Light Field Projection for Radiotherapy Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapy systems face challenges in accurately positioning patients during treatment, leading to potential harm from radiation exposure to adjacent healthy tissues due to patient motion or setup discrepancies, which existing monitoring systems, often relying on costly stereoscopic cameras and Cherenkov radiation, fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the emission of a light field corresponding to radiation incidence onto the patient's surface, monitored and processed to determine the accurate alignment of radiation beams, utilizing a light field emitting device and conventional cameras to ensure precise positioning and real-time monitoring without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stereoscopic cameras and processing modules are used for 3D patient tracking, then measurement precision of patient position is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light field copy of the radiation beam path instead of complex 3D imaging. A light source reproduces the radiation beam's trajectory and shape as a visible light field, which can be captured by simple cameras. This copying approach achieves sufficient measurement precision for patient positioning while avoiding the complexity of stereoscopic cameras and 3D reconstruction algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical complexity of stereoscopic camera systems with a simpler light field projection system. Instead of using multiple cameras to reconstruct 3D position, the system projects a light field that directly indicates the radiation beam path, substituting complex mechanical imaging with optical projection and simple image capture.
2Measurement precision
If Cherenkov radiation monitoring is used to detect delivery anomalies, then radiation incidence detection is improved, but loss of time occurs due to requiring dose delivery prior to detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by projecting the light field and capturing images of the light field before radiation delivery begins. This allows patient positioning and beam alignment to be verified in advance, eliminating the need to wait for Cherenkov radiation to occur during dose delivery. The anomaly detection capability is established beforehand through light field monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light field as an intermediary between the radiation beam and the detection system. Instead of directly detecting Cherenkov radiation from the patient, the system uses a visible light field that mimics the radiation path as a mediator, which can be captured by standard cameras without requiring radiation exposure or specialized detectors.
3Device complexity
If conventional cameras are used instead of stereoscopic cameras, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of radiation incidence may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses conventional cameras to capture a light field copy of the radiation beam. The light field reproduces the beam's geometry, position, and shape, allowing standard 2D cameras to achieve the measurement precision needed for radiation incidence monitoring without requiring complex stereoscopic systems. The copying approach transforms the measurement task into capturing light intensity distribution rather than direct radiation 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 allows for cost-efficient, accurate, and real-time monitoring of radiation incidence, reducing the risk of exposing healthy tissues to radiation and improving the precision of radiation delivery, thereby enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
emitting a light field onto a surface of an object being prepared for and/or undergoing radiation delivery
Implementation Method 2
monitoring the light field being reflected from the surface of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A method monitors radiation incidence onto an object being prepared for and/or undergoing radiation delivery. The monitoring method includes: emitting a light field onto a surface of an object being prepared for and/or undergoing radiation delivery, the light field at least substantially corresponding to radiation incidence of the radiation delivery; monitoring the light field being reflected from the surface of the object; and processing the monitored light field to determine the radiation incidence of the radiation delivery relative to the object at least partially based on the monitored light field.