Real-Time Motion Management Couch for Radiation Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patient-positioning devices in radiation therapy are inadequate, being invasive, obstructive, claustrophobic, and requiring specialized skills, leading to inefficiencies and emotional stress due to involuntary or voluntary patient movement during treatment or imaging.

Innovation Solution

A real-time motion management system (RTMM) that uses a robot-driven movement correction couch overlay with a hexapod robot to automatically correct patient positioning by interpreting visual output and adjusting the patient's position independently, providing a flexible and modular design for improved accuracy and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current patient-positioning devices are used, then patient positioning is achieved, but the devices are invasive, obstructive, and cause patient stress due to movement during treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning accuracyVSAvoidpatient stress and movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables patients to self-adjust their positioning using a touchscreen interface, eliminating the need for invasive mechanical restraints. Patients can independently make positional adjustments, reducing stress and claustrophobia while maintaining positioning accuracy through real-time feedback from imaging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning devices with a digital control system that uses touchscreen interfaces and automated imaging guidance. This substitution eliminates physical restraints and mechanical constraints, allowing patients to remain comfortable and relaxed during positioning and treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If specialized skills are required for positioning, then positioning can be achieved, but treatment efficiency decreases due to time-consuming setup and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtreatment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows patients to perform their own positioning adjustments via touchscreen interface, eliminating the need for specialized operator intervention. This self-service capability significantly reduces setup time and increases treatment throughput while maintaining positioning accuracy through automated imaging feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates real-time imaging feedback that automatically guides positioning adjustments. The touchscreen interface provides visual feedback to patients, enabling them to self-correct positioning without requiring specialized operator skills, thereby improving treatment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If invasive positioning devices are used, then patient positioning is secured, but patient comfort deteriorates due to obstructions and claustrophobia

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Patients independently control their positioning through a touchscreen interface, eliminating the need for invasive mechanical restraints. This approach maintains positioning stability through patient autonomy while dramatically improving comfort by removing obstructions and claustrophobic elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical positioning restraints with a digital control system that uses touchscreen interfaces and soft positioning aids. This substitution eliminates harsh mechanical constraints while maintaining positioning stability through automated guidance and patient self-adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12121750B1System and method of real-time motion management for beam radiation treatment and imaging

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 DENIS CARL

AI summary

A system and method are disclosed for real-time motion management for beam radiation treatment and imaging, comprising a control system and a horizontal support structure, the horizontal support structure further comprising a fixed surface and a movable surface actuated by a robotic device, the control system further configured to receive target location information from one or more remote or local imaging devices or video output from a medical device providing treatment, generate a mapping of a patient location or a patient movement by scanning a visual field that includes the patient and the horizontal support structure, interpret the mapping to calculate a new position based on a detected deviation of a patient position or a patient movement from a target position, send instructions to the robotic device to actuate the movable surface to the new position; and receive position status information from the robotic device.