Optimizing Image Acquisition Parameters for Radiation Therapy Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radiation therapy, existing image registration methods for tumor treatment require high x-ray doses and extensive angular information, which can lead to unnecessary patient exposure and inefficiency, especially when multiple sessions are needed, and there is a lack of optimization for determining optimal image acquisition parameters such as dose, current, and projection angles.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that simulate multiple images with varying parameters like dose, current, and projection angles, and perform image registrations to determine the optimal acquisition parameters that satisfy a cut-off criteria with the lowest dose and time, using a simulated image creation module and image registration module to compute and match images with a reference image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional image acquisition methods are used for registration, then anatomical landmarks are visible for guiding registration, but patient receives unnecessary x-ray dose exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying image acquisition parameters (dose level, current, projection angles, number of projections) to identify the minimum parameters required for adequate registration. This resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point where image quality is sufficient for registration purposes while minimizing x-ray dose exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by acquiring only the necessary number of projections at optimized angles rather than full 360-degree CBCT scans. This partial acquisition strategy provides sufficient anatomical landmarks for registration while reducing the total x-ray dose, avoiding the excessive action of full-dose conventional imaging.
2Quantity of substance
If full angular information (200-360 degrees) is used for CBCT reconstruction, then complete anatomical coverage is achieved, but data acquisition time and x-ray dose increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential angular information needed for registration by identifying and acquiring projections at specific key angles rather than acquiring data across the full 200-360 degree range. This extraction approach maintains sufficient anatomical coverage for registration purposes while significantly reducing acquisition time and x-ray dose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the full angular range into discrete, optimized projection angles that provide the necessary anatomical landmarks. Instead of continuous 360-degree acquisition, the system acquires projections at selected angles (e.g., 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° or other optimized sets), dividing the acquisition into essential segments that achieve registration goals with reduced time and dose.
3Loss of time
If digital tomosynthesis with reduced angular span is used, then x-ray dose and acquisition time are reduced, but optimal vergence angle and centering are difficult to determine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the planning CT scan (acquired earlier with no additional dose) to pre-determine the optimal vergence angle and centering parameters for the tomosynthesis acquisition. This preliminary analysis of the planning CT allows the system to configure the reduced-angular-span tomosynthesis with optimized parameters, eliminating the difficulty of determining these parameters in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the planning CT scan as an intermediary to bridge the gap between the need for optimized tomosynthesis parameters and the difficulty of determining them directly. The planning CT serves as a mediator that provides the anatomical information needed to calculate optimal vergence angles and centering, which are then applied to the reduced-dose tomosynthesis acquisition.
4Reliability
If multiple daily sessions are conducted for treatment, then treatment completeness is improved, but cumulative x-ray dose from repeated imaging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by adapting the image acquisition strategy to each treatment session based on patient positioning requirements and treatment goals. Rather than using a fixed high-dose protocol for every session, the system dynamically selects from multiple optimized acquisition protocols (different angle sets, projection numbers, dose levels) to achieve adequate registration with minimum necessary dose for that specific session.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes across multiple sessions by varying the acquisition parameters (angles, projections, dose) based on session-specific requirements while maintaining adequate registration quality. This allows treatment completeness to be maintained across multiple sessions while the cumulative dose remains minimized through consistent use of optimized parameter sets.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes input(s) for obtaining a first image and for obtaining a plurality of image parameters that includes at least a first image parameter and a second image parameter; a simulated image creation module configured for computing a plurality of simulated images based on the first image and the plurality of image parameters, the plurality of simulated images having at least a first simulated image computed based on the first image parameter, and a second simulated image computed based on the second image parameter, wherein the first simulated image has a first image quality, the second simulated image has a second image quality, and the first image quality is different from the second image quality; an image registration module configured for performing a plurality of image registrations using the simulated images; and a non-transitory medium configured for storing results from the act of performing the plurality of image registrations.