Radiation Device Calibration Using Imaging Offset Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation device calibration methods are slow, inaccurate, and rely on external hardware or subjective human decisions, making precise targeting of radiation beams challenging in radiotherapy.
Innovation Solution
A method using a computing device to obtain images at various source-to-image distances, determine projection positions of the collimator and radiation beam axes, calculate offset distances, and adjust the radiation device to align these axes, thereby facilitating precise calibration without external hardware or human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current radiation device calibration methods are used, then calibration can be performed, but the process is slow and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical calibration methods (water tank, external hardware) with an automated imaging-based system. The computing device captures images through the collimator, processes them to determine offset distances, and calculates alignment deviations automatically, eliminating manual mechanical adjustment procedures and significantly improving both speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by using its own imaging capability to detect alignment deviations. The computing device processes images taken through the collimator to determine the offset between the collimator axis and radiation beam axis, enabling the device to self-correct without external calibration equipment or subjective human judgment.
2Reliability
If external hardware (e.g., water tank) is used for calibration, then calibration can be performed, but the process becomes complex and requires subjective human decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for external calibration hardware (water tank, phantom, etc.) by using the imaging device already present in the radiation system. The computing device processes images taken through the collimator to determine alignment, removing complex external equipment and subjective human decision-making from the calibration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device serves dual purposes: it functions as both the diagnostic/imaging tool and the calibration reference instrument. By using the same imaging device to capture both the radiation beam image and the collimator image, the system eliminates the need for separate calibration equipment, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If manual calibration procedures are used, then calibration can be performed, but the process is slow and relies on subjective human decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback by capturing images, processing them to determine offset distances between the collimator axis and radiation beam axis, and using this information to calculate alignment deviations. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual measurement and subjective judgment, improving both operational simplicity and calibration efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary that automates the calibration process. It receives images from the imaging device, processes the image data to determine projection positions and offset distances, and calculates alignment deviations, replacing manual human operations with automated computational processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for calibrating a radiation device. The method includes obtaining a plurality of images acquired at each of at least one source-to-image distance (SID) by the imaging device. The method includes determining, based on the plurality of images, at least one first projection position of a first axis of the collimator on the imaging device and at least one second projection position of a second axis of the radiation beam on the imaging device. The method includes determining, based on the at least one first projection position and the at least one second projection position, at least one offset distance between the first projection position and the second projection position. The method includes determining whether to calibrate the radiation device by comparing the at least one offset distance with a threshold.