Matched Ionoacoustic Filtering for Precise Bragg Peak Range Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ion radiation therapy methods face challenges in precisely determining the location of the Bragg peak due to imprecise knowledge of energy deposition, leading to uncertainties in dose delivery and potential harm to healthy tissues, especially when the Bragg peak is near critical organs.
Innovation Solution
A method using a matched filter to process time-resolved acoustic signals generated by pulsed ion beams, allowing for precise determination of energy deposition by correlating the timing of individual ion beam pulses with detected acoustic signals, enhancing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) through template matching and adaptive filtering techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ion radiation therapy methods are used, then ion beams can deliver dose to tumor with Bragg peak, but the location of energy deposition cannot be precisely determined leading to range uncertainties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary signal that mediates between the ion beam energy deposition and the detection system. The acoustic waves are generated by the energy deposition process and carry information about the Bragg peak location to external sensors, enabling precise range determination without directly measuring the ion beam path
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/ion beam measurement methods with acoustic wave detection. Instead of trying to directly measure ion beam penetration depth, the system uses acoustic signals generated by the energy deposition process to infer the Bragg peak location, substituting a mechanical/ion measurement problem with an acoustic measurement solution
2Reliability
If planning safety margins are increased to compensate for range uncertainties, then dose coverage of target volume is improved, but dose to healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by detecting acoustic signals during ion beam delivery and using this information to verify and adjust the Bragg peak location. This feedback mechanism allows dynamic adaptation of treatment parameters to ensure accurate dose delivery to the target while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the acoustic signal characteristics before and during dose delivery to predict and verify the Bragg peak location. This preliminary action allows for proactive adjustment of treatment parameters to prevent healthy tissue overexposure before it occurs
3Productivity
If signal processing methods are simplified for real-time processing, then processing speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic correlation operations between the detected acoustic signal and a template signal. This periodic matching approach allows for computationally efficient real-time processing while maintaining high precision in Bragg peak location determination through repeated pattern recognition
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter representation of the acoustic signal by transforming it into a correlation domain through template matching. This parameter transformation simplifies the processing requirements while preserving and enhancing the precision of location determination through the correlation peak detection
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
This approach significantly improves the precision of energy deposition location determination, enabling real-time adjustments and reducing adverse effects on healthy tissues by accurately targeting the Bragg peak, thus facilitating safer and more aggressive cancer treatments.
Implementation Method 1
energy deposition of an individual pulse of said pulsed ion beam in said absorptive medium
Implementation Method 2
detecting a time-resolved acoustic signal attributable to the energy deposition
Data Source
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Figure 5a~5d
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method of determining information regarding the location of energy deposition of an ion beam (14) in an absorptive medium, comprising the following steps: generating a pulsed ion beam (16), detecting a time-resolved acoustic signal, said time-resolved acoustic signal comprising an energy-deposition-signal component attributable to the energy deposition of an individual pulse of said pulsed ion beam in said absorptive medium, determining relative timing information of the energy deposition of said individual pulse with respect to said time-resolved acoustic signal, providing a matched filter for processing the time-resolved acoustic signal, and applying said matched filter to said time-resolved acoustic signal, deriving, from the filtered time-resolved signal, occurrence timing information related to the occurrence of said energy-deposition signal component in said time-resolved acoustic signal, and deriving information regarding the location of the energy deposition based, at least in part, on a delay between said energy deposition of said individual pulse and said occurrence timing information.