Rotating Imaging Mechanism for Real-Time Radiotherapy Position Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
During radiotherapy, target region motion can cause deviations in the treatment beam focus, leading to inaccuracies in targeting. Existing image guidance technologies require imaging at two different angles, resulting in long time intervals between image acquisitions, which can lead to delayed correction of positional deviations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for image guidance that involves capturing medical images of a patient at multiple capturing angles by rotating an imaging mechanism around the patient positioning mechanism. This allows for real-time image guidance using a combination of images acquired at different angles, enabling more frequent detection and correction of positional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image guidance is performed using images acquired at two different angles with a preset angle interval, then the accuracy of position state detection is improved, but the time interval between image acquisitions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image acquisition process by capturing images at multiple discrete capturing angles (first capturing angle, second capturing angle, third capturing angle, etc.) during continuous rotation of the imaging mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to use combinations of images from different angles (e.g., first and second images, second and third images) to perform multiple position state detections within a single rotational cycle, thereby reducing the time interval between detections while maintaining accuracy through multi-angle data fusion.
2Productivity
If the imaging mechanism rotates continuously to capture images at multiple capturing angles, then the frequency of position detection is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging mechanism is designed with multi-functionality to perform both continuous rotation for dynamic imaging and stationary positioning for capturing images at specific capturing angles. This universal design allows the same imaging mechanism to serve multiple purposes: rotating to capture sequential images at different angles for frequent detection, and stopping at predetermined angles for high-accuracy reference imaging, thereby increasing detection frequency without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging mechanism implements periodic rotation to capture images at multiple capturing angles during each rotational cycle. This periodic action enables the system to perform position state detections at regular intervals by utilizing image combinations from successive capturing angles, thereby maintaining high detection frequency while following a predictable, cyclical pattern that simplifies control and timing synchronization.
3Speed
If images are acquired at capturing angles with small angle intervals, then the real-time performance of image guidance is improved, but the number of images required for accurate registration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple images captured at different capturing angles (first image, second image, third image, etc.) to form image combinations that represent the position state at a reference capturing angle. By combining information from multiple angles, the system achieves accurate registration and position detection using small angle intervals between consecutive captures, improving real-time performance while managing the total number of images through strategic combination rather than requiring individually high-resolution images at each angle.
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 proposed solution reduces the time interval between image guidance detections, allowing for more accurate and timely correction of positional deviations during radiotherapy, thereby improving the precision of the treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging apparatus may include an X-ray tube and a detector that are disposed oppositely, and an X-ray emitted by the X-ray tube passes through a target region of a patient and is then received by the detector to form the required X-ray transmitted image.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for image guidance, a medical device and a computer-readable storage medium. The method for image guidance includes: controlling an imaging mechanism to rotate around a patient positioning mechanism; acquiring a first image in response to that the imaging mechanism is rotated to any one of the capturing angles, the first image being a medical image of the patient captured by the imaging mechanism at a first capturing angle, and the first capturing angle being a capturing angle to which the imaging mechanism is currently rotated; performing, after a second image corresponding to the first image is acquired, image guidance using a combination of the first image and the second image as an indicator of a current position state of the patient.