Radiation Delivery Trajectory Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation treatment methods face challenges in efficiently delivering precise three-dimensional radiation dose distributions to target volumes while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues, particularly for complex target volumes, and there is a need for faster delivery methods to optimize the use of expensive radiation treatment apparatus and reduce treatment time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving iterative optimization of radiation delivery parameters along a trajectory with control points, allowing for varying intensity and shape of the radiation beam, and adding additional control points to refine the dose distribution, coupled with advanced beam-shaping mechanisms like multi-leaf collimators, to achieve a desired dose distribution efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional radiation treatment methods are used to deliver precise three-dimensional radiation dose distributions to complex target volumes, then manufacturing precision of dose distribution is improved, but treatment time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation beam is segmented into multiple beamlets that can be independently controlled in intensity. The multi-leaf collimator divides the beam into discrete segments, allowing precise dose distribution to complex target volumes while maintaining efficient delivery through parallel processing of multiple beamlets simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic multi-leaf collimators that can change the shape and position of beam apertures in real-time during radiation delivery. The leaves move dynamically to adapt the beam configuration to the target geometry, enabling precise dose distribution without requiring multiple static treatment sessions
Solution Approach 3:
The intensity of individual beamlets is varied continuously to optimize dose distribution to complex target volumes. By changing the intensity parameters of different beam segments, the system achieves precise three-dimensional dose conformality while maintaining efficient treatment delivery through optimized beam parameters
2Manufacturing precision
If radiation beams are delivered from multiple directions with adjusted multi-leaf collimator positions to achieve desired dose distribution, then manufacturing precision is improved, but treatment time increases and loss of time worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation delivery system operates continuously with the multi-leaf collimator dynamically adjusting beam shapes during uninterrupted radiation delivery. This eliminates the need for stopping and repositioning between treatment fields, maintaining continuous useful action while achieving precise dose distribution through real-time collimator modulation
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment planning system pre-calculates the optimal sequence of multi-leaf collimator positions and beam intensities before treatment begins. This preliminary optimization of the delivery sequence allows complex dose distributions to be achieved without requiring multiple treatment sessions or prolonged delivery time
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for planning and delivering radiation treatments by modalities which involve moving a radiation source along a trajectory relative to a subject while delivering radiation to the subject. In some embodiments the radiation source is moved continuously along the trajectory while in some embodiments the radiation source is moved intermittently. Some embodiments involve the optimization of the radiation delivery plan to meet various optimization goals while meeting a number of constraints. For each of a number of control points along a trajectory, a radiation delivery plan may comprise: a set of motion axes parameters, a set of beam shape parameters and a beam intensity.