MOBILE RADIATION THERAPY

• US 20090175414A1
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Elliot Pomper, Samuel Messinger
• Original Assignee: Mark Elliot Pomper, Samuel Messinger
• Inventors: Pomper, Mark Elliot, Messinger, Samuel
• Granted Patent: US 8,016,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence

Abstract

A mobile radiation therapy apparatus includes a vehicle cabin including driving controls for the vehicle cabin. A patient treatment compartment is rigidly attached to the vehicle cabin. A high dose rate radiation source configured to emit radiation is disposed within the patient treatment compartment. A patient treatment table is disposed within the patient treatment compartment and in proximity to the radiation source. A radiation shield is disposed around the patient treatment table, the radiation shield including a plurality of radiation shield sections rigidly attached to the patient treatment compartment and configured to substantially impede the radiation emitted from the radiation source.

Claims

1. A mobile radiation treatment apparatus comprising:

a radiation source configured to emit radiation;

a patient treatment table disposed in proximity to the radiation source;

an operator control station;

an operator shield assembly disposed between the operator control station and the radiation source, the operator shield assembly configured to reduce exposure to a user located at the operator control station from the radiation emitted from the radiation source;

a plurality of shielding sections configured to enclose the radiation source, the patient treatment table, the operator control station, and the operator shield assembly in a compartment, wherein the compartment is at most approximately 29 feet in length, 9 feet in width, and 8 feet in height, and the plurality of shielding sections are disposed to substantially impede the radiation emitted from the radiation source.

2. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising two patient area radiation bulkheads configured to enclose the patient treatment table, wherein each patient treatment table radiation bulkhead includes a door configured to allow access to the patient treatment table.

3. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a patient table shield disposed around the patient treatment table, and configured to impede the radiation emitted from the radiation source.

4. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 3, wherein the shape of patient table shield is substantially similar to an octagon.

5. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 3, wherein the shape of patient table shield is substantially similar to an oval.

6. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 3, wherein a portion of the patient table shield is pivotably connected to the patient treatment table such that the portion of the patient table shield can be lowered to allow direct access to the patient treatment table.

7. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the volume of the compartment is less than 2,088 cubic feet.

8. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment is configured to attach to a flatbed vehicle.

9. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment is mobile and configured so as to be capable of being relocated by helicopter to a remote location to attach to a flatbed truck.

10. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment is mobile and configured so as to be capable of being relocated as is to any location by helicopter.

11. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus comprising:

a vehicle cabin including driving controls for the vehicle;

vehicle cabin equipped with infra red heat sensor device, motion detector and metal bar across seats to prevent any breach of security all triggering automatic shut off;

a patient treatment compartment rigidly attached to the vehicle cabin;

a radiation source configured to emit radiation, and disposed within the patient treatment compartment;

a patient treatment table disposed within the patient treatment compartment and in proximity to the radiation source;

a treatment table radiation shield disposed around the patient treatment table, and configured to impede the radiation emitted from the radiation source;

a plurality of radiation shield sections rigidly attached to the patient treatment compartment, and configured to substantially impede the radiation emitted from the radiation source.

21. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 11, wherein the radiation source is configured to emit radiation for high-dose radiation therapy.

22. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 11, wherein the radiation source is configured to emit radiation to support variable low dose rate therapy.

23. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

a control tether for connecting the patient treatment compartment to the radiation source, wherein the radiation source is relocated outside of the patient treatment compartment;

a plurality of portable radiation shields configured to be removed from the patient treatment compartment and disposed in proximity to the radiation source; and

,

a control computer operation center operably connected to the radiation source and configured to control the radiation emitted by the radiation source.

24. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a wireless connection to the internet.

25. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an x-ray imaging system.

26. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a chemotherapy treatment device, wherein the patient treatment compartment is utilized to provide chemotherapy to a patient.

12. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus comprising:

a vehicle cabin including driving controls for the vehicle cabin;

a patient treatment compartment rigidly attached to the vehicle cabin;

a high dose rate radiation source configured to emit radiation, and disposed within the patient treatment compartment;

a multisided patient treatment table disposed within the patient treatment compartment and in proximity to the radiation source;

a radiation shield disposed around the patient treatment table, said radiation shield including a plurality of radiation shield sections rigidly attached to the patient treatment compartment, and configured to substantially impede the radiation emitted from the radiation source.

13. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 12, wherein said patient treatment table comprises flanges extending upward to capture radiation from said high dose rate radiation source.

14. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 12, wherein said patient treatment table is octagonal.

15. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 12, further comprising pop outs on sides of the apparatus to secure the perimeter from pedestrians and pets.

16. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 15, wherein said pop outs are configured to be waiting areas for technicians and physicists, and comprise a covering panel and viewing window with a view of a treatment area.

17. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a patient treatment area radiation shielding in the form of walls that are tapered in thickness according to position from the centerline of said high dose rate radiation source, said position being calculated based upon perpendicular rays transverse to said lead, whereby a savings in weight is accomplished.

18. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 12, further comprising radiation shielding walls which are tapered in height as they approach the high dose rate radiation source.

19. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is further configured for non-high-dose-rate therapy.

20. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 19, wherein said non-high-dose-rate therapy comprises a therapy selected from the set consisting of:

low dose, ytterbium 169, particle therapy, protons, neutrons, xoft, low frequency vacuum tube cyber knife, or XRT therapy.

27. A method of providing mobile radiation therapy, comprising:

calling, meeting and greeting a patient;

taking a lengthy personal and medical history of said patient;

discussing with said patient a treatment protocol;

photographing an area under consideration for treatment;

taking measurements for a lead covering, and custom fitting and inspecting a finished lead mask covering the afflicted area;

speaking with any relatives and next of kin on a regular basis to follow up on treatment and be alert for any concerns;

calling and verifying insurance eligibility;

conducting follow up calls to family and patient on a regular basis;

performing a periodic review of a patient file and compliance with protocol;

providing on call services on a 24/7 basis for problems such as rashes or bleeding; and

,

using their employees and training same.

28. A method for providing mobile radiation therapy, comprising:

conducting a house call with a patient;

dispatching a mobile x-ray team to a patient location;

performing a technical review of patient data;

creating a mobile radiation therapy plan dispatching a mobile radiation therapy apparatus to the patient location; and

administering radiation therapy in accordance with the mobile radiation therapy plan.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising dispatching the mobile x-ray team on a periodic basis as part of the mobile radiation plan.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the administering radiation therapy includes high-dose radiation therapy.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the administering radiation therapy includes variable low-dose radiation therapy.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the performing of the technical review of patient data is completed after each administering of radiation therapy.