Radiation Therapy Planning With Real-Time MU Distribution Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation treatment planning systems lack real-time mechanisms to evaluate and control the objective of treatment plans, leading to delays and inefficient use of processing resources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating and displaying graphical representations of monitor unit (MU) distributions for radiation therapy treatment plans, allowing clinicians to evaluate and control treatment objectives in real-time, thereby expediting the planning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional radiation treatment planning systems perform simulations and optimizations based on past experiences, then treatment plans can be developed, but the process lacks real-time evaluation mechanisms leading to delays and inefficient use of processing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback mechanisms by displaying monitor unit distribution visualizations during the treatment planning process. This allows clinicians to evaluate whether treatment objectives are being met as the plan is being developed, enabling immediate adjustments rather than waiting for post-processing evaluation. The feedback loop comprises: (1) calculating monitor unit values for beamlets/spots, (2) generating visual representations of the distribution, (3) displaying these representations in real-time, and (4) allowing clinician assessment and plan modification based on the visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of treatment plan characteristics by calculating and visualizing monitor unit distributions before the planning process is complete. This preliminary action allows clinicians to assess whether the treatment plan is progressing toward objectives and make corrective adjustments early in the process, preventing wasted time on fundamentally flawed plans.
2Reliability
If conventional systems perform comprehensive simulations and optimizations, then satisfactory treatment plans can be achieved, but processing power and time are not efficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing real-time monitoring of key treatment plan characteristics (monitor unit distributions) rather than waiting for complete post-processing analysis. This partial evaluation during the process allows clinicians to identify problematic plans early and abandon or modify them before investing full processing resources, thereby improving overall productivity while maintaining reliability through targeted assessments.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes at least one processor configured to execute computer executable instructions to cause the system to: generate or obtain a first radiation treatment plan for a treatment target in a patient, the first radiation treatment plan prescribing beam characteristics for a plurality of beamlets or spots in the treatment target, the beam characteristics including a monitor unit value associated with each of the plurality of beamlets or spots in at least a first field; and display, via a graphical user interface, at least one representation of a first distribution of monitor units for the first radiation treatment plan, the at least one representation of the first distribution of monitor units indicating, for each respective monitor unit value, a number of beamlets or spots in at least the first field having the respective monitor unit value.