METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND ASSOCIATED IMPLANTABLE DEVICES FOR DETECTING RADIATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR CANCER

• US 20060241407A1
• Filed: 05/02/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SNC Holdings Corp.
• Original Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc., North Carolina State University (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Mueller, Jeffrey, Nagle, H. Troy, Scarantino, Charles W., Hall, Lester C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,769,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/427
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/417 the bone marrow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/507 for determination of haemodynamic parameters, e.g. perfusion CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1048 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1071 for verifying the dose delivered by the treatment plan
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

Methods and systems for evaluating external beam radiation therapy delivered to a subject include: (a) placing at least one wireless implantable sensor in a first subject at a target location; (b) administering a first dose of radiation therapy into tile first subject; (c) obtaining radiation data from the at least one wireless implantable sensor; and (d) calculating a radiation dose amount received by the first subject at the target location based on the radiation data obtained from the at least one wireless sensor during and/or after exposure to the first administered dose of radiation to determine and/or verify a dose amount of radiation delivered to the target location.

Claims

1. A computer network for providing oncology patient radiation data, comprising:

a processor configured to provide radiation data detected by a plurality of spaced apart wireless sensors implanted in respective oncology patients for verification of radiation doses delivered to a target tumor treatment site in each respective patient during at least one radiation therapy session to allow evaluation of delivered dose distribution versus a planned dose distribution.

2. A computer network according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to provide detected radiation data from the plurality of spaced apart sensors in each respective patient proximate to a planned radiation treatment session.

3. A computer network according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to provide detected radiation data from the plurality of spaced apart sensors in respective patients due to exposure to radiation associated with a plurality of different radiation treatment sessions.

4. A computer network according to claim 1, further comprising a clinician interface module with a display in communication with the processor to provide the oncology patient radiation data.

5. A computer network according to claim 4, wherein the provided oncology patient radiation data comprises a calculated radiation dose distribution proximate to the target tumor treatment site associated with a planned radiation therapy treatment plan in the respective patients.

6. A computer network according to claim 1, further comprising at least one receiver in communication with the processor and the implanted sensors of respective patients to electronically collect the detected patient radiation data.

7. A computer network according to claim 6, wherein the at least one receiver comprises a bedside unit or portable receiver in communication with the interface module and processor, and wherein the network is configured to provide substantially real-time patient radiation data.

8. A computer network according to claim 1, further comprising at least one receiver in communication with the wireless sensors of respective patients and a remote interface in communication with the receiver, the remote interface configured to relay patient data from a first location to the processor at a second location.

9. A computer network according to claim 6, further comprising externally visible indicia on each patient identifying the locations of the implanted sensors for alignment with the receiver.

10. A computer network according to claim 1, wherein the implanted sensors are passively operated.

11. A method of obtaining and providing oncology patient radiation data, comprising;

electronically collecting radiation data from a plurality of implanted wireless sensors in respective oncology patients based on radiation exposure of the implanted sensors during at least one radiation therapy session;

electronically providing the patient radiation data to a clinician at a clinician workstation via a computer network; and

generating a radiation dose distribution using the collected radiation data for comparison to a planned dose distribution at a target tumor treatment site in respective patients.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the collecting and providing steps provide detected radiation data from the plurality of spaced apart sensors in respective patients due to radiation exposure from each of a plurality of different radiation treatment sessions.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising displaying the patient data on a display in communication with the workstation.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the comparing comprises providing a radiation dose distribution proximate the target tumor treatment site associated with a high dose conformal radiation therapy based on the collected radiation of respective patients.

15. A method according to claim 11, further comprising identifying a location of the implanted wireless sensors residing at a target tumor treatment site in the respective patients.

16. A method according to claim 11, further comprising evaluating a tumor treatment plan based on the comparing step.