3D Radiation Dose Prediction for Faster Treatment Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation treatment planning systems face challenges in efficiently predicting three-dimensional dose distributions due to variations in patient anatomy and treatment geometry, leading to increased planning time and complexity, especially when using heterogeneous patient data and different field geometries.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit generates a predicted three-dimensional dose map using a convolutional neural network model that processes patient image content and field geometry information, enabling faster and more accurate dose predictions by accommodating variations in patient anatomy and treatment geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional optimization processes are used to generate radiation treatment plans, then treatment plan quality can be improved, but planning time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified 2D representations (copies) of the 3D radiation dose distribution by generating dose profiles along gantry angles. These 2D copies capture the essential dose information needed for treatment plan evaluation without requiring full 3D visualization, thereby reducing computational complexity and planning time while maintaining treatment plan quality assessment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts specific dose information from the complete 3D dose distribution by generating dose profiles at selected gantry angles. This extraction process isolates the most relevant dose characteristics needed for treatment plan comparison and optimization, reducing the amount of data that needs to be processed and displayed while preserving the essential quality metrics
2Productivity
If automated planning approaches are used to decrease planning time, then productivity improves, but treatment plan quality may vary and require expert intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where dose profiles are generated automatically from the treatment plan parameters, and these profiles are displayed to allow oncologist review and adjustment. This feedback loop enables automated planning to maintain high productivity while ensuring treatment plan quality through expert verification of the generated dose distributions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary dose calculation and profile generation based on treatment plan parameters before final treatment delivery. By pre-calculating and displaying dose profiles at key gantry angles, the system allows for early detection and correction of potential issues, ensuring consistent quality while maintaining efficient automated planning workflows
3Measurement precision
If three-dimensional dose prediction is performed for heterogeneous patient data with variations in anatomy and treatment geometry, then treatment accuracy improves, but computational complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 3D dose distribution into multiple 2D dose profiles corresponding to different gantry angles. Each profile represents a cross-section of the dose distribution at a specific angle, allowing complex 3D dose prediction to be broken down into simpler 2D calculations that are computationally more efficient while collectively providing comprehensive dose information for heterogeneous patient geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the 3D dose prediction problem into a series of 2D dose profile calculations by projecting dose information along gantry rotation angles. This dimensionality reduction from 3D to 2D simplifies the computational burden while preserving the essential spatial dose distribution characteristics needed for accurate treatment planning in heterogeneous patient anatomies
Data Source
AI summary
A control circuit accesses patient image content as well as field geometry information regarding a particular radiation treatment platform. The control circuit then generates a predicted three-dimensional dose map for the radiation treatment plan as a function of both the patient image content and the field geometry information.