Optical Tracking Position Detection for Radiotherapy Couch Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
During radiotherapy, patient movements due to inadequate fixation by the fixing apparatus can lead to deviations in the alignment of the treatment beam and the target, affecting the accuracy of the treatment and potentially damaging normal tissues.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapy system that includes a treatment couch, a positioning apparatus with mark reference points, an optical tracking system, and a computer, which detects the relative position between mark points on the patient's body and the reference points, determines deviations, and adjusts the treatment couch position to maintain alignment, using an optical detection module with infrared detectors and an image-guided radiotherapy system to ensure precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixing apparatus is used to secure the patient on the treatment couch, then patient stability is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate due to tight constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through an optical tracking system that continuously monitors the patient's position relative to the treatment beam. Markers attached to the patient and reference markers on the positioning apparatus enable the system to detect deviations and provide feedback signals to adjust the treatment couch position, maintaining alignment without requiring excessive fixation force
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical fixation systems with an optoelectronic monitoring and control system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical restraints to prevent movement, the system uses optical detectors, cameras, and computer-controlled couch adjustment to maintain patient positioning, reducing the need for tight mechanical fixation
2Measurement precision
If the optical tracking system continuously monitors patient position, then treatment accuracy is improved, but system complexity and detection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into discrete modular components: separate marking apparatus attached to the patient, reference markers on the positioning apparatus, optical detectors, cameras, and computer control systems. Each component performs a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces markers as intermediary elements that facilitate position detection. These markers serve as mediators between the patient's body and the optical tracking system, enabling non-contact, high-precision measurement of patient position and movement without requiring direct physical measurement of anatomical landmarks
3Manufacturing precision
If the treatment couch is adjusted frequently to maintain alignment, then treatment precision is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring and adjustment capability during the entire treatment process. The optical tracking system operates continuously to detect patient position, and the computer-controlled couch can make real-time adjustments without interrupting the treatment beam, maintaining continuous alignment correction throughout the treatment duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary positioning by attaching markers to the patient's body and establishing the initial relative position between patient markers and reference markers before treatment begins. This preliminary setup enables the feedback system to quickly detect deviations and make minor adjustments during treatment, rather than requiring frequent major repositioning
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 system effectively prevents patient movements from affecting treatment accuracy, ensuring that the treatment beam aligns correctly with the target, thereby improving the precision of radiotherapy and protecting normal tissues from radiation.
Implementation Method 1
the optical detection module includes at least one infrared detector, and each of the infrared detector includes an infrared emitter and a binocular camera
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for position detection, and a radiotherapy system are provided. The radiotherapy system includes: a treatment couch, a positioning apparatus, an optical tracking system and a computer; the positioning apparatus disposed on the treatment couch, and at least one reference point provided on the positioning apparatus; the optical tracking system disposed above the treatment couch and configured to detect relative positioning between a mark point set on a treated part of a patient and the reference point, determine deviation between the relative and reference positions, and send the deviation to the computer. The computer is configured to determine whether to adjust a position of the treatment couch based on the deviation and deviation range. The system provided by the present disclosure avoids the influence of patient movement on the accuracy of treatment, and prevents a treatment beam from damaging normal tissues of the patient.