Selective Internal Radiation Therapy Planning Using Segmented Liver Volumes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current SIRT procedures lack precision in delivering radioactive microspheres to liver tumors due to incomplete information about tumor location, feeding vessels, and blood volume distribution, leading to inefficient radiation delivery and potential damage to surrounding tissues.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a robotic CT system for large volume scans, image segmentation, and contrast agent injections to accurately calculate and segment tumor and feeder vessel volumes, allowing for precise distribution of therapeutic agents based on blood supply percentages, optimizing the administration of radioactive microspheres during SIRT procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CT imaging is used to visualize tumor and feeding vessels, then the overall treatment planning can be performed, but the precision of dose delivery to individual tumors and feeders is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liver into multiple regions of interest (ROI) corresponding to different tumors and their feeding vessels. By dividing the liver volume into separate segments and assigning different weights to each segment based on its specific characteristics, the system achieves precise dose delivery to individual tumors while accounting for variations in blood volume distribution across different liver regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different weights to different liver segments based on their specific characteristics (tumor location, blood volume, feeder vessel characteristics). This allows the system to optimize radiation dose delivery locally to each tumor while considering the specific blood supply characteristics of each liver region, thereby improving precision without requiring complete information about all blood volume distribution.
2Productivity
If the overall dose of radioactive microspheres is calculated using body surface area and total liver volume, then the total amount of therapeutic agent can be determined, but the distribution of dose among individual feeding vessels cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the total liver volume into multiple segments corresponding to different tumor locations and feeding vessels. By segmenting the liver and assigning specific weights to each segment based on its characteristics, the system can optimize the distribution of radioactive microspheres among individual feeding vessels while maintaining overall treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of dose distribution from a uniform distribution based on total liver volume to a weighted distribution where each liver segment receives a proportionate share of the total dose. The weights are determined by segment-specific characteristics such as blood volume and feeder vessel characteristics, thereby optimizing treatment efficiency without requiring complete information about all feeding vessels.
3Measurement precision
If precise knowledge of tumor location and blood volume is obtained through extensive imaging and measurement, then dose delivery precision is improved, but the complexity and time required for planning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liver into predefined regions of interest (tumors and their feeding vessels) and assigns weights to each segment based on characteristic parameters. This segmentation approach allows the system to achieve precise dose delivery by focusing on specific tumor regions rather than requiring comprehensive analysis of the entire liver, thereby reducing planning complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of liver segments by assigning weights based on pre-determined characteristics (tumor location, blood volume estimates, feeder vessel properties). This preliminary action allows the system to prepare dose distribution plans in advance using simplified segment characteristics, reducing the complexity of real-time planning while achieving precise dose delivery.
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 enables more precise and effective delivery of therapeutic agents directly to tumors, reducing unnecessary exposure to healthy tissues and optimizing the use of radioactive material, thereby enhancing treatment success and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A large volume scan of the patient is implemented that encompasses the acquisition of image data from the entire liver
Implementation Method 2
Contrast agent is then injected into the main branch of the tumor feeding vessel or vessels, with monitoring using the aforementioned LargeVolume robotic CT scan
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and system for planning and implementing a selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), the liver volume and the tumor volume are automatically calculated in a processor by analysis of items segmented from images obtained from the patient using one or more imaging modalities, with the administration of a contrast agent. The volume of therapeutic agent that is necessary to treat the tumor is automatically calculated from the liver volume, the tumor volume, and the body surface area of the patient and the lung shunt percentage for the patient. The therapeutic agent can be administered via respective feeder vessels in respectively different amounts that correspond to the percentage of blood supply to the tumor from the respective feeder vessels, this distribution also being automatically calculated by analysis of one or more parenchymal blood volume (PBV) images.