Proton Therapy Beam Queue Visualization and Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional proton therapy beam-sharing systems are inefficient and uncertain, requiring manual monitoring and communication, leading to delays and human errors due to limited visibility and lack of automation in beam allocation.

Innovation Solution

A control system with a user interface that visualizes the proton therapy beam queue, allowing users to request and prioritize beam usage, estimate wait times, and cancel requests, with automated beam allocation to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a centralized automated beam-sharing system is implemented, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam allocation efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized control system that acts as an intermediary between multiple treatment rooms and the cyclotron. This control system manages beam requests, maintains a queue, and automatically allocates beam time based on priority and availability. The intermediary handles all communication and coordination, eliminating the need for manual engineer intervention while improving overall system efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual monitoring and communication is used for beam allocation, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidbeam allocation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system enables treatment rooms to self-service by automatically submitting beam requests and receiving allocation decisions without manual engineer intervention. The system autonomously monitors the queue, determines beam availability, and grants access based on pre-established priority rules. This self-service mechanism eliminates communication delays and human error while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If limited visibility information is provided in beam-sharing systems, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information and user awareness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidbeam queue visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements comprehensive feedback by providing real-time visibility into the beam queue status, current beam allocation, and estimated wait times to all treatment rooms. The interface displays detailed information about which rooms are using the beam, what requests are pending, and when beam time will be available. This feedback mechanism informs users without significantly increasing system complexity, enabling better planning and reduced waiting uncertainty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10493300B2Proton therapy beam-sharing panel display and controls

Publication Date: 2019.12.03 VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are described herein to provide a user-interface to visualize and control a beam request panel for requesting allocation of usage of a shared therapy beam. The user interface allows a user to visualize a beam request queue, to request the shared therapy beam for treatment, to estimate when a beam request will be fulfilled, and to cancel a beam request if needed.