Laser Projection System for Radiation Area Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy simulation methods are time-consuming, expensive, and lack precision, particularly due to the need for manual marking of radiation areas on the patient's skin, which can be inaccurate and expose patients to high x-ray doses, increasing the risk of long-term health issues like secondary cancer.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a laser projection system to rapidly and accurately project desired radiation areas onto the patient's skin based on pre-calculated 3D coordinates, eliminating the need for manual marking and reducing x-ray exposure by using a control device and projection device with galvanometer mirrors for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual marking of radiation areas on patient's skin is used, then radiation therapy simulation can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and lacks precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical marking process with an automated optical projection system. A laser projector guided by a control device automatically projects the radiation area boundaries onto the patient's skin based on pre-calculated 3D coordinates, eliminating manual marking operations and significantly improving both precision and reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital 3D model copy of the patient's anatomy from CT scan data, then uses this virtual model to calculate and project the precise radiation areas onto the actual patient. This copying approach allows the simulation to be performed on the digital model first, ensuring precision before physical marking.
2Measurement precision
If three reference points with retro reflectors are used for patient positioning, then positioning can be achieved, but the method is relatively time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the time-consuming manual positioning and marking steps from the workflow. By using automated laser projection based on pre-calculated coordinates, the system eliminates the need for time-intensive manual reference point placement and skin marking, while maintaining positioning accuracy through the control device's coordinate system alignment.
3Measurement precision
If x-ray positioning is performed before each treatment fraction, then high positioning accuracy is achieved, but the patient receives high x-ray radiation dose increasing cancer risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful repeated x-ray exposure into a beneficial one-time CT scan performed during initial treatment planning. The 3D coordinates calculated from this single CT scan are then used throughout all subsequent treatment sessions via laser projection, eliminating the need for repeated harmful x-ray positioning while maintaining accuracy through the digital coordinate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the positioning and measurement action in advance during the initial CT scan and treatment planning phase. The 3D coordinates of the radiation areas are calculated beforehand, and these pre-calculated coordinates are then used for all subsequent treatments without requiring repeated positioning scans, thus preventing cumulative radiation exposure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If five motor movable lasers are used to project coordinates on patient's skin, then arbitrary coordinates can be represented, but the system is complex and requires extensive CT-room usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single laser projector that can be positioned and oriented to project coordinates across different areas of the patient's body. This universal device replaces the need for multiple specialized lasers, achieving the same versatility of representing arbitrary coordinates while significantly reducing system complexity and CT-room usage requirements.
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
Enables a rapid, precise, and cost-effective simulation process that ensures accurate alignment of radiation areas, reducing the risk of health hazards and improving the efficiency of radiation therapy planning without the need for extensive CT-room usage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one projection device featuring a laser is provided, by which the desired intersection area can be projected to the three-dimensional surface of the patient's body on the basis of the provided coordinates, while at least one laser beam generated by the laser can be guided along the contour of the desired intersection area sufficiently rapidly
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the representation of an area on the three-dimensional surface of a patient's body, with a control device which provides three-dimensional coordinates of at least one area to be represented on the surface of the patient's body, wherein the area pre-sets a desired intersection area of a radiation area on the surface of the patient's body, characterized in that at least one projection device featuring a laser is provided, by which the desired intersection area can be projected to the three-dimensional surface of the patient's body on the basis of the provided coordinates, while at least one laser beam generated by the laser can be guided along the contour of the desired intersection area sufficiently rapidly, so that the impression of a closed contour around the desired intersection area results.