Dynamic patient positioning system

• US 20080071420A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Marc, Marcel, Guertin, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 10,004,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/228
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2046 Tracking techniques
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/363 Use of fiducial points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/364 Correlation of different images or relation of image positions in respect to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3904 specially adapted for marking specified tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/392 Radioactive markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3929 Active markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3979 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3995 Multi-modality markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0228 using calibration standards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/04 Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like operating tables A61G13/00; operating chairs A61G15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0407 Supports, e.g. tables or beds, for the body or parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0478 Chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0492 using markers or indicia for aiding patient positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/08 Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4411 the apparatus being modular A61B6/4283 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/547 : involving tracking of position of the device or parts of the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/582 : Calibration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/017 : convertible into chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0212 : 2 pairs having wheels within a pair on the same position in longitudinal direction, e.g. on the same axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0231 : having only fixed wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0275 : having driven wheels, e.g. motorised
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 1/0293 : stretcher supports with wheels, e.g. used for stretchers without wheels stretcher supports without wheels A61G1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2200/325 : prone
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2210/50 : for radiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/006 : convertible to stretchers or beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/046 : at least three driven wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1051 : using an active marker markers in general A61B90/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1059 : using cameras imaging the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1061 : using an x-ray imaging system having a separate imaging source
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1063 : maintaining the position when the patient is moved from an imaging to a therapy system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1048 : Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 : for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1075 : for testing, calibrating, or quality assurance of the radiation treatment apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1079 : Sharing a beam by multiple treatment stations
• 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 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms

Abstract

A patient treatment system includes one or more automated patient transporters configured to move a patient from a preparation area to one of a plurality of alternative treatment areas, and to position the patient relative to a therapeutic radiation beam. Both transportation of the patient and positioning of the patient are optionally performed while the patient is secured to one of the patient transporters. A control system may be used to both position and transport the patient responsive to a patient treatment plan.

Claims

1. A treatment system comprising:

a particle beam source configured to generate a therapeutic beam of particles;

a particle beam nozzle to direct the therapeutic beam of particles in a first treatment area; and

an automated patient transport configured to transport a patient from a preparation area to the first treatment area and to position a treatment volume within the patient relative to the therapeutic beam of particles, the automated patient transport including a position sensor configured for use in determining the relative positions of the treatment volume and the therapeutic beam of particles.

2. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the position sensor is configured to position the treatment volume relative to the therapeutic beam of particles to within +/−

2.0 millimeters.

3. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the preparation area is protected from radiation generated within the first treatment area.

4. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first treatment area is one of a plurality of treatment areas and the patient transport is configured to transport the patient to any one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to a control system.

5. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first treatment area is one of a plurality of treatment areas and the patient transport is configured to transport the patient to any one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to a treatment plan.

6. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to alternatively position the treatment volume relative to a plurality of therapeutic beams of particles within the first treatment area.

7. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to transport the patient from the first treatment area back to the preparation area.

8. A treatment system comprising:

a particle beam source configured to generate a beam of particles;

a particle beam nozzle to direct the beam of particles in a first treatment area; and

a patient transport system configured for moving a plurality of patients from a preparation area to the first treatment area, the patient transport system including a first automated patient transporter configured to transport a first of the plurality of patients in a sitting position and a second automated patient transporter configured to transport a second of the plurality of patients in a supine position.

9. The treatment system of claim 8, wherein the patient transport system includes one or more rails configured to guide the first patient transporter and the second patient transporter.

10. The treatment system of claim 8, wherein the first patient transporter is further configured to transport a third of the plurality of patients in the supine position.

11. The treatment system of claim 8, wherein the first patient transporter is further configured to position a treatment volume within each of the plurality of patients relative to the beam of particles.

12. The treatment system of claim 8, wherein the second automated patient transporter includes a transport section and a patient support.

13. The treatment system of claim 12, wherein the transport section includes a transporter position sensor configured for detecting the relative positions of a first treatment volume within a member of the plurality of patients and the beam of particles.

14. The treatment system of claim 12, wherein the first automated patient transporter includes a mechanism configure to change relative positions of the transport section and patient support without separating the patient support from the transport section.

15. The treatment system of claim 8, further including a detector configured for detecting the relative positions of a first treatment volume within a member of the plurality of patients and the beam of particles.

16. The treatment system of claim 8, further including a turnstile configured to move the first automated patient transporter around an axis of rotation.

17. A treatment system comprising:

a particle beam source configured to generate a beam of particles;

a plurality of particle beam paths configured to direct the beam of particles to a plurality of treatment areas;

an automated patient transport configured to transport a first patient to a first of the plurality of treatment areas along a first transport path and to transport a second patient to a second of the plurality of treatment areas along a second transport path; and

logic configured to select between the first transport path and the second transport path.

18. The treatment system of claim 17, wherein the logic is configured to select between the first transport path and the second transport path responsive to an identity of the first patient.

19. The treatment system of claim 17, wherein the logic is further configured to select between the first transport path and the second transport path responsive to a patient treatment plan associated with the first patient.

20. The treatment system of claim 17, wherein the logic is further configured to operate a switch in a rail to alternatively direct the automated patient transport to the first transport path and the second transport path.

21. The treatment system of claim 17, wherein the logic is further configured to send a command to the automated patient transport such that the patient transport travels alternatively along the first transport path and the second transport path.

22. The treatment system of claim 17, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to both transport the first patient to the first of the plurality of treatment areas and to position the first patient relative to the beam of particles, while the first patient is secured to the patient transport.

23. A treatment system comprising:

a patient database configured to store a patient identity;

a particle beam source configured to generate a beam of particles;

a plurality of particle beam paths configured to alternatively direct the particles to a plurality of treatment areas;

a patient transporter configured to transport a patient from a preparation area to a selected one of the plurality of treatment areas, for treatment using the particles; and

a control system configured to

receive the patient identity,

access a patient treatment plan responsive to the patient identity,

direct the patient transporter to move the patient to the selected one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to the patient treatment plan, and

position a treatment volume within the patient relative to the particles according to the treatment plan.

24. The treatment system of claim 23, wherein the patient transporter is configured to position the treatment volume relative to the particles to within +/−

2 millimeters.

25. The treatment system of claim 23, wherein the control system is further configured to schedule treatment of the patient.

26. A patient transporter comprising:

a transport section including a drive system configured to propel the patient transporter;

a first patient support configured to hold a patient in a sitting position while the patient transporter is propelled using the transport section;

a second patient support configured to hold a patient in a supine position while the patient transporter is propelled using the transport section; and

a mount configured to alternatively couple the first patient support or the second patient support to the transport section.

27. The patient transporter of claim 26, further including a transporter position sensor configured for detecting the position of the transporter relative to a beam of therapeutic radiation to within +/−

2 millimeters.

28. The patient transporter of claim 26, further including a mechanism configured for moving the patient support relative to the transport section while the patient support is connected to the transport section.

29. The patient transporter of claim 26, further including a transporter position sensor and means for detecting a position of a treatment volume within a patient relative to the transporter position sensor.

30. A system comprising:

logic configured to receive an identity of a patient;

logic configured to access a patient treatment plan from a patient database responsive to the identity of the patient;

logic configured to direct a patient transporter to transport the patient to a selected one of a plurality of alternative treatment areas responsive to the patient treatment plan;

logic configured to position the patient relative to a beam of therapeutic particles within the selected one of a plurality of alternative treatment areas; and

logic configured to use a particle beam source to deliver the beam of therapeutic particles to a treatment volume within the patient according to the patient treatment plan.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the particle beam source is configured to direct the beam of therapeutic particles to the plurality of alternative treatment areas.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the identity of the patient is received using a barcode reader or a radio frequency identity tag reader.

33. A method comprising:

generating position information by detecting a position of a treatment volume of a patient relative to a position sensor of an automated patient transporter;

transporting the patient from a preparation area to a treatment area using the automated patient transporter, the preparation area being protected from radiation at the treatment area;

determining a position of the automated patient transporter within the treatment area using the position sensor; and

positioning the treatment volume relative to a treatment beam disposed within the treatment area, using the automated patient transporter, a position of the treatment volume relative to the treatment beam being determined using the position information.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the automated patient transport is configured for transporting the patient in alternatively a supine or sitting position.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the automated patient transport is configured to alternatively receive members of a plurality of patient supports including a patient support configured to support the patient in a sitting position and a patient support configured to support the patient in a supine position.

36. The method of claim 35, further including selecting the treatment area from among a plurality of alternative treatment areas.

37. The method of claim 35, further including programming the automated patient transporter to transport the patient to the treatment area.

38. The method of claim 35, further including programming a transport path for use by the automated patient transporter to guide the patient transporter to the treatment area.

39. The method of claim 33, further including identifying the patient.

40. The method of claim 39, further including using an identity of the patient to access a treatment plan.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the treatment plan includes characteristics of the treatment volume.

42. The method of claim 39, further including using the treatment plan to control the treatment beam.

43. The method of claim 39, further including using the treatment plan to select the treatment area from a plurality of alternative treatment areas.

44. A treatment system comprising:

a radiation source configured to generate a therapeutic beam of radiation;

a treatment head to direct the therapeutic beam of radiation in a first treatment area; and

an automated patient transport configured to transport a patient from a preparation area to the first treatment area and to position a treatment volume within the patient relative to the therapeutic beam of radiation, the automated patient transport including a position sensor configured for use in determining the relative positions of the treatment volume and the therapeutic beam of radiation.

45. The treatment system of claim 44, wherein the position sensor is configured to position the treatment volume relative to the therapeutic beam of radiation to within +/−

2.0 millimeters.

46. The treatment system of claim 44, wherein the preparation area is protected from radiation generated within the first treatment area.

47. The treatment system of claim 44, wherein the first treatment area is one of a plurality of treatment areas and the patient transport is configured to transport the patient to any one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to a control system.

48. The treatment system of claim 44, wherein the first treatment area is one of a plurality of treatment areas and the patient transport is configured to transport the patient to any one of the plurality of treatment areas responsive to a treatment plan.

49. The treatment system of claim 44, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to alternatively position the treatment volume relative to a plurality of therapeutic beams of radiation within the first treatment area.

50. The treatment system of claim 44, wherein the automated patient transport is further configured to transport the patient from the first treatment area back to the preparation area.