Fiber Bragg Respiratory Gating for Motion-Compensated Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory motion management techniques for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic procedures, such as CT scans and radiotherapy, are inadequate due to issues like patient discomfort, image distortion, unnecessary radiation, and sensitivity to electromagnetic interference, making it difficult to compensate for dynamic body changes during image acquisition and treatment.
Innovation Solution
The use of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) embedded on the body to detect shifts in Bragg wavelengths, generating a respiratory gating signal for real-time compensation of body deformation and motion, allowing for controlled interactions like image acquisition and therapy by adjusting scanning devices or treatment beams based on these shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If breath hold CT scans are used to reduce respiratory motion, then image quality is improved, but radiation dose increases and scan time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of respiratory motion phase using fiber Bragg grating sensors before each CT scan acquisition. The respiratory phase is monitored in advance to determine the optimal timing for image acquisition, ensuring that scans are performed when the patient's respiratory motion is in a controlled state, thereby improving image quality without requiring increased radiation dose or scan time
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors respiratory motion through fiber Bragg grating sensors and uses this feedback information to control the CT scan acquisition timing. The respiratory phase information is fed back to the scan controller to dynamically adjust when images are acquired, optimizing image quality while maintaining low radiation dose by only scanning during appropriate respiratory phases
2Measurement precision
If breath hold CT scans are used to reduce respiratory motion, then image quality is improved, but scan time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Respiratory phase detection is performed in advance using fiber Bragg grating sensors to identify the optimal timing window for image acquisition. This preliminary monitoring allows the system to prepare for and execute scans at the most suitable respiratory phases, improving image quality without extending scan time
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time respiratory monitoring feedback is used to dynamically control scan timing, allowing the system to acquire images during optimal respiratory phases without requiring prolonged breath-hold periods or extended scan durations
3Reliability
If optical techniques with physical markers are used for respiratory motion management, then motion detection is enabled, but patient discomfort increases due to requirement to remain bare-bodied
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces optical techniques with mechanical fiber Bragg grating sensors that can be integrated into clothing or worn as simple bands. This substitution eliminates the need for patients to remain bare-bodied while still providing reliable respiratory motion detection through direct mechanical sensing of diaphragm movement
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber Bragg grating sensors serve as an intermediary that can be incorporated into patient clothing or worn as comfortable devices, bridging the gap between reliable motion detection and patient comfort by allowing sensing through non-invasive, comfortable interfaces
4Reliability
If X-ray sources and detection systems are used for motion management, then motion detection is enabled, but infrastructure complexity and radiation dose increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex X-ray-based motion management infrastructure with simple mechanical fiber Bragg grating sensors that detect respiratory motion through direct strain measurement. This substitution dramatically reduces infrastructure requirements while maintaining reliable motion detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber Bragg grating sensors are simple, low-cost, disposable devices that can be easily applied to patients without requiring complex infrastructure. These inexpensive sensors provide reliable motion detection while eliminating the need for expensive X-ray-based systems
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
Enables accurate image reconstruction and targeted treatment delivery by compensating for respiratory motion and deformation, reducing patient discomfort and radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic quality and therapeutic efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
detecting shifts in Bragg wavelengths... caused by body deformation during the controlled interaction
Data Source
AI summary
A method for compensating for dynamic changes in a body of a patient during a controlled interaction with the body includes acquiring data from at least one sensing device disposed on the body and detecting a change along at least one optical fiber of the sensing device caused by dynamic changes associated with the body during the controlled interaction. A respiratory gating signal is generated based on the change along the at least one optical fiber of the sensing device measured over time. The method further comprises controlling relative movement between the body and an interactive device in response to the respiratory gating signal to compensate for the dynamic changes associated with the body during the controlled interaction.