Radiation Therapy Patient Positioning via Multi-Target Shift Vectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy systems face challenges in accurately positioning patients for treatment due to changes in tumor size, shape, and location between planning images and treatment sessions, especially when treating multiple or irregularly-shaped tumor regions, which can lead to inefficiencies and reduced treatment precision.
Innovation Solution
The method involves acquiring real-time images of tumor regions during the treatment session, comparing them to pre-planned images, and calculating position-shift vectors to adjust the patient's position and orientation, allowing for precise alignment with the therapeutic radiation source, enabling effective targeting of current tumor locations and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patient setup and position registration are tailored for a single target region, then positioning precision for that target is improved, but adaptability to treat multiple target regions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal patient positioning system that calculates position-shift vectors for multiple target regions simultaneously. The system acquires images of multiple target regions and computes correction vectors that enable the radiation therapy system to accurately position and treat multiple target regions without requiring separate positioning procedures for each target, thus achieving multi-functionality while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning correction process by calculating distinct position-shift vectors for each target region based on their respective images and treatment planning images. Each target region receives customized correction vectors that account for its specific location, size, and shape changes, allowing precise positioning for multiple targets through segmented calculation and unified implementation.
2Measurement precision
If detailed image acquisition and position calculation procedures are performed for each target region, then treatment precision is improved, but treatment time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image acquisition and position-shift vector calculations for all target regions before the actual radiation treatment begins. By completing the positioning corrections in advance and storing the calculated vectors, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming repeated measurements and calculations during treatment, thus maintaining high precision while reducing treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a continuous workflow where images are acquired, position-shift vectors are calculated, and corrections are applied in a seamless sequence before treatment. This continuous process ensures that once positioning is corrected for multiple target regions, the radiation delivery can proceed without interruptions for re-positioning or re-measurement, maintaining precision while improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods for patient setup and registration for the irradiation of target tissue regions. A method for positioning a patient for radiation therapy may include acquiring an image of a first patient target region and a second patient target region. A first set of patient position-shift vectors may be calculated based on the acquired image and a treatment planning image of the first patient target region. A second set of patient position-shift vectors may be calculated based on the acquired image, a treatment planning image of the second patient target region, and the first set of patient position-shift vectors. The patient may be positioned according to the first set of patient position-shift vectors in a first location. The patient may be moved to a second location and positioned according to the second set of patient position-shift vectors.