Radiotherapy Plan Optimization Using Feasible Surrounding Dose Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The generation of radiation treatment plans in radiotherapy is time-consuming and computationally burdensome due to the need to balance complex treatment objectives and constraints, often resulting in inefficient optimization procedures when unrealistic dose values are set for surrounding regions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that receives treatment plan parameters, modifies unrealistic dose values for surrounding regions to feasible thresholds, and applies an optimization procedure to generate accurate and efficient treatment plans by iteratively adjusting dose values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an optimization procedure is applied to determine suitable radiation parameters, then the dose delivery accuracy to target region is improved, but the computational time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining structure-specific dose thresholds and constraints before the optimization procedure begins. The treatment planning system automatically identifies anatomical structures and assigns appropriate dose limits based on pre-established clinical guidelines, eliminating the need for manual constraint setting and reducing computational iteration time while maintaining dosimetric accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting optimization parameters based on the identified anatomical structures and their associated dose constraints. The system automatically modifies dose limits, priority weights, and constraint parameters according to the specific patient anatomy and treatment scenario, enabling faster convergence to clinically acceptable solutions without sacrificing precision
2Reliability
If multiple treatment objectives and constraints are included for multiple anatomical structures, then the clinical acceptability and safety of the treatment plan is improved, but the complexity of the optimization procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by automatically identifying and segmenting multiple anatomical structures (target volumes and organs at risk) from patient imaging data. Each segmented structure is assigned specific dose constraints and priorities, allowing the optimization procedure to handle multiple objectives systematically through automated structure recognition and constraint assignment, reducing the perceived complexity for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment planning system applies self-service by automatically assigning dose constraints, priorities, and optimization parameters based on the identified anatomical structures and pre-loaded clinical guidelines. The system performs self-adjustment of optimization parameters without requiring manual intervention for each constraint, enabling complex multi-structure optimization while simplifying the user workflow
3Adaptability or versatility
If trial-and-error methods are used to adjust treatment plan parameters, then flexibility in achieving clinically acceptable plans is improved, but the planning time and computational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the optimization procedure continuously evaluates the achieved dose distribution against the defined constraints and objectives for multiple anatomical structures. The system provides automatic feedback on constraint satisfaction and adjusts optimization parameters iteratively, enabling flexible adaptation to clinical requirements while reducing the need for manual trial-and-error adjustments by the user
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method may be provided to aid in radiation treatment planning, the method comprising: receiving treatment plan parameters including a reference dose value for a target region of a patient and a defined dose value for a surrounding region; determining whether the defined dose value for the surrounding region exceeds a threshold; and responsive to determining that the defined dose value for the surrounding region does not exceed the threshold, modifying the defined dose value for the surrounding region, and applying an optimization procedure to a treatment plan for radiation treatment of the patient with the modified dose value for the surrounding region.