Real-Time Target Depth Measurement for Radiation Dose Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiation treatment systems fail to accurately deliver the planned dose to a target region due to uncertainties in target and surrounding tissue motion during treatment, leading to deviations between planned and actual radiation doses, as they do not account for real-time changes in target depth and tissue movement.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a motion tracking system to monitor the target region and a sensor system using a stereo-pair of optical cameras and a laser to determine the actual point of entry of the radiation beam, allowing for real-time adjustment of radiation delivery to match the planned dose, compensating for target and tissue motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional radiation treatment systems use fixed target depth assumptions from static CT images, then treatment planning can be simplified, but the actual radiation dose delivered to the target region deviates from the planned dose due to tissue motion and target depth changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static target depth assumptions to dynamic target depth measurement by continuously tracking the position of the target region and surrounding tissue surface during treatment delivery. This allows the system to adapt to real-time anatomical changes while maintaining accurate dose calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by measuring the actual target-to-surface distance during treatment delivery and using this information to calculate and adjust the radiation dose in real-time. This closed-loop approach ensures that the delivered dose matches the planned dose despite tissue motion.
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time target depth measurement and dose calculation systems are implemented, then dose delivery accuracy is improved, but system complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical camera system serves multiple functions: it tracks the position of the target region, measures the surrounding tissue surface position, and enables real-time target-to-surface distance calculation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement devices and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical cameras and lasers as intermediary measurement tools to indirectly determine target depth by measuring the positions of visible markers or features on the tissue surface. This approach avoids the complexity of direct internal target measurement while achieving the same accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If conventional systems assume fixed treatment conditions from planning, then treatment delivery is simpler, but errors between planned and actual dose are not detected or corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors treatment delivery conditions by measuring target depth in real-time and compares the actual dose delivered against the planned dose. This feedback mechanism enables automatic detection and correction of deviations, ensuring reliable dose delivery while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes the relationship between target position, surface position, and dose calculation during treatment planning. During delivery, it automatically applies these pre-established relationships to real-time measurements, simplifying the delivery process while ensuring accuracy through real-time verification.
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
Ensures that the actual radiation dose absorbed at the target region matches the planned dose by accounting for motion-induced changes in target depth and surrounding tissue movement, thereby improving the accuracy and effectiveness of radiation treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor system using a stereo-pair of optical cameras and a laser to determine the actual point of entry of the radiation beam
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for determining a target-to-surface distance (TSD) between a target region in a body and an actual point of entry of a radiation beam into the body from a radiation source. The method may include determining an absorbed dose of radiation from the radiation beam at the target region using the TSD. The method may also include compensating for both the motion of the target region with respect to the radiation source, and the motion of surrounding tissue relative to the target region. The apparatus may include a sensor system to determine the actual point of entry of the radiation beam into the body.