Proton Therapy Dose Planning Under Maximum Field Delivery Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation therapy treatment planning systems do not account for maximum field delivery time, 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 that adjusts treatment plans by selectively modifying proton therapy field characteristics such as energy layers and spot spacing to ensure delivery within a specified threshold time, using a processor to optimize the plan and ensure compliance with maximum treatment delivery time 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 ensure precise dose delivery to the target volume, then the manufacturing precision of radiation dose distribution is improved, but the treatment delivery time increases beyond the maximum threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment plan is segmented into multiple energy layers, where each layer delivers a portion of the total dose. By controlling the number and configuration of these layers, the system achieves precise dose distribution while managing the overall treatment time within the maximum threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The system selectively adjusts spot spacing and energy layer configuration to deliver sufficient dose precision without using the maximum possible number of spots and layers. This partial action approach achieves the required therapeutic effect while keeping treatment delivery time within acceptable limits.
2Manufacturing precision
If the treatment plan delivers the prescribed dose with high precision to the target volume, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the treatment delivery time exceeds the patient's breath-hold capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment plan dynamically adjusts the configuration of energy layers and spot spacing based on the specific clinical requirements and patient constraints. This dynamic optimization ensures that the treatment delivers precise dose distribution while adapting the delivery time to fit within the patient's breath-hold capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters such as the number of energy layers, spot spacing distance, and spots per layer to optimize the balance between dose precision and treatment time. By adjusting these parameters, the treatment plan achieves the required precision while maintaining delivery time within the maximum threshold.
Data Source
AI summary
A proton therapy system may include at least one processor and a memory 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.