Tumor Tracking via Skin Surface Scanner and 4D CT Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation treatment methods for tumors near the lungs, such as breath hold and respiratory gating, are cumbersome and require extensive patient training, and may irradiate healthy tissue, while real-time tumor tracking methods using fiducial markers pose safety concerns due to continuous x-ray exposure.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses four-dimensional computed tomography data and surface scanning techniques like laser scanning or photogrammetry to create a data model of the patient's skin surface, allowing continuous tracking of tumor movement during respiration without continuous x-ray exposure, by correlating the data model with 4D CT images to determine the tumor's position and adjust the radiation beam accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If breath hold technique is used to compensate for target movement during respiration, then tumor tracking accuracy is improved, but treatment time increases and patient training is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical breath-hold technique with an optical tracking system using surface scanners and fiducial markers. The system uses optical fields (lasers, cameras) to detect and track tumor position in real-time, eliminating the need for patients to physically hold their breath while maintaining tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic real-time tracking and adjustment of radiation beams based on detected tumor position. The computer system automatically processes marker positions and adjusts beam targeting without requiring patient intervention or breath-holding, allowing continuous treatment delivery.
2Productivity
If respiratory gating is used to synchronize radiation beam with breathing cycle, then treatment speed is improved, but patient training is required and healthy tissue may be irradiated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces respiratory gating's mechanical synchronization approach with continuous optical tracking of fiducial markers. Instead of gating the beam based on breathing phase, the system continuously tracks marker position and adjusts beam targeting in real-time, eliminating the need for gating margins that irradiate healthy tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring fiducial marker positions and immediately adjusting radiation beam targeting accordingly. This closed-loop control allows precise tumor tracking without requiring gating margins, thereby protecting healthy tissue while maintaining treatment speed.
3Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are monitored with continuous x-ray imaging, then real-time tumor position detection is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical intermediaries (surface scanners, lasers, cameras) to track fiducial markers instead of using continuous x-ray imaging. These optical devices serve as mediators that detect marker positions without exposing the patient to additional ionizing radiation, maintaining detection precision while ensuring patient safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system substitutes x-ray imaging with optical imaging techniques. Surface scanners and cameras use visible light or near-infrared fields to detect fiducial markers, replacing the harmful ionizing radiation of x-rays with safe optical fields while maintaining real-time tracking capability.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If external position markers are used to track fiducial markers, then continuous tracking is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical tracking system multi-functional by using the same surface scanner and camera system for both initial patient positioning and continuous fiducial marker tracking. This universal system handles multiple functions (positioning, tracking, verification) without requiring separate dedicated devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the external position markers with the treatment delivery system by integrating the optical tracking components into the radiation therapy apparatus. This combination eliminates the need for separate tracking systems and allows synchronized operation of tracking and treatment delivery, reducing complexity while maintaining continuous tracking.
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 precise and efficient radiation delivery to tumors during respiration, reducing treatment time and patient burden by accurately tracking tumor movement in real-time without the need for extensive patient training or continuous x-ray exposure.
Implementation Method 1
capturing light reflected from the surface of the patient's skin
Implementation Method 2
surface scanning techniques like laser scanning
Implementation Method 3
capturing light reflected from the surface of the patient's skin
Implementation Method 4
surface scanning techniques like laser scanning or photogrammetry
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for tracking a pathological anatomy within a patient's body is described. A data model of a skin surface of the patient's body may be acquired using light reflected from the skin surface. The data model can be matched with skin surfaces reconstructed and/or interpolated from four-dimensional (4D) diagnostic imaging data, such as 4D CT data, to determine a temporal phase of the patient's respiratory motion. The identified temporal phase may then be used in conjunction with the diagnostic imaging data to identify a location of the pathological anatomy within the patient's body.