Radiotherapy System Position Tracking Radiation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gated radiotherapy methods fail to effectively reduce the exposure of subjects to fluoroscopic X-ray radiation, especially when the affected area's movement is not slow, and require multiple directional radiation for position estimation, leading to high exposure levels.
Innovation Solution
A treatment system comprising multiple radiators, detectors, and a controller that determines whether an object is within a specific region based on generated images, reducing the frequency of radioactive beam irradiation when the object is not in the region and controlling the output of treatment beams accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic X-ray radiation is performed at high frame rate to accurately track the affected area position, then measurement precision is improved, but the amount of radiation exposure to the subject increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs fluoroscopic imaging periodically at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously, reducing the total radiation exposure while maintaining adequate position tracking capability for the affected area
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a three-dimensional position model of the affected area based on fluoroscopic images from multiple directions, using this model to estimate current position without requiring continuous direct imaging, thereby reducing radiation exposure
2Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic radiation from a plurality of directions is performed to estimate the current position of the affected area, then measurement precision is improved, but the amount of radiation exposure remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The system acquires fluoroscopic images from multiple directions but processes them selectively, using partial information from these images to construct a three-dimensional position model, avoiding the need to continuously acquire images from all directions at full resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a three-dimensional position model as an intermediary representation that synthesizes information from multiple directional images, allowing accurate position estimation without requiring simultaneous high-dose imaging from all directions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the frame rate of fluoroscopy is reduced to decrease radiation exposure, then the amount of radiation exposure is reduced, but the ability to track fast-moving affected area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-acquires fluoroscopic images from multiple directions and constructs a three-dimensional position model in advance, enabling accurate tracking of fast-moving affected areas during treatment without requiring continuous high-frame-rate imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a three-dimensional position model that serves as a virtual copy of the affected area, allowing continuous position tracking based on this model without requiring continuous physical imaging, thus reducing radiation exposure while maintaining tracking capability for fast movements
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
This approach reduces the amount of fluoroscopic radiation exposure to the subject while maintaining effective treatment beam delivery, by adjusting the frequency and intensity of radioactive beams based on the object's position relative to the treatment region, thereby minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first radiators 101 and 102 irradiate radioactive beams 111 and 122 to a subject 130. A plurality of detectors 110 and 120 detect radioactive beams 111 and 122 transmitted through the subject 130
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a treatment system includes a plurality of first radiators, a plurality of detectors, a determiner, and a controller. Each of the first radiators irradiates a radioactive beam to a subject. Each of the detectors detects a radioactive beam transmitted through the subject and generates an image based on the detected radioactive beam. The determiner determines whether an object in the subject is included in a first region using a given image that is one of the images. The controller controls the first radiators so that, when the object is not included in the first region, a smaller amount of radioactive beams is irradiated per unit time than when the object is included in the first region.