Multi-purpose Calibration Object for Radiotherapy Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient monitoring systems for radiotherapy require multiple calibration components, such as calibration cubes and plates, which increase costs and complexity, and rely on expensive screen printing for marking creation, necessitating improvements for higher accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose calibration object with a transparent inner portion and opaque outer portion, featuring precision-machined transparent markings and radio-opaque targets, providing high contrast for accurate imaging and eliminating the need for separate calibration components by serving both calibration and tracking purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple calibration components (calibration cubes and plates) are used, then calibration accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple calibration components (calibration cube and calibration plate) into a single integrated calibration object. The calibration object includes a first section with transparent markings for camera calibration and a second section with recesses containing radio-opaque targets for iso-center determination, eliminating the need for separate calibration components while maintaining calibration accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration object serves multiple functions: it provides transparent markings for camera system calibration and tracking, contains radio-opaque targets for iso-center determination, and can be used for both calibration and patient tracking purposes. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system
2Ease of manufacture
If screen printing is used for marking creation, then manufacturing ease is improved, but manufacturing precision and cost-effectiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screen printing process with precision machining to create transparent markings on the calibration object. The markings are formed by removing material through machining operations, which provide superior dimensional accuracy and precision compared to screen printing, while still being manufacturable through standard machining processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate calibration and tracking components are used, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration object integrates both calibration markings and tracking targets into a single physical object. The first section provides transparent markings for calibration and tracking, while the second section contains radio-opaque targets for iso-center determination, allowing both calibration and tracking functions to be performed with one component
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration object is designed to serve multiple purposes: it can be used for camera system calibration, for determining the treatment room iso-center, and for tracking patient or couch position during treatment. This universal application reduces the need for separate specialized components
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
The multi-purpose calibration object enhances calibration accuracy and reduces costs by integrating calibration and tracking functions, offering a more efficient and cost-effective solution for patient monitoring systems, particularly in radiotherapy settings.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent material inner portion and an outer portion substantially covering the transparent material inner portion
Implementation Method 2
radio-opaque targets, to ensure that the targets can be irradiated in a treatment room so that the targets appears on an irradiated image
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-purpose object (100,200,300) for calibrating, monitoring and/or tracking a patient in a treatment system and/or a treatment planning system is described, the multi-purpose object being made of transparent material and defining an internal space having one or more targets, wherein an upper surface (106) is coated (110,130) so as to define a pattern of transparent markings (108). The interior of the multi-purpose object (100,200,300) can be back lit to present a high contrast surface image for a patient treatment, tracking or monitoring system