Performance of an ultrasound probe prototype for motion management in radiotherapy

在这个项目中，我们将开发一种结合超声和X射线成像的新技术，以在放射治疗期间真实的跟踪解剖结构。该研究将主要集中在4D肺放射治疗的应用，其中需要相关模型来克服组织-空气界面存在时超声信息的丢失。这一共同努力是在学术界和工业界的合作下进行的。超声成像探头的原型将与基于X射线成像的现有技术相结合，该技术允许真实的实时跟踪解剖结构。将开发专门的算法，使超声技术与这种类型的图像引导放射治疗相结合。先进的工具将被开发，以评估这些算法的辐射剂量输送的情况下的性能。将建立允许模拟人体呼吸运动的人体模型原型和治疗机模型，以预测人体模型接收的剂量分布。该工具将用作该技术绝对性能的评价手段，并能够开发临床环境中肿瘤跟踪精度的预测模型。

In this project, we will develop a new technique combining ultrasound and X-ray imaging to track anatomy in real time during radiotherapy treatments. The study will be mainly focused on applications to 4D lung radiotherapy where correlation models are required to overcome the loss of ultrasound information in the presence of tissue-air interfaces. This joint effort takes place in collaboration between academia and the industry. A prototype of ultrasound imaging probe will be combined to an existing technology based on X-ray imaging which allows tracking anatomy in real time. Specialized algorithms will be developed to enable the integration of the ultrasound technology to this type of image-guided radiotherapy. Advanced tools will be developed to evaluate the performance of these algorithms in the context of radiation dose delivery. A prototype of mannequin allowing simulating the human respiratory motion and a model of the treatment machine will be built to enable predicting dose distributions received by the mannequin. This tool will be used as a mean of evaluation for the absolute performance of the technique and enable the development of a predictive model on the precision of tumour tracking in a clinical environment.