Light Field Reflector for Radiation Therapy Beam Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy methods lack accurate and quantitative patient alignment, relying on human experience and visual verification, which can lead to inaccuracies and increased radiation exposure, especially during real-time monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A system using a light field reflector with the same size and shape as the beam field, attached to the patient's body surface, emits a light field from a gantry head, and a camera-based imaging device continuously acquires and compares the reflected light field with the planned beam field for precise alignment and real-time analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human experience and visual verification are used for patient alignment, then the method is simple to operate, but the alignment accuracy is insufficient and cannot provide quantitative evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
A light reflector is introduced as an intermediary element attached to the patient's body surface. This reflector mediates between the radiation beam (which cannot be directly observed) and the camera system, converting invisible radiation alignment into visible light reflection patterns that can be quantitatively measured and analyzed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective human visual verification with an automated optical measurement system. A camera captures light reflection patterns from the reflector, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze the alignment, substituting human judgment with objective quantitative measurement.
2Measurement precision
If radiation beams are used for real-time monitoring, then alignment accuracy can be improved, but additional radiation exposure is imposed on the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful property of radiation (invisibility and potential harm) into a beneficial approach by using visible light instead. The light reflector system allows real-time monitoring using non-ionizing light, which is safe for patients, while still providing the alignment information that would otherwise require additional radiation exposure to obtain.
Solution Approach 2:
The light reflector serves as a mediator that allows indirect observation of beam alignment without exposing the patient to additional radiation. By reflecting visible light from the gantry head onto the reflector attached to the patient's body, the system provides alignment information through safe optical means rather than requiring additional radiation beams for monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If visual observation methods are used for beam alignment, then the system is easy to operate, but the beam alignment cannot be accurately verified since radiation beams are invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the invisible radiation beam alignment visible by using color-coded light reflection. The light reflector reflects visible light from the gantry head, creating observable light patterns on the patient's body surface that indicate beam alignment. The system can detect deviations in light position and intensity, providing visual feedback that replaces subjective human observation with objective optical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The light reflector creates an optical copy or representation of the radiation beam's position and shape on the patient's body surface. Instead of directly observing the invisible radiation beam, the system captures a visible light reflection pattern that replicates the beam's spatial characteristics, allowing accurate verification of beam alignment through image capture and analysis.
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 method provides quantitative evaluation and real-time error detection, preventing human-induced errors and improving radiation therapy accuracy by ensuring precise beam alignment, both before and during treatment, while minimizing additional workload and treatment time.
Implementation Method 1
a light reflector which is formed to correspond to a shape of the first region and is configured to be attached to the first region of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A system to align an object using a light reflector, including: an input unit for pre-setting a first region in which radiation is to be emitted to the object; a display unit for displaying information on the first region; a radiation unit for emitting radiation to the first region; a reflector formed to correspond to the shape of the first region and configured to be attached to the first region; a light unit for emitting light in the same direction as the radiation to the first region; a camera for photographing a region of the reflector when the reflector reflects light emitted by the light unit; and a control unit for controlling the display unit to display the region of the light reflector which reflects light photographed by the camera, and determining whether the radiation is aligned to the first region of the object based on whether the region of the light reflector is included in the shape of the first region.