MODULAR PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEM

• US 20100192303A1
• Filed: 04/12/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LOMA Linda University Medical Center (Mission Healthcare Services LLC)
• Original Assignee: LOMA Linda University Medical Center (Mission Healthcare Services LLC)
• Inventors: Slater, Jerry D., Miller, Daniel W., Anderson, Daniel C., Rigney, Nickolas S., McAllaster, Steve K., Moyers, Michael F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,093,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/622
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0442 made of non-metallic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4092 for producing synchrotron radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/547 involving tracking of position of the device or parts of the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/105 using a laser alignment system
• 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 2005/1062 using virtual X-ray images, e.g. digitally reconstructed radiographs [DRR]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1097 Means for immobilizing the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1037 taking into account the movement of the target, e.g. 4D-image based planning
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1067 in real time, i.e. during treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1069 Target adjustment, e.g. moving the patient support
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/107 in real time, i.e. during treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1078 Fixed beam systems
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1666 Avoiding collision or forbidden zones
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45117 Medical, radio surgery manipulator

Abstract

A radiation treatment system (100) for accurately delivering radiation to a targeted site within a cancer patient (108) that includes a modular patient support system and a patient positioner (114). The modular patient support system includes a modularly expandable patient pod (200) and at least one immobilization device, such as, for example, a rigid moldable foam cradle (350). The patient pod (200) includes a generally hemi-cylindrical support shell (212) that extends longitudinally between proximal edge (214) and distal edge (216), and transversely between two lateral edges (222, 224). In one embodiment, the lateral edges (222, 224) are tapered to minimize edge effects that result when radiation beams traverse the lateral edges (222, 224).

Claims

1. A modular patient support system comprising:

a longitudinally-extending support shell extending from a proximal edge through a longitudinal center section to a distal edge;

a proximal extension track configured for engagement with a proximal pod attachment in order to extend the support shell from the proximal edge;

a distal extension track configured for engagement with a distal pod attachment in order to extend the support shell from the distal edge; and

a connector configured for engagement with a movement device configured to move the support shell with relation to a radiation delivery device.

2. The modular patient support system of claim 1, further comprising a first immobilization device.

3. The modular patient support system of claim 2, wherein the first immobilization device comprises a moldable foam cradle comprising a mold that conforms to at least a portion of a patient'"'"'s body.

4. The modular patient support system of claim 2, wherein the first immobilization device comprises a bite block system.

5. The modular patient support system of claim 2, wherein the first immobilization device comprises a face mask.

6. The modular patient support system of claim 2, wherein the first immobilization device comprises a cranial ring.

7. The modular patient support system of claim 1, further comprising the distal pod attachment that engages with the distal extension track.

8. The modular patient support system of claim 7, wherein the distal pod attachment comprises a longitudinally-extending, generally flat structure configured to provide support for a patient'"'"'s head.

9. The modular patient support system of claim 1, further comprising the proximal pod attachment that engages with the proximal extension track.

10. The modular patient support system of claim 9, wherein the proximal pod attachment comprises a longitudinally-extending positioner-end extension chamfered at about a 45-degree angle relative to a visualized longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal extension tracks, wherein the extension is configured to reduce collisions of the pod with any patient positioning devices that engage with pod, wherein the extension provides cantilevered support for the patient'"'"'s leg region.

11. A modular patient pod for use in radiation treatment of a patient pursuant to a radiation treatment protocol, the pod comprising:

a support shell extending from a proximal edge to a distal edge;

means for engaging a proximal extension to the proximal edge of the support shell in order to extend a length of the support shell from the proximal edge; and

means for engaging a distal extension to the distal edge of the support shell in order to extend a length of the support shell from the distal edge.