Radiation Treatment Plan Optimization via Modulation Efficiency Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation therapy plans lack a universally agreed upon measure of complexity, leading to prolonged treatment delivery times and increased sensitivity to geometric errors, which complicates the optimization of treatment efficiency and dosimetric fitness.
Innovation Solution
A system that calculates and optimizes radiation treatment plans by setting an upper bound on modulation efficiency, using a data processor to receive a numerical value for the complexity measure, calculate current and un-modulated delivery times, and iteratively update the plan to satisfy the complexity criterion, thereby generating a treatment plan with defined complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex treatment plans are used to conform radiation dose to tumor volume, then dosimetric fitness is improved, but treatment delivery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of treatment plan complexity by introducing a complexity measure based on modulation efficiency. The optimization process adjusts treatment plan parameters to maintain dosimetric fitness while constraining the complexity measure within acceptable bounds, thereby reducing delivery time without sacrificing dose conformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex treatment plans are used to conform radiation dose to tumor volume, then dosimetric fitness is improved, but sensitivity to geometric errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the treatment plan parameters by optimizing within constraints that limit complexity. By controlling the modulation efficiency metric, the system produces plans that are less sensitive to geometric errors while maintaining adequate dose conformity, thus improving robustness without completely sacrificing dosimetric fitness.
3Productivity
If treatment plan complexity is reduced to shorten delivery time, then productivity is improved, but dosimetric fitness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the complexity measure (based on modulation efficiency) is calculated and used to guide the optimization process. The system continuously adjusts the treatment plan to maintain dosimetric fitness while keeping the complexity measure within acceptable bounds, achieving a balance between delivery efficiency and dose conformity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If no universally agreed complexity measure is used, then adaptability is maintained, but optimization precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal complexity measure based on modulation efficiency that can be applied across different treatment scenarios, patient cases, and machine configurations. This standardized metric enables precise optimization and comparison of treatment plans while maintaining adaptability to various clinical situations through configurable complexity bounds.
Data Source
AI summary
An output radiation treatment plan for at least one target in a treatment volume is determined. Each target is associated with a prescribed radiation dose. An updated treatment plan causes the prescribed radiation dose to be delivered to the target when implemented by a radiation therapy machine. The updated treatment plan requires an updated delivery time to complete and is calculated by:[i] receiving a numerical value designating an upper bound on modulation efficiency of the updated treatment plan,[ii] receiving a current treatment plan,[iii] calculating a current delivery time for the current treatment plan,[iv] calculating an un-modulated delivery time for the current treatment plan, and[v] calculating the updated treatment plan by executing an optimization process while satisfying the upper bound on the modulation efficiency.Steps [ii] to [v] are traversed a predetermined number of times. Thereafter, the output radiation treatment plan is generated.