Rear Camera Placement for Radiotherapy Gantry Surface Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The geometry of bore-based radiotherapy devices obstructs the view of cameras during the treatment phase, limiting the accuracy of surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) and reducing the imaged volume, as the gantry structure blocks lines of sight, making it difficult to monitor the patient's surface accurately.
Innovation Solution
A radiotherapy device with a rotatable gantry and a support surface that moves into the bore, equipped with a rear camera positioned adjacent to the rear of the gantry, which provides unobstructed views of the patient's surface, especially for areas obstructed by the gantry, and combines data with other cameras for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cameras are placed in the room containing the radiotherapy device, then lines of sight to the patient are available in the setup phase, but the gantry structure blocks lines of sight during the treatment phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions cameras in the vertical dimension above the gantry structure rather than in the horizontal plane, allowing cameras to view the patient from above without being blocked by the gantry. This dimensional change enables continuous monitoring through the open top of the gantry during treatment while maintaining setup phase capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the camera system into multiple segments: setup phase cameras positioned to view the patient during positioning, and treatment phase cameras positioned above the gantry to view through the open top. This segmentation allows each camera group to specialize in monitoring during its optimal phase without interference from the gantry structure.
2Measurement precision
If cameras are positioned to avoid gantry obstruction, then treatment phase monitoring is improved, but setup phase monitoring capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements cameras with universal positioning that can serve both setup and treatment phases. The cameras are mounted on the gantry structure itself or on adjustable mounts that allow repositioning between phases, enabling a single camera system to perform dual functions rather than requiring separate dedicated camera systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable camera positioning systems that can move or rotate to optimal viewing angles depending on the phase. During setup, cameras can be positioned to view from the side; during treatment, they rotate or extend to view from above through the gantry opening, adapting to each phase's geometric requirements.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to improve surface monitoring coverage, then measurement accuracy increases, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cameras from the confined bore space and positions them in the surrounding room or on the gantry structure itself. This extraction eliminates the need for cameras to occupy valuable bore space while maintaining their monitoring function, as they can view the patient through the open top or from strategic external positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates cameras into the existing gantry structure, nesting them within or on the gantry components rather than adding separate external systems. This nesting approach utilizes the existing structural volume of the gantry to house or support the cameras, avoiding additional space requirements in the already constrained treatment area.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiotherapy device and a method for imaging a subject using a radiotherapy device are provided. The radiotherapy device comprises a rotatable gantry, a support surface and a plurality of cameras. The rotatable gantry comprises a front, a rear and a bore. The support surface is moveable into the bore from a side of the radiotherapy device corresponding to the front of the rotatable gantry. The plurality of cameras are for monitoring a subject that is located on the support surface, the plurality of cameras including a rear camera disposed adjacent to the rear of the rotatable gantry.