Multi-Plane Marker System for Radiation Therapy Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation therapy techniques face challenges in accurately and consistently gating radiation application due to normal physiological movement, leading to unnecessary exposure of healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A marker system with strategically placed markers on multiple planes, allowing for precise positioning and orientation determination using an optical device, enabling accurate tracking of patient movement and synchronization of radiation delivery with physiological cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the size and shape of the radiation beam are expanded by a movement margin to maintain full irradiation of the targeted tissue, then the targeted tissue is fully covered, but healthy tissue surrounding the targeted volume is unnecessarily exposed to radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of marker configuration from conventional single-plane or two-marker arrangements to a multi-plane arrangement with at least three markers. This geometric parameter change enables more precise tracking of tumor position and motion, allowing the radiation beam to be accurately targeted without requiring an expanded movement margin, thereby reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissue while maintaining full coverage of the moving tumor.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If physiological gating of the radiation beam is implemented to disengage the beam during excessive tumor movement, then radiation exposure to healthy tissue is reduced, but accurate and consistent gating execution is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where an optical detection system continuously monitors the position of multiple markers attached to or near the tumor. The system provides real-time feedback on tumor position and motion, enabling reliable and consistent gating decisions. The multi-marker configuration enhances the accuracy and reliability of this feedback, ensuring consistent gating execution that reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissue while maintaining tumor coverage.
3Measurement precision
If markers are placed on multiple planes facing approximately the same direction to be simultaneously viewed by an optical device, then positioning and orientation determination precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging markers on multiple planes (adding a depth dimension) rather than on a single plane. This three-dimensional marker configuration provides the optical detection system with enhanced geometric information for calculating marker position and orientation. The multi-plane arrangement improves measurement precision by providing multiple viewing angles and depth information, while the markers are designed to face approximately the same direction to maintain visibility and simplify the overall system complexity.
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 precise alignment and tracking of the patient's position, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure to healthy tissue and improving the accuracy of radiation therapy by ensuring the radiation beam covers the target tissue effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an optical device, enabling accurate tracking of patient movement and synchronization of radiation delivery with physiological cycles
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A marker system includes a structure having a first surface and a second surface, a first marker located on the first surface, and a second marker located on the second surface, wherein the first marker and the second marker are arranged so that they face approximately a same direction, and so that they can be simultaneously viewed by an optical device, and wherein a first distance between the first marker and the optical device is different from a second distance between the second marker and the optical device when the first and the second markers are simultaneously viewed by the optical device.