Image-Guided Radiotherapy Rotation Layout for Precise Beam Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation therapy systems lack efficient methods for accurately aligning therapeutic beams with target tissues while minimizing interference between imaging and treatment processes, leading to suboptimal treatment precision and potential deviations during image-guided radiation therapy.

Innovation Solution

An image-guided radiation therapy system with independently rotating imaging and treatment assemblies, allowing for simultaneous and precise alignment of therapeutic beams with target tissues using a first rotatable part for imaging and a second rotatable part for treatment, ensuring minimal interference and enhanced imaging efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If imaging and treatment assemblies share a common rotation mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but treatment precision deteriorates due to interference between imaging and treatment processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidbeam alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the rotation mechanism into two independent parts: a first rotatable part for imaging assembly and a second rotatable part for treatment assembly. This segmentation allows each assembly to rotate independently without interfering with the other, thereby maintaining high beam alignment precision while managing device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the imaging and treatment assemblies into a single integrated device with coordinated rotation capabilities. The first and second rotatable parts are combined in such a way that they can operate independently yet simultaneously, achieving precise beam alignment while maintaining a unified device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If imaging assembly obstructs treatment beam path, then imaging function is achieved, but treatment accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidbeam positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging assembly is made dynamically movable relative to the treatment beam path through the first rotatable part. The imaging assembly can be rotated to appropriate positions before treatment, moved during treatment for real-time imaging, and repositioned after treatment, allowing it to adapt to different operational phases without compromising beam positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If treatment assembly obstructs imaging path, then treatment function is achieved, but imaging efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment capabilityVSAvoidimaging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment assembly is made dynamically adjustable through the second rotatable part, allowing it to be positioned optimally for treatment delivery while minimizing obstruction of the imaging path. The independent rotation capability enables the treatment assembly to be moved out of the imaging path when imaging is required, thereby maintaining high imaging efficiency without compromising treatment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system ensures precise alignment of therapeutic beams with target tissues, improving treatment accuracy and reducing interference between imaging and treatment processes, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of radiation therapy.

Implementation Method 1

a first detection assembly (210) mounted on the first rotatable part (230) to receive a photon signal generated by a radioactive isotope within the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadioactive decay: Radioactive Decay

Implementation Method 2

at least one imaging source mounted on the first rotatable part (230) to emit an imaging beam towards the object to generate a second image of the target region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray emission: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentEP4342527B1Image-guided radiotherapy system
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE
  • EP4342527B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4342527B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4342527B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an image-guided radiation therapy system and a method thereof. The system includes a first detection assembly, at least one imaging source, and a radiation source. The first detection assembly may be configured to determine a first image of a target region of an object by receiving a photon signal generated by a radioactive isotope within the object. The at least one imaging source may be configured to determine a second image by emitting an imaging beam to the target region of the object. The radiation source may be configured to emit a therapeutic beam to the target region of the object. The first detection assembly and the at least one imaging source may be mounted on a first rotatable part, the radiation source may be mounted on a second rotatable part, and the first rotatable part and the second rotatable part may be coaxially and coplanarly arranged. The first rotatable part may be configured to be rotatable independently relative to the second rotatable part.