Panel-type sensor/source array assembly

• US 20040125916A1
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Calypso Medical Technologies, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Herron, Matthew A., White, Bryan, Truslow, Sam, LeFors, Jon H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,912,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3958 emitting a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1051 using an active marker
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1065 Beam adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/922 including image analysis

Abstract

A low-density sensor panel assembly system is provided for use with remote marker assemblies that generates a marker signal and for use with a radiation therapy source that generates a radiation beam during radiation therapy. The system includes a sensor array having a layer of sensor coils arranged in a selected pattern and configured to receive the marker signal from the remote marker. A support panel is connected to the sensor array and retains each of the sensor coils in a substantially fixed and unmoving position relative to the other sensor coils. The sensor panel and sensor array define a low-density panel structure configured to dwell in the radiation beam during the radiation therapy.

Claims

1. A signal measurement system for use with a remote marker that generates a marker signal, and a radiation therapy source that generates a radiation beam, comprising:

an array of sensor coils arranged in a selected pattern and configured to receive the marker signal from the remote marker; and

a support panel connected to the array of sensors coils, the support panel and the array of sensor coils defining a sensor assembly that is at least substantially rigid and is configured to limit an increase in a skin dose of the radiation beam through the panel assembly up to approximately 80% more than a skin dose of the radiation beam through air while dwelling in the radiation beam.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor assembly has a mass per unit area in a plane of the support panel of approximately 1.0 grams/cm² or less.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the sensor assembly has a mass per unit area in a plane of the support panel that averages approximately 0.3 grams/cm² or less for the entire volume.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the array of sensor coils is embedded within the support panel.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the array of sensor coils defines a first layer, and the signal measurement system further comprises a plurality of source coils forming a second layer connected to the support panel and spaced apart from the first layer.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the support panel includes an integral coil-cooling system coupled to the plurality of source coils.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the coil-cooling system includes a cooling channel integrally formed in the support panel adjacent to the plurality of source coils and configured to remove heat from the plurality of source coils.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the array of sensor coils comprises a substrate, and the sensor coils are printed circuit windings on the substrate, and the substrate is laminated to the support panel.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a layer of source coils coupled to the support panel.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the support panel includes a first foam core and a second foam core, and the signal management system further comprises a layer of source coils laminated between the first and second foam cores, the array of sensor coils being spaced apart from the layer of source coils by at least one of the first and second foam cores.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an optical target coupled to the support panel.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the support panel is configured to limit the increase in the skin dose of the radiation beam through the panel assembly up to approximately 40-60% more than the skin dose of the radiation beam through air while dwelling in the radiation beam.

13. A low-density signal measurement system for use with a remote marker that generates a marker signal and a radiation therapy source that generates a radiation beam, comprising:

an array of sensor coils arranged in a selected pattern and configured to receive the marker signal from the remote marker, and

a support panel laminated to the array of sensor coils to form a sensor assembly that retains the sensor coils in a fixed arrangement, wherein the sensor assembly is configured to attenuate the radiation beam by 0.5% or less.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the sensor assembly has a mass per unit area in a plane of the support panel that averages approximately 0.3 grams/cm² or less.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the support panel includes an integral coil-cooling system coupled to the plurality of source coils.

16. A rigid excitation and sensor system for use with a leadless marker that generates a marker signal, comprising;

a plurality of source coils retained in a first coil layer to be in a fixed arrangement, the source coils being configured to generate an excitation field that energizes the leadless marker for generation of the marker signal;

a plurality of sensor coils retained in a second coil layer separate from the first coil layer, the sensor coils being arranged in a selected pattern configured to receive the marker signal from the leadless marker; and

a support panel carrying the first coil layer and the second coil layer, the support panel retaining the sensor coils in the selected pattern to at least substantially inhibit relative movement between the sensor coils.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the support panel is laminated to the first coil layer and the second coil layer to form a substantially rigid assembly.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the second coil layer includes a substrate attached to the source coils, the source coils being substantially rigidly retained in a fixed position relative to each other.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of source coils are co-planar.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the first and second coil layers are each substantially planar.

21. The system of claim 16, further comprising a first stiffening spacer and a second stiffening spacer, the first coil layer being laminated between the first and second stiffening spacers, and one of the first and second stiffening spacers being between the first and second coil layers.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein at least one of the stiffening spacers has a coil-cooling system integrally formed therein and configured to direct a flow of cooling fluid over the source coils.

23. The system of claim 16 for use with a radiation beam source that generates a radiation beam for use in radiation therapy, and wherein the system is configured to dwell in the radiation beam during radiation therapy.

24. A signal measurement system for use with a linear accelerator that generates a radiation beam and marker that generates a marker signal, comprising;

a first coil layer having substantially planar source coils;

a second coil layer having substantially planar sensor coils configured to receive the marker signal from the marker upon excitation of the marker; and

a support panel carrying the first and second coil layers with the source coils and sensor coils in a substantially rigid fixed position relative to each other, the support panel and the first and second coil layers defining a laminated sensor assembly configured to allow the radiation beam to pass therethrough with a radiation beam attenuation of approximately 0.5% or less.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the support panel has an integral coil-cooling system.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising a first stiffening spacer and a second stiffening spacer, the first coil layer being laminated between the first and second stiffening spacers, and one of the first and second stiffening spacers being between the first and second coil layers.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the first and second coil layers are substantially parallel.

28. The system of claim 24 wherein the first and second coil layers are embedded in the laminated sensor assembly.

29. A system for locating a remote marker that generates a marker signal, comprising:

a source generator;

a sensor panel assembly coupled to the source generator, the sensor panel assembly comprising;

a first coil layer having a plurality of source coils coupled to the source generator;

a second coil layer separate from the first coil layer and having a plurality of sensor coils, the sensor coils configured to receive the marker signal from the marker and to generate sensor signals based upon the marker signal; and

a support panel laminated to the first and second coil layers with the source coils and the sensor coils in a substantially rigid, fixed position relative to each other; and

a controller remote from the sensor panel assembly and coupled to the sensor coils to receive the sensor signals.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the plurality of sensor coils are co-planar.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the plurality of source coils are co-planar.

32. The system of claim 29 wherein the support panel includes a first stiffening spacer and a second stiffening spacer, and the first coil layer is laminated between the first and second stiffening spacers, and one of the first and second stiffening spacers is between the first and second coil layers.

33. The system of claim 29 wherein the support panel has a coil-cooling system configured to direct a flow of cooling fluid over the plurality of source coils.

34. The system of claim 29 wherein the sensor panel assembly has a mass per unit area in a plane of the support panel that averages approximately 0.3 grams/cm² or less.

35. An excitation panel assembly for use with a remote marker and a coolant source, comprising:

a plurality of source coils configured to generate a marker excitation field; and

a support panel coupled to the source coils, the support panel having cooling channels integrally formed therein, the cooling channels being configured to remove heat from the source coils.

36. The assembly of claim 35, further comprising a coolant pump coupled to the support panel and in fluid communication with the cooling channels.

37. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the plurality of source coils define a first coil layer, and further comprising a second coil layer having an array of sensor coils, the first coil layer being spaced apart from the second coil layer.

38. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the plurality of source coils are substantially co-planar.

39. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the excitation panel assembly has a mass per unit area in a plane of the support panel of approximately 1.0 grams/cm² or less.

40. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the excitation panel assembly has a mass per unit area in a plane of the support panel that averages 0.3 grams/cm² or less.

41. A method of locating and irradiating a target in a patient with a radiation beam, comprising:

positioning a marker at a selected location relative to the target;

positioning a sensor panel assembly adjacent to the patient and between a radiation beam source and the patient;

energizing the marker to generate a marker signal;

receiving the marker signal with the sensor panel assembly;

determining a location of the marker and the target in three-dimensional space; and

irradiating the target with the radiation beam at the location of the target in three-dimensional space, the radiation beam passing through the sensor panel assembly while irradiating the target.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein irradiating the target includes passing the radiation beam through the panel assembly with the radiation beam undergoing beam attenuation of approximately 0.5% or less.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein irradiating the target includes increasing a skin dose of the radiation beam passing through the sensor panel assembly up to approximately 80% more than a skin dose of the radiation beam passing through air.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the sensor panel assembly includes an optical target thereon, and the method further comprises locating the optical target and determining the location of the optical target relative to a determinable position of the radiation beam.

45. A method of generating a magnetic excitation field for energizing a remote leadless marker, comprising:

positioning an excitation assembly in a selected vicinity of the remote leadless marker, the excitation assembly having a plurality of source coils configured to generate a magnetic excitation field for excitation of the remote leadless marker, the excitation assembly having a support panel coupled to the source coils, the support panel having a coil-cooling system integrally formed therein and in fluid communication with the source coils;

generating the magnetic excitation field with the source coils;

energizing the marker assembly with the magnetic excitation field; and

cooling the source coils with a flow of coolant from the coil-cooling system.