Stereo Camera Patient Positioning via 3D Surface Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current patient positioning systems in radiotherapy lack accuracy and efficiency, requiring time-consuming and stressful marker placement procedures that can lead to variability in patient positioning during treatment.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing stereoscopic video images to generate and rapidly update three-dimensional models of a patient's surface, allowing for precise positioning by processing images from multiple viewpoints and adjusting the mechanical couch to align the patient consistently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If markers are placed on the patient to enable realignment, then positioning monitoring is enabled, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and stressful for the patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtime for marker placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for physical markers by extracting only the necessary function (positioning monitoring) and implementing it through optical surface scanning. The system scans the patient's body surface and creates a 3D model to track positioning without requiring any attached markers or devices on the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital 3D copy of the patient's body surface from optical scans and uses this virtual model for positioning monitoring. Instead of placing physical markers on the patient, the system captures and processes optical images to generate a surface model that serves as a marker-free tracking reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If markers are fixed on the patient's body, then positioning can be monitored, but variability in positioning may still occur and patient stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning consistencyVSAvoidpatient stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the patient's own body surface to serve as the positioning reference. By scanning and modeling the natural surface features of the patient's body, the system eliminates the need for external markers that cause stress or positioning variability. The patient's body itself provides the tracking information through its optical surface characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If traditional positioning systems are used, then patient alignment is achieved, but the process lacks speed and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning speedVSAvoidtreatment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical marker placement and physical alignment tools with an optical scanning and digital image processing system. The automated optical scanning captures patient surface geometry rapidly, and computer algorithms process the images to determine positioning, eliminating time-consuming manual mechanical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7889906B2Image processing system for use with a patient positioning device

Publication Date: 2011.02.15 VISION RT LTD

AI summary

Three camera rigs are connected by wiring to a computer. The computer is also connected to a treatment apparatus. A mechanical couch is provided as part of the treatment apparatus such that under the control of the computer the relative positions of the mechanical couch and the treatment apparatus may be varied. The camera rigs obtain video images of a patient lying on the mechanical couch. The computer processes these images to generate a three-dimensional model of the surface of the patient relative to the treatment apparatus.