Gated Radiation Delivery Packages for Treatment Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gated radiation treatment methods are inefficient due to the need to pause radiation delivery when the patient is not in a planned phase or position, resulting in wasted time during the treatment process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where radiation is delivered based on a patient's physiological phase or position, with the radiation system configuration changed independently of patient motion, allowing for continuous preparation for the next delivery package during non-delivery phases, as controlled by a processor following a treatment plan that prescribes multiple packages and transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If radiation delivery is paused when patient is not in planned phase or position, then treatment accuracy is maintained, but treatment efficiency deteriorates due to wasted time
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation system performs configuration changes (gantry rotation, collimator adjustment, MLC positioning) during the transition phase before the next radiation delivery package begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the patient enters the planned phase or position, the radiation system is already configured and ready for immediate dose delivery, eliminating idle time and improving treatment efficiency while maintaining accuracy
2Productivity
If radiation delivery continues without pausing, then treatment efficiency is improved, but treatment accuracy deteriorates due to patient movement affecting dose distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment session is divided into multiple delivery packages separated by transition phases. Each delivery package corresponds to a specific patient phase or position (e.g., breath-hold phase). By segmenting the treatment into discrete packages delivered at appropriate physiological phases, the system maintains dose distribution accuracy while minimizing idle time through continuous operation during transitions
Solution Approach 2:
Radiation delivery is performed periodically synchronized with the patient's physiological cycles (breathing, cardiac motion). The system delivers radiation during specific phases of the physiological cycle when the target is in the desired position, then pauses briefly during transitions to reconfigure. This periodic delivery pattern maintains treatment accuracy while improving overall efficiency compared to continuous pausing
3Reliability
If radiation machine operation is stopped and resumed repeatedly, then patient position control is maintained, but time loss increases during delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation system performs all necessary configuration changes (gantry angle adjustment, collimator positioning, MLC leaf movement) during the transition phase between delivery packages, before the next radiation delivery begins. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming reconfiguration during patient phase transitions, reducing time loss while maintaining reliable patient position control
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation system maintains continuous operation by performing configuration changes during transition phases when no radiation is being delivered. The gantry continues rotating, collimators and MLC remain adjustable, and the system stays in a ready state. This continuous useful action minimizes idle time and reduces the frequency of complete stop-resume cycles, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining patient position control
Data Source
AI summary
A method of delivering radiation in a session includes delivering radiation towards a patient using a radiation system, wherein the radiation is delivered based at least in part on a physiological phase or a position of the patient, after the radiation is delivered, changing a configuration of the radiation system, wherein the act of changing the configuration is performed independent of at least one motion of the patient, and delivering additional radiation towards the patient after the configuration of the radiation system is changed, wherein the acts of delivering radiation and the act of changing the configuration are performed in response to a processor executing a treatment plan that prescribes a plurality of packages and a transition, the transition prescribing the act of changing the configuration of the radiation system when no radiation is being delivered by the radiation system.