Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-04
2004-04-20
Denion, Thomas (Department: 3742)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S407000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06725078
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems for localization and radiotherapy of various cell lines in various anatomic locations. In particular, this invention relates to a system which coordinates proton beam irradiation with an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit to achieve near-simultaneous, noninvasive localization and radiotherapy of various cell lines in various anatomic locations by maintaining coincidence between the target and the proton beam.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Proton beam irradiation therapy treats tumors found in selected locations that are not subject to significant physiologic motion. Examples of such tumors include prostatic cancer, spinal chordomas, and certain retinal or orbital tumors. The proton beam generated by a medical cyclotron has similar biological activity for the destruction of tumors as standard radiation therapy techniques to target a fixed tumor site with minimal radiotoxicity to the surrounding normal tissues. Because protons of a specific energy have a specific penetration depth, adjusting the specific energy of the protons manipulates the distance the proton beam travels into the patient. Because protons deposit most of their energy at the end of the penetration depth, the highest concentration of radiation occurs in the area around the penetration depth. This area is known as the Bragg peak of the proton beam.
The focused delivery of protons to a fixed site permits the radiotherapy of tumors or the destruction of tissue causing functional problems. However, tumors and tissue located in organs subject to significant physiologic motion cannot be treated without significant collateral radiotoxicity. There is a need for a system which allows proton beam delivery to a target subject to significant physiologic motion that minimizes the collateral damage to the surrounding normal tissues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a system which treats a target within a body of a patient by proton beam therapy by using a scanner to locate the target.
It is another object of this invention to provide a system which coordinates a treatment volume such as a Bragg peak of a proton beam with a target detected noninvasively such as a tumor or dysfunctional tissue to be destroyed as detected by MRI.
It is another object of this invention to provide such a system which includes a patient support device to position the patient so that the target is located within the treatment volume.
It is another object of this invention to provide such a system which includes a patient support device that allows irradiation of the target at multiple angles while maintaining coincidence between the target and the treatment volume.
It is another object of this invention to provide a system which treats a target within a body of a patient by proton beam therapy by allowing irradiation of the target at multiple angles according to a treatment plan while minimizing radiation of surrounding tissues during the physiologic motion of the target.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method for irradiating at multiple angles a target subject to significant physiologic motion within a body of patient.
In one form, the invention comprises a system for treating a target within a body of a patient comprising a radiating apparatus, a patient support, a scanner, and a controller. The radiating apparatus irradiates a treatment volume having a known position. The patient support supports the patient such that the target to be treated is located coincident with or adjacent to the treatment volume. The scanner scans the body and creates body images. The controller selectively activates the radiating apparatus to irradiate the target when the target is at least partially coincident with the treatment volume.
In another form, the invention includes a method for treating with a radiating apparatus a target within a patient resting on a patient support rotatable about a rotational axis, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the patient support such that the target is at least partially coincident with or adjacent to a treatment volume irradiated by the radiating apparatus and the target and treatment volume lie along the rotational axis;
selectively irradiating the treatment volume when the target is at least partially coincident with the treatment volume;
rotating the patient relative to the radiating apparatus; and
again selectively irradiating the treatment volume while monitoring the location of the target in the adjusted position.
In one form, the method of the invention treats a target within a body of a patient with a radiating apparatus irradiating a treatment volume having a known position by the following steps:
positioning the patient such that the target to be treated is located near the treatment volume;
scanning the body and creating body images of the body to determine the position of the target relative to the treatment volume; and
activating the radiating apparatus to irradiate the target when the determined position of the target is at least partially coincident with the known position of the treatment volume.
In another form, the invention comprises a system for treating a target within a body of a patient, wherein the system comprises:
a radiating apparatus irradiating a treatment volume having a known position;
a scanner scanning the body and creating body images of the body to determine the position of the target; and
a controller responsive to the scanner for activating the radiating apparatus to irradiate the target when the position of the target as determined by the scanner is at least partially coincident with the known position of the treatment volume.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
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Bucholz Richard D.
Miller D. Douglas
Denion Thomas
Robinson Daniel
Senniger Powers Leavitt & Roedel
St. Louis University
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