Proton Therapy Dose Planning Under Maximum Field Delivery Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation therapy treatment planning systems do not consider maximum field delivery time as a requirement, which can be critical for patients who cannot hold their breath for extended periods, leading to potential treatment delays.
Innovation Solution
A proton therapy system and method that adjust treatment plans by selectively modifying proton therapy field characteristics, such as energy layers and spot spacing, to ensure delivery within a specified threshold time, optimizing the treatment plan to meet both clinical goals and delivery constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the treatment plan uses detailed proton therapy field characteristics (multiple energy layers and fine spot spacing) to achieve precise dose delivery to the target volume, then the manufacturing precision of the treatment is improved, but the treatment delivery time increases beyond the threshold maximum time
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively adjusting proton therapy field characteristics based on delivery time constraints. When the calculated delivery time exceeds the threshold, the system modifies energy layer parameters and spot spacing to reduce delivery time while maintaining sufficient dosimetric quality, rather than applying full detail to all cases
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the treatment plan including energy layer thickness, number of energy layers, and spot spacing. By adjusting these parameters iteratively, the system finds an optimal balance between delivery time and dose precision, modifying the treatment plan when delivery time exceeds the threshold maximum time
2Reliability
If the treatment plan delivers comprehensive proton therapy to the target volume with optimal dose distribution, then the reliability of treatment effectiveness is improved, but the treatment delivery time exceeds the threshold maximum time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by calculating the delivery time for the initial treatment plan and comparing it against the threshold maximum time. When the delivery time exceeds the threshold, the system automatically adjusts field characteristics and recalculates, creating a closed-loop process that ensures both effectiveness and time compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment plan parameters are made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts energy layer and spot spacing parameters based on real-time calculation of delivery time, allowing the plan to adapt to delivery constraints while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Data Source
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AI summary
A proton therapy system 1000 may include at least one processor 102 and a memory 104 storing computer executable instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to selectively adjust a treatment plan for proton therapy treatment of a target volume based on a treatment delivery time for the treatment plan and a threshold maximum treatment delivery time, the treatment plan at least prescribing proton therapy field characteristics for treatment of the target volume.