Radiation Therapy Sub-Beam Segmentation for Multiple Targets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy methods face challenges in efficiently treating multiple spatially separate targets simultaneously while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues, as existing technologies often require sequential treatment or result in excessive radiation exposure to non-target areas.
Innovation Solution
A data processing method that determines a treatment plan for simultaneous radiation therapy of multiple targets using sub-beams, optimizing beam arrangements and movement to reduce treatment time and minimize healthy tissue exposure, by acquiring target and beam constraint data and applying radiation reduction criteria to generate a treatment plan that allows for simultaneous or non-simultaneous treatment based on technical and medical criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sequential treatment of multiple targets is used, then healthy tissue exposure is minimized, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment beam is segmented into multiple sub-beams, each directed at a specific target. The beam shaping device divides the radiation beam spatially so that multiple targets can be treated simultaneously with dedicated sub-beams, reducing total treatment time while maintaining healthy tissue protection through precise spatial segmentation of the radiation path
Solution Approach 2:
The problem transitions from sequential one-dimensional time-based treatment to simultaneous multi-dimensional spatial treatment. By utilizing the spatial dimensions and directing multiple sub-beams from different angles concurrently, the system treats multiple targets in parallel, reducing treatment time while the planning algorithm ensures healthy tissue remains in low-dose regions
2Productivity
If simultaneous treatment of multiple targets is used, then treatment time is reduced, but healthy tissue exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the treatment beam are assigned different qualities and intensities through the beam shaping device. Each sub-beam is locally optimized to deliver appropriate dose to its specific target while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The planning algorithm assigns different weightings and intensities to sub-beams based on local anatomical considerations
Solution Approach 2:
The beam shaping device acts as an intermediary between the treatment beam source and the multiple targets. It modulates and shapes the radiation beam into multiple controlled sub-beams, allowing simultaneous treatment while maintaining precise control over healthy tissue exposure through the intermediary's beam modulation capabilities
3Manufacturing precision
If complex beam arrangements are used to treat multiple targets simultaneously, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam shaping device performs multiple functions: it divides the beam into sub-beams, shapes each sub-beam's intensity profile, directs them to different targets, and modulates their timing. This single multi-functional device replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate beam sources and control systems, achieving high treatment precision without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a data processing method for determining a treatment plan for radiation therapy treatment of at least two spatially separate targets by means of a treatment device constituted to treat the at least two targets by means of one or more sub-beams during a treatment time, the one or more sub-beams constituting at least one treatment beam which is to pass through the at least two targets in accordance with a treatment plan during the treatment time, the treatment device being further constituted to allow for simultaneous treatment of the at least two targets by at least two of the sub-beams at least during a time interval during the treatment time.