Dynamic patient positioning system

• US 10,004,650 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Guertin, Timothy E., Marc, Marcel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tran N
• Application Number:
  US11/985,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20080071420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,875 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2, 250250
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2046 Tracking techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/363 Use of fiducial points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/364 Correlation of different images or relation of image positions in respect to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3904 specially adapted for marking specified tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/392 Radioactive markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3929 Active markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3979 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3995 Multi-modality markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0228 using calibration standards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/04 Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like operating tables A61G13/00; operating chairs A61G15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0407 Supports, e.g. tables or beds, for the body or parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0478 Chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0492 using markers or indicia for aiding patient positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/08 Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4411 the apparatus being modular A61B6/4283 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/547 : involving tracking of position of the device or parts of the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/582 : Calibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/017 : convertible into chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0212 : 2 pairs having wheels within a pair on the same position in longitudinal direction, e.g. on the same axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0231 : having only fixed wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0275 : having driven wheels, e.g. motorised
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0293 : stretcher supports with wheels, e.g. used for stretchers without wheels stretcher supports without wheels A61G1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/325 : prone
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2210/50 : for radiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/006 : convertible to stretchers or beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/046 : at least three driven wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1051 : using an active marker
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1059 : using cameras imaging the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1061 : using an x-ray imaging system having a separate imaging source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1063 : maintaining the position when the patient is moved from an imaging to a therapy system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1048 : Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 : for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1075 : for testing, calibrating, or quality assurance of the radiation treatment apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1079 : Sharing a beam by multiple treatment stations
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A patient treatment system includes one or more automated patient transporters configured to move a patient from a preparation area to one of a plurality of alternative treatment areas, and to position the patient relative to a therapeutic radiation beam. Both transportation of the patient and positioning of the patient are optionally performed while the patient is secured to one of the patient transporters. A control system may be used to both position and transport the patient responsive to a patient treatment plan.

Claims

1. A treatment system comprising:

a particle beam source configured to generate a therapeutic beam of particles;

a particle beam nozzle to direct the therapeutic beam of particles in a first treatment area; and

an automated patient transport configured to transport a patient on a patient support from a preparation area to the first treatment area and to position a treatment volume within the patient relative to the therapeutic beam of particles, and configured to support the patient in receiving the therapeutic beam of particles, the automated patient transport including a position sensor providing signals for determining positions of the sensor and configured for use in determining the relative positions of the treatment volume and the therapeutic beam of particles,

wherein the preparation area is protected from radiation generated within the first treatment area by one or more barriers including shielding, and the patient support is integrally connected to the patient transport and inseparable from the patient transport in transporting the patient, positioning a treatment volume within the patient, and supporting the patient in receiving the therapeutic beam of particles.

2. The treatment system of claim 1 further comprising a control system configured to direct the patient transport to move.

3. The treatment system of claim 2 wherein the control system is configured to direct the patient transport to move based on at least signals received from the position sensor in the patient transport.

4. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the position sensor is configured to position the treatment volume relative to the therapeutic beam of particles to within +/−

2.0 millimeters.

5. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first treatment area is one of a plurality of treatment areas and the patient transport is configured to transport the patient to any one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to a control system.

6. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first treatment area is one of a plurality of treatment areas and the patient transport is configured to transport the patient to any one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to a treatment plan.

7. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to alternatively position the treatment volume relative to a plurality of therapeutic beams of particles within the first treatment area.

8. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to transport the patient from the first treatment area back to the preparation area.

9. A method comprising:

generating position information by detecting a position of a treatment volume of a patient relative to a position sensor of an automated patient transporter including a patient support supporting the patient;

transporting the patient from a preparation area to a treatment area using the automated patient transporter, the preparation area being protected from radiation generated at the treatment area by one or more barriers including shielding;

determining a position of the automated patient transporter within the treatment area using the position sensor;

positioning the treatment volume relative to a treatment beam disposed within the treatment area, using the automated patient transporter, a position of the treatment volume relative to the treatment beam being determined using the position information; and

delivering a therapeutic beam to the treatment volume in the patent, the patient being supported by the automated patient transporter during the delivery of the therapeutic beam, wherein the patient support is integrally connected to the patient transporter and inseparable from the patient transporter in transporting the patient, positioning a treatment volume within the patient, and supporting the patient in delivering the therapeutic beam.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the automated patient transport is configured to alternatively receive members of a plurality of patient supports including a patient support configured to support the patient in a sitting position and a patient support configured to support the patient in a supine position.

11. The method of claim 10, further including selecting the treatment area from among a plurality of alternative treatment areas.

12. The method of claim 10, further including programming the automated patient transporter to transport the patient to the treatment area.

13. The method of claim 10, further including programming a transport path for use by the automated patient transporter to guide the patient transporter to the treatment area.

14. The method of claim 9, further including identifying the patient.

15. The method of claim 14, further including using an identity of the patient to access a treatment plan.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the treatment plan includes characteristics of the treatment volume.

17. The method of claim 14, further including using the treatment plan to control the treatment beam.

18. The method of claim 14, further including using the treatment plan to select the treatment area from a plurality of alternative treatment areas.

19. The method of claim 9 wherein the automated patient transporter transporting the patient is directed by a control system.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the control system directs the patient transporter based on at least signals received from the position sensor in the patient transport.

21. The method of claim 9, wherein the automated patient transport is configured for transporting the patient in alternatively a supine or sitting position.

22. A treatment system comprising:

a radiation source configured to generate a therapeutic beam of radiation;

a treatment head to direct the therapeutic beam of radiation in a first treatment area; and

an automated patient transport configured to transport a patient on a patient support from a preparation area to the first treatment area and to position a treatment volume within the patient relative to the therapeutic beam of radiation, and configured to support the patient in receiving the therapeutic beam of radiation, the automated patient transport including a position sensor providing signals for determining positions of the sensor and configured for use in determining the relative positions of the treatment volume and the therapeutic beam of radiation,

wherein the preparation area is protected from radiation generated within the first treatment area by one or more barriers including shielding, and the patient support is integrally connected to the patient transport and inseparable from the patient transport in transporting the patient, positioning a treatment volume within the patient, and supporting the patient in receiving the therapeutic beam of radiation.

23. The treatment system of claim 22 further comprising a control system configured to direct the patient transport to move.

24. The treatment system of claim 23 wherein the control system is configured to direct the patient transport to move based on at least signals received from the position sensor in the patient transport.

25. The treatment system of claim 22, wherein the position sensor is configured to position the treatment volume relative to the therapeutic beam of radiation to within +/−

2.0 millimeters.

26. The treatment system of claim 22, wherein the first treatment area is one of a plurality of treatment areas and the patient transport is configured to transport the patient to any one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to a control system.

27. The treatment system of claim 22, wherein the first treatment area is one of a plurality of treatment areas and the patient transport is configured to transport the patient to any one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to a treatment plan.

28. The treatment system of claim 22, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to alternatively position the treatment volume relative to a plurality of therapeutic beams of radiation within the first treatment area.

29. The treatment system of claim 22, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to transport the patient from the first treatment area back to the preparation area.