3D Optical Patient Positioning for Particle Beam Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy systems face challenges in accurately positioning patients for particle beam therapy without exposing them to unwanted X-ray radiation during pre-irradiation periods, as current methods rely on X-ray radiography to detect patient displacement.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional image capture system using a 3D measuring device on the patient support table to generate image data without X-rays, combined with a processing device that correlates this data to a reference coordinate system, allowing for the display of consolidated three-dimensional images to detect patient displacement without X-ray exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray radiography is used to detect patient displacement, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to unwanted X-ray exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the X-ray radiography system with an optical three-dimensional measuring device (camera system). The optical system captures images of the patient's body surface and uses image processing to detect displacement, thereby eliminating harmful X-ray exposure while maintaining measurement precision through sophisticated optical and computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a three-dimensional measuring device as an intermediary between the patient and the detection system. This device uses optical fields instead of X-rays to capture patient position information, processing the optical data through coordinate system transformations to achieve accurate displacement detection without direct X-ray exposure to the patient
2Object-affected harmful factors
If three-dimensional image capture system is used to detect patient displacement, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced by avoiding X-ray exposure, but device complexity increases due to coordinate system transformation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional-image processing device is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing patient images, transforming coordinates between different reference frames, detecting displacement, and generating visual feedback. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual three-dimensional model of the patient's body surface by capturing optical images and transforming them into a standardized coordinate system. This virtual copy allows for accurate displacement measurement without physically moving or exposing the patient to harmful radiation, managing complexity through digital representation rather than physical intervention
Data Source
AI summary
According to a three-dimensional image capture system of the invention, it includes a three-dimensional measuring device that is placed on a top board and performs image-capturing of a patient to thereby generate three-dimensional-image data, and a three-dimensional-image processing device that generates from the three-dimensional-image data, a three-dimensional image associated with a reference coordinate system with reference to the top board or a floor of a room, and that displays the three-dimensional image. The three-dimensional-image processing device includes a position-information extraction unit that takes a correlation between the reference coordinate system and three-dimensional position information of the patient in the three-dimensional-image data to thereby generate reference-coordinate-system position information of the patient based on the reference coordinate system, and a display unit that displays the three-dimensional image, wherein the display unit displays a reference image and an observed image that are the three-dimensional images captured at different timings.