US5792146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rectilinear linac phantom pointer system
Assignee: Integra Radionics Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-28
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Granted: 1998-08-11
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Expires: 2016-03-28
Abstract
Abstract This patent relates to instrumentation for confirming the position of a target, frequently in the head, at the isocenter of a linear accelerator or other beam delivery system. Typically, the anatomical target is determined by CT, NMR, angiographic, X-ray, or other imaging means. The position of the target and the coordinates of the target are referenced to a head fixation means. That head fixation means is subsequently attached to the beam delivery system, such as a linear accelerator (LINAC). To simulate the position of the target prior to putting the patient there, this rectilinear phantom pointer can be used. It has three coordinate slide scales on it that are orthogonal and are calibrated with distant scales. Moving these three scales positions a radiopaque marker to stand at the phantom point of the actual anatomical target. This enables direct confirmation of patient positioning and centering of the beam isocenter at the desired target.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric R. Cosman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1048; A61N5/1049; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/10; A61B2090/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
In combination, a linear accelerator, a patient holder and a rectilinear phantom pointer adapted to provide target localization testing on the linear accelerator, said rectilinear phantom pointer having: a) three mechanically interconnected orthogonal translation elements which provide movement in three orthogonal directions, said three translation elements having scales on them to quantify the position of translation of said translation elements; and, b) a radiopaque marker means cooperatively connected to said three orthogonal translation elements for translation in space according to the translation of said three translation elements with said radiopaque marker means' position in space quantified by said scales; an attachment mechanically connected to said translation elements and to said patient holder, said attachment releasably securing said three orthogonal translation elements with respect to said patient holder; whereby said radiopaque marker means can be quantitatively positioned in space by said three translation means and said scales so that said radiopaque marker means can simulate the position of a physiologic target in a patient when said patient is held by said patient holder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
In combination, a linear accelerator, a patient holder and a rectilinear phantom pointer adapted to provide target localization testing on the linear accelerator, said rectilinear phantom pointer having: a) three mechanically interconnected orthogonal translation elements which provide movement in three orthogonal directions, said three translation elements having scales on them to quantify the position of translation of said translation elements; and, b) a radiopaque marker means cooperatively connected to said three orthogonal translation elements for translation in space according to the translation of said three translation elements with said radiopaque marker means' position in space quantified by said scales; an attachment mechanically connected to said translation elements and to said patient holder, said attachment releasably securing said three orthogonal translation elements with respect to said patient holder; whereby said radiopaque marker means can be quantitatively positioned in space by said three translation means and said scales so that said radiopaque marker means can simulate the position of a physiologic target in a patient when said patient is held by said patient holder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said radiopaque marker comprises a radiopaque ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said three orthogonal translation elements and said scales on said translation elements correspond to three orthogonal stereotactic axes defined relative to a patient by a stereotactic guidance means, and whereby an anatomical target of said patient, which has been determined stereotactically by said stereotactic guidance means, can be simulated by said radiopaque marker when said radiopaque marker is translated to the appropriate position by said translation elements, as indicated by said scales, whereby said radiopaque marker simulates the position of said anatomical target by means of film test shots of said the linear accelerator to confirm the position of said anatomical target by said radiopaque marker position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said three translation elements have readout means associated with each of the three translation elements for providing an output that corresponds to the measurements of said scales for each of said translation elements.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
229 words
A method for target localization testing of the combination of a particle beam emitter and a patient holder, said method comprising the steps of: (1) releasably attaching a rectilinear phantom pointer with respect to said patient holder, said rectilinear phantom pointer having (i) three mechanically interconnected orthogonal translation elements which provide movement in three orthogonal directions with each orthogonal translation element having a scale thereon that quantifies its translational position; (ii) a radiopaque marker cooperatively connected to the three orthogonal translation elements so that the radiopaque marker can be translated in space according to the translation of the three orthogonal translation elements with the radiopaque marker's position in space quantified by the scales on said orthogonal translation elements; (2) translating said radiopaque marker to a position corresponding to the three dimensional position of a stereotactically determined anatomical target of a patient by moving said orthogonal translation elements so that the radiopaque marker simulates the position of the anatomical target of the patient; (3) confirming the position of the radiopaque marker by exposing a particle responsive media to the particles emitted by said particle beam emitter; and, (4) removing the rectilinear phantom pointer from said patient holder whereby the patient can be held by the patient holder so that the three dimensional position of the patient's anatomical target corresponds to the previously established three dimensional position of the radiopaque marker.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
229 words
A method for target localization testing of the combination of a particle beam emitter and a patient holder, said method comprising the steps of: (1) releasably attaching a rectilinear phantom pointer with respect to said patient holder, said rectilinear phantom pointer having (i) three mechanically interconnected orthogonal translation elements which provide movement in three orthogonal directions with each orthogonal translation element having a scale thereon that quantifies its translational position; (ii) a radiopaque marker cooperatively connected to the three orthogonal translation elements so that the radiopaque marker can be translated in space according to the translation of the three orthogonal translation elements with the radiopaque marker's position in space quantified by the scales on said orthogonal translation elements; (2) translating said radiopaque marker to a position corresponding to the three dimensional position of a stereotactically determined anatomical target of a patient by moving said orthogonal translation elements so that the radiopaque marker simulates the position of the anatomical target of the patient; (3) confirming the position of the radiopaque marker by exposing a particle responsive media to the particles emitted by said particle beam emitter; and, (4) removing the rectilinear phantom pointer from said patient holder whereby the patient can be held by the patient holder so that the three dimensional position of the patient's anatomical target corresponds to the previously established three dimensional position of the radiopaque marker.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-10 | 2002-02-09 | 2002-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-10 | 2006-02-09 | 2006-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-10 | 2010-02-09 | 2010-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |