Radiotherapy Positioning via Template Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapy devices face challenges in accurately detecting and positioning affected areas for precise radiation treatment, leading to potential misalignment and reduced therapeutic effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapy device control apparatus incorporating a template-matching section, affected area position calculating section, and irradiation position control section, which uses image templates and characteristic place templates to accurately calculate and adjust the position of the affected area for precise radiation delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional image alignment methods are used to track affected area position, then the system can provide basic positioning capability, but the detection accuracy and reliability are insufficient for high-precision radiotherapy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by creating multiple image templates in advance that represent different possible states of the affected area. During tracking, the system compares real-time images against these pre-prepared templates to quickly and accurately determine the current position, avoiding the need for complex real-time analysis while maintaining high precision and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by varying the template matching parameters (such as correlation thresholds, template selection criteria, and matching algorithms) to optimize detection accuracy under different conditions. This allows the system to adapt to variations in tissue appearance, movement, and imaging conditions while maintaining reliable position tracking
2Measurement precision
If multiple image templates are used to improve detection accuracy through template matching, then the position detection precision improves, but the processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the image processing task by dividing it into template creation phase and template matching phase. Multiple templates are created in advance and stored, then during real-time tracking, the system efficiently matches incoming images against these segmented templates using optimized algorithms, reducing computational burden while maintaining high detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing and creating multiple image templates before the actual tracking begins. This preliminary preparation includes selecting representative images, enhancing features, and storing them for rapid comparison during treatment, thereby reducing real-time processing time while ensuring accurate position detection
3Manufacturing precision
If the system uses complex template matching and characteristic place extraction to achieve high positioning accuracy, then the affected area detection precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses characteristic places as intermediaries between the complex template matching process and the simple position determination output. By extracting these key feature points from templates and comparing them with real-time images, the system achieves high positioning accuracy without requiring the full complexity of complete image analysis, thereby simplifying the overall control apparatus while maintaining precision
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 solution enables higher accuracy in detecting and positioning the affected area, improving the precision and speed of radiation treatment, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
an imager which generates an imager image of a subject by using radiation transmitted through the subject
Implementation Method 2
a therapeutic radiation irradiation device which radiates therapeutic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A radiotherapy device control apparatus includes: a template matching section; an affected area position calculating section; and an irradiation position control section. The radiotherapy device control apparatus controls a radiotherapy device. The radiotherapy device includes: a therapeutic radiation irradiation device radiating therapeutic radiation, and an imager generating an imager image of a subject by using radiation transmitted through the subject. The template matching section calculates degree of coincidence when a pattern matching is executed on the imager image with a plurality of image templates in which positional relations between an object area and a non-object area of the subject are different, and selects a specified image template having the degree of coincidence within a predetermined range from the plurality of image templates. The affected area position calculating section calculates a position of the object area by using the specified image template. The irradiation position control section judges whether a relative position of the object area with respect to the therapeutic radiation irradiation device. The irradiation position control section moves one of the therapeutic radiation irradiation device and a couch with the subject by using a drive device provided with the radiotherapy device such that the object area is irradiated with the therapeutic radiation.