Voxelized Base Dose Calculation Using BED for Treatment Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation therapy planning systems fail to accurately compare and combine different treatment modalities due to the limitations of physical dose comparisons, which do not account for biological effects such as dose rate, fractionation schedule, and particle type, leading to inadequate evaluation of tumor control and normal tissue complications.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for determining a base dose using a biologically effective dose (BED) model to convert physical doses into BED, allowing for accurate comparison and combination of radiation therapies by calculating a base dose for each voxel, which is then used to optimize subsequent treatments in conventional treatment planning systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical dose is used to compare radiation therapies, then the comparison is simple and direct, but the biological effects cannot be accurately evaluated due to variations in dose rate, fractionation schedule, and particle type

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of dose comparisonVSAvoidaccuracy of biological effect evaluation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the physical dose parameter into a biologically effective dose parameter by applying conversion factors that account for dose rate, fractionation schedule, and particle type. This parameter transformation enables accurate biological effect evaluation while maintaining computational simplicity through standardized conversion relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If different radiation therapy modalities are combined, then comprehensive treatment options are available, but the combination cannot be properly evaluated due to differences in delivery modality and fractionation schedule

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in treatment modalitiesVSAvoidaccuracy of tumor control and complication prediction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal dose metric (biologically effective dose) that can accommodate multiple radiation therapy modalities including external beam photon radiation, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. This universal metric enables consistent evaluation and combination of different treatment approaches while maintaining reliability in predicting biological outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If simple summation of physical dose distributions is used, then the calculation is straightforward, but it does not provide useful indicators of expected tumor control or normal tissue complication probabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of dose calculationVSAvoidaccuracy of biological outcome prediction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter transformation by converting physical dose distributions into biologically effective dose distributions using modality-specific conversion factors. This transformation maintains computational efficiency while significantly improving the accuracy of biological outcome prediction for tumor control and normal tissue complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250319328A1Base dose calculation

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 MIM SOFTWARE INC

AI summary

A base dose calculation tool for determining a base dose employed in treatment planning. Base therapy information is considered on a voxelized and temporal basis such that subsequent treatments may be planned. The base dose output is operable with existing treatment planning systems.