Particle Irradiation Plan Optimization for Dose Distribution and Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
In particle therapy, existing methods fail to efficiently optimize irradiation plans to minimize irradiation time while maintaining high-quality dose distribution, leading to prolonged patient exposure and suboptimal treatment efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to determine an irradiation plan that balances dose distribution quality and irradiation time by using an optimization method incorporating terms for evaluating dose distribution and irradiation time, which includes calculating the number of spills and intensity levels to minimize total irradiation time, and accounting for the efficiency factor of the particle irradiation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of spills and intensity levels is increased to improve dose distribution quality, then the manufacturing precision of dose distribution is improved, but the irradiation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the number of spills and intensity levels to find the optimal configuration that achieves the desired dose distribution quality while minimizing irradiation time. The optimization method evaluates different parameter combinations to identify the best trade-off between dose distribution precision and treatment duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using an optimization method that adaptively adjusts the irradiation plan parameters based on the specific characteristics of the target volume and dose distribution requirements. The system dynamically determines the optimal number of spills and intensity levels rather than using fixed predetermined values, allowing the plan to adapt to different treatment scenarios.
2Productivity
If the irradiation time is reduced to improve patient penetration and treatment efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the quality of dose distribution may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to optimize the relationship between irradiation time and dose distribution quality. By adjusting parameters such as the number of spills and intensity levels, the system finds the minimum time required to achieve acceptable dose distribution quality, thereby improving treatment efficiency without compromising therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by determining that not all possible spills and intensity levels are necessary to achieve the desired dose distribution. The optimization method identifies the sufficient minimum number of spills and intensity levels required, avoiding excessive irradiation steps that would unnecessarily prolong treatment time while still meeting dose distribution quality requirements.
3Loss of time
If the number of spills is reduced to minimize irradiation time, then the loss of time is reduced, but the ability to achieve desired dose distribution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by determining the minimum necessary number of spills required to achieve the desired dose distribution within tolerance limits. The optimization method evaluates dose distribution quality at each spill level and stops when the prescribed dose is achieved, avoiding unnecessary additional spills that would increase irradiation time without providing significant therapeutic benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the optimization method that continuously evaluates the dose distribution quality during plan determination. The system monitors whether the prescribed dose is being achieved and adjusts the number of spills accordingly, ensuring that the minimum necessary spills are used while maintaining compliance with dose distribution requirements and tolerance limits.
Data Source
AI summary
The device relates to a method and a device (10) for determining an irradiation plan for a particle irradiation unit (20). In the method, a target volume (6) within a test object (14; 18) is irradiated with a particle beam (16) using the particle irradiation unit (20) according to the irradiation plan. The radiation plan is determined in order to apply the energy of the particle beam (16) according to a predetermined dose distribution in the target volume (6), the target volume (6) and the predetermined dose distribution being pre-set. When determining the irradiation plan, irradiation duration is also taken into account, the irradiation plan being determined such that the irradiation duration is as short as possible.