Radiotherapy System with Real-Time Electron Beam Intensity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) systems face limitations in accurately distributing radiation dose in real-time, inability to adapt beam shape and size to irregular targets, and lack of real-time imaging and treatment planning, leading to suboptimal treatment of complex anatomical areas and increased risk to healthy tissues.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapy system with a mobile electron accelerator, integrated control unit, and real-time imaging capabilities, utilizing a program that calculates and adjusts the intensity of the electron beam based on pre-defined and real-time anatomical data, allowing for precise dose delivery and optimization during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional external beam radiotherapy is used to deliver high energy X-rays through the skin, then the tumor bed can be irradiated to sterilize remaining tumor cells, but healthy tissues and organs close to the tumor areas cannot be completely avoided from irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful irradiation from healthy tissues by using electron beams with limited penetration depth. The electron accelerator delivers radiation that stops at the tumor bed level, physically separating the therapeutic effect from the harmful side effect that plagues conventional X-ray therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using electron beams that deposit energy primarily at the tumor site rather than uniformly through healthy tissues. The electron beam intensity and energy are localized to the target zone, providing high-dose irradiation where needed while sparing surrounding healthy organs.
2Reliability
If the total dose is given in several fractions requiring dozens of patient visits, then the treatment can be carefully monitored and delivered, but the procedure becomes burdensome for patients and creates strong economic and organizational impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by integrating the electron accelerator directly into the operating room, allowing the radiation delivery system to be prepared and positioned before surgery begins. This eliminates the need for repeated patient visits as the treatment is delivered in a single intra-operative session.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges surgical intervention with radiation therapy delivery by combining the electron accelerator with the operating room infrastructure. This integration allows both surgical resection and tumor bed irradiation to occur in the same session, eliminating the need for separate fractionated treatment visits.
3Productivity
If a single high dose of radiation is delivered directly to the tumor bed during surgery, then treatment time is reduced and healthy tissue can be shielded, but accurate real-time dose distribution and beam intensity calculation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using detectors positioned in the tumor bed to monitor the actual electron beam intensity and dose distribution in real-time. This feedback information is fed back to the control system, which adjusts the electron accelerator parameters to maintain the intended dose distribution throughout the single-session treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical dosimetry methods with computer-based calculation and control systems. The microprocessor calculates the required electron beam intensity based on detector readings and treatment parameters, automatically adjusting the accelerator to achieve the precise dose distribution needed for effective single-session therapy.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If electron beams of appropriate energy are used to provide direct treatment during surgery, then healthy tissue can be saved and treatment delivered in a single session, but the beam shape and size cannot be adapted to irregular targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electron beam characteristics adjustable and adaptable during treatment. The electron accelerator can modify beam energy, intensity, and shape in real-time based on the specific geometry of the tumor bed and surrounding healthy tissues, allowing optimization for each patient's unique anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by varying electron beam energy levels, intensity distributions, and field shapes to match irregular target geometries. The control system adjusts multiple beam parameters simultaneously to conform the radiation dose to the specific three-dimensional shape of the tumor bed while respecting the boundaries of adjacent healthy organs.
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
Enables accurate and adaptive electron beam intensity calculation and delivery, optimizing tumor treatment while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues, and improving treatment planning for complex anatomical situations.
Implementation Method 1
a mobile electrons accelerator, equipped with a conveyor adapted to convey an electrons beam with a presettable intensity on a zone of or internal to a patient
Implementation Method 2
an active sensing device of the radiation dose deposited by said electrons beam, that can be placed between the distal end of said conveyor and said zone, and that can be connected to said integrated control unit
Data Source
AI summary
A system for radiotherapy includes an accelerator of an electron beam, an imaging apparatus, a control unit and a radiation dose sensor connected to the control unit equipped with a program configured to execute the steps: setting a first intensity of the electron beam, according to a predefined image of a target zone, the intensity to be emitted in a first radiation; operating said accelerator to emit the first radiation being a fraction of the first intensity; detecting a real intensity during the first radiation by the radiation dose sensor; acquiring an image of the zone; calculating an intermediate intensity according to the image acquired in the step and according to the real intensity; and comparing the first intensity with the intermediate intensity to calculate a final beam intensity for a subsequent second radiation.