Optical Surface Guidance for Radiation Therapy Replanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy methods fail to accurately deliver treatment due to anatomical changes in patients during the treatment period, potentially causing damage to peripheral organs or tissues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using an optical camera to obtain surface data of a patient before a treatment fraction, comparing it with historical anatomical images to determine if a new image is needed for accurate radiation therapy planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radiation therapy is delivered according to the initial anatomical image and treatment plan, then the treatment can be delivered efficiently without repeated imaging, but the radiation may not be delivered to the target accurately and may cause damage to peripheral organs or tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary surface scanning and comparison with historical anatomical images before radiation delivery to detect anatomical changes. This preliminary action allows the system to determine whether replanning is needed, thereby maintaining treatment efficiency while ensuring targeting accuracy through advance detection of changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop by continuously comparing current surface data with historical anatomical images and treatment plans. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of anatomical changes and triggers appropriate responses (replanning or continuation of current plan), thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If anatomical images are rescanned frequently to ensure accurate radiation delivery, then the targeting accuracy is improved, but the treatment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses optical surface scanning to create a copy of the patient's current surface geometry and compares it with historical anatomical images. This copying approach provides accurate anatomical information without requiring full CT rescan, thus maintaining targeting accuracy while reducing treatment time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing complete anatomical rescanning, the system applies partial action by only scanning the surface geometry and comparing critical regions. This selective approach ensures sufficient accuracy for radiation delivery while minimizing the time and complexity associated with full rescan procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If the treatment plan is updated frequently based on anatomical changes, then the treatment accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the treatment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a structured feedback mechanism that automatically compares current surface data with historical images and determines whether replanning is necessary. This feedback-driven approach maintains treatment accuracy while managing complexity through automated decision-making rather than manual reassessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment by automatically comparing anatomical changes and determining whether treatment plan updates are needed. This self-service capability reduces the complexity burden on clinicians while maintaining high treatment accuracy through systematic automated evaluation.
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
Ensures accurate radiation delivery by identifying the need for reshot anatomical images, reducing the risk of damage to peripheral tissues and organs.
Implementation Method 1
obtain first surface data of a target object to be treated by using an optical camera
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for radiation therapy guidance. The method may include obtain first surface data of a target object to be treated by using an optical camera, wherein the first surface data may reflect the body surface condition of the target object before a treatment fraction; obtain a historical anatomical image of the target object; and determine whether an anatomical image of the target object needs to be reshot for the treatment fraction based on the historical anatomical image and the first surface data.