Motion-Sensing Radiotherapy Couch With Integrated Patient Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiotherapy systems face challenges in accurately tracking patient motion during treatment due to separate motion detection systems that require attachment to patients or platforms, complicating the workflow and necessitating synchronization with radiation delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sensors directly onto the patient platform within the radiotherapy system to detect patient motion, allowing for real-time adjustment of radiation delivery based on patient movement, such as through inclinometers, optical encoders, and strain gauges, which are fixed to the platform and communicate with a controller to modify treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate motion detection systems are used with sensors attached to patients or platforms, then patient motion can be detected, but the workflow becomes complex and requires synchronization with radiation delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the motion detection system and radiation delivery system into a single integrated platform. Sensors are built into the patient platform itself rather than being separate external devices, and the control system automatically coordinates motion detection with radiation delivery without requiring manual synchronization. This merging eliminates the workflow complexity while maintaining accurate motion detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If separate motion detection systems are used, then patient motion data can be collected, but additional patient preparation is required including attachment of sensors or projection of light beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patient platform performs motion detection autonomously through built-in sensors that require no attachment to the patient. The platform itself serves the dual function of supporting the patient and detecting motion, eliminating the need for separate sensor attachment procedures or light beam projection preparations.
3Loss of information
If separate motion detection systems are used, then motion information can be obtained, but the data must be subsequently coordinated and interfaced with radiotherapy systems
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the motion detection sensors directly into the radiotherapy system's patient platform, the patent eliminates the data coordination step entirely. The control system receives motion data and radiation delivery commands through a unified interface, allowing real-time adjustment of radiation delivery based on detected motion without external data translation or synchronization delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are variations of a radiotherapy patient motion detection system. For example, a patient motion detection system may include a sensor coupled to a patient support platform for use in measuring patient motion during a radiotherapy treatment session. The motion sensor may transmit measurements to a controller for processing and subsequent use in timing delivery of radiation to a treatment region of interest within a patient. Also described herein are methods of use of a patient motion detection system.