MOBILE RADIATION THERAPY

• US 20120069961A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 03/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Breya, LLC
• Original Assignee: Breya, LLC
• Inventors: Pomper, Mark Elliot, Jocic, Aleksander
• Application Number:
  US13/249,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20120069961A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/62
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 3/001 Vehicles provided with medical equipment to perform operations or examinations
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1094 Shielding, protecting against radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1001 using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body

Abstract

The invention provides techniques for diagnosing medical conditions and providing appropriate treatment at a patient'"'"'s home residence. A mobile x-ray team can be dispatched to the patient'"'"'s home residence. A technical team reviews patient data to determine a proper therapy plan. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus is dispatched to the patient'"'"'s home as required by the therapy plan. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus includes a radiation source and shielding, and is capable of superficial radiation therapy and/or High Dose Rate (HDR), Low Dose Rate (LDR), and Medium Dose Rate (MDR) implant therapy and/or particle thereapy. For HDR, LDR and MDR therapy, the mobile radiation therapy apparatus itself is a specialized radiation vault which the patient will enter. The technical team adjusts the therapy plan based on the additional analysis, and the mobile radiation therapy apparatus is dispatched in accordance with adjusted therapy plan.

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;

a patient table shield disposed around the patient treatment table;

an operator control station;

an operator control station disposed to reduce exposure thereto from radiation emitted from said radiation source;

a compartment comprising a plurality of shielding sections collectively disposed in surrounding relation to an interior of said compartment,

said compartment interior dimensioned and configured to house at least said patient treatment table, said patient table shield, said radiation source, said operator control station, and

said plurality of shielding sections disposed and structured to substantially impede the radiation emitted from said radiation source.

2. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one patient area radiation bulkhead configured to enclose the patient treatment table.

3. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one patient area radiation bulkhead further comprises a door configured to allow access to the patient treatment table.

4. The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein portions of the patient table shield are hinged to allow access to the patient treatment table.

5. A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in claim 2, comprising two patient area radiation bulkheads collectively disposed in at least partially enclosing relation to said patient treatment table.

6. A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein at least one of said patient area radiation bulkheads includes an access door disposed and configured to allow access to said patient treatment table.

7. A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said patient area radiation bulkheads includes an access door disposed and configured to allow access to said patient treatment table.

8. A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the patient treatment table is adjustable and selectively disposed in a raised position and a lowered position.

9. A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the radiation source is adjustably disposed in corresponding relation to a height of said patient treatment table.

11. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said radiation source is configured to emit radiation for particle therapy.

12. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising an operator shield assembly disposed in protective relation to said operator control station and configured to reduce exposure thereto from radiation emitted from said radiation source.

10. A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in 1 wherein said compartment is dimensioned and configured to be attached to a flatbed vehicle.

13. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus comprising:

a vehicle including a vehicle cabin with driving controls for the vehicle;

a patient treatment compartment attached to the vehicle cabin;

a radiation source configured to emit radiation;

a patient treatment table disposed within the patient treatment compartment;

a treatment table radiation shield disposed in protecting relation to said patient treatment table and configured to impede the radiation emitted from the radiation source; and

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

14. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said radiation source is configured to emit radiation for particle therapy.

15. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said radiation source is configured to emit radiation for medium-dose radiation therapy.

16. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising a portable radiation shield configured to be removed from the mobile radiation therapy apparatus and disposed in proximity to the radiation source.

17. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising a control tether for connecting said patient treatment compartment to said radiation source, said radiation source located outside of the patient treatment compartment.

18. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising a wireless connection to the internet.

19. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising an x-ray imaging system.

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

dispatching a mobile radiation therapy apparatus of claim 13 to any one of a plurality of treatment locations on a periodic basis; and

administering radiation therapy to a patient in need thereof.

21. A method as recited in claim 20 further comprising dispatching a mobile x-ray team on a periodic basis as part of a mobile radiation plan.

22. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein the administering radiation therapy includes high-dose radiation therapy.

23. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein the administering radiation therapy includes variable low-dose radiation therapy for the treatment of a superficial disease.

24. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein the administering radiation therapy includes medium-dose radiation therapy.

25. A method as recited in claim 19 wherein the administering radiation therapy includes particle therapy.