Patient Positioning via Projection Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation treatment systems face challenges in accurately positioning patients due to algorithms that can only make fine adjustments, requiring manual alignment by users, which is complex and requires understanding three-dimensional movements from two-dimensional projections.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that display projection images alongside synthetic images, allowing users to adjust positions using a user interface device, enabling the treatment couch to be moved based on these adjustments to align the patient with the imaging center, without requiring knowledge of geometric translations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic alignment algorithms are used to position the patient, then the positioning process is automated, but the algorithms can only make fine adjustments and fail when the initial position is too far from the imaging center
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary coarse alignment by displaying two-dimensional projection images and allowing users to adjust their position before the automatic fine-tuning algorithm is applied. This preliminary action brings the patient into the acceptable range for algorithm-based fine adjustments, resolving the contradiction between automation and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of projection images is required to align with synthetic images, then alignment accuracy can be achieved, but the operation becomes complex and requires understanding of three-dimensional movements from two-dimensional projections
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a simplified two-dimensional copy (projection image) of the three-dimensional patient anatomy and displays it overlaid with the synthetic image. Users adjust the two-dimensional copy to align with the target, which automatically translates to the correct three-dimensional couch position. This copying approach maintains alignment accuracy while dramatically simplifying user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the complex mechanical mental transformation required by users (visualizing 3D movements from 2D projections) with an automated computational system that performs the coordinate transformation. Users simply drag the 2D image to align, and the system automatically calculates and executes the corresponding 3D couch movements, substituting complex mechanical reasoning with automated software processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for positioning a patient for radiation treatment are described. The method includes obtaining a plurality of projection images of a patient positioned on a treatment couch, displaying at least one of the plurality of projection images with a corresponding synthetic projection image on a display, adjusting the position of the at least one projection image on the display to approximately align with the corresponding synthetic projection image in response to a user dragging the at least one projection image on the display with a user interface device, and moving the treatment couch to position the patient based on position adjustments of the at least one projection image.