Device and method for immobilizing patients for breast radiation therapy
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a support structure for immobilizing a patient in a prone position for delivery of radiation to at least one breast of the patient, the method comprising:
- positioning a support brassiere on the patient, the support brassiere comprising a cup that is sized to engage a breast of the patient;
positioning the patient, who is wearing the support brassiere, in a prone position generally within a full-body support structure so that the cup of the support brassiere is suspended above an upward-facing surface of the full-body support structure;
with the patient positioned generally within the full-body support structure, introducing a malleable substance into a space between the upward-facing surface of the full-body support structure and the cup; and
hardening the malleable substance while it substantially occupies the space between the upward-facing surface of the full-body support structure and the cup so that the malleable substance becomes a substantially, rigid breast immobilization device configured to be supported by the full-body support structure, the substantially rigid breast immobilization device also configured to support and immobilize the cup.
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Abstract
According to the improved systems and methods described herein, a patient may be immobilized so that one or both breasts are returned to a known position. Additionally, the improved systems and methods reduce respiratory movement of the breasts. Thus, the immobilization devices and techniques described herein provide accurate and reproducible breast positioning while simultaneously reducing respiratory motion.
328 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of forming a support structure for immobilizing a patient in a prone position for delivery of radiation to at least one breast of the patient, the method comprising:
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positioning a support brassiere on the patient, the support brassiere comprising a cup that is sized to engage a breast of the patient; positioning the patient, who is wearing the support brassiere, in a prone position generally within a full-body support structure so that the cup of the support brassiere is suspended above an upward-facing surface of the full-body support structure; with the patient positioned generally within the full-body support structure, introducing a malleable substance into a space between the upward-facing surface of the full-body support structure and the cup; and hardening the malleable substance while it substantially occupies the space between the upward-facing surface of the full-body support structure and the cup so that the malleable substance becomes a substantially, rigid breast immobilization device configured to be supported by the full-body support structure, the substantially rigid breast immobilization device also configured to support and immobilize the cup. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of forming a structure for supporting a patient in a prone position for delivery of radiation to at least one breast of the patient, the method comprising:
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positioning the patient in a prone position generally within a full-body support structure, at least one breast of the patient suspended above an upward-facing surface of the full-body support structure; with the patient positioned generally within the full-body support structure, pouring an expandable foam around the patient'"'"'s chest region such that the foam substantially fills a space between the upward-facing surface of the full-body support structure and the at least one breast; and hardening the expandable foam so that the contours of the at least one breast are mirrored in negative relief in the hardened foam, the hardened foam supported by the full-body support structure and also configured to support the at least one breast of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification