Flat-Plate PET Imaging Device with Window for Radiotherapy Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapy navigation systems rely on anatomical images from CT scans, which fail to precisely identify hypoxic tissues and necrotic lesions, leading to inadequate treatment, lack real-time feedback, and imprecise dosage distribution, causing damage to healthy tissues.
Innovation Solution
A flat-plate PET imaging device with a window, comprising two parallel flat plates of PET detectors and a support device, allowing for real-time diagnosis and positioning of cancerous cells during radiotherapy, enabling precise adjustment of radiation dosage and reducing damage to healthy tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CT or anatomical imaging is used for positioning and navigation, then the imaging device is simple and widely available, but it cannot precisely identify hypoxic tissues and necrotic lesions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PET functional imaging capability with radiotherapy navigation to enable precise identification of hypoxic tissues and necrotic lesions. The PET system integrates detectors, coincidence processing units, and image reconstruction capabilities into a unified platform that provides both functional and anatomical information for radiotherapy planning and guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The PET imaging system is designed to serve multiple functions: positioning and navigation before radiotherapy, real-time monitoring during radiotherapy, and post-treatment evaluation. The system can identify hypoxic tissues, necrotic lesions, and tumor boundaries, providing comprehensive functional information that goes beyond anatomical imaging alone.
2Measurement precision
If real-time physiological monitoring is implemented during radiotherapy, then the treatment precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring physiological parameters (such as oxygenation levels and tissue changes) during radiotherapy and using this information to adjust treatment parameters. The PET system provides ongoing physiological feedback that allows dynamic optimization of radiation dosage distribution based on actual tissue response.
Solution Approach 2:
The PET imaging system is designed to be self-contained with integrated detectors, processing units, and control systems that operate autonomously during radiotherapy. The system performs self-calibration and maintains operational independence, reducing the need for external complex infrastructure while providing comprehensive real-time monitoring capabilities.
3Reliability
If the target region is enlarged to account for movement and positioning errors, then the treatment coverage is improved, but the damage to healthy tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic tracking and real-time positioning correction to maintain accurate target localization despite patient movement or organ motion. The PET system continuously updates the position of the tumor and surrounding tissues, allowing the treatment beam to dynamically adapt to positional changes without requiring a static safety margin that would irradiate healthy tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical positioning methods with functional imaging-based positioning using PET detectors. Instead of relying on mechanical alignment and fixed safety margins, the system uses physiological markers and metabolic activity patterns to precisely define the target boundary, enabling tighter margins and reduced exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
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
Facilitates real-time imaging and navigation, improving the precision of radiation dosage distribution, reducing harm to healthy tissues, and enhancing treatment effectiveness by accurately tracking tissue changes and providing real-time physiological information.
Implementation Method 1
positron emission tomography (PET)
Implementation Method 2
positron-emitting radiotracers
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a flat-plate PET imaging device with a window (11), comprising: a first flat plate (10) formed of a plurality of PET detectors arranged in sequence into a plate shape and provided with at least one window (11); a second flat plate (20) formed of a plurality of PET detectors arranged in sequence into a plate shape and parallel to the first flat plate (10) and the second flat plate (20) are fixed. By arranging a window (11) on the flat-plate PET, a space is provided for other operations, such as radiotherapy, while ensuing the real-time positioning and scanning effects, thereby actually achieving real-time diagnosis as well as positioning and navigation without affecting the therapeutic procedure.