Radiation Therapy Positioning System with Collimator-First Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy positioning systems face challenges in achieving high accuracy due to insufficient contrast in positioning images, extra object interference, and increased patient exposure to X-rays, particularly when positioning the collimator and patient separately.
Innovation Solution
The system displays planned collimator contour shape data on both reference and positioning images, allowing for precise alignment and automatic correction of position deviations, reducing exposure by capturing collimator positioning images without the patient and immobilizing the patient only after collimator positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the patient is positioned first and then the collimator is positioned, then the patient positioning is completed, but the patient is exposed to X-rays twice increasing total exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator positioning is performed beforehand by capturing an image of the collimator before the patient is positioned. This preliminary action allows the collimator position to be determined in advance, so that when the patient is later positioned, the collimator is already correctly positioned, avoiding the need for a second collimator positioning step and reducing patient X-ray exposure.
2Productivity
If collimator positioning images are captured with the patient present, then both collimator and patient positioning can be done, but image contrast is insufficient and positioning accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning process is segmented into two independent phases: first, capturing an image of only the collimator (without the patient) to determine collimator position; second, capturing an image of only the patient (without the collimator) to determine patient position. This segmentation eliminates the interference between the collimator and patient in the images, ensuring sufficient contrast and high positioning accuracy for both components.
3Ease of operation
If manual methods are used for positioning, then operator flexibility is maintained, but positioning accuracy varies due to operator judgment
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically calculates position deviations by comparing the captured collimator image with the planned collimator position, and automatically determines the correction amount. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates operator judgment variability and ensures consistent, high-accuracy positioning while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.
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 enhances positioning accuracy, reduces patient X-ray exposure, and increases operational efficiency by allowing parallel processing of collimator and patient positioning, with automatic correction minimizing operator variability.
Implementation Method 1
an image of the collimator is captured by using X-ray equipment (6)
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning system for radiation therapy comprises a patient positioner drive unit for moving a patient positioner supporting a patient, a snout drive unit for rotating a snout including a collimator set therein, and a processing unit for controlling the snout drive unit and the patient positioner drive unit such that the positioning of the patient is performed by moving the patient positioner supporting the patient after the positioning of the collimator has been performed by rotating the snout including the collimator set therein. Exposure of the patient to X-rays irradiated for the positioning can be reduced.