Incorporating Internal Anatomy In Clinical Radiotherapy Setups

• US 20080064953A1
• Filed: 09/10/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elekta Ltd. (Elekta AB)
• Original Assignee: Elekta Ltd. (Elekta AB)
• Inventors: Lachaine, Martin, Gorman, Jason, Falco, Tony
• Granted Patent: US 9,451,928 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/427
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/03 Computed tomography [CT] echo-tomography A61B8/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/08 Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings A61B8/02 - A61B8/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1058 using ultrasound imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam

Abstract

A diagnostic image of internal anatomical features of a patient is annotated with representations of external features, such both can be viewed together on a visual display. Adjustments to various treatment parameters relating to the administration of radiation therapy are provided, and the displayed image is automatically updated based on the adjustments.

Claims

1. A method for displaying images used during the administration of radiation treatment to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining an image of one or more internal anatomical features of the patient;

(b) obtaining a representation of one or more external features of the patient;

(c) annotating the image with the representation of the one or more external features;

(d) displaying the annotated image; and

(e) in response to the displayed annotated image, iteratively (i) adjusting one or more treatment parameters relating to the administration of radiation treatment to the patient and (ii) updating the displayed annotated image based at least in part on the parameter adjustments.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the image is a three-dimensional ultrasound image.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the three-dimensional ultrasound image is segmented.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more internal anatomical features of the patient comprise a lesion.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the external features comprise anatomical features.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the external features comprise artificial features.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment parameters comprise one or more of a position of the patient on a patient supporting device, a placement of the patient supporting device, a beam angle, a beam shape, or a placement of a radiation source relative to the patient.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the representation of one or more external features of the patient comprises an image taken from a viewpoint of a radiation delivery beam directed at the patient.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying an outline of a simulated radiation beam on the skin of the patient and, in response to the received instructions, updating the outline of the simulated radiation beam.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising storing the treatment parameters upon determination that the treatment parameters meet a treatment goal.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the treatment goal comprises a predetermined threshold defining the extent to which the radiation treatment eradicates a lesion.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising configuring an electron beam template according to the treatment parameters.

13. A system for displaying images used during the administration of radiation treatment to a patient, the system comprising:

(a) a register for;

(i) receiving an image of one or more internal anatomical features of the patient; and

(ii) receiving a representation of one or more external features of the patient; and

(b) a processor for;

(i) annotating the image with the representation of the one or more external features;

(ii) providing the annotated image to a display; and

(iii) in response to instructions to adjust one or more treatment parameters relating to the administration of radiation treatment to the patient, updating the displayed annotated image based at least in part on the received instructions.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a display for displaying the obtained images and the annotated image.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising an input device for receiving the instructions.

16. A method for fabricating a radiation treatment aperture for a radiation treatment device, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining, during a radiation treatment planning session, an image of one or more internal anatomical features of a radiotherapy patient;

(b) obtaining a visual representation of one or more external anatomical features of the patient;

(c) annotating the image with the visual representation;

(d) displaying the annotated image on a display, the displayed image being presented from a viewpoint of the radiation treatment device;

(e) tracing a preferred profile for the radiation treatment aperture on the display, the preferred profile encompassing both the internal and external anatomical features; and

(f) fabricating the radiation treatment aperture based on the traced profile.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising, prior to obtaining the visual representation of one or more external anatomical features, placing the patient in a treatment simulation device and adjusting treatment parameters of the simulation device, thereby aligning the visual representation of the one or more external anatomical features with the diagnostic image.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising iteratively updating the displayed annotated image in response to the adjustments.

19. A method administering radiation treatment to a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining an image of one or more internal anatomical features of the patient;

(b) obtaining a representation of one or more external features of the patient;

(c) annotating the image with the representation of the one or more external features;

(d) displaying the annotated image;

(e) in response to the displayed annotated image, iteratively (i) adjusting one or more treatment parameters relating to the administration of radiation treatment to the patient and (ii) updating the displayed annotated image based at least in part on the parameter adjustments; and

(f) delivering therapeutic radiation to the patient in accordance with the displayed image.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

(g) tracing a preferred profile for a radiation treatment aperture on the display, the preferred profile encompassing both the internal and external anatomical features; and

(h) fabricating the radiation treatment aperture based on the traced profile.