GPU Radiation Transport Computing for Real-Time Monte Carlo Dose Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Monte Carlo algorithm for radiation dose calculation in radiation therapy is computationally expensive and difficult to implement on GPUs due to divergent branching, limiting its application in real-time clinical scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A GPU-based apparatus and method that allocates buffers for processing source, transport, and reaction information, selecting thread blocks based on occupancy rates to minimize divergent branching and optimize computation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Monte Carlo algorithm is used for radiation dose calculation, then calculation accuracy is improved, but calculation time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation dose calculation accuracyVSAvoidcalculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the particle transport simulation into distinct phases (source generation, transport, interaction, scoring) and implements multi-level parallelization across GPU blocks, threads, and warps. Each phase can be independently optimized and executed in parallel, enabling the Monte Carlo algorithm to achieve both high accuracy and real-time performance by dividing the computational workload into manageable concurrent tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional CPU-based sequential Monte Carlo simulation with GPU-based parallel computation. By leveraging the massive parallel processing capability of GPUs, the system substitutes the mechanical sequential execution model with a parallel architecture that can simultaneously track countless particles, achieving real-time dose calculation while maintaining Monte Carlo accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If Monte Carlo algorithm is directly applied to GPU, then computation speed is improved, but performance degrades due to divergent branching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputation speedVSAvoidGPU performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making thread behavior context-dependent within the particle transport simulation. Different threads execute different instruction paths based on their local particle state (e.g., particle type, energy level, interaction type) rather than following a uniform control flow. This allows the GPU to maintain high occupancy and utilize all streaming multiprocessors effectively, even when handling diverse particle interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic execution by allowing the control flow to adapt based on runtime particle conditions. The algorithm dynamically selects which buffer to process and which instructions to execute based on particle type, energy, and interaction stage, enabling flexible handling of divergent paths while maintaining parallel efficiency through dynamic branch prediction and warp-level parallelism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If CPU-based Monte Carlo algorithm is used, then implementation is straightforward, but calculation time exceeds clinical requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidcalculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the CPU-based sequential execution model with a GPU-based parallel architecture. This substitution fundamentally changes the computational mechanics from sequential processing to massive parallel execution, enabling the system to process countless particles simultaneously and achieve real-time dose calculation speeds that meet clinical requirements while maintaining Monte Carlo accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal GPU-based Monte Carlo engine that can handle multiple particle types (photons, electrons, protons, ions) and various interaction processes through a unified parallel architecture. This multi-functional implementation maintains ease of use while achieving the speed necessary for clinical applications across different radiation therapy modalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250269202A1Apparatus and method for computing radiation transport for processing monte carlo algorithm
Publication Date: 2025.08.28 SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION
  • US20250269202A1 patent drawing
  • US20250269202A1 patent drawing
  • US20250269202A1 patent drawing

AI summary

According to the present disclosure, a GPU-based radiation transport computing apparatus includes: an interface module configured to communicate with an external device; a memory configured to store a radiation transport computation program; at least one GPU; and a CPU configured to control the execution of the radiation transport computation program. Herein, the radiation transport computation program allocates, in the GPU, a first buffer for processing source particles, a second buffer for processing information about a transport process of radioactive particles, and a third buffer for processing information about various particles generated in a reaction during radiation exposure, selects a buffer to process a thread block that performs a Monte Carlo algorithm based on occupancy rates of the first to third buffers, and performs sampling on the selected buffer through each thread block according to the Monte Carlo algorithm.