Radiotherapy Control Apparatus Position Determination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiotherapy systems face challenges in accurately irradiating therapeutic radiation to affected regions while minimizing radiation exposure to normal cells, requiring complex data input operations for precise position calculation.

Innovation Solution

A radiotherapy system with a control apparatus that uses a storage unit for transmission images, a region designating section to select objective portions, a separating section to calculate separation results, a reconfiguring section to produce template images, and a position calculating section to determine accurate position data for precise radiation delivery, reducing user operation complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex data input operations are performed to calculate position data of the affected region, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data accuracyVSAvoiduser operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs template image generation and position data calculation using imaging data and treatment plan information without requiring manual user operations. The control apparatus executes the calculation process autonomously, eliminating the need for users to perform complex input operations while maintaining high position data accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-generates template images from imaging data and treatment plan information before actual treatment. These template images are stored and automatically applied during treatment, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations and simplifying the treatment workflow while ensuring accurate position data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple image templates are produced manually to calculate position data, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data accuracyVSAvoidtemplate production time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus automatically generates multiple template images by processing imaging data and treatment plan information without requiring manual user intervention. The system autonomously creates templates for different treatment angles and conditions, significantly reducing the time required while maintaining high position data accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and stores multiple template images covering various treatment scenarios before actual treatment begins. This preliminary generation of templates eliminates time-consuming manual operations during treatment while ensuring accurate position data is available for all treatment angles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the irradiation field is narrowed to reduce radiation exposure to normal cells, then harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation exposure to normal cellsVSAvoidradiotherapy apparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses imaging data to continuously monitor and determine the actual position of the affected region, then automatically adjusts the irradiation field positioning based on this feedback. This closed-loop control enables precise targeting that narrows the irradiation field to minimize exposure to normal cells while managing system complexity through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The system enables accurate and efficient calculation of position data for affected regions, allowing for precise radiation targeting and reduced exposure to normal cells, facilitating easier user operation and improved therapeutic outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

a therapeutic radiation irradiating unit (16) for emitting therapeutic radiation (23)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

an imager system for picking up or imaging a transmission image of a patient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-Ray transmission imaging: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP2221766B1Control apparatus of radiotherapy apparatus and position determining method
Publication Date: 2012.12.12 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2221766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2221766B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2221766B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a control apparatus for a radiotherapy apparatus, each of a plurality of separation results indicates an objective portion template and a non-objective portion template. The separation result is calculated such that a difference between a first template production image and an image produced by superimposing an objective portion template in a position of a designated region on the non-objective portion template is small and a difference between the second template production image and an image produced by superimposing the objective portion template in a position of an assumption region, which is different from the designated region, on the non-objective portion template is small.