Radiation Therapy System with Scattered Radiation Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation treatment systems for tumors, such as Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR), are tedious and time-consuming due to the need for continuous verification of the tumor's position during treatment, which is crucial for precise delivery of high radiation doses, especially in cases like lung cancer where early detection and treatment are critical.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an array of radiation detectors to acquire 2-dimensional projection datasets of scattered radiation, which are then processed to generate 3-dimensional images in real-time, allowing for continuous monitoring of the tumor's position relative to the radiation beam and enabling precise repositioning to maintain accurate delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If continuous verification of tumor position is performed during radiation treatment, then treatment precision is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous imaging during radiation treatment delivery, eliminating interruptions for verification. The imaging system operates concurrently with radiation delivery, providing real-time position verification without stopping the treatment beam, thus maintaining both precision and continuity of treatment delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an imaging system as an intermediary component that enables non-intrusive position verification. This intermediary allows the treatment process to continue uninterrupted while providing real-time feedback on tumor position through scattered radiation imaging, resolving the conflict between verification needs and treatment continuity
2Measurement precision
If additional imaging systems are added for real-time verification, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides real-time position verification, enables treatment monitoring, and offers feedback for adaptive radiation delivery. By making the system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated verification devices, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the radiation beam itself and scattered radiation from the tumor region as the imaging source, eliminating the need for separate external imaging equipment. The treatment process generates its own imaging data through scattered radiation detection, providing self-service verification that improves precision without adding complex external systems
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 allows for rapid and accurate patient verification images, enabling real-time correction of tumor movement during treatment, thereby improving the efficiency and precision of radiation therapy without the need for additional radiation, reducing treatment time and potential side effects.
Implementation Method 1
a number of radiation detectors positioned in an array to detect radiation scattered from the tumor and the surrounding region
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the invention provides a system for radiation treatment of a tumor allowing for imaging of the tumor and a surrounding region during radiation therapy and to methods of using such a system. In one embodiment, the system includes a number of radiation detectors positioned in an array to detect radiation scattered from the tumor and the surrounding region. A 3-dimensional image of the tumor is reconstructed from the 2-dimensional scattered radiation projections.