Dynamic X-Ray Triggering via Surface Deviation Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image-guided radiotherapy methods face challenges in accurately quantifying positional deviations of a patient's pathological structure during treatment due to unpredictable movements, leading to potential misalignment and increased radiation exposure when relying on predefined time intervals or gantry angles for x-ray image acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that uses surface data from optical measurements to determine the direction of positional deviations, allowing for the strategic acquisition of check x-ray images in the most informative direction, reducing the frequency and radiation dose while maintaining accurate monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If check x-ray images are acquired at predefined time intervals or gantry angles, then the monitoring is systematic and easy to implement, but the radiation exposure increases and positional deviations in certain directions cannot be reliably quantified
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors surface position deviations and uses this feedback to dynamically trigger x-ray image acquisition only when deviations exceed predefined thresholds, replacing fixed-time intervals with condition-based feedback control to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure while maintaining monitoring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The x-ray image acquisition timing is made dynamic rather than static - images are acquired at variable time points determined by actual patient position deviations detected by the surface monitoring system, allowing the system to adapt to real-time clinical needs and minimize radiation exposure
2Reliability
If check x-ray images are acquired more frequently to improve monitoring reliability, then positional deviations can be detected more reliably, but the radiation exposure to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface monitoring system provides continuous feedback on patient position deviations, triggering x-ray image acquisition only when deviations exceed predefined thresholds, thereby maintaining high detection reliability while minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure from frequent imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary surface measurements to detect position deviations before triggering x-ray imaging, allowing early detection and targeted imaging only when necessary, rather than relying on frequent routine imaging
3Ease of operation
If x-ray images are taken in fixed directions regardless of deviation direction, then the imaging protocol is simple, but positional deviations in the direction of image acquisition cannot be quantified
Solution Approach 1:
The x-ray imaging direction is made dynamic and adaptive - the system determines the optimal imaging direction based on the detected deviation direction, ensuring that images are always acquired in a direction that enables accurate quantification of the actual position deviation, thereby maintaining measurement precision while adapting to varying clinical conditions
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 significantly reduces radiation exposure by minimizing unnecessary x-ray images while ensuring precise quantification of positional deviations, allowing for timely adjustments to maintain treatment accuracy without compromising reliability.
Implementation Method 1
surface data is acquired, describing a spatial position of at least a surface section of the patient's body part
Implementation Method 2
check x-ray images the acquisition of which is triggered on the basis of positional measurements
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented medical method for monitoring a spatial position of a patient's body part, wherein at least one optimum spatial direction for a line of sight of a check x-ray-image is determined, that qualifies for quantifying a deviation of the spatial position of the patient's body part from a target spatial position for the patient's body part. The present invention further relates to a corresponding computer program and a corresponding medical system.