Rotating Proton Gantry Beam Delivery for Cyclical Target Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy techniques face challenges in efficiently delivering proton therapy with rotating gantries, particularly in managing target movement and minimizing dose to healthy tissue, especially when using broad beams and compensators, and in accurately tracking targets with cyclical patient motion.
Innovation Solution
A spiral pattern for delivering particle beams is employed using a rotating gantry, combined with a database of parameters for patient phases and gantry angles, allowing continuous delivery without stopping, and optimizing beamlet size and energy distribution to ensure accurate targeting and reduced healthy tissue exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating gantry with broad beam and compensators is used for proton therapy, then the ability to deliver radiation from multiple angles is improved, but the complexity of managing target movement and tracking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the compensator component from the system, achieving the same dose distribution goals through a simplified rotating gantry with pencil beam scanning that dynamically adjusts beam parameters without requiring additional compensating devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam parameter adjustment during gantry rotation, where the beam energy and spot position are continuously modified to account for target motion, replacing the static compensator approach with a dynamic control system that adapts to changing geometric conditions in real-time
2Reliability
If treatment planning is performed manually with trial-and-error methods, then the ability to comply with treatment objectives is improved, but the time required for treatment planning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated treatment planning with iterative optimization that uses feedback from dose calculations and constraint satisfaction to automatically adjust treatment parameters, replacing manual trial-and-error planning with a computer-controlled optimization process that converges on optimal solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical planning process with an automated computational system that uses algorithms to generate treatment plans, substituting human reasoning and iterative adjustment with computer-based optimization that achieves the same compliance with treatment objectives much faster
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of organs at risk increases, then the completeness of treatment planning is improved, but the complexity of the planning process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment planning process into distinct modular components: target region delineation, organ at risk identification, constraint definition, and optimization execution. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple OARs systematically by processing each constraint independently through the optimization algorithm, reducing overall process complexity
4Measurement precision
If real-time imaging is performed during treatment, then the accuracy of target positioning is improved, but the time delay between image acquisition and radiation delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image acquisition and target position determination before the treatment session begins, using these preliminary measurements to establish the treatment plan and beam parameters in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time imaging during treatment, removing the time delay while maintaining positioning accuracy through pre-treatment planning
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 enhances treatment efficiency, reduces errors, and optimizes dose distribution, ensuring precise delivery of proton therapy even with patient movement, minimizing healthy tissue exposure and improving treatment time.
Implementation Method 1
The radiation therapy system includes a particle beam source that can be rotated to different positions around the patient
Implementation Method 2
proton therapy is provided by a particle beam source... One significant known advantage of proton therapy is it provides superior dose distribution with minimal exit dose compared to other forms of radiation therapy
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described herein for delivering a particle beam from a continuously rotating gantry towards a target according to a determined patient state. The determined patient state and an identified gantry angle of a gantry may be used to deliver a set of beamlets (e.g., a pattern of radiation dose) to the target. The particle beam may rotate through a range of gantry angles. The set of beamlets may be delivered continuously while the gantry rotates.