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WO2012025719A1 - Appareil médical émettant un rayonnement - Google Patents

Appareil médical émettant un rayonnement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012025719A1
WO2012025719A1 PCT/GB2011/001262 GB2011001262W WO2012025719A1 WO 2012025719 A1 WO2012025719 A1 WO 2012025719A1 GB 2011001262 W GB2011001262 W GB 2011001262W WO 2012025719 A1 WO2012025719 A1 WO 2012025719A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
radiation
distance
medical apparatus
measurement device
patient
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2011/001262
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alan Moultrie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB1014042.4A external-priority patent/GB201014042D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB1107806.0A external-priority patent/GB201107806D0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB1303277.6A priority Critical patent/GB2496559A/en
Publication of WO2012025719A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012025719A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
    • A61N5/1048—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
    • A61N5/1048—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
    • A61N5/1049—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam
    • A61N2005/105—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam using a laser alignment system
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
    • A61N5/1048—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
    • A61N5/1064—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods for adjusting radiation treatment in response to monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
    • A61N5/1048—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
    • A61N5/1064—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods for adjusting radiation treatment in response to monitoring
    • A61N5/1065—Beam adjustment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
    • A61N5/1048—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
    • A61N5/1064—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods for adjusting radiation treatment in response to monitoring
    • A61N5/1069—Target adjustment, e.g. moving the patient support

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a radiation-emitting medical apparatus; and in particular, but not exclusively, to a clinical radiotherapy apparatus with a radiation source remote from a patient.
  • Radiotherapy is widely used in medicine for the diagnosis or treatment of many medical conditions.
  • radiotherapy is used to treat various types of cancer, often in conjunction with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
  • a patient receives single or multiple fractionated doses of radiation in treatment sessions spread over a period of time, usually a number of days, weeks or months.
  • the patient is exposed to radiation according to a programme of treatment designed to target the cancer.
  • the dosage of radiation provided to the patient is controlled by the energy of radiation emitted by a radiotherapy apparatus; the duration of each emission; the total number of emissions; and the distance between the patient and a source of radiation.
  • the distance between the patient and the source of radiation affects the dosage: the greater the distance from the source, the lower the concentration, or dosage, of radiation.
  • the dosage often reduces with distance generally according to an Inverse Square Law.
  • the distance may vary between sessions, such as due to patients undergoing weightloss (cachexia) or gain (e.g. steroid treatment) due to the nature of cancer. Other factors, such as oedema, can influence the distance.
  • the distance may vary during the programme of treatment. For example, the patient may have difficulty remaining immobile during the session.
  • a radiation- emitting medical apparatus comprising a radiation source and a distance measurement device, wherein the distance measurement device is configured to automatically determine a distance between a patient and the radiation source.
  • Providing a radiation-emitting medical apparatus comprising a radiation source and a distance measurement device, wherein the distance measurement device is configured to automatically determine a distance between a patient and the radiation source may permit a more accurate determination of the distance.
  • Such an apparatus may permit an increased frequency of distance measurement. Automatically determining the distance may permit a more controlled exposure to radiation, such as a more controlled dosage of radiation.
  • the device may be configured to determine the distance between the patient and the radiation source without any manual input.
  • the medical apparatus may comprise a clinical apparatus.
  • the medical apparatus may comprise a radiotherapy apparatus.
  • the medical apparatus may comprise a simulator, such as a radiotherapy treatment planning apparatus.
  • the medical apparatus may comprise a radiodiagnostic apparatus.
  • the medical apparatus may comprise a distance controlled linear accelerator.
  • the medical apparatus may comprise a distance responsive treatment linear accelerator.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to emit a signal.
  • the distance measurement apparatus may comprise a signal emitter.
  • the signal may comprise a light beam.
  • the light beam may comprise a laser beam.
  • the signal emitter may comprise a light source.
  • the light source may be a source of visible light.
  • the signal emitter may comprise a laser.
  • the distance measurement device may be a laser distance measurement apparatus.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to automatically determine a distance between a portion of the patient and the radiation source.
  • the signal may comprise a substantially reflective component for an intended recipient of the radiation, such as the portion of the patient.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to determine a distance between the radiation source and a patient's skin surface.
  • the signal may comprise a component with a wavelength that is substantially reflected by the intended recipient, such as comprising blue light for human skin.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to determine a distance between the radiation source and an internal portion of a patient, such as an internal tumour.
  • the signal may be configured to penetrate at least a portion of a patient's skin.
  • the apparatus may be configured to project a radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may comprise a linear accelerator.
  • the radiation beam may define a treatment field.
  • the treatment field may be shaped.
  • the radiation beam may be contoured to match a tumour.
  • the apparatus may be configured to emit the signal substantially coincident with the radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may be configured to emit the signal substantially parallel to the radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may be configured to direct the signal towards the centre of the treatment field.
  • the apparatus may be configured to monitor the centre of the treatment field and to adjust the direction of the emitted signal accordingly.
  • the distance measurement device may be arranged to project the signal co-incident with the radiation beam to ensure no divergence between the determined distance and a treatment distance.
  • the signal may be directed along a central axis of the radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may be configured to direct the signal along the central axis of the radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a reflective member.
  • the reflective member may be configured to reflect the emitted signal from the distance measurement device.
  • the reflective member may be configured to reflect the emitted signal from the distance measurement device towards the patient.
  • the reflective member may be configured to reflect the emitted signal from the distance measurement device along the central axis of the radiation beam.
  • the reflective member may be configured to reflect and/or transmit radiation from the radiation source and to reflect and/or transmit the emission from the distance measurement device in different proportions (e.g. the reflective member may be configured to transmit a greater proportion of radiation than a transmitted proportion of the emission).
  • the reflective member may be configured to substantially transmit radiation from the radiation source.
  • the reflective member may be configured to substantially reflect the emission from the distance measurement device.
  • the reflective member may be configured to reflect the substantially reflective component of the emitted signal more than other components.
  • the reflective member may comprise a spectral reflector.
  • the reflective member may be substantially transparent for the radiation.
  • the reflective member may be positioned in the intended radiation beam.
  • the reflective member may be positioned in an emitted signal path.
  • the distance measurement device may comprise a sensor.
  • the sensor may be configured to detect a signal emitted by the distance measurement device.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to detect a return signal, such as a reflection of the emitted signal from the intended recipient.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to detect a return signal without an operator input.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to detect a return signal without an operator positioning a signal return means, such as without an operator actively manually positioning a signal reflector at the patient.
  • the reflective member may be configured to reflect the return signal.
  • the reflective member may be configured to reflect the return signal from the patient towards the distance measurement device.
  • the return signal may be substantially parallel in a substantially opposite direction to the emitted signal.
  • the return signal may be substantially collinear with the emitted signal in a substantially opposite direction.
  • the sensor may be configured to detect the substantially reflective component of the emitted signal.
  • the sensor may be configured to detect the component with a wavelength that is substantially reflected by the intended recipient.
  • the sensor may comprise a light sensor.
  • the sensor may be located proximal to the signal emitter. Locating the sensor proximal to the signal emitter may ensure that a return signal path is substantially equidistant to an emitted signal path.
  • the reflective member may be positioned in the return signal path. The emitted and/or the return signal may be directed along the central axis of the radiation beam.
  • the signal emitter and the radiation source may be located substantially equidistant from the reflective member.
  • the sensor and the radiation source may be located substantially equidistant from the reflective member.
  • the emitted and/or return signal/s may comprise a time-variable component, such as comprising a pulsed signal.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to determine an attribute of the return signal, such as the time-variable component.
  • the attribute may comprise a time attribute of the return signal.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to determine a passage of time between the emission of the signal from the distance measurement device and a receipt of the return signal.
  • the attribute may comprise a quantity component of the return signal.
  • the attribute may comprise a strength of the return signal (e.g. brightness).
  • the attribute may comprise a quality component, such as a dispersion or a focussing of the signal.
  • the reflective member may be configured to reflect the return signal.
  • the apparatus may be configured to receive the return signal at the sensor via the reflective member.
  • the apparatus may be configured to receive the return signal directly at the sensor, such as without reflection by the reflective member.
  • the distance measurement device may be selectively operable.
  • the apparatus may be configured to initiate an automatic determination of the distance between the radiation source and the patient when triggered by an event.
  • the apparatus may be configured to automatically determine the distance between the radiation source and the patient upon activation of the distance measurement device by an operator.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to determine the distance periodically, such as periodic monitoring when in operation.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to continuously determine the distance, such as continuously monitoring.
  • the apparatus may be configured to output an indication of the determined distance.
  • the indication may be a visual indication.
  • the apparatus may comprise a display.
  • the apparatus may comprise a projector for projecting a representation of the determined distance.
  • the projector may be configured to project a graphical representation of the determined distance, such as to project a numerical representation of the determined distance onto or proximal to a treatment region (e.g. to project the actual determined distance onto a portion of the patient's skin adjacent the treatment region).
  • a display of the determined distance within or proximal to the treatment field may permit an operator to monitor the distance between the patient and the radiation source and to monitor the patient and/or treatment field simultaneously.
  • the indication may comprise an audio indication.
  • the apparatus may be configured to provide an alert that the determined distance has deviated beyond a predetermined value.
  • the alert may provide an indication that the determined distance exceeds a predetermined upper threshold.
  • the alert may provide an indication that the determined distance falls below a predetermined lower threshold.
  • the alert may comprise a visual alert.
  • the alert may comprise an audio alert.
  • the alert may comprise a haptic alert, such as a vibration.
  • the apparatus may be configured to adjust a radiation received by the patient in response to the distance determined, such as to automatically adjust the radiation received by the patient.
  • the apparatus may be configured to automatically adjust a radiation dosage in response to the determined distance.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for automatically adjusting the radiation beam in response to the distance determined.
  • the apparatus may be configured to adjust the emitted radiation in response to the determined distance.
  • the apparatus may be configured to automatically adjust the distance between the patient and the radiation source in response to the determined distance.
  • the apparatus may be configured to move the radiation source relative to the patient in response to the determined distance.
  • the apparatus may be configured to move the patient relative to the radiation source in response to the determined distance.
  • the apparatus may be configured to adjust a quality of the radiation (such as an energy and/or a duration of emitted radiation) in response to the determined distance. For example, the apparatus may be configured to stop emitting radiation if the determined distance crosses a predetermined threshold. The apparatus may be configured to monitor gating. The apparatus may be configured to adjust the radiation beam in response to gating. The distance measurement device may be configured to recognise a pattern based on the determined distance; such as a breathing pattern based on a fluctuation in the determined distance.
  • a quality of the radiation such as an energy and/or a duration of emitted radiation
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for storage and analysis of measured data.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for controlling the radiation emitted and/or received in accordance with an analysis of the measured data.
  • the means for analysis of measured data may be configured to automatically calculate the distance between the radiation source and the patient on the basis of the detected return signal.
  • the apparatus may further comprise an information management system, such as a computer and/or a network connected to the distance measurement device.
  • the analysis means may be configured to determine a distance between the radiation source and an intended target of the radiation on the basis of the distance determined by the distance measurement device.
  • the computer may be programmable to combine the determined distance with a predetermined distance, such as a distance between the patient's skin and a tumour. Accordingly, the distance between the radiation source and the tumour may be determined.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a reference light source configured to emit a reference optical beam representative of radiation from the radiation source.
  • the apparatus may be configured to project light in the visible spectrum coincident with a target radiation field.
  • the optical beam may represent a portion of the radiation from the radiation source, such as a periphery of the radiation from the radiation source.
  • the optical beam may represent substantially the entire radiation from the radiation source, such as the emitted radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may be configured to selectively adapt the reference light source.
  • the apparatus may be configured to adjust the reference light source to correspond to adjustments made to the radiation source, such as to provide a reference light field representative of an intended radiation field.
  • the reflective member may be configured to shape the emitted and/or return signal/s and/or the reference optical beam.
  • the reflective member may comprise a substantially planar reflective surface.
  • the reflective member may be configured to focus the emitted and/or return signal/s and/or the reference optical beam.
  • the reflective member may comprise a substantially concave reflective surface.
  • the reflective member may be configured to diverge the emitted and/or return signal/s and/or the reference optical beam.
  • the reflective member may comprise a substantially convex reflective surface.
  • the apparatus may be configured to calibrate the distance measurement device. For example, the apparatus may be configured to compare a first result determined by the distance measurement device with a second result determined by a supplementary distance measurement means.
  • the apparatus may be configured to emit the signal substantially at an angle to the radiation beam.
  • the distance measurement device may be located a predetermined distance from the radiation beam, such as a predetermined distance perpendicular to the central axis of the radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may be configured to determine the angle of the emitted signal to the radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may be configured to determine the distance between the patient and the radiation source on the basis of triangulation.
  • the apparatus may be configured to determine the distance between the patient and the radiation source on the basis of the predetermined distance of the distance measurement device from the radiation beam and the angle of the emitted signal to the radiation beam.
  • the apparatus may comprise an image analysis means.
  • the distance measurement device may comprise the image analysis means, such as an image analysis software.
  • the distance measurement device may be configured to determine the distance between the patient and the radiation source on the basis of an image analysis.
  • the image analysis means may be configured to monitor the relative position of one or more features of an image, such as one or more references.
  • the apparatus may comprise a camera for capturing the image.
  • the image analysis means may be configured to detect one or more references in the treatment field, such as proximal to the centre of the treatment field.
  • one or more references may be placed in the treatment field, such as markers on the patient.
  • the reference/s may be configured to reflect the emitted signal.
  • the reference/s may be configured to absorb or diffuse the emitted signal.
  • the image analysis means may be configured to monitor a relative distance between two or more features.
  • the image analysis means may be configured to determine a relative form of a feature.
  • the image analysis means may be configured to monitor the relative size of a feature.
  • the apparatus may be configured for Automated Treatment Setup.
  • the apparatus may be configured for use where the patient is having multiple treatment in one session; such as more than one field of an isocentric treatment (e.g. pelvis).
  • the apparatus may be configured to be operated remotely, such as from a treatment console outside a treatment room.
  • the apparatus may be configured to be moved through multiple fields remotely.
  • the apparatus may allow verification and/or recording of distances for an initial setup distance.
  • the apparatus may allow verification and/or recording of distances for the remotely controlled fields.
  • the apparatus may permit at least one tolerance requirement to be met (e.g. a maximum variation between fields of 1 cm).
  • the apparatus may allow assessment of patient movement between fields and/or treatments.
  • the apparatus may permit a treatment time to be reduced, such as by 50%.
  • the apparatus may permit a productivity of a treatment unit to be increased.
  • a distance measurement device for use with radiation-emitting medical apparatus, wherein the distance measurement device is configured to automatically determine a distance between a patient and a radiation source within the radiation-emitting medical apparatus.
  • the system may achieve an increased accuracy of measurement based on laser reflection rather than manual reading of an optical projection.
  • the system may reduce a need for human intervention in taking SSD, thereby reducing a time required for the measurement to be made by manual means.
  • the system may reduce a need for human intervention in taking SSD, thereby reducing a scope for human error.
  • the system may reduce a need for human intervention in taking SSD, thereby reducing a scope for musculoskeletal or other damage to persons involved in the measurement process (e.g. equipment operators).
  • the system may allow the acquisition of digital data, which can then be processed by an information management system for the purposes of verification, recording, dose calculation, quality assurance and/or other treatment and/or research purposes.
  • a method of medically emitting radiation comprising:
  • the method may be a radiotherapeutic method.
  • the method may further comprise varying the radiation received by the patient in response to the determined distance.
  • the radiation may be emitted in accordance with the determined distance.
  • the method may further comprise varying the emitted radiation in response to the determined distance, such as varying a dosage of the emitted radiation.
  • the method may further comprise varying the distance between the patient and the radiation source in response to the determined distance.
  • the intended radiation is that of a primary functionality of the apparatus, such as therapeutic or diagnostic radiation. Accordingly, emissions from the reference light source or from the distance measurement device or from the display should not be construed as radiation in the context of the present application.
  • the invention includes one or more corresponding aspects, embodiments or features in isolation or in various combinations whether or not specifically stated (including claimed) in that combination or in isolation.
  • features recited as optional with respect to one aspect may be additionally applicable with respect to any other aspect, without the need to explicitly and unnecessarily list those various combinations and permutations here.
  • features of the distance measurement device of the first aspect may be combined with the distance measurement device of the second or third aspects.
  • one or more embodiments/aspects may be useful in radiotherapy, and/or radiation treatment planning and/or medical imaging.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a radiation-emitting medical apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of a radiation-emitting medical apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic view of a radiation-emitting medical apparatus in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a radiation-emitting medical apparatus in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRITPION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • a radiation field is represented by a projected light field 1 generated by a field light source within a treatment head 6.
  • This light field is used in non-operating mode to allow an operator to align or check the alignment of the potential radiation field with a patient 9a positioned on a treatment couch 9b.
  • the source to skin (SSD or FSD) is measured from the centre of a target 2 within the head of the treatment machine 6 to the point of contact with the skin at the centre of a treatment field 3 by means of a laser beam 4a generated and detected by a laser distance measurement unit 5.
  • This laser distance measurement unit 5 is housed within the treatment machine head 6.
  • the distance measurement unit 5 is aimed at a predetermined point on a mirror 7 inserted across the treatment beam at a predetermined angle.
  • the laser beam is reflected by the mirror 7 at an angle such that it coincides with the central axis 4b of the radiation field and intersects with the patients' skin at the field centre 3.
  • a projected optical numerical display can be projected from a projection unit housed in the head of the machine 6, via the mirror 7, onto a site on the skin adjacent to the centre of the treatment field 3 for the use of operators during treatment set-up.
  • the data acquired by the laser distance measurement unit 5 is sent by electronic means for storage, analysis, verification, quality assurance, dose calculation, treatment delivery calculation, and other applications, to a digital information management system 8.
  • the apparatus may provide many advantages. By using an accurate, non- interventional, automated, and digitised system of measurement, the variation in distance between the source of the radiation and the patient can be reduced; resulting in faster, less physically arduous, and more accurately delivered prescribed dosing; which may also allow for further analysis and use of data obtained thereby.
  • the use of a laser distance measurement device may remove the necessity for radiographers to take manual measurements/readings for recordal. The removal of this manual input and its replacement with a highly accurate, time-saving, independent, and non- interventional method of measurement eliminates the possibility of human error. Indeed, the need for radiographers to be involved in the measurement process may be removed: allowing them extra time to concentrate on the patient; patient care; and treatment delivery. There may be a reduction in injuries to radiographers, such as no manual handling/spinal issues.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a radiation-emitting medical apparatus 110 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • the medical apparatus 110 shown in Figure 2 is generally similar to that shown in Figure 1, and as such like components share like reference numerals, incremented by 100.
  • the radiation-emitting apparatus 110 is a radiotherapy apparatus with a radiation source 102 and a distance measurement device 105.
  • the radiation source 102 is in the form of a linear accelerator that emits radiation in a radiation beam towards a treatment field of a patient 109a.
  • the distance measurement device 105 comprises a laser source that emits a signal in the form of laser beam 104a directed towards a reflective member 107 in the form of a spectral reflector located in the intended radiation beam.
  • the reflective member 107 substantially transits radiation from the radiation source 102 without any substantial reflection, and the reflective member 107 substantially reflects the laser beam 104a.
  • the reflective member is positioned in the intended radiation beam such that the laser beam 104a from the laser intersects the reflective member 107 at a central axis of the radiation field 104b.
  • the reflective member is positioned in the intended radiation beam at such an angle that the laser beam 104a from the laser is reflected along the central axis of the radiation field 104b towards a centre of a treatment field 103. Accordingly, the laser beam 104a emitted from the distance measurement device is substantially coincident and colinear with radiation emitted from the radiation source 102.
  • the distance measurement device 105 and the radiation source 102 are positioned equidistant from the reflective member 107. Accordingly the actual distance measured by the distance measurement device 105 is directly representative of the distance between the radiation source 102 and the centre of the treatment field 103 on the patient 109a.
  • An emitted signal path between the distance measurement device 105 and the patient 105 and a return signal path between the patient and the distance measurement device 105 are substantially equal and each is substantially representative of the distance between the radiation source 102 and the patient 109a. Accordingly, the distance measurement device 105 can halve the sum of the determined emitted and return signal paths to determine the distance between the radiation source 102 and the patient 109a.
  • the distance measurement device 105 measures the length of time between the emission of a signal and its detection in a sensor in the distance measurement device 105.
  • the signal has a known predetermined speed, which is the speed of light in air in the embodiment shown, such that the time between the emission and the receipt of the signal provides a direct indication of the total distance of the sum of the emitted and return signal paths.
  • Control of the distance measurement device 105 is via a digital information management system 108 that performs the distance calculations and triggers the emission of signals.
  • the digital information management system 108 monitors the patient and can allow for a physics planner to be alerted to a developing change in a patient contour.
  • the digital information management system 108 can alert the physics planner to the developing change. Accordingly, the physics planner can re-plan immediately; rather than spend time awaiting notification from treatment room staff.
  • the digital information management system 108 may provide an output to adjust the radiation received by the patient 109a in response to the distance determined, such as to automatically adjust the radiation received by the patient 109a. Accordingly, the apparatus 110 may automatically adjust the radiation dosage in response to the determined distance by adjusting the radiation beam; and/or the distance between the patient 109a and the radiation source 102 in response to the distance determined.
  • the apparatus 110 further comprises a reference light source 116 for emitting a reference light beam to define a reference light field 101.
  • a reference light source 116 for emitting a reference light beam to define a reference light field 101.
  • Light emitted from the light source 116 is reflected via a second reflective member 114 to be substantially coincident with the unreflected signal 104a emitted from the distance measurement device 105.
  • the emitted light is further reflected by the first reflective member 107 to be substantially coincident with the intended radiation beam thus defining the reference light field 101.
  • the second reflective member 114 comprises an aperture 1 12 for the passage of the emitted and return signals from and to the distance measurement device 105.
  • the second reflective member is a spectral reflector, allowing the passage of one of the signal or the reference light beam and reflecting the other of the signal or the reference light beam.
  • the reference light source directly projects a reference light field, such as from a ring reference light source around a periphery of the intended radiation beam, without reflection by a reflective member.
  • the reference light source 116 is connected to the digital information management system 108.
  • the reference light source 116 is configured to transmit a graphic representation of the determined distance as a projection in a portion of the reference light field 101.
  • the distance measurement apparatus 205 comprises a sensor 218 remote from an emitter.
  • the sensor 218 is aligned to detect a return signal of an emitted laser beam 204a from a predetermined portion of a spectral reflector 207. Accordingly, a return path of the return signal is not coincident with an emission path of the emitted laser beam 204a. However, the sensor 208a is aligned such that a length of the return path is equal to a length of the emission path.
  • FIG 4 shows a schematic view of a radiation-emitting medical apparatus 310 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • the medical apparatus 310 shown in Figure 4 is generally similar to that shown in Figure 3, and as such like components share like reference numerals, incremented by 100.
  • the distance measurement apparatus 305 is located at a predetermined perpendicular distance 320 from a central axis of a radiation field 304b, and at a predetermined offset 322 from a radiation source 302. Accordingly, the distance measurement device does not require use of a component, such as a mirror 307, within the radiation beam.
  • the distance measurement device directs the laser beam 304a towards a centre of a treatment field 303.
  • the apparatus 310 adjusts an angle a of projection of the laser beam 304a as the centre of the treatment field moves up and down, such as due to gating.
  • the distance measurement device 305 determines the distance of the patient from the radiation source 302 using trigonometry. In the embodiment shown, the distance measurement device adjusts the angle a of projection of the laser beam 304a by tracking an optical target 326 in the centre of a projected light field 301.
  • the determined distance may be to the patient's skin.
  • another determined distance may be more appropriate for particular purposes, such as a distance to an internal tumour, below the patient's skin.
  • the measured distance shown here is displayed as a projection onto the patient's skin in the treatment field, in other embodiments the measured distance and/or other data may be displayed elsewhere, in addition or alternatively, such as adjacent the treatment field, or via other apparatus, such as an apparatus for controlling the radiation-emitting medical apparatus (e.g. a computer interface or VDU).
  • the distance measurement device may be placed on the central axis of the radiation beam to emit a signal directly along the central axis.
  • a signal emitter, or the distance measurement device itself may be placed temporarily in an intended radiation beam, such as prior to an emission of radiation. The signal emitter, or distance measurement device, may be removed from the intended radiation beam prior to the emission of radiation.
  • the distance measurement device shown here is aligned perpendicular to the radiation beam
  • the distance measurement device may be aligned at a different angle with respect to the radiation beam, and the angle of the reflective member adjusted accordingly to provide a distance measurement signal coincident with the radiation beam.
  • the radiation-emitting medical apparatus shown here are clinical radiotherapy apparatus
  • the present invention also has use in other medical radiation fields such as radiation treatment planning apparatus, or medical imaging (e.g. CT, MRI, and/or conventional X-ray machines).

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un appareil médical (110) émettant un rayonnement, lequel appareil comprend une source de rayonnement (102) et un dispositif (105) de mesure de distance. Le dispositif (105) de mesure de distance est configuré pour déterminer automatiquement une distance entre un patient (109a) et la source de rayonnement (102). En outre, l'invention porte sur un procédé d'émission médicale de rayonnement, lequel procédé comprend la détermination automatique d'une distance entre un patient (109a) et une source de rayonnement (102) et l'émission de rayonnement.
PCT/GB2011/001262 2010-08-23 2011-08-22 Appareil médical émettant un rayonnement Ceased WO2012025719A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1303277.6A GB2496559A (en) 2010-08-23 2011-08-22 Radiation-emitting medical apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1014042.4 2010-08-23
GBGB1014042.4A GB201014042D0 (en) 2010-08-23 2010-08-23 Clinical radiotherapy apparatus
GBGB1107806.0A GB201107806D0 (en) 2011-05-11 2011-05-11 Radiation-emitting medical apparatus
GB1107806.0 2011-05-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012025719A1 true WO2012025719A1 (fr) 2012-03-01

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2011/001262 Ceased WO2012025719A1 (fr) 2010-08-23 2011-08-22 Appareil médical émettant un rayonnement

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2496559A (fr)
WO (1) WO2012025719A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230039675A1 (en) * 2019-11-27 2023-02-09 Intraop Medical Corporation Electron beam radiation system with advanced applicator coupling system having integrated distance detection and target illumination
JP2025509496A (ja) * 2022-03-17 2025-04-11 ルメニス・リミテッド 光ファイバ端部と標的間の距離を決定する方法

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4896343A (en) * 1988-05-02 1990-01-23 Saunders Allan M Radiation apparatus with distance mapper for dose control
US20030053075A1 (en) * 2000-04-11 2003-03-20 Duhon John G. Positioning systems and related methods
EP1348376A2 (fr) * 2002-03-30 2003-10-01 LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen Dispositif pour mesurer sans contact une distance pendant l'irradiation d'un corps humain
US20060152704A1 (en) * 2005-01-07 2006-07-13 Ali Bani-Hashemi Remote center range finder
US20060285641A1 (en) * 2005-06-16 2006-12-21 Nomos Corporation System, tracker, and program product to facilitate and verify proper target alignment for radiation delivery, and related methods
US20080049896A1 (en) * 2006-08-25 2008-02-28 Kuduvalli Gopinath R Determining a target-to-surface distance and using it for real time absorbed dose calculation and compensation

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4896343A (en) * 1988-05-02 1990-01-23 Saunders Allan M Radiation apparatus with distance mapper for dose control
US20030053075A1 (en) * 2000-04-11 2003-03-20 Duhon John G. Positioning systems and related methods
EP1348376A2 (fr) * 2002-03-30 2003-10-01 LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen Dispositif pour mesurer sans contact une distance pendant l'irradiation d'un corps humain
US20060152704A1 (en) * 2005-01-07 2006-07-13 Ali Bani-Hashemi Remote center range finder
US20060285641A1 (en) * 2005-06-16 2006-12-21 Nomos Corporation System, tracker, and program product to facilitate and verify proper target alignment for radiation delivery, and related methods
US20080049896A1 (en) * 2006-08-25 2008-02-28 Kuduvalli Gopinath R Determining a target-to-surface distance and using it for real time absorbed dose calculation and compensation

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230039675A1 (en) * 2019-11-27 2023-02-09 Intraop Medical Corporation Electron beam radiation system with advanced applicator coupling system having integrated distance detection and target illumination
JP2025509496A (ja) * 2022-03-17 2025-04-11 ルメニス・リミテッド 光ファイバ端部と標的間の距離を決定する方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201303277D0 (en) 2013-04-10
GB2496559A (en) 2013-05-15

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