Patient Positioning Using 3D Collision-Avoidance Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning methods for energy-based treatments, such as radiation therapy, rely heavily on clinical experience and do not adequately address potential needs for all patients and application settings, leading to poor positioning that can limit beam arrangements, irradiation directions, and increase the risk of patient-machinery collisions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize stored patient surface and geometry information to generate a patient-position solution, presented via a user interface, to avoid collisions during treatment, incorporating three-dimensional modeling and automated optimization to guide precise patient positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient is positioned on an examination table for MRI or CT scanning, then the imaging procedure can be performed, but the patient may experience discomfort or injury due to prolonged immobilization in fixed positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the position of examination table sections (backrest, leg rest, foot rest) to optimize patient comfort during imaging procedures. The controller modifies table parameters based on patient size, imaging protocol requirements, and comfort criteria, allowing the table configuration to change over time rather than remaining fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The examination table transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system with multiple independently controllable sections. The backrest, leg rest, and foot rest can be positioned at different angles and heights, allowing real-time adaptation to patient needs during the imaging procedure while maintaining imaging quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the examination table is designed with multiple adjustable sections to improve patient comfort, then patient comfort and safety are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The examination table is designed with multi-functional sections that can perform multiple operations. Each section (backrest, leg rest, foot rest) can be independently adjusted for different imaging modalities and patient requirements, allowing a single device to serve various positioning needs without requiring multiple specialized tables.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller receives information about patient characteristics and imaging requirements, then automatically adjusts table positions accordingly. This closed-loop control reduces the need for manual intervention and simplifies operation despite the increased number of adjustable parameters.
3Manufacturing precision
If the examination table sections are moved independently to optimize positioning, then patient comfort and imaging quality are improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-calculates optimal positioning parameters for each table section based on patient measurements and imaging protocol requirements before the procedure begins. This preliminary positioning planning reduces the complexity of real-time control adjustments during the imaging procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into independent control modules for each table section (backrest, leg rest, foot rest), allowing each section to be controlled and adjusted independently. This modular control approach simplifies the overall control architecture despite the increased number of controlled elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
These teachings provide for accessing (201) stored patient surface information for a given patient and geometry information for a patient support setting. These teachings then provide for generating (202) a patient-position solution that will avoid collisions during a subsequent administration of radiation treatment as a function, at least in part, of that patient service information and the geometry information. That patient-position solution is presented (203) via a user interface in conjunction with conducting at least one simulation scan of the given patient using the patient support setting. To avoid collisions, these teachings will also support an option to modify the treatment plan rather than the patient position using the patient image model shown in the user interface.