achieve better tumor conformity, then radiation dose distribution improves, but the risk to healthy organs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the arc angle parameter to achieve the best balance between tumor dose conformity and healthy organ protection. By calculating the optimal arc angle based on patient-specific volumes (tumor, PTV, and lung), the system determines the precise angular range that maximizes tumor coverage while minimizing the volume of healthy lung exposed to low-dose radiation, thereby reducing the risk of radiation pneumonitis.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a method applied for the new dynamic arc radiotherapy treatment planning to calculate an optimal arc angle. With this invention, an operator without rich experience is able to reach the expected low dose in lungs easily and quickly. This invention can not only estimate the distribution of low radiation dose in lungs but also reduce the shortcomings like consumption of time and inaccuracy caused by manual trial and error.