Radiation Therapy Target Set Determination Using Constraint Masks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy methods face challenges in effectively avoiding irradiation of risk regions during treatment, especially when multiple spatially disjunct targets or targets surrounding risk regions, such as the prostate or brain structures, need to be treated.
Innovation Solution
A medical data processing method determines a target set for radiation therapy by using constraint masks to differentiate between irradiation and non-irradiation regions based on spatial relationships and predetermined beam arrangements, ensuring that risk regions are avoided during treatment planning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple spatially disjunct targets are irradiated with individual treatment beams, then each target can be sufficiently irradiated, but risk regions may still be irradiated during relative movement of the patient's body and the treatment beam source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment process into discrete time intervals and separates targets into different sets (first set and second set). Each target set is irradiated during specific time intervals, allowing the treatment beam to be directed at different targets at different times, thereby avoiding simultaneous irradiation of multiple targets and reducing exposure to risk regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the treatment beam parameters and patient positioning during treatment. By varying the beam geometry, irradiation time intervals, and relative positions of the patient and treatment beam source, the system adapts to avoid irradiating risk regions while ensuring adequate treatment of all targets.
2Manufacturing precision
If the time interval during which each target is irradiated is varied, then each target can be sufficiently irradiated while avoiding damage to risk regions, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic irradiation cycles where different target sets are treated in alternating time intervals. The first target set is irradiated during first time intervals, followed by second time intervals for the second target set, creating a periodic treatment pattern that optimizes both precision and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous treatment action by eliminating idle time between irradiation of different target sets. The transition between treating different target sets is optimized to ensure continuous useful irradiation action, minimizing non-productive time while maintaining precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If beam geometry is varied for each target, then each target can be sufficiently irradiated while avoiding damage to risk regions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different beam geometries and irradiation parameters tailored to each specific target set and its spatial relationship to risk regions. Each target receives customized irradiation conditions optimized for its location, ensuring precise treatment while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical data processing method for determining a target set comprising at least one irradiation target in a patient's body for radiation therapy treatment by means of a treatment device constituted to treat the at least one target 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 one target in accordance with a treatment plan during the treatment time, the method comprising the following steps and being constituted to be executed by a computer: a) acquiring (S 1.1 ) critical area; b) acquiring (S 1.2) target data; c) acquiring (S 1.3) treatment beam constraint data; d) acquiring treatment beam criteria data (S 1.4); and e) determining (S4), based on the critical area data, the target data, the treatment beam constraint data and the treatment beam criteria data, target set data describing spatial information on at least one irradiation region.