METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND ASSOCIATED IMPLANTABLE DEVICES FOR DETECTING RADIATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR CANCER

• US 20060206026A1
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SNC Holdings Corp.
• Original Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc., North Carolina State University (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Mueller, Jeffrey, Nagle, H. Troy, Scarantino, Charles W., Hall, Lester C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,692 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/436
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/417 the bone marrow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/507 for determination of haemodynamic parameters, e.g. perfusion CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1048 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1071 for verifying the dose delivered by the treatment plan
• 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 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

Methods and systems for evaluating external beam radiation therapy delivered to a subject include: (a) placing at least one wireless implantable sensor in a first subject at a target location; (b) administering a first dose of radiation therapy into the first subject; (c) obtaining radiation data from the at least one wireless implantable sensor; and (d) calculating a radiation dose amount received by the first subject at the target location based on the radiation data obtained from the at least one wireless sensor during and/or after exposure to the first administered dose of radiation to determine and/or verify a dose amount of radiation delivered to the target location.

Claims

1. An oncology treatment control system, comprising:

a radiation treatment source configured to provide radiation treatment to respective patients during radiation therapy sessions;

a plurality of implantable wireless sensors residing in an oncology patient proximate and spaced apart about a target tumor treatment site, wherein the sensors are configured to detect radiation data associated with exposure to radiation delivered during the radiation therapy sessions;

a receiver in communication with the plurality of wireless sensors, the receiver configured to receive radiation data detected by the implanted sensors; and

a controller in communication with the radiation treatment source and the receiver to control at least one of power, dose or duration of a radiation treatment.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the controller and receiver comprise a feedback loop and communicate in substantially real-time to control the radiation treatment source based on the detected radiation data.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is a bedside unit.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is portable.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the implantable wireless sensors are configured to detect radiation data and tumor oxygen data, and wherein the system comprises a feedback loop circuit that controls delivery of radiation therapy based on detected measures of oxygenation and radiation received at the target tumor treatment site.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the implantable wireless sensors are passively operated and/or unpowered during exposure to radiation.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the implanted sensors is configured to detect temperature, oxygen, radiation and pH.

8. A method of controlling oncology treatments, comprising:

providing a radiation treatment source configured to provide radiation treatment to respective oncology patients during radiation therapy sessions;

obtaining data from a plurality of spaced apart implantable wireless sensors residing in a respective oncology patient proximate to a target tumor treatment site, wherein the sensors are configured to detect radiation data associated with exposure to radiation delivered during the radiation therapy sessions; and

electronically controlling the radiation treatment source to control at least one of power, dose or duration of a radiation treatment during a radiation therapy session.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the controlling comprises employing a a feedback loop whereby data from the implantable sensors is relayed in substantially real-time to a controller to control the radiation treatment source based on the detected sensor data.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the obtaining data step comprises electronically receiving data in a receiver in communication with the implanted sensors and the radiation treatment source.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the implantable wireless sensors are configured to detect radiation data and oxygen data, and wherein the system comprises a feedback loop circuit that controls delivery of radiation therapy based on detected measures of oxygenation and radiation received at the target tumor treatment site.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the implantable wireless sensors are passively operated and/or unpowered during exposure to radiation.