Radiation Dose Rendering for Interactive Treatment Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy planning methods decouple simulation of radiation dose distribution from visualization, leading to delays and limited interactivity when adjusting treatment parameters, resulting in long waiting times for patients.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that integrates radiation dose determination with the rendering process, allowing for simultaneous computation and visualization of radiation dose distribution at sample points within a volumetric dataset, using path tracing or ray casting techniques to determine radiation dose contributions and visualize the results in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiation dose determination is performed separately from visualization, then computation accuracy is maintained, but processing time increases and interactivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the radiation dose determination process with the volume rendering process into a single integrated computation pipeline. Both processes operate simultaneously on the volumetric dataset, sharing computational resources and data structures, thereby reducing total processing time while maintaining the accuracy requirements of dose calculation through careful integration of the computational kernels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary setup of computational structures and data structures before the actual dose determination and rendering computation. Treatment parameters, volumetric dataset properties, and computational pathways are pre-configured to enable efficient simultaneous execution of dose calculation and visualization rendering without redundant processing steps.
2Reliability
If radiation dose determination is performed separately from visualization, then computational resources can be dedicated to each process, but user interactivity and adjustment speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of dose determination and rendering into a single computational process enables real-time or near-real-time updates when treatment parameters are adjusted. Users can interactively modify parameters and immediately observe the effects on dose distribution visualizations without waiting for separate computation cycles, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining computational reliability through the structured integration approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic computation system where the integrated dose determination and rendering process can adapt to user interactions in real-time. When treatment parameters are modified, the system dynamically recalculates and re-renders the dose distribution without requiring complete reprocessing, enabling fluid interactivity while preserving computation reliability through incremental updates.
3Loss of information
If full volumetric dose map is computed, then complete dose information is available, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary dose information directly at the sample points required for rendering the visualization, rather than computing the complete volumetric dose map. By taking out only the specific dose values needed for the current viewing angle and resolution, the system reduces computational load and processing time while maintaining sufficient dose information completeness for effective treatment planning and visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial computation of the dose map by calculating dose values only at the specific sample points required for the current rendering operation, rather than computing the entire volumetric dose map. This partial action approach reduces processing time and computational resource requirements while providing sufficient dose information for visualization and treatment planning decisions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A computer-implemented method for use in determining a radiation dose distribution in a medical volume A computer-implemented method for use in determining a radiation dose distribution in a medical volume is described. The method comprises: receiving a volumetric dataset representing the medical volume and performing a selection process of a rendering process for generating a visualization of the volumetric dataset to select at least one sample point in the volumetric dataset on which to perform a radiation determination process. The method also comprises performing, for the at least one sample point in the volumetric dataset, the radiation dose determination process to determine a radiation dose at the at least one sample point. The method may also comprise visualizing the volumetric dataset and/or the radiation dose distribution.