FLASH Radiation Therapy Planning via Beam Geometry Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation therapy planning faces challenges in efficiently generating high-quality treatment plans that effectively spare normal tissue from radiation, particularly due to the infinite number of potential plans and time constraints associated with cancer treatment, which are beyond human capability and require advanced computing systems.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the number, directions, and energies of beams for FLASH radiation therapy to ensure each sub-volume of normal tissue is irradiated only once, with beams overlapping only within the target, using an iterative process to calculate cumulative doses that satisfy a prescribed dose, thereby simplifying treatment planning and reducing normal tissue exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional radiation therapy planning methods are used to generate treatment plans, then multiple clinical goals can be addressed, but the planning process becomes extremely complex and time-consuming due to the infinite number of potential plans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment planning process into distinct phases: (1) selecting a limited set of candidate beam directions based on geometric criteria, (2) optimizing beam weights and intensities for those selected directions, and (3) evaluating the treatment plan. This segmentation reduces the infinite search space to a manageable subset while preserving the ability to address multiple clinical goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from optimizing all possible plan parameters (beam directions, intensities, weights) simultaneously to a sequential process where beam directions are selected based on geometric parameters first, then intensities and weights are optimized. This parameter change simplifies the overall planning complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional radiation therapy delivers radiation in multiple fractions over extended periods, then normal tissue can be spared through fractionation, but the treatment time increases and normal tissue may still receive cumulative damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through FLASH radiation therapy, delivering the entire therapeutic dose in a single ultra-short irradiation pulse (microseconds to milliseconds). This periodic delivery method exploits the FLASH effect where extremely high dose rates spare normal tissue while effectively treating the target, eliminating the need for extended fractionated treatment schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-planning the single FLASH irradiation event with precise beam direction selection to ensure normal tissue is irradiated only once. The geometric optimization of beam directions is performed in advance to maximize normal tissue sparing while delivering the full therapeutic dose in one shot.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If beam directions are optimized to spare normal tissue by preventing beam overlap outside the target, then normal tissue dose is minimized, but the number of possible beam configurations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing beam overlap only within the target volume and preventing overlap in normal tissue regions. This local differentiation creates distinct geometric constraints: beams may converge on the target but must diverge or be blocked in surrounding normal tissue areas. The method evaluates normal tissue intersection for each candidate beam direction and eliminates configurations that会造成 normal tissue overlap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beam configuration approach from considering all possible directions to selecting from a reduced set of candidate directions that satisfy the no-normal-tissue-overlap criterion. This parameter change transforms an infinite optimization problem into a discrete selection problem with manageable complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If human planners manually create and evaluate multiple treatment plans, then clinical judgment can be applied, but the process exceeds human capability due to the vast number of potential plans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by creating an automated treatment planning system that independently performs beam direction selection, beam weight optimization, and plan evaluation. The system uses geometric algorithms to automatically identify candidate beam directions and optimization algorithms to determine optimal intensities, eliminating the need for manual planning while preserving clinical goals through automated objective function formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer between clinical requirements and treatment plan generation. This intermediary system translates clinical goals into mathematical objective functions and constraints, then automatically solves the optimization problem, serving as a mediator that bridges clinical judgment and computational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Radiation treatment planning includes determining a number of beams to be directed into a target, determining directions (e.g., gantry angles) for the beams, and determining an energy level for each of the beams. The number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the energy levels are determined such that the beams do not overlap outside the target and the prescribed dose will be delivered across the entire target.