Real time brachytherapy spatial registration and visualization system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for monitoring loading of radiation into an insertion device for use in a radiation therapy treatment to determine whether the treatment will be in agreement with a radiation therapy plan, the system comprising:
- at least one radioactive source for providing radiation therapy to a treatment region of the patient;
an insertion device, the insertion device being configured to hold the at least one radioactive source, the insertion device for insertion into the treatment region to provide therapy to the treatment region of the patient via the at least one radioactive source held thereby;
a computer automated optical sensor that is positioned to automatically sense loading of the at least one radioactive source into the insertion device and generate optical sensor output data indicative thereof;
a radiation sensor that is positioned to sense a radiation pattern of the at least one radioactive source loaded in the insertion device and generate radiation sensor output data indicative thereof; and
a processor in communication with the computer automated optical sensor and the radiation sensor, the processor being configured to (1) interface with an external device to receive data representative of the radiation therapy plan, the plan data defining (a) a number of radioactive sources to be loaded into the insertion device and (b) a radiation pattern for the planned treatment, (2) process the optical sensor output data to determine a quantity of radioactive sources that are currently present in the insertion device, (3) process the radiation sensor output data to determine an actual radiation pattern emitted by the at least one radioactive source held by the insertion device, and (4) compare the determined quantity and the determined actual radiation pattern with the plan data to thereby determine whether the actual treatment agrees with the therapy plan.
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Abstract
A method and system for monitoring loading of radiation into an insertion device for use in a radiation therapy treatment to determine whether the treatment will be in agreement with a radiation therapy plan. In a preferred embodiment, optical sensors and radiation sensors are used to monitor loading of radioactive seeds and spacers into a needle as part of a prostate brachytherapy treatment.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring loading of radiation into an insertion device for use in a radiation therapy treatment to determine whether the treatment will be in agreement with a radiation therapy plan, the system comprising:
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at least one radioactive source for providing radiation therapy to a treatment region of the patient; an insertion device, the insertion device being configured to hold the at least one radioactive source, the insertion device for insertion into the treatment region to provide therapy to the treatment region of the patient via the at least one radioactive source held thereby; a computer automated optical sensor that is positioned to automatically sense loading of the at least one radioactive source into the insertion device and generate optical sensor output data indicative thereof; a radiation sensor that is positioned to sense a radiation pattern of the at least one radioactive source loaded in the insertion device and generate radiation sensor output data indicative thereof; and a processor in communication with the computer automated optical sensor and the radiation sensor, the processor being configured to (1) interface with an external device to receive data representative of the radiation therapy plan, the plan data defining (a) a number of radioactive sources to be loaded into the insertion device and (b) a radiation pattern for the planned treatment, (2) process the optical sensor output data to determine a quantity of radioactive sources that are currently present in the insertion device, (3) process the radiation sensor output data to determine an actual radiation pattern emitted by the at least one radioactive source held by the insertion device, and (4) compare the determined quantity and the determined actual radiation pattern with the plan data to thereby determine whether the actual treatment agrees with the therapy plan. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for loading a plurality of radioactive sources into an insertion device in accordance with a plan, the method comprising:
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reading data that describes the plan, the plan data defining (1) a number of radioactive sources to be loaded into the insertion device and (2) a radiation pattern for the plan; loading a plurality of radioactive sources into the insertion device; optically sensing the loading of the radioactive sources into the insertion device; detecting a radiation pattern emitted by the loaded insertion device; determining from the optically sensing step a quantity of radioactive sources within the insertion device; comparing the determined radioactive source quantity and the detected radiation pattern with the plan data to thereby determine whether the loaded insertion device is in accordance with the plan. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A loading system for preparation for therapy of a treatment region of the body of a patient in accordance with a therapy plan, the system comprising:
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a first container for holding a plurality of seeds for treatment of the patient, each seed held by the first container emitting a first amount of radiation; a second container for holding a plurality of seeds for treatment of the patient, each seed held by the second container emitting a second amount of radiation; a third container for holding a plurality of spacers; an insertion device for holding selected ones of the first container seeds, second container seeds, and spacers, the insertion device for insertion into the treatment region of the patient to deliver therapy thereto; a processor configured to read data describing the plan, the plan data defining how selected ones of the first container seeds, second container seeds, and spacers to be loaded into the insertion device; an auto-loader for automatically loading selected ones of the first container seeds, second container seeds, and spacers into the insertion device in accordance with the plan data; a plurality of passageways leading from the auto-loader to the insertion device, each passageway corresponding with a different one of the containers, wherein the auto-loader is configured to automatically load selected ones of the first container seeds, second container seeds, and spacers into the insertion device through the passageways; and a plurality of automated sensors positioned to automatically monitor passage of first container seeds, second container seeds, and spacers into the insertion device, thereby generating sensor output data indicative thereof, wherein the plurality of automated sensors comprise (1) at least one automated sensor positioned to monitor passage of a first container seed through the passageway corresponding to the first container, (2) at least one automated sensor positioned to monitor passage of a second container seed through the passageway corresponding to the second container, (3) at least one automated sensor positioned to monitor passage of a spacer through the passageway corresponding to the third container, and (4) at least one automated sensor positioned to monitor passage into the insertion device of all of the selected ones of the first container seeds, second container seeds, and spacers; and wherein the processor is in communication with the automated sensors and is further configured to (1) process the sensor output to determine a quantity of the selected ones of the first container seeds, second container seeds, and spacers that have been loaded into the insertion device, and (2) compare the determined quantity with the plan data to thereby determine whether the loaded insertion device complies with the plan. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification