A virtual simulator designed for collision prevention in proton therapy.

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Proton therapy systems feature large nozzle structures, increasing the risk of patient-nozzle collisions, especially when minimizing air gaps.
• Accurate prediction of potential collisions is crucial for ensuring patient safety and optimizing treatment delivery in proton therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate software for predicting collisions between the proton therapy nozzle and the patient during treatment simulation.
• To enhance patient safety and clinical workflow efficiency in proton therapy through virtual simulation.

Main Methods:

• Three-dimensional (3D) modeling of gantry, nozzle, and robotic couch components using SolidWorks.
• Acquisition of patient body contours via 3D scanning and reconstruction, validated against CT images.
• Integration of machine and patient models into a virtual simulator for static and dynamic collision detection based on voxel overlap.

Main Results:

• Successful assembly of 3D models and accurate control of simulated component motions.
• Validation of patient 3D model accuracy with a deviation of 2 mm compared to CT images.
• Rapid simulation of collision scenarios (within minutes) with visualized events and reported collision volumes.

Conclusions:

• The developed virtual simulation software effectively predicts potential collisions in proton therapy.
• This tool is expected to significantly improve patient safety and clinical efficiency in proton therapy procedures.