Patient Self-Adjustment via Real-Time Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The precision of radiation therapy is compromised due to patient movement and accumulated mechanical errors from frequent adjustments of the treatment couch during radiation therapy, as existing systems rely on constant couch movement to maintain positioning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a position tracking system to monitor a positioning marker in real-time, providing position adjustment information to the patient through display and/or voice prompts, allowing them to adjust their position independently, thereby reducing the need for constant couch movement and minimizing mechanical errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the treatment couch is frequently adjusted to maintain positioning accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but mechanical errors accumulate and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patient is empowered to self-adjust their position on the treatment couch based on real-time feedback from the position tracking system. The system displays position deviation information to the patient, who then autonomously makes position corrections without requiring operator intervention or couch movement, thereby eliminating mechanical error accumulation while maintaining positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously tracks the patient's position using markers and imaging systems, compares real-time position with the planned position, and provides visual feedback to the patient showing the deviation. This closed-loop feedback enables the patient to make precise self-corrections without requiring frequent couch adjustments, thus maintaining positioning accuracy while avoiding mechanical error accumulation
2Measurement precision
If the treatment couch is moved frequently to correct positioning, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but treatment time increases due to adjustment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patient independently monitors and corrects their own position using the visual feedback provided by the system, eliminating the need for operator-initiated couch adjustments. This self-service approach allows immediate position corrections without interrupting the treatment workflow, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while minimizing treatment time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The position tracking and feedback system operates continuously throughout the treatment session, enabling real-time position monitoring and immediate patient self-correction. This continuous operation eliminates the need for intermittent couch adjustment operations, maintaining positioning accuracy while ensuring uninterrupted treatment delivery and reducing overall treatment time
3Measurement precision
If real-time position monitoring is implemented, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visual markers placed on the patient's body as intermediaries to represent and track the patient's position. These markers are detected by imaging systems, and their positions are processed to generate feedback information displayed to the patient. This intermediary approach enables precise position monitoring through simple, well-established imaging techniques without requiring complex direct measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual representation (copy) of the patient's actual position relative to the planned position and displays it to the patient. This visual copy allows the patient to understand their position deviation and make appropriate corrections without requiring complex direct intervention systems, thereby achieving high positioning precision through relatively simple display and feedback mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a position, including: acquiring a real-time position of a positioning marker preset at an affected part; acquiring a reference position of the positioning marker; and outputting position adjustment information, by means of a display and/or a voice, based on the real-time position and the reference position. The position adjustment information is configured to prompt a patient to adjust his/her position.