Method and device for registration and immobilization

• US 20070039621A1
• Filed: 05/08/2006
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• 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: Moyers, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,984,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/857
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/18 Retaining sheets, e.g. immobilising masks made from a thermoplastic material
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1089 Electrons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1097 Means for immobilizing the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1039 using functional images, e.g. PET or MRI
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam

Abstract

Support devices and pods for the head and neck region of patients undergoing radiation therapy are provided herein. The pod generally includes a support shell shaped to generally conform to the shape of the head and neck region of the patient, a foam insert that conforms to the head and neck region of the patient, and an immobilization facemask attached directly to the shell, thereby facilitating close placement of the radiation beam delivery device to the patient and reducing any attenuation and perturbation of radiation doses directed at the patient. The components of the pod are made from materials having properties that reduce any attenuation and perturbation of prescribed radiation doses.

Claims

1. A pod for providing radiation treatment to a head and neck region of a patient, the pod comprising:

a support shell, the shell extending longitudinally from a shell caudal end to a cephalad end, the shell extending laterally from a first shell lateral edge to a second shell lateral edge, the shell defining a channel between the first and second lateral edges, the shell having a shell inner surface and a shell outer surface;

a facemask located attached directly to the shell to immobilize the patient, the facemask extending laterally between a first facemask lateral edge and a second facemask lateral edge;

a foam insert located within the channel, the insert shaped to conform to the head and neck region of the patient; and

a facemask-to-shell attachment system, the attachment system comprising;

a first locating pin near the first shell lateral edge;

a second locating pin near the second shell lateral edge;

a first receiving slot near the first facemask lateral edge to receive the first locating pin; and

a second receiving slot near the second facemask lateral edge to receive the second locating pin.

2. The pod of claim 1, further comprising a pod liner located between the shell inner surface and the foam insert, the liner covering at least a portion of the shell inner surface.

3. The pod of claim 1, wherein the shell has a radiographical thickness of less than about 7 mm of water at locations where the radiation beam passes through.

4. The pod of claim 1, wherein the first shell lateral edge has a radiographical thickness of less than about 1 mm.

5. The pod claim 1, wherein the second shell lateral edge has a radiographical thickness of less than about 1 mm.

6. The pod of claim 1, wherein the shell has a radiographical thickness that is less than about 0.5 mm of water per 2 mm of distance at locations where the radiation beam passes through.

7. The pod of claim 2, wherein the pod liner has a water equivalent thickness that is less than about 0.3 mm.

8. The pod of claim 1, wherein the shell is made from polyethylene fiber.