Proton Beam Current Optimization for Treatment Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current proton and ion therapy methods are inefficient in minimizing treatment time, particularly for moving targets or those requiring breath-hold techniques, as they fail to account for exposure durations and sequences during treatment planning, leading to suboptimal irradiation of target volumes.
Innovation Solution
An algorithm adjusts beam currents and the number of protons or ions per time segment based on treatment plans and machine limitations, optimizing treatment time by considering exposure durations and sequences, and specifying beam currents for each spot and layer to ensure rapid and effective irradiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional proton therapy methods are used, then treatment can be delivered with adequate dose conformity, but treatment time is excessively long for moving targets or breath-hold techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam current adjustable and variable during treatment delivery. The system transitions from static, fixed beam currents to dynamic, adaptable beam currents that can be modified in real-time based on treatment progress and machine capabilities, enabling faster delivery while maintaining dose accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by optimizing and adjusting beam current parameters within machine limitations. By calculating and applying optimal beam currents for each spot and layer, the system achieves faster treatment delivery without compromising the prescribed dose, directly addressing the time-conformity contradiction
2Productivity
If beam current is increased to reduce treatment time, then treatment speed improves, but machine limitations and dose monitoring accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by incorporating machine limitations and dose monitoring capabilities into the beam current optimization process. The system calculates optimal beam currents that respect upper and lower limits imposed by machine hardware and monitoring accuracy, ensuring that speed improvements do not compromise reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beam currents within safe operational boundaries defined by machine limitations. This allows the system to operate at optimal speeds while maintaining reliability through real-time adherence to monitored parameters and machine capabilities
3Device complexity
If treatment plan does not account for exposure durations and sequences, then planning is simpler, but treatment time cannot be minimized for moving targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and determining optimal beam currents and exposure durations before treatment delivery. The system performs advance optimization computations that account for machine limitations and treatment objectives, enabling time-minimized delivery without requiring complex real-time adjustments during treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the treatment plan into discrete spots and layers, calculating optimal beam currents for each segment individually. This segmentation allows the system to optimize exposure duration and sequence for each element while maintaining overall treatment efficiency, addressing both planning simplicity and time minimization
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for faster and more precise radiation delivery, minimizing treatment time while maintaining efficacy and safety, even for moving targets, by optimizing beam parameters and sequences according to machine limitations and patient-specific factors.
Implementation Method 1
Since the particles increasingly lose energy on their path through the tissue, and since the rate of energy loss is higher with decreasing energy of the particles, the particles lose most of their energy at or toward the end of their path through the matter of the tissue, right before they stop. The high energy deposition loss of charged particles at the end of their travel path through the matter of the tissue is called the 'Bragg Peak.'
Implementation Method 2
On their path through the tissue the particles interact with the matter of the tissue and lose energy to the matter of the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving treatment information relating to a treatment plan for proton- or ion-beam therapy intended to irradiate a target tissue; receiving machine-limitation information relating to one or more limitations of one or more machines involved in the proton- or ion-beam therapy; determining a time-optimized beam current for a proton or ion beam based on the treatment information and the machine-limitation information, wherein the time-optimized beam current minimizes the time required to deliver a required quantity of monitor units to one of a plurality of spots, wherein each of the plurality of spots is a particular area of the target tissue; and delivering the time-optimized beam current to the particular area.