Particle Therapy Energy Layer Spacing for Faster Precise Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle therapy treatment plans are constrained by fixed, uniform energy layer spacing, leading to a trade-off between treatment quality and delivery time/complexity, with traditional methods compromising either accuracy or efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating particle therapy treatment plans using non-uniform energy layer spacing, optimized through an objective function that penalizes or rewards adherence to clinical goals, allowing for dynamic adjustment of layer spacing to balance precision and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If uniform energy layer spacing is used, then treatment delivery is simplified and faster, but treatment accuracy and precision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform energy layer spacing to non-uniform spacing, where the spacing varies locally based on the specific treatment requirements. Different regions of the treatment plan can have different layer spacings - finer spacing in regions requiring high precision and coarser spacing in regions where faster delivery is prioritized, thus optimizing both accuracy and productivity simultaneously
2Measurement precision
If smaller energy layer spacing is used, then treatment precision and accuracy are improved, but treatment complexity and delivery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by allowing different energy layer spacings in different regions of the treatment plan. Instead of applying a single uniform spacing throughout, the optimization process determines the optimal local spacing for each region based on the dose distribution requirements, thereby achieving high precision where needed without unnecessarily increasing complexity everywhere
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the energy layer spacing variable rather than fixed. The spacing dynamically adapts to the specific treatment objectives and patient geometry through the optimization process, allowing the system to adjust the number and distribution of energy layers based on the actual treatment requirements rather than using a predetermined uniform scheme
3Device complexity
If larger energy layer spacing is used, then delivery time and plan complexity are reduced, but treatment quality and accuracy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by allowing different energy layer spacings in different regions of the treatment plan. Instead of applying a single uniform spacing throughout, the optimization process determines the optimal local spacing for each region based on the dose distribution requirements, thereby achieving high precision where needed without unnecessarily increasing complexity everywhere
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 method results in improved treatment efficiency and accuracy by reducing delivery time and complexity while maintaining precise tumor targeting, adapting to individual patient geometry for optimized treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
reference is made to the well-known concept of a Bragg-peak in particle therapy, where the particles in a particle beam deposit a substantial proportion of their energy at the Bragg peak, just before the end of the particle's trajectory
Implementation Method 2
Particle therapy with protons or other charged particles is a type of radiotherapy that uses an external beam to provide targeted ionising radiation to a tumour
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a method (600) of computer-assisted particle therapy treatment planning comprising generating a treatment plan that uses non-uniform energy layer spacing (550). The treatment plan may be optimised using an objective function that permits non-uniform energy layer spacing (550) in the generated treatment plan. The objective function may comprise a cost function with terms that penalise deviation from clinical goals, and said optimisation may comprise minimising the cost function; and the objective function may contain a penalty term that guides the optimisation of the treatment plan to provide non-uniform energy layer (550) spacing in the generated treatment plan.