Radiation sensor arrays for use with brachytherapy
First Claim
1. A system for sensing radiation received at the skin surface during brachytherapy, comprising:
- an array of radiation sensors carried on a flexible sheet of material adapted for placement on the skin of a patient adjacent to a brachytherapy location beneath the skin,the array being large enough in area to cover any anticipated maximum skin dose point during a brachytherapy procedure,a central controller separate from the radiation source with programming for control of the brachytherapy procedure,communication means connecting the radiation sensors to the central controller,whereby the sensors receive radiation from a radiation source in a brachytherapy procedure, and the dose received at each sensor can be communicated to the controller and monitored by the controller, which can calculate a point of maximum dose at the skin and can provide a warning if dose is projected to exceed a dose limit, or which can apply real time control to the brachytherapy radiation procedure, or which can generate a permanent record of treatment actually delivered.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radiation sensor array is carried on a flexible sheet of film, for placement on the skin of a patient adjacent to a brachytherapy location beneath the skin. With the array approximately centered on a position where radiation source to skin distance is estimated to be minimum, the array of sensors is used to monitor radiation dose received at the skin. With a controller connected to the array and preferably also to the radiation source in the applicator, the radiation dose received at all skin points of interest can be monitored, a point of maximum dose and a projected approach to limit dose can be calculated, and in response the system can warn the operator or control a brachytherapy procedure so as to discontinue radiation or control the radiation level or source position in real time. The system can also include percutaneous sensors.
29 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for sensing radiation received at the skin surface during brachytherapy, comprising:
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an array of radiation sensors carried on a flexible sheet of material adapted for placement on the skin of a patient adjacent to a brachytherapy location beneath the skin, the array being large enough in area to cover any anticipated maximum skin dose point during a brachytherapy procedure, a central controller separate from the radiation source with programming for control of the brachytherapy procedure, communication means connecting the radiation sensors to the central controller, whereby the sensors receive radiation from a radiation source in a brachytherapy procedure, and the dose received at each sensor can be communicated to the controller and monitored by the controller, which can calculate a point of maximum dose at the skin and can provide a warning if dose is projected to exceed a dose limit, or which can apply real time control to the brachytherapy radiation procedure, or which can generate a permanent record of treatment actually delivered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for sensing radiation received at the skin surface during brachytherapy and for avoiding damage to the skin, comprising:
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planning a brachytherapy procedure, including a site within a patient'"'"'s body for placing a radiation source carried by an applicator, and estimating an approximate position on the skin where distance from the radiation source to the skin will be a minimum distance, placing on the patient'"'"'s skin, at a position so as to be directly over the approximate position of minimum distance, an array of radiation sensors carried on a flexible sheet of material, providing a connection of the array of radiation sensors to a central controller separate from the radiation source and with programming for control of the brachytherapy procedure, commencing brachytherapy with the applicator at the site, as the brachytherapy proceeds, monitoring skin radiation dose received at each of the sensors and calculating dose received at many points along the sheet of material, including non-sensor positions calculated interpolation from dose readings taken at the sensors, and predicting any point of the skin which will reach or exceed a limit dose, and if a point of the skin is predicted to receive a limit dose of radiation, doing one of the following; (a) sending out a warning signal; (b) controlling the brachytherapy by shutting off the radiation source to discontinue radiation; (c) controlling the brachytherapy in real time by modifying the level of radiation emitted from the source or the position of the source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification