MR-Guided Radiotherapy Motion Tracking and Plan Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Periodic, irregular, and shape-changing structure motion during radiotherapy, such as due to respiration or organ swelling, hampers the effectiveness of treatment and can result in unnecessary toxicity or undertreatment, as existing compensation methods have limitations in accurately adapting radiation delivery.
Innovation Solution
An additional quality assurance phase is introduced before treatment, where structure motion information is acquired and analyzed to optimize the radiotherapy plan, allowing for real-time tracking and adjustment of the treatment plan to ensure accurate delivery of radiation doses while minimizing toxicity and undertreatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring and compensation methods are used during radiotherapy, then structure motion can be tracked and adjusted, but the complexity of the treatment system increases and limitations remain in accurately adapting radiation delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring structure motion information during a quality assurance phase before actual radiotherapy treatment. Motion parameters are measured and analyzed in advance using MR imaging, allowing the treatment plan to be optimized beforehand based on predicted motion patterns. This reduces the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during treatment while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital model of structure motion from quality assurance scans. This motion model is then used to simulate and predict structure movement during treatment, allowing virtual testing of compensation strategies without requiring complex physical adjustment mechanisms during actual therapy delivery.
2Manufacturing precision
If radiation delivery is adapted in real-time to accommodate structure motion, then treatment accuracy improves, but treatment time increases due to continuous monitoring and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by performing motion analysis and treatment plan optimization in advance during the quality assurance phase. By predetermined motion compensation parameters before treatment, the actual radiotherapy delivery can proceed efficiently without continuous real-time adjustments, maintaining high accuracy while minimizing treatment time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by acquiring structure motion information at specific intervals during the quality assurance phase rather than continuously during treatment. This periodic sampling captures sufficient motion characteristics to create an accurate predictive model, enabling efficient batch processing of compensation parameters without continuous intervention during therapy delivery.
3Reliability
If quality assurance scans are performed prior to treatment, then structure motion information can be obtained for plan optimization, but additional time and resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the quality assurance phase with the existing treatment planning process. Motion information acquisition and analysis are integrated into the standard workflow rather than being separate additional steps. This allows concurrent processing of motion analysis and treatment plan optimization, reducing the overall time added to the process while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using the same MR imaging system and software infrastructure already present in the radiotherapy department for both quality assurance scans and treatment planning. The existing system resources are utilized to perform motion analysis without requiring dedicated separate equipment or personnel, thereby minimizing additional resource 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
This approach enhances quality assurance by allowing for better prediction and compensation of structure motion, reducing the risk of undertreatment or overtreatment by validating assumptions used in the radiotherapy plan and optimizing radiation delivery based on pre-treatment motion analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic resonance examination system acquires scans from a subject on an imaging table. These scans are here called quality assurance scans
Data Source
AI summary
Prior to the radiotherapy, an MR guided radiotherapy device acquires MR data and tracks structures relevant to the radiotherapy treatment. These MR data are displayed to a user. Furthermore, these data are used to calculate a quality factor for the treatment.