Plasma-Guided Dose Control for Accurate BNCT Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation oncology systems, such as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) systems, inaccurately estimate the dose rate due to not considering the patient's drug concentration in plasma, leading to potential underestimation or overestimation of the delivered dose.
Innovation Solution
A dose control system that calculates the dose rate and irradiation time by obtaining real drug concentrations in plasma, using correction coefficients based on reference drug concentrations and dose rate distributions, and controlling the irradiation device accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the dose rate is estimated without considering real drug concentration in plasma, then the calculation process is simple, but the dose delivery accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the real drug concentration in plasma and uses this feedback to correct the dose rate calculation. The correction coefficient is determined based on the measured drug concentration, creating a closed-loop control system that adjusts the irradiation parameters in real-time to achieve accurate dose delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the calculation parameters from fixed theoretical values to dynamic values based on measured drug concentration. By introducing correction coefficients that vary with drug concentration levels, the system adapts the dose rate calculation to reflect actual physiological conditions, thereby improving accuracy without requiring complete redesign of the calculation framework.
2Ease of operation
If the dose rate is estimated assuming a specific theoretical drug concentration, then the system operation is simple, but the reliability of dose delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of drug concentration in plasma before dose delivery. By obtaining the actual drug concentration level in advance, the system can determine the appropriate correction coefficient and adjust irradiation parameters beforehand, ensuring reliable dose delivery while maintaining straightforward operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction coefficient acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between theoretical dose calculations and actual physiological conditions. This intermediary parameter translates measured drug concentration into adjusted irradiation settings, allowing the system to maintain simple operation while achieving reliable dose delivery through the mediating correction factor.
3Measurement precision
If correction coefficients are generated based on multiple reference drug concentrations and dose rate distributions, then the dose rate calculation accuracy is improved, but the data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary generation of correction coefficients based on multiple reference drug concentrations and corresponding dose rate distributions. By pre-calculating and storing these correction coefficients for various drug concentration levels, the system reduces real-time computational complexity while maintaining high accuracy in dose rate calculations during actual irradiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a set of discrete reference drug concentrations and pre-computed correction coefficients rather than performing continuous real-time calculations. This partial approach, where correction coefficients are prepared in advance for specific concentration levels, reduces processing complexity while providing sufficiently accurate dose rate calculations for clinical application.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dose control system, including a processing device configured to obtain the real drug concentration in plasma of a patient. The processing device is further configured to calculate the corrected dose rate distribution datum based on the real drug concentration in plasma and a set of correction coefficients. The processing device is further configured to calculate the irradiation time based on the corrected dose rate distribution datum and the prescribed dose distribution datum. The processing device is further configured to control an irradiation device to irradiate the patient for the irradiation time.