Room Laser Triangulation for Radiotherapy Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for positioning patients in radiation therapy rooms lack precision and accuracy, leading to potential misalignment during irradiation, which can result in suboptimal treatment outcomes and increased radiation exposure, especially with modern high-dose and high-precision techniques like IMRT and VMAT.
Innovation Solution
The system utilizes existing room lasers for laser triangulation to determine 3D coordinates of patient and object positions within the radiation room, employing high-resolution cameras and software for real-time monitoring and correction, integrating with DICOM-RT information and database systems to ensure precise alignment and documentation of treatment parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If room lasers are used to illuminate and position patients in the irradiation room, then patient positioning is enabled, but the light fans widen and illuminate other objects in addition to the patient, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the irradiation room into multiple measurement zones by positioning cameras at specific locations (e.g., corners of the room) to capture laser lines projected onto different regions. Each camera is responsible for a specific spatial segment, allowing precise measurement of patient position without interference from other objects illuminated by the laser fans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cameras as intermediary devices that indirectly measure patient position by capturing laser line patterns. Instead of directly measuring patient position with the room lasers, the cameras act as mediators that record the laser lines and enable triangulation calculations, thereby achieving precise positioning measurements without being affected by the widening light fans illuminating other objects.
2Measurement precision
If additional distance measuring devices are installed in the irradiation room to monitor patient position, then positioning monitoring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing room lasers serve multiple functions: their primary function for patient positioning and alignment is enhanced with an additional function of enabling 3D position monitoring through laser triangulation. By projecting laser lines that can be captured by cameras, the room lasers become multi-functional devices that simultaneously perform positioning and measurement tasks, eliminating the need for separate distance measuring devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the existing room laser system to self-serve the additional function of position monitoring. The laser lines projected by the room lasers are captured by cameras, and through triangulation algorithms, the system automatically calculates patient position without requiring external measurement devices. The system uses its own resources (lasers and cameras) to achieve precise positioning monitoring.
3Reliability
If high-dose and high-precision radiation techniques are used, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but positioning accuracy requirements increase, exposing current methods as insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where patient position is continuously monitored during irradiation using laser triangulation. The system captures laser line images with cameras, calculates actual patient position through triangulation, compares it with the planned position, and provides feedback for real-time correction. This closed-loop feedback system ensures positioning accuracy meets the stringent requirements of high-dose and high-precision radiation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary position verification and correction before irradiation begins. The system uses laser triangulation to measure patient position in advance, compares it with the treatment plan, and allows for position adjustment before the actual irradiation starts. This preliminary action ensures that positioning accuracy requirements are met before high-dose radiation is delivered, preventing treatment errors.
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 provides a structurally simple, cost-effective, and accurate method for real-time position monitoring, reducing radiation exposure and improving treatment precision by using existing equipment for additional functionalities, enabling precise patient positioning and documentation of irradiation processes.
Implementation Method 1
Room lasers are laser projectors fixed to the ceiling or wall in the irradiation room, which generate one or two light fans
Implementation Method 2
The coordinate points are determined by a real-time triangulation method on the basis of measured values detected by the camera
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for determining the position of objects in an irradiation room for radiotherapy, comprising several room lasers arranged in the irradiation room, each configured to project at least one laser line onto the surface of a patient located on a patient table in the irradiation room for patient positioning, further comprising at least one camera configured to detect at least one laser line projected onto the patient's surface by at least one of the room lasers, and comprising an evaluation and control device configured to determine the coordinate points along the laser line projected onto the patient's surface during an irradiation procedure, based on the measured values detected by the camera, using a real-time triangulation method, and to compare these coordinate points with target coordinate points.wherein the control and evaluation unit further comprises a storage unit in which the coordinate points determined during the irradiation process are stored for documentation of the irradiation process. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.