Radiotherapy Patient Table Calibration Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapy apparatus face inefficiencies in spatial calibration between imaging and treatment delivery systems, requiring time-consuming and resource-intensive phantom-based calibration methods that reduce available treatment time and necessitate skilled technicians, while also risking interference with treatment radiation.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a calibration portion on the patient table that is resolvable in both diagnostic and portal imaging systems, allowing for periodic calibration by positioning it within the common volume for image acquisition and subsequent movement outside the volume during treatment, with a control unit managing the process to minimize interference and optimize staff productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phantom-based calibration methods are used, then spatial calibration between imaging and treatment systems can be achieved, but calibration time increases and treatment time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration markers are integrated directly into the patient support table structure, merging the calibration function with the support structure. This eliminates the need for separate phantom objects and reduces calibration setup time while maintaining spatial calibration accuracy between imaging and treatment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration markers are pre-positioned on the patient support table in known locations before each treatment session. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for time-consuming phantom placement and setup procedures during calibration, reducing calibration time while ensuring accurate spatial reference.
2Measurement precision
If phantom-based calibration methods are used, then spatial calibration can be performed, but skilled technicians are required increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support table with integrated calibration markers serves itself as the calibration reference object. The table's own structure provides the calibration markers, eliminating the need for external phantoms and reducing the skill level required for calibration operations. The system calibrates using its inherent structural features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient support table performs multiple functions: it supports patients during treatment and simultaneously serves as the calibration reference structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate calibration phantoms and simplifies operations by using a single universal component for both patient support and calibration purposes.
3Measurement precision
If calibration materials are placed within the imaging volume, then calibration can be performed, but interference with treatment radiation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support table is divided into functional zones: the calibration markers are positioned in specific locations on the table structure that allow them to be imaged during calibration while being moved outside the treatment radiation path during actual treatment. This segmentation separates calibration function from treatment function in space and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient support table is dynamically positioned at different locations during calibration versus treatment. During calibration, the table with integrated markers is positioned within the imaging volume for marker detection. During treatment, the table is moved to the treatment position where the markers are outside the radiation field, eliminating radiation interference while maintaining calibration accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiotherapy apparatus is disclosed, having an imaging system and a therapeutic radiation source, an imageable volume into which therapeutic radiation may be provided, a first imaging means for providing an image resulting from the imaging system and a second imaging means for providing an image resulting from the therapeutic radiation, and a patient support moveable relative to the volume, wherein the patient support is provided with a calibration portion comprising at least one object of a material capable of appearing in the image produced by the first imaging means and at least one object of a material capable of appearing in the image produced by the second imaging means, the at least one object being fixed in a pre-determined position relative to the calibration portion and the calibration portion being fixed in a pre-determined position relative to the patient support, the patient support being moveable so that the at least one object portion may optionally be positioned within or outside the volume.