Proton Therapy Energy Layer Placement for Uniform Tumor Dose
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Proton beam therapy planning faces challenges in achieving uniform radiation distribution within tumors while minimizing the number of beams used, leading to prolonged treatment sessions and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Optimize the placement of energy layers and pencil beam spots by determining distances based on Bragg peak widths and full width half maximum (FWHM) to ensure uniform radiation distribution and reduce the number of beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of proton beams is reduced to lower costs and shorten treatment duration, then treatment efficiency improves, but achieving uniform radiation distribution within the tumor becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment plan segments the tumor into multiple energy layers along the proton field direction, with each layer receiving optimized proton beam irradiation. The segmentation considers the Bragg peak width at each depth, dividing the tumor into zones that can be treated with fewer, more targeted beams while maintaining uniform radiation distribution across the entire tumor volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by adjusting the energy and intensity of proton beams according to the specific characteristics of each energy layer within the tumor. Each layer is treated with customized beam parameters based on its depth and the corresponding Bragg peak properties, ensuring optimal radiation distribution tailored to local tumor characteristics rather than uniform treatment across the entire volume.
2Manufacturing precision
If more proton beams are used to achieve uniform radiation distribution, then radiation uniformity improves, but treatment cost and session duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment planning system performs preliminary calculation and optimization of energy layer positions and beam parameters before actual treatment. By pre-determining the optimal number and configuration of beams based on tumor geometry and Bragg peak characteristics, the system achieves uniform radiation distribution with fewer beams, thereby reducing treatment session duration without compromising radiation uniformity.
3Manufacturing precision
If energy layers are placed closer together to improve radiation uniformity, then radiation distribution improves, but the number of beams and treatment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the spacing between energy layers by changing the parameter of layer separation distance based on the Bragg peak width at each depth. Instead of using fixed or uniformly spaced layers, the system dynamically adjusts the distance between consecutive energy layers according to the physical properties of proton penetration, achieving effective radiation uniformity with a reduced and optimized number of energy layers.
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 achieves uniform radiation distribution within tumors, reduces treatment duration, and decreases the number of beams used, thereby lowering costs and minimizing radiation exposure and side effects.
Implementation Method 1
Proton beams are designed or configured to release the bulk of their radiation energy within the targeted tumor. During treatment planning, a treatment planner can determine parameters of the proton beams to be used to ensure that the bulk of the proton energy is released in the tumor.
Implementation Method 2
The placement of the energy layers, according to embodiments herein, takes into account the variation in shape and energy of the Bragg peaks along the radiation field direction. In particular, any two consecutive energy layers are separated by a distance determined based on the width of the Bragg peak corresponding to one of the two layers.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for proton therapy treatment planning can include a treatment planning system determining positions of a plurality of energy layers across a dimension of a planning target volume (PTV) along a proton field direction, such that each pair of consecutive energy layers are spaced by a distance that is proportional to a width of a Bragg peak corresponding to at least one energy layer of the pair of energy layers. The treatment planning system can generate a proton therapy plan for irradiating the PTV according to the sequence of energy layers.