Tumor Tracking via Scattered Ray Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking tumor location in radiation therapy are plagued by low accuracy and reliability due to high uncertainty in external surrogate signal data and the risks associated with implanting metal markers, which can cause surgical complications and affect treatment precision.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a radiation source and a detector to emit and receive scattered ray beams, determining the relative location of a tumor and adjusting radiation intensity and beam direction to ensure precise targeting, avoiding fluctuations and errors in radiation delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external surrogate signal data (marker motion, gas volume change, abdominal pressure change) is used to track tumor location, then the tracking method is non-invasive and easy to implement, but the accuracy and reliability are low due to high uncertainty in the signal data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary object (the tumor itself) as the tracking target instead of using external surrogates. By directly detecting signals from the tumor tissue, the system eliminates the uncertainty introduced by surrogate markers while maintaining non-invasive operation. The tumor's own physiological signals serve as the tracking reference, resolving the contradiction between ease of implementation and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple metal markers are implanted into the tumor region to obtain 3D spatial location through inverse calculation, then the tumor location can be precisely tracked, but the patient experiences additional surgical pains and may develop pneumothorax condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking function from external or implanted markers and transfers it to the tumor tissue itself. By utilizing the tumor's inherent physiological characteristics and signals, the system eliminates the need for metal marker implantation, thereby removing the harmful surgical complications while preserving the ability to track tumor location with high precision.
3Measurement precision
If metal markers are implanted to track tumor location, then the 3D spatial position can be determined through 2D projection imaging, but the metal markers may move inside the body affecting the accuracy and reliability of tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the tumor tissue itself as the intermediary for tracking, replacing metal markers that can move independently. Since the tumor's physiological signals are intrinsically linked to its location and movement, this approach ensures that the tracking reference moves consistently with the tumor, maintaining both spatial determination accuracy and tracking reliability without the risk of marker displacement.
4Device complexity
If the radiation source, body lesion and detector are located on a straight line for transmission imaging, then the detection is simplified, but the scattering data cannot be acquired for determining relative location relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional collinear arrangement (source-lesion-detector on a straight line) to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional geometric configuration. By positioning the detector at an angle relative to the source-lesion line, the system enables scattering data acquisition while maintaining detection feasibility. This dimensional change allows simultaneous获得 of both transmission and scattering information without excessive complexity.
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 allows for precise tracking and adjustment of tumor location, improving the accuracy and reliability of radiation therapy by ensuring the tumor receives the correct irradiation intensity, thereby enhancing treatment effectiveness and safety.
Implementation Method 1
emitting, from the radiation source, ray beams having a predetermined intensity, the ray beams being partially scattered after passing through the body lesion
Implementation Method 2
receiving, by the first detector, a portion of scattered ray beams to acquire scattering data of the lesion
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method for tracking tumor location and a radiotherapy apparatus, relating to the field of medical equipment technology. The method is applied to a radiotherapy apparatus comprising a first detector and at least one radiation source, and comprises emitting, from the radiation source, ray beams having a predetermined intensity, the ray beams being partially scattered after passing through a body lesion; receiving, by the first detector, a portion of scattered ray beams to acquire scattering data of the lesion; determining a relative location relationship between the lesion and a target region according to the acquired scattering data; and adjusting at least one of the ray beam intensity, lesion location and target region location according to the determined relative location relationship, such that the lesion receives irradiation of the ray beams having an adjusted predetermined intensity at the target region location.