Radiolucent Patient Treatment Table with Removable Tip Extension Base and Accessories

Abstract

The present invention provides a radiolucent patient treatment table top with a removable tip extension base that can be accurately and repeatably mounted at the end of a table top that is completely metal free in the area of interest for imaging and treatment. The table top is composed primarily of polymer composites reinforced with carbon fibers or other non-metallic fibers such as Kevlar®. The table top allows for accurately and repeatably mounting removable tip extension members, radiographic phantoms, immobilization devices, brachytherapy steppers, and other devices to the end and sides of the patient table top. The present invention further provides a method of adding a variety of useful accessories without introducing any permanent metal components in the imaging/treatment area of the table top.

1 . A radiolucent patient table top system comprising a patient table with a front, an underside, at least one side and a mounting support structure and further comprising; 
 a. a section which is completely metal free beyond the mounting support structure;    b. the section capable of receiving removable accessories; and    c. a removable tip extension base wherein the tip extension base provides a universal attachment mechanism which allows one or more accessories to be attached to the table.    
     
     
         2 . The patient table top system of  claim 1  wherein the tip extension base can be accurately and repeatably aligned with the patient table.  
     
     
         3 . The patient table top system of  claim 2  which can be aligned by means of at least one male and at least one female feature, one of which is placed on the front of the table and the other on the tip extension base.  
     
     
         4 . The patient table top system of  claim 1  wherein the tip extension base is attached to the table by means of at least one integrated clamp which attaches to at least one side of the table and the front of the table.  
     
     
         5 . The patient table top system of  claim 1  wherein the one or more accessories is at least one selected from the group consisting of a length extension, a head support board, a head and neck immobilization board, an x-ray phantom, a leg support board, a brachytherapy stepper assembly and a tip extension base.  
     
     
         6 . The patient table top system of  claim 1  further comprising a clamp groove which runs along the under side of at least one side of the table and the front of the table wherein the clamp groove is capable of accepting a mating geometry located on a clamp.  
     
     
         7 . The patient table top system of  claim 1  further comprising discreet indexing features so that the one or more accessories can be accurately and repeatably located.  
     
     
         8 . A removable modular clamp comprising an upper body, a lower body and a modular center section.  
     
     
         9 . The removable modular clamp of  claim 8  wherein the center section is at least one selected from the group consisting of a universal rail, an arm board mating component, a tip extension base member, a tip extension member, and a stirrup.  
     
     
         10 . A removable clamp comprising a feature that allows it to be accurately and repeatably located to at least one discreet table indexing feature.  
     
     
         11 . A removable clamp comprising an upper body, a lower body and a modular center section and further comprising a raised bump on the lower body so that the clamp can be more firmly affixed to a table top of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         12 . A radiolucent patient table with at least one support beam and comprising a removable tip extension base that has a back face and is attached to the patient table and wherein the tip extension base provides a universal attachment mechanism for attaching one or more accessories to the table.  
     
     
         13 . The patient table of  claim 12  wherein the tip extension base is attached to the table by at least one integrated clamp that attaches to the at least one beam.  
     
     
         14 . The patient table of  claim 13  wherein the at least one clamp can slide laterally on a back face of the tip extension base to accommodate the lateral motion of the support beams.  
     
     
         15 . The patient table of  claim 12  wherein the accessories is at least one selected from the group consisting of tip extension, a head support board, a head and neck immobilization board, an x-ray phantom, a leg support board, a brachytherapy stepper assembly and a tip extension base stirrup, brachytherapy stepper device, clamps, modular clamps, tip extension base, and drop leaf tip extension.  
     
     
         16 . A patient table top system of  claim 1  wherein at least on of the side and front edges are recessed, allowing clamps and accessories to remain flush or below the top surface.  
     
     
         17 . A table top of  claim 1  further comprising at least one radiolucent stirrup attached thereto.  
     
     
         18 . A method of performing brachytherapy treatment procedures using a table top of  claim 1  comprising; 
 a. placing legs of a patient in radiolucent stirrups;    b. planning imaging and treatment;    c. placing a brachytherapy aiming stepper device at the end of the table top;    d. inserting a cannula (i) into the patient;    e. removing the brachytherapy stepper device; and    f. imaging and treating the patient with radiation.    
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a patient with external beam radiation therapy using a table top of  claim 1  comprising; 
 a. attaching a tip extension base to a tip of the table top;    b. attaching an extension to the tip extension base to increase the length of the table top;    c. placing a patient on the table top and locating the patient's abdomen over the radiolucent table top; and    d. treating the patient.    
     
     
         20 . A method of treating a patient with external beam radiation therapy using a table top of  claim 1  comprising; 
 a. attaching a tip extension base to a tip of the table top;    b. attaching a head and neck treatment device extension to the tip extension base;    c. placing a patient on the table top and locating the patient's head on the head and neck treatment device; and    d. treating the patient.