3D Patient Positioning With Virtual Isocenter Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient positioning methods for radiation therapy face challenges in maintaining accuracy due to issues such as markings fading, body changes, and requiring longer user familiarization with 3D surface sensing systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a 3D surface acquisition system to capture the patient's body surface, calculate intersection points indicating the radiation device's isocenter, and display these points with their target positions using a visualization system, enabling intuitive and precise patient alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional laser lines and skin markings are used for patient positioning, then the method is simple and intuitive for users, but the markings may wash off or become illegible, making precise positioning impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of laser positioning lines that are overlaid on a 3D digital model of the patient's body surface. These virtual lines are generated by a computing device and displayed through a visualization system, replacing physical skin markings while maintaining the intuitive visual guidance of traditional laser lines. The virtual lines persist as long as needed without washing off or becoming illegible.
2Measurement precision
If 3D surface acquisition systems are used for patient positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved by comparing entire surfaces, but the system requires longer familiarization and learning period for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual laser lines as an intermediary between the complex 3D surface data and the user. Instead of directly interpreting complex 3D surface deviations and calculations, users simply follow the visual guidance of virtual laser lines overlaid on the patient's body model, which intuitively indicate the required positioning adjustments while leveraging the precision of 3D surface acquisition.
3Ease of operation
If only three intersection points are used for patient positioning, then the positioning method remains simple, but accuracy outside the plane of intersection points may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D laser line intersections on the body surface to 3D virtual laser lines embedded in a three-dimensional digital model of the patient's body. This allows the virtual lines to extend throughout the 3D space and provide accurate positioning guidance not only at intersection points but across the entire body surface and volume, including areas outside the original intersection point plane.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for supporting the process of positioning a patient in a treatment room for an irradiation process using an irradiation device, having the steps of: - detecting the current surface of the patient's body in the treatment room using a 3D surface detection system, - calculating at least one point of intersection between at least two lines and the detected surface of the patient's body, said point of intersection indicating the isocenter of the irradiation device, - using a reference surface of the patient's body, said reference surface indicating the target position of the patient's body relative to the isocenter of the irradiation device, in order to calculate a transformation required to produce a match between the detected surface of the patient's body and the reference surface, - determining a target position of the at least one point of intersection with the detected surface of the patient's body, said point of intersection indicating the isocenter of the irradiation device, on the basis of the calculated transformation, and - displaying the at least one point of intersection with the detected surface of the patient's body, said point of intersection indicating the isocenter of the irradiation device, and the target position thereof in a visualization system. The invention additionally relates to a corresponding system.