Radiotherapy Planning Automation via Parallel Dose Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiotherapy planning systems are inefficient due to the time-consuming process of manually reviewing and modifying delineations of regions of interest (ROI), which delays the automated planning process and relies heavily on user expertise, leading to inaccuracies in dose distribution and control of radiotherapy doses.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a processor and storage device for obtaining and modifying delineations of ROI, performing radiotherapy dose optimization, and determining target plans in parallel, using trained identification models to automate the delineation and dose optimization processes, including real-time output of dose distribution and histograms, and adjusting plans based on conditions such as volume and layer count thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual review and modification of ROI delineation is performed, then accuracy of radiotherapy plan is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of radiotherapy planVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automated delineation of ROI using identification models before manual review, establishing an initial accurate baseline that reduces the time needed for subsequent manual adjustments while maintaining high accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements real-time feedback by displaying dose distribution results and dose volume histograms during the optimization process, allowing operators to immediately see the impact of their modifications and adjust delineation accordingly, thereby achieving accuracy efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automated planning process is used, then time efficiency is improved, but reliance on user expertise decreases leading to inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime efficiencyVSAvoidaccuracy of dose distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service through automated identification models that independently delineate ROI and optimize dose distribution without requiring continuous expert intervention, maintaining both speed and accuracy through built-in validation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical delineation processes with automated computer-based identification models and optimization algorithms, eliminating the trade-off between automation speed and accuracy by using intelligent systems that combine both efficiency and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual modification of delineation is performed, then control over radiotherapy dose is improved, but processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over radiotherapy doseVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous useful action by performing dose optimization iteratively and automatically during the delineation process, continuously adjusting and refining the radiotherapy plan without interruption, thereby achieving both precise dose control and high processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20230129987A1Systems and methods for radiotherapy planning

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for radiotherapy planning. The systems may obtain a delineation of a region of interest (ROI) in an image of an object. The ROI may include at least one target region. The systems may obtain modified delineation of the ROI based on one or more modifications to the delineation of the ROI. The systems may determine a target radiotherapy plan of the object by performing a radiotherapy dose optimization on the ROI. The modifications of the delineation of the ROI and the radiotherapy dose optimization of the ROI may be performed at least partially overlap temporally.