Low-Density Sensor Panel for Radiation Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for tracking markers and targets in three-dimensional space during radiation therapy face challenges in distinguishing weak marker signals from strong continuous excitation signals, and managing beam contamination and attenuation, which limits the accuracy and effectiveness of radiation delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an array of sensor coils and a support panel configured to receive marker signals from remote markers, allowing real-time tracking of targets within the body while minimizing beam contamination and attenuation, with a sensor assembly that limits skin dose increase and maintains a low mass per unit area to reduce beam disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor assembly is placed in the radiation beam path for real-time tracking, then tracking accuracy is improved, but beam contamination and attenuation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly uses a thin panel structure with sensor coils embedded in a flexible or rigid thin film substrate. This thin film approach minimizes the physical presence in the beam path, reducing beam contamination and attenuation while still enabling accurate marker signal detection for real-time tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly acts as an intermediary device that detects marker signals without requiring direct interaction with the radiation beam. By using electromagnetic induction through sensor coils, the system obtains tracking information without the sensor mass directly interfering with the beam, thus reducing contamination
2Reliability
If sensor coils are positioned close to the patient for signal detection, then signal strength is improved, but skin dose increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thin panel design allows the sensor assembly to be positioned close to the patient's skin while minimizing the mass that generates scatter radiation. The thin film structure reduces the volume of material in the beam path, thereby limiting skin dose increase despite close positioning for optimal signal detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical contact or heavy sensor arrays with electromagnetic field-based detection using thin sensor coils. This substitution allows close positioning for strong signals while the non-contact electromagnetic detection method inherently reduces the mass present in the beam path, limiting skin dose
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sensor assembly has sufficient mass for structural rigidity, then mechanical stability is improved, but beam attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor coils are mounted on a thin rigid or flexible support panel that provides minimal structural mass. This thin panel configuration achieves the necessary mechanical stability for maintaining sensor coil positions while minimizing the mass that causes beam attenuation, allowing the radiation beam to pass through with minimal energy loss
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
Enables accurate and repeatable real-time tracking of targets during radiation therapy, allowing for smaller treatment margins and reduced damage to superficial tissues by controlling beam contamination and attenuation, while maintaining a low skin dose and minimal beam disruption.
Implementation Method 1
an array of sensor coils configured to receive the marker signal from the remote marker
Implementation Method 2
the sensor assembly is configured to limit an increase in a skin dose of the radiation beam through the panel assembly
Implementation Method 3
the introduction of solid materials in the path of a high energy photon or radiation beam during radiation therapy displaces electrons from the solid materials. To a lesser extent, such interaction also generates secondary photons of lower energy than the primary photons of the radiation beam
Data Source
AI summary
A low-density sensor panel assembly system is provided for use with remote marker assemblies that generates a marker signal and for use with a radiation therapy source that generates a radiation beam during radiation therapy. The system includes a sensor array having a layer of sensor coils arranged in a selected pattern and configured to receive the marker signal from the remote marker. A support panel is connected to the sensor array and retains each of the sensor coils in a substantially fixed and unmoving position relative to the other sensor coils. The sensor panel and sensor array define a low-density panel structure configured to dwell in the radiation beam during the radiation therapy.