Radiotherapy Beam Scheduling for Cool-Down and Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiotherapy devices face inefficiencies in treatment delivery due to cool-down times, heat generation, and anatomical motion, leading to prolonged treatment sessions and reduced patient throughput.
Innovation Solution
A control scheme is implemented to optimize radiation delivery by scheduling delivery of radiation using a beam scheduling, scheduling delivery of radiation at different rates and incorporating cool-down periods based on operational parameters to ensure safe and efficient treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If radiation is delivered at a high radiation delivery rate to reduce treatment time, then productivity is improved, but heat generation increases causing the need for cool-down periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between high radiation delivery rate periods (first time t1) and cool-down periods (second time t2). The control scheme schedules radiation delivery at high rates followed by controlled cool-down intervals, creating a periodic pattern that maximizes treatment efficiency while managing thermal load on the device components.
2Temperature
If cool-down periods are incorporated to manage heat generation, then temperature control is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the radiation delivery rate variable rather than constant. The control scheme dynamically adjusts the delivery rate between high (first radiation delivery rate) and low/zero (during cool-down) based on real-time thermal conditions and treatment requirements, optimizing both temperature management and treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the radiation delivery system by adjusting the radiation delivery rate as a controllable variable. The control scheme modifies this parameter over time, transitioning between different delivery rates to balance thermal management needs with treatment efficiency requirements.
3Measurement precision
If treatment time is reduced to minimize anatomical motion impact, then measurement precision is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to deliver concentrated doses of radiation during high-delivery-rate periods that are synchronized with favorable anatomical positioning moments. By delivering maximum radiation intensity during brief windows when target positioning is optimal, the system achieves precise treatment while minimizing the overall time the beam is active, thereby reducing cumulative heat generation.
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 allows for faster and more efficient delivery of radiation doses while ensuring the efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical application, reducing the treatment time and reducing the impact of anatomical motion, thus improving the technical efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical efficacy of the technical solution.
Implementation Method 1
a beam generation system, or other radiation source... configured to output radiation via a radiotherapy treatment beam
Implementation Method 2
The attenuation may be caused by absorption or by deflection (scatter) of photons within the beam, by the components of the cryostat
Implementation Method 3
The attenuation may be caused by absorption or by deflection (scatter) of photons within the beam
Implementation Method 4
an 'inverse square law' applies for radiation, meaning that the dose delivery rate of the radiation beam is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from its source
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method of determining a control scheme for operating a radiotherapy device for delivery of a radiation dose via a radiotherapy treatment beam to a target. The radiotherapy device comprises a beam generation apparatus that is configured to output radiation via a radiotherapy treatment beam, and wherein operation of the radiotherapy device can be described using at least one operational parameter. The method comprises determining the control scheme by identifying a first time (t1) at which at least a first portion of the radiation dose is to be delivered at a first radiation delivery rate; and identifying a second time (t2) for the radiotherapy device to undergo a cool-down period, wherein during the cool-down period the radiation delivery rate is less than the first radiation delivery rate; wherein the control scheme is determined such that at least one criterion associated with the at least one operational parameter is met.