Combined radiation therapy and imaging system and method

• US 20030048868A1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Analogic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Analogic Corporation
• Inventors: Tybinkowski, Andrew P., Nemirovsky, Lidia, Bailey, Eric M., Harootian, George Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,914,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/022 Stereoscopic imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4014 arranged in multiple source-detector units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/482 involving multiple energy imaging
• 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 5/103 Treatment planning systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam

Abstract

A method of and system for locating a targeted region in a patient uses a CT imaging subsystem and a radiotherapy subsystem arranged so the targeted region can be imaged with the imaging system and treated with a beam of therapeutic X-ray radiation using a radiotherapy subsystem. The beam of therapeutic X-rays is in a plane that is substantially fixed relative to, and preferably coplanar with, a slice plane of the CT imaging subsystem so that the targeted region can be imaged during a planning phase, and imaged and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays during the treatment phase without the necessity of moving the patient.

Claims

1. A combined system for planning and delivering X-ray therapy to a patient, the system including:

a CT imaging subsystem defining at least one slice plane so that data generated by the CT imaging subsystem can be used to create images relative to the slice plane so that a target region of the patient can be (a) determined for treatment during a planning phase and (b) imaged during treatment during a treatment phase, and

a radiation therapy subsystem for delivering a beam of therapeutic X-rays to the target region of the patient during treatment;

wherein the radiation therapy subsystem provides the beam of the therapeutic X-rays in a direction which is in a plane that is substantially fixed relative to the slice plane of the CT imaging system so that the targeted region can be imaged, and exposed to the beam of therapeutic X-rays without the necessity of moving the patient.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation therapy subsystem provides the therapeutic X-rays in a direction within a plane that is substantially coplanar with the slice plane of the CT imaging system so that the targeted region can be imaged, and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays without the necessity of moving the patient.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation therapy subsystem includes a detector for detecting the radiation level of the beam.

4. A system according to claim 1, the radiation therapy subsystem includes a collimator subsystem for shaping and sizing the beam of therapeutic X-rays.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation therapy subsystem includes a support for pivoting a source of the beam of therapeutic X-rays so that the beam can be directed from a predetermined angle.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the CT imaging system is adapted to provide stationary views.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein the CT imaging system includes at least two sources of X-rays or a moving electron beam source.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the two sources can be used to create a stereoscopic image of the target region.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the two sources can be used to create a three-dimensional image of the target region.

10. A system according to claim 7, wherein the two sources can be used to create separate images of the target region.

11. A system according to claim 7, wherein the two sources can be used to create dual energy beams of X-ray radiation.

12. A system according to claim 1, further including a subsystem for automatically comparing images created during the planning and treatment phases.

13. A system according to claim 1, further including a patient table for use in both the planning and treatment phases.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the table is adjustable in three orthogonal directions.

15. A method of locating a targeted region in a patient using a CT imaging subsystem, and treating the targeted region with therapeutic X-ray radiation using a radiotherapy subsystem, comprising:

providing the therapeutic X-rays in a direction which is substantially fixed relative to a slice plane of the CT imaging subsystem so that the targeted region can be imaged during a planning phase, and imaged and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays during the treatment phase without the necessity of moving the patient.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein providing the therapeutic beam includes

providing the therapeutic X-rays in a direction within a plane that is substantially fixed relative to a slice plane of the CT imaging subsystem so that the targeted region can be imaged during a planning phase, and imaged and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays during the treatment phase without the necessity of moving the patient.

17. A method of planning and delivering X-ray therapy to a patient, comprising:

defining at least one slice plane of a CT imaging subsystem so as to create images relative to the slice plane so that a target region of the patient can be (a) determined for treatment during a planning phase and (b) imaged during treatment during a treatment phase, and

delivering a beam of therapeutic X-rays to the target region of the patient during the treatment phase;

wherein the beam of the therapeutic X-rays is delivered in a direction which is in a plane that is substantially fixed relative to the slice plane so that the targeted region can be imaged, and exposed to the beam of therapeutic X-rays without the necessity of moving the patient.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein delivering the beam of therapeutic X-rays includes delivering the beam in a direction which is in a plane that is substantially coplanar within the slice plane so that the targeted region can be imaged, and exposed to the therapeutic X-rays without the necessity of moving the patient.

19. A method according to claim 17, further including detecting the radiation level of the beam with a detector subsystem.

20. A method according to claim 17, further including adjusting the shape and size of the beam of therapeutic X-rays with a collimator subsystem.

21. A method according to claim 17, further including pivoting a source of the beam of therapeutic X-rays so that the beam can be directed from a predetermined angle.

22. A method according to claim 21, further including forming stationary views with the CT imaging system during the treatment phase.

23. A method according to claim 21, further including using at least two sources of X-rays to form the stationary views.

24. A method according to claim 23, further including using the two sources to create a stereoscopic image of the target region.

25. A method according to claim 23, further including using the two sources to create separate images of the target region during the planning phase.

26. A method according to claim 23, further including creating dual energy beams using the two sources.

27. A method according to claim 17, further including automatically comparing images created during the planning and treatment phases.

28. A method according to claim 17, further including using a patient table for both the planning and treatment phases.

29. A method according to claim 28, further including adjusting the table, as necessary in each of three orthogonal directions.