Respiratory Gating Phantom with Adjustable Tumor Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phantom devices do not accurately simulate the movement of tumors within the body, particularly due to the natural movement of organs, leading to uncertainties in radiation therapy, and most phantoms lack the ability to freely adjust the depth of the tumor simulation, which can result in excess radiation exposure to normal tissues.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory gating phantom device using two airbags as dual phantom lungs, with a thoracic model and spine model, and an air pressure gating system to simulate breathing, allowing for adjustable depth of the phantom tumor and accurate movement simulation, controlled by a closed-loop system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radiation field is increased to account for tumor position uncertainties, then the tumor coverage is improved, but the radiation exposure to normal tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic respiratory gating to track tumor movement in real-time during radiation therapy. The radiation beam is synchronized with the respiratory cycle, delivering radiation only when the tumor is within the target position, thereby maintaining reliable tumor coverage while minimizing exposure to surrounding normal tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from respiratory monitoring to dynamically adjust radiation delivery. By continuously tracking tumor position and synchronizing radiation pulses with the respiratory cycle, the system ensures accurate tumor targeting while reducing unnecessary radiation to normal tissues.
2Ease of operation
If conventional phantoms are used for calibration, then the calibration process is simplified, but the accuracy of tumor movement simulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic phantom system that uses air pressure to simulate realistic respiratory-induced tumor movement. The phantom contains flexible membranes that expand and contract in response to controlled air pressure variations, accurately replicating the complex three-dimensional motion patterns of tumors during breathing, thereby maintaining calibration simplicity while achieving high simulation accuracy.
3Device complexity
If the phantom tumor depth is fixed, then the device structure is simplified, but the adaptability to different patient conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable phantom tumor depth mechanism that allows real-time modification of tumor position within the phantom. This enables the device to adapt to different patient anatomies and treatment conditions without requiring multiple fixed-depth phantoms, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal phantom system with adjustable tumor depth and position capabilities. The same phantom device can accommodate various patient conditions by modifying tumor location parameters, eliminating the need for multiple specialized phantoms and maintaining ease of operation across different clinical scenarios.
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 device provides computed tomography images similar to living lungs, allowing for precise simulation of tumor movement and breathing, thereby reducing the risk of radiation exposure to normal tissues and improving the accuracy of radiation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
The air pressure gating device is connected to the first airbag and the second airbag and configured to inflate and deflate the first airbag and the second airbag to simulate breathing
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory gating phantom device includes a first airbag, a second airbag, a first catheter, a second catheter, a fixture, and an air pressure gating device. The first catheter and the second catheter are respectively installed in the first airbag and the second airbag. The fixture is provided with a phantom tumor and adjustably installed in the first catheter or the second catheter, thereby installing the phantom tumor in the first catheter or the second catheter. The air pressure gating device, connected to the first airbag and the second airbag, inflates and deflates the first airbag and the second airbag to simulate breathing. The first catheter and the second catheter respectively move along three-dimensional direction and two-dimensional direction in response to motions of the first airbag and the second airbag.