Surface-Guided ROI Determination for Motion-Aware Radiotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation therapy is limited by normal physiological movement, such as respiration or heart movement, which can cause positional movement of the tumor or tissue region undergoing irradiation, leading to inaccuracies in radiation beam sizing and shaping.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automate the definition of a region-of-interest (ROI) by incorporating geometrical and movement data of the treatment system, using templates and vector fields to register and propagate contour points onto the patient's surface, improving accuracy and calculation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a user manually defines a region-of-interest (ROI) on a 3D surface image of a patient, then the ROI definition is based on user experience and judgment, but the process is subjective and time-consuming with variable accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated ROI definition by having the computing device automatically determine the region-of-interest based on treatment information and surface data, eliminating the need for manual user definition while maintaining or improving accuracy through objective algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from manual parameter selection to automated parameter determination by processing treatment information, surface data, and registration results to automatically define ROI boundaries and characteristics
2Reliability
If the ROI definition is automated using treatment information and surface data, then the objectivity and consistency of ROI determination is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device performs multiple functions including obtaining treatment information, acquiring surface data, registering models to surfaces, and automatically determining ROI, consolidating these functions into a single automated system that improves consistency while managing complexity through integration
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses registration models and vector fields as intermediaries to bridge treatment information and surface data, enabling automated ROI determination through systematic processing steps that manage complexity through structured intermediate representations
3Manufacturing precision
If the radiation beam is shaped to conform the treatment volume to the exact dimensions of a tumor, then the treatment precision is maximized, but any tumor movement during treatment results in the radiation beam not fully covering the targeted tumoral tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically defining the ROI based on treatment information and surface registration before treatment delivery, establishing an accurate reference region that accounts for anatomical variations and enables better preparation for motion management
Solution Approach 2:
The automated ROI determination system provides feedback by objectively defining treatment regions based on processed treatment information and surface data, creating a systematic approach that can be consistently applied and monitored throughout treatment delivery
Data Source
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AI summary
At least one example embodiment provides a method including obtaining S305 a surface of a patient, obtaining S310 first treatment information for the patient, the first treatment information associated with a treatment for the patient, the first treatment information corresponding to at least one of a treatment intent for the patient, a treatment plan for the patient or a structure of the patient, obtaining S315 at least one model based on the first treatment information for the patient and determining S317 a region of interest of the patient based on the surface of the patient and the at least one model.