Patient Surface Light Field Verification for Radiation Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy systems lack independent verification of the light field projected onto the patient's skin, requiring treatment interruptions for subsequent light field verifications, which disrupt the treatment process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for obtaining a 3D patient surface image and projecting a treatment plan outline onto it, allowing for independent verification of the light field alignment using a 2D image, and controlling the treatment based on positioning information derived from comparing the light field outline and treatment plan outline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual verification of light field is performed for each treatment field, then positioning accuracy is ensured, but treatment time increases due to interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification by automatically capturing images of the light field, comparing it with the treatment plan outline, and determining positioning information without requiring user intervention. The treatment system verifies its own setup accuracy through automated image processing and comparison algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual visual verification process is replaced with an automated optical and computational system. Cameras capture the light field, image processing algorithms extract the light field outline, and computer vision techniques compare it with the treatment plan, substituting human visual inspection with automated optical-mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If user enters treatment room for verification, then light field positioning is confirmed, but treatment continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification by automatically capturing images of the light field, comparing it with the treatment plan outline, and determining positioning information without requiring user intervention. The treatment system verifies its own setup accuracy through automated image processing and comparison algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification process is integrated into the treatment workflow and can be performed continuously or between fields without breaking the treatment sequence. The automated system allows verification to occur while the patient remains in position and without requiring therapist presence in the treatment room, maintaining continuous treatment delivery.
3Productivity
If automated light field verification is implemented, then treatment efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The verification system uses the existing treatment system's own components (light field projection, imaging cameras, image processing capabilities) to perform verification. The same hardware and software infrastructure used for treatment delivery is leveraged for verification purposes, avoiding the need for separate dedicated verification equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-verification by automatically capturing images of the light field, comparing it with the treatment plan outline, and determining positioning information without requiring user intervention. The treatment system verifies its own setup accuracy through automated image processing and comparison algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
At least one example embodiment provides a method including obtaining a first image, the first image including a light field on a patient, the light field being generated by a treatment system; obtaining a treatment plan outline, the treatment plan outline including an area of the patient for a treatment; determining positioning information based on the first image and the treatment plan outline, the positioning information including an indicator of a position of the treatment system with respect to the patient; and controlling the treatment system based on the positioning information.