Intervening object compensating automated radiation treatment plan development apparatus and method of use thereof

• US 10,376,717 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2017
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ProTom International Holding Corporation
• Original Assignee: ProTom International Holding Corporation
• Inventors: Bennett, James P., Michaud, Susan L., Amato, Mark R., Reno, Jillian, Lee, W. Davis, Ruebel, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanore, David A
• Application Number:
  US15/483,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20170209714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 2503361, 250361 R, 25037001, 2502521, 702150, 702104, 702153, 702 40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5205 involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1051 using an active marker markers in general A61B90/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1054 using a portal imaging system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1061 using an x-ray imaging system having a separate imaging source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1095 Elements inserted into the radiation path within the system, e.g. filters or wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1096 Elements inserted into the radiation path placed on the patient, e.g. bags, bolus, compensators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1097 Means for immobilizing the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1037 taking into account the movement of the target, e.g. 4D-image based planning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1039 using functional images, e.g. PET or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1067 in real time, i.e. during treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1069 Target adjustment, e.g. moving the patient support
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/107 in real time, i.e. during treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1075 for testing, calibrating, or quality assurance of the radiation treatment apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1077 Beam delivery systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1081 Rotating beam systems with a specific mechanical construction, e.g. gantries
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1082 : having multiple beam rotation axes
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/08 : Deviation, concentration or focusing of the beam by electric or magnetic means electron-optical arrangements in electric discharge tubes H01J29/46; details, e.g. electric or magnetic deviating means for direct voltage accelerators or in accelerators using single pulses H05H5/02; arrangements for injecting particles into orbits H05H7/08; arrangements for ejecting particles from orbits H05H7/10
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 5/04 : with beam-forming means

Abstract

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor using positively charged particles having passed through an intervening object, comprising the steps of: predetermining an energy reduction of the positively charged particles resultant from the positively charged particles traversing the intervening object along a beam treatment path as a function of relative rotation of the patient and the beam treatment path; generating a radiation treatment plan adjusting energy of the positively charged particles delivered from the synchrotron to the intervening object to yield a desired beam treatment energy of the positively charged particles entering the tumor after compensating for the energy reduction; and optionally detecting a set of the positively charged particles after traversing the intervening object to yield a signal, where the signal is used with knowledge of energy of the positively charged particles exiting the synchrotron to pre-determine the energy reduction along the beam treatment path.

Claims

1. A method for treating a tumor of a patient using positively charged particles in presence of an intervening object, comprising the steps of:

positioning the intervening object between the tumor of the patient and an exit surface of an output nozzle system, said output nozzle system connected to a synchrotron using a beam transport system;

predetermining an energy reduction of the positively charged particles resultant from the positively charged particles traversing the intervening object along a beam treatment path, the energy reduction determined as a function of relative rotational position of the patient and the beam treatment path; and

generating a radiation treatment plan adjusting energy of the positively charged particles delivered from said synchrotron to the intervening object to yield a desired beam treatment energy of the positively charged particles entering the tumor after compensating for the energy reduction.

2. The method of claim 1, said step of generating a radiation treatment plan comprising an automated output of a computer implemented algorithm.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

using a physical property of the intervening material to calculate the energy reduction of the positively charged particles resultant from the positively charged particles traversing the intervening object along the beam treatment path, said physical property comprising at least one of;

(1) a density and (2) a pathlength of the positively charged particles in the intervening object along the beam treatment path.

4. The method of claim 3, said intervening object comprising an implanted device.

5. A method for treating a tumor of a patient using positively charged particles in presence of an intervening object, comprising the steps of:

positioning the intervening object between the tumor of the patient and an exit surface of an output nozzle system, said output nozzle system connected to a synchrotron using a beam transport system;

predetermining an energy reduction of the positively charged particles resultant from the positively charged particles traversing the intervening object along a beam treatment path, the energy reduction determined as a function of relative rotational position of the intervening object and the beam treatment path; and

generating a radiation treatment plan adjusting energy of the positively charged particles delivered from said synchrotron to the intervening object to yield a desired beam treatment energy of the positively charged particles entering the tumor after compensating for the energy reduction;

pre-generating a set of images of the intervening object using cations delivered from said synchrotron, passed through the intervening object, and detected by a scintillation detector; and

calculating the energy reduction using the set of images.

6. A method for treating a tumor of a patient using positively charged particles in presence of an intervening object, comprising the steps of:

positioning the intervening object between the tumor of the patient and an exit surface of an output nozzle system, said output nozzle system connected to a synchrotron using a beam transport system; and

predetermining an energy reduction of the positively charged particles resultant from the positively charged particles traversing the intervening object along a beam treatment path, the energy reduction determined as a function of relative rotational position of the intervening object and the beam treatment path; and

generating a radiation treatment plan adjusting energy of the positively charged particles delivered from said synchrotron to the intervening object to yield a desired beam treatment energy of the positively charged particles entering the tumor after compensating for the energy reduction,

said intervening object comprising at least one of;

a mechanical element used to position the patient for treatment; and

an implanted device.