Respiratory Gated Patient Setup for Radiation Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient setup methods in radiation therapy lack accuracy due to the inability to account for respiratory motion, leading to potential deviations in tumor positioning during treatment planning.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the acquisition of three-dimensional images synchronized with fluoroscopic x-ray movies, where image frames are binned into phase bins based on breathing cycles, allowing for synchronized display of two-dimensional images with three-dimensional cross-sections in an overlay configuration, enabling precise registration and adjustment of patient positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional rigid registration methods are used for patient setup, then the registration process is simple and fast, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to unaccounted respiratory motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the respiratory cycle into multiple phase bins (e.g., inhalation and exhalation phases) and acquires separate 3D images for each phase. This segmentation allows the system to capture tumor position at different respiratory states, improving positioning accuracy by selecting the phase that best matches the treatment planning CT, rather than using a single static rigid registration approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary acquisition of multiple 3D images at different respiratory phases before the actual treatment delivery. This preliminary action enables the selection of the optimal respiratory phase for registration, allowing the tumor position to be accurately determined in advance, thus improving setup accuracy without adding complexity during treatment delivery.
2Measurement precision
If multiple 3D images are acquired at different respiratory phases, then tumor positioning accuracy is improved, but the imaging time and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic acquisition of 3D images synchronized with the patient's respiratory cycle. By acquiring images at regular intervals corresponding to different respiratory phases (inhalation and exhalation), the system captures the necessary data efficiently without requiring excessive imaging time, thus balancing accuracy improvement with time constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple 3D images are acquired in advance during a brief setup period before treatment delivery. This preliminary acquisition allows the system to pre-determine the optimal respiratory phase and corresponding tumor position, reducing the time required during actual treatment delivery while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If respiratory phase binning is implemented, then image-based registration is improved, but the data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the respiratory cycle into discrete phase bins and assigns each acquired 3D image to the appropriate phase bin based on respiratory phase detection. This segmentation simplifies the registration process by organizing data into manageable groups, allowing the system to select the most relevant phase-matched images for comparison with the treatment planning CT, thereby improving registration accuracy without overwhelming processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of respiratory phase as a key variable for organizing and selecting images. By binning images according to respiratory phase parameters, the system creates a structured approach to data selection that improves registration accuracy while keeping processing complexity manageable through parameter-based organization rather than exhaustive analysis.
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 setup inaccuracies caused by respiratory motion, improves image-based registration, and optimizes tumor targeting while sparing organs at risk, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a first two-dimensional movie comprising a first plurality of fluoroscopic images using a first x-ray imaging system
Implementation Method 2
fluoroscopic images are generated using the first x-ray imaging system
Data Source
AI summary
A method for patient setup includes: obtaining a first two-dimensional movie having a first plurality of image frames; obtaining a first plurality of two-dimensional images; and displaying the first plurality of two-dimensional images together with the image frames from the first two-dimensional movie in an overlay configuration and in a synchronized manner, wherein the act of displaying is performed during a patient setup procedure. A method for patient setup includes: obtaining a plurality of three-dimensional images; obtaining a first two-dimensional movie having a first plurality of image frames; determining a first plurality of two-dimensional images from the plurality of three-dimensional images; and displaying the first plurality of two-dimensional images together with the image frames from the first two-dimensional movie in an overlay configuration and in a synchronized manner, wherein the act of displaying is performed during a patient setup procedure.