Radiation Therapy Couch Positioning via Digital Volume Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy systems face challenges in accurately positioning patients due to errors in converting treatment planning images to patient markings, leading to incorrect positioning and potential collisions, which necessitate re-planning and additional system utilization time.
Innovation Solution
A radiation therapy system that images patient anatomy, reconstructs a digital volume, and determines couch shift values to position the patient origin at the isocenter, using DICOM standards for accurate treatment planning and execution, eliminating the need for external light field or isocenter lasers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external patient markings are used to position the patient, then the planning target volume can be located at the isocenter, but positioning errors occur due to coordinate system conversion errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a digital copy of the patient's anatomy (digital volume from treatment planning images) to determine the planning target volume location, replacing the need for physical external markings and manual coordinate conversions. The digital model allows automated, error-free identification of the target volume position relative to the isocenter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (laser marking, physical measurement, manual coordinate conversion) with automated digital processing. The system automatically calculates couch shift values by processing digital volume data and comparing it with the treatment planning coordinate system, eliminating human error in the process.
2Measurement precision
If couch shift is applied to compensate for offset, then the planning target volume can be positioned at isocenter, but the couch may exceed range of motion or cause collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of couch shift values by automatically comparing the digital volume location of the planning target volume with the isocenter position before treatment begins. This advance determination allows the system to pre-calculate safe positioning parameters that avoid collision risks while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by automatically verifying the calculated couch shift values against the physical capabilities of the treatment system. The digital volume data provides continuous feedback on the actual position of the planning target volume, allowing the system to adjust couch shift calculations to stay within safe operational limits.
3Reliability
If treatment planning imaging is repeated due to positioning errors, then accurate treatment can be achieved, but system utilization time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a digital copy of the treatment planning images to automatically determine the planning target volume location and calculate couch shift values. This digital approach eliminates the need for repeated physical imaging procedures, as the same digital data can be processed multiple times without requiring additional radiation exposure or system time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous utilization of the treatment planning data by automatically processing the digital volume information to generate couch shift values. The system can continuously refine and verify positioning parameters without interrupting the treatment workflow or requiring repeated imaging, maintaining both accuracy and efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If laser-based marking system is used, then external patient markings can be made, but coordinate system conversion errors occur during manual processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual laser-based marking and coordinate conversion with automated digital processing. The system automatically extracts the planning target volume location from digital planning images and calculates the required couch shift values, eliminating manual coordinate system conversions and their associated errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital copies of the treatment planning images to automatically determine all positioning parameters. Instead of relying on physical laser markings and manual measurement, the system processes digital data to extract precise coordinate information and calculate couch shifts, improving both accuracy and ease of operation.
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 reduces positioning errors, minimizes the need for re-planning, and optimizes the use of limited radiation therapy system time by ensuring accurate and collision-free treatment setups.
Implementation Method 1
a treatment planning scan is often performed via computed tomography (CT) to generate the three-dimensional image
Implementation Method 2
a treatment planning scan is often performed via computed tomography (CT) to generate the three-dimensional image
Data Source
AI summary
An example method for a radiation therapy system that includes a movable couch to perform radiation therapy has been disclosed. One method includes based on the X-ray images of an anatomical region of the patient that includes a target volume, reconstructing a digital volume of the anatomical region and based on a user input indicating a location of a patient origin in the digital volume, determining one or more shift values for repositioning the patient origin at an isocenter of the radiation therapy system with respect to a coordinate system. The method also includes obtaining a treatment plan that is based on the location of the patient origin and is associated with the target volume, based on the treatment plan, repositioning the movable couch so that the patient origin is disposed at the isocenter, and while the patient origin is disposed at the isocenter, directing a treatment beam to the patient origin in accordance with the treatment plan associated with the target volume.