Pulsed Radiotherapy System with Real-Time Imaging Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapy systems face challenges in accurately monitoring the position of the target region during treatment due to the wide beams and low dose per pulse delivered by radio frequency accelerators, which limits the feasibility of real-time imaging and feedback control.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapy system incorporating a pulsed radiation source capable of delivering radiation pulses shorter than 1 ms, an imaging system with time resolution better than 200 ms, and a synchronization system to synchronize the radiation source and imaging system within a time jitter shorter than 200 ms, allowing for precise monitoring and adjustment of the treatment plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If radio frequency accelerators are used to deliver radiation, then treatment can be performed with available technology, but the dose per pulse is low (0.1-1 mGy) and beams are wide (10×10 cm²), making real-time imaging infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of radiation delivery by using pulsed radiation sources that deliver high dose per pulse (at least 50 mGy at 1 cm depth) with pulse durations shorter than 1 ms. This parameter change enables real-time imaging capability while maintaining treatment effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between dose delivery and imaging feasibility.
2Duration of action of moving object
If treatments are performed with radio frequency accelerators delivering low dose per pulse, then treatment can be completed, but treatment duration is long (several minutes), allowing target region movement due to patient breathing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed radiation delivery with pulse durations shorter than 1 ms, where each pulse delivers a high dose (at least 50 mGy at 1 cm depth). This periodic high-dose pulsing reduces total treatment time to a fraction of a second, freezing target region motion and enabling precise position monitoring throughout treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system that uses real-time imaging (with time resolution better than 200 ms) to monitor target region position during treatment. The system synchronizes imaging with radiation pulses (time jitter shorter than 200 ms) and uses the imaging data to adjust subsequent pulses, ensuring accurate dose delivery despite any target motion.
3Measurement precision
If radiography is performed at each irradiation step with radio frequency accelerators, then target position can be monitored, but additional dose is delivered to the patient and the high number of pulses required makes it infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the imaging function from the radiation therapy process by using a separate synchronized imaging system. This allows position monitoring without requiring additional therapeutic radiation pulses, as the imaging system operates independently but in sync with the high-dose pulses, eliminating the harmful effect of additional radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a synchronized imaging system as an intermediary between the pulsed radiation source and the control system. This intermediary provides real-time target position information with time resolution better than 200 ms, enabling accurate monitoring without the need for additional radiographic pulses that would increase patient dose.
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 system enables high-precision radiotherapy by delivering a high dose per pulse, allowing for real-time imaging and position monitoring of the target region, leading to improved treatment efficacy and reduced exposure to surrounding tissues.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pulsed radiation source for delivering radiation pulses shorter than 1 ms
Implementation Method 2
at least one synchronization system for synchronizing said pulsed radiation source and said imaging system within a time jitter shorter than 200 ms
Data Source
AI summary
A radiotherapy system comprising at least one pulsed radiation source, at least one imaging system, a control system, and a synchronization system is disclosed. The pulsed radiation source deposits high dose radiation pulses to a target region inside the patient; simultaneously the imaging system is used to monitor the target region, synchronized by the synchronization system. The dose per radiation pulse is high enough to deposit, within few pulses, 1 Gy at a depth of at least 1 cm in water. At each irradiation time step, the pulsed radiation source delivers short pulses of radiation (<1 ms) and the imaging system performs a snapshot of the position, and eventually the shape, of the target region during the irradiation time, with a time resolution better than 200 ms. Being both the pulsed radiation source and imaging system synchronized by the synchronization system with less than 200 ms jitter, this system allows for very precise reconstruction of the map of the dose deposited into the target region.