Modular Beam Modulator Configuration for Adaptive Proton Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current proton therapy planning faces challenges with particle range uncertainties and high sensitivity to anatomical changes, leading to slow fabrication and high costs of patient-specific beam modulators, and the inability to adjust during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A modularized beam modulator configuration using a library of components, optimized through Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) matrices, allows for easy adjustments to patient anatomy changes and reduces production time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a 3D printed patient-specific beam modulator is used to create SOBP, then high dose rate is achieved, but fabrication time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beam modulator is divided into multiple interchangeable modular components (ridges, filters, compensators) that can be independently manufactured and stored. This allows the treatment planning system to select and combine pre-fabricated modules rather than manufacturing a complete custom device, significantly reducing fabrication time while maintaining the high dose rate capability through optimized modular assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
Modular beam modulator components are pre-fabricated and stored in a library before treatment begins. This preliminary manufacturing of standard modules eliminates the need for time-consuming on-demand 3D printing during treatment planning, allowing rapid assembly of patient-specific configurations from pre-prepared components while achieving the required dose distribution.
2Power
If a 3D printed patient-specific beam modulator is used to create SOBP, then high dose rate is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the beam modulator into standardized modular components that can be reused across multiple patients, the system eliminates the need for expensive custom 3D printing of entire patient-specific devices. The modular components are manufactured once and stored, reducing per-patient manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to achieve high dose rates through optimized modular configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular beam modulator components are designed with universal applicability, where a single set of standardized ridges, filters, and compensators can be configured for multiple different patients and treatment scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces the overall manufacturing burden and costs compared to creating unique patient-specific devices, while still enabling high dose rate delivery through proper modular assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If a patient-specific beam modulator is used, then treatment precision is improved, but adaptability to anatomical changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam modulator system transitions from a static patient-specific device to a dynamic reconfigurable system using modular components. The treatment planning system can dynamically select and reassemble appropriate modular elements based on updated patient anatomy from imaging, allowing the precise dose distribution to be adapted to anatomical changes while maintaining treatment precision through optimized modular configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the beam modulator into interchangeable modular components enables independent adjustment of specific elements without replacing the entire device. When anatomical changes occur, the system can selectively modify or replace individual modules (ridges, filters, compensators) to adapt the dose distribution, maintaining treatment precision while achieving the necessary adaptability to anatomical variations.
4Reliability
If online adaptive FLASH therapy is implemented, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex adaptive therapy process into manageable components: a modular beam modulator library, an optimization module for selecting configurations, and a treatment planning system for integration. This segmentation allows online adaptive FLASH therapy to be implemented through coordinated interaction of specialized subsystems rather than requiring a single complex device, improving treatment effectiveness while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment planning system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the modular beam modulator components and the FLASH therapy delivery system. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of real-time optimization and adaptation by handling the selection, configuration, and integration of modular elements, allowing the FLASH therapy system to achieve high treatment effectiveness without requiring each individual component to be overly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and devices can optimize a modularized beam modulator configuration using a library of components, while optionally simultaneously optimize the radiation delivery parameters. In one implementation, the method may include applying one or more optimization procedures to one or more candidate radiation treatment plans for radiation treatment in a patient according to one or more plan optimization objectives associated with one or more cost functions to generate a final radiation treatment plan. In some examples, each radiation treatment plan may include therapy parameters and a beam modulator configuration of one or more geometric components from a library storing a plurality of the modular components. In some examples, one or more optimization procedures may be applied to the beam modulator configuration of each candidate radiation treatment plan to generate a final beam modulator configuration. The final treatment plan may include the final beam modulator configuration.