Radiotherapy X-Ray Imaging Layout for Beam-Interference Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy systems face challenges in accurately imaging target tissues during treatment delivery due to interference between treatment beams and imaging systems, necessitating separate positioning of patients for imaging, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A radiation treatment system with imaging radiation sources and detectors positioned outside the treatment beam region, allowing simultaneous imaging and treatment without obstruction, using a gantry and treatment head configuration to minimize interference and enhance imaging accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If imaging radiation sources and detectors are positioned within the treatment beam region, then imaging can be performed during treatment delivery, but the imaging system interferes with the treatment beam delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the treatment beam path. The imaging radiation sources and detectors are arranged in a plane that is offset from the treatment beam's central axis, allowing imaging to occur in a dimension that does not intersect with the primary treatment beam path, thus eliminating interference while maintaining simultaneous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is divided into multiple segments (multiple imaging radiation sources and detectors arranged in an array) that are distributed around the treatment region. This segmentation allows different portions of the imaging system to operate at different angular positions, with each segment capturing imaging data from its specific viewpoint without blocking the treatment beam
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate positioning is used for imaging and treatment, then interference between treatment beam and imaging system is avoided, but patient positioning time increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system and treatment delivery system are merged into a single integrated radiation therapy apparatus. The imaging radiation sources and detectors are incorporated into the treatment gantry structure, allowing both imaging and treatment to be performed from the same mechanical platform without requiring separate positioning operations, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining beam interference avoidance through proper spatial arrangement
3Measurement precision
If imaging radiation sources and detectors are positioned at the edge of the treatment radiation region, then imaging accuracy is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging radiation sources and detectors are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide imaging capability during treatment delivery, enable anatomical verification, detect motion of target tissues, and support adaptive radiation therapy decisions. This multi-functionality justifies the enhanced positioning complexity by delivering comprehensive clinical benefits from a single integrated system
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 cost-effective and time-efficient intrafractional imaging during radiation therapy, improving treatment accuracy by providing real-time anatomical and motion information, reducing patient positioning errors, and enhancing treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of imaging radiation sources configured to emit imaging beams toward the object
Implementation Method 2
one or more first detectors configured to detect at least a portion of the imaging beams
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation treatment system may include a gantry configured to rotate around an object, a treatment head moving with the gantry, a plurality of imaging radiation sources configured to emit imaging beams toward the object, and one or more first detectors configured to detect at least a portion of the imaging beams. When the treatment head is delivering a treatment beam to the object, the plurality of imaging radiation sources and the one or more first detectors may be positioned outside at least a portion of a maximum treatment radiation region so as not to interfere with the treatment beam. At least one of the plurality of imaging radiation sources and the one or more first detectors may be positioned at or near an edge of the maximum treatment radiation region.