3D Optical Imaging for Patient Positioning Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient positioning systems in radiological imaging and therapeutic systems fail to accurately account for body deformations, particularly in obese patients and those with compliant breasts, leading to potential misalignment and increased radiation exposure to healthy tissue during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A 3D optical imaging system is integrated with radiographic equipment to automatically recognize patient position and detect scan ranges, using a combination of 3D time of flight cameras and line projectors to create a whole-body surface mesh, which is then calibrated and stitched to ensure precise alignment and dynamic monitoring of patient movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser-based 3D scanning systems are used for patient positioning, then patient alignment can be achieved, but body deformations during transport are not accounted for leading to positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D laser line scanning to 3D time-of-flight camera imaging to capture complete surface geometry. This dimensional upgrade allows the system to detect and compensate for body deformations by comparing pre-transport and post-transport 3D surface maps, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy despite patient movement or posture changes during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary 3D scanning of the patient's body surface before transport to establish a reference map. This pre-acquired geometric data is stored and later compared with post-transport scanning results to detect and correct for any body deformations, ensuring accurate positioning even when the patient's anatomy changes during transport.
2Ease of operation
If traditional laser marking is used for patient positioning, then alignment can be achieved, but it fails to account for body deformations in obese patients and those with compliant breasts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical laser line projection with optical time-of-flight imaging. This substitution enables capture of complete 3D surface geometry rather than just a few laser lines, allowing the system to detect subtle body deformations in obese patients and those with compliant breasts, thereby maintaining positioning precision for difficult-to-position anatomies.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-of-flight camera system serves multiple functions: it captures complete 3D surface geometry, detects body deformations, identifies anatomical landmarks, and guides positioning adjustments. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate positioning tools and procedures with a single comprehensive system that handles diverse patient anatomies effectively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual patient positioning is used, then flexibility can be maintained, but positioning time and potential for error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic 3D scanning, automatic surface mesh generation, automatic landmark detection, and automatic positioning calculation without requiring manual intervention at each step. The computer automatically processes the scanned data and determines optimal patient positioning, reducing both preparation time and human error while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to different positioning protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously compares the patient's actual position (derived from 3D surface scanning) with the desired position (from treatment planning) and provides real-time feedback for adjustment. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables rapid, accurate positioning adjustments without requiring multiple manual measurements or trial-and-error repositioning, significantly reducing preparation time.
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 solution enables accurate and repeatable patient positioning, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue and ensuring that tumors receive the intended dose, while accounting for anatomical changes and deformations, thereby improving the precision of radiological scans and therapeutic treatments.
Implementation Method 1
3D time of flight cameras
Implementation Method 2
line projectors
Data Source
AI summary
A patient positioning system for positioning a patient relative to radiographic equipment. The system includes: a 3D optical imaging system for optically scanning the patient, such 3D optical imaging system having a focal plane and providing, for each position on the object, data representative of the intensity of reflected energy received by the system from such position and data representative of distance from such position on the object to the focal plane; a table apparatus for supporting the patient and for moving the table relative to the radiographic equipment in response to positioning signals; and a processor responsive to data from the radiographic equipment and the data from the a 3D optical imaging system for producing the positioning signals. The system enables a method for displaying temporal changes in a patient positioned with a bore of radiographic equipment