Patient Support System for Full Access Prone Position Breast Radiotherapy

Abstract

A patient support system to be used in conjunction with a standard linear accelerator, and other sources, is described that allows access of the treatment beam to the breast from up to 360 degrees. This support system places the patient in a prone position with the breast going through an aperture. The prone position increases the separation of the breast from the chest wall and other critical organs and reduces motion of the target tissue due to breathing. This invention offers up to 36-degree radiation beam access to the breast. This helps in skin sparing, better dose conformity, and allows one to use modern treatment techniques such as IMRT and IGRT. It also includes a provision for an imaging system. This invention can also be used with CT and MR imaging modalities.

1 . A prone position patient support system to be used in conjunction with a radiation source, comprising:
 a substantially-horizontal patient support surface upon which a patient's body can be placed, said patient support surface having a first end proximal to said patient's breast and a second end proximal to said patient's feet;   an aperture in said patient support surface to permit passage of an anatomy of said patient's body through the patient support surface with respect to said radiation source so as to permit application of a beam of radiation from said radiation source to said anatomy; and   a cantilever support proximal to said second end of said patient support surface supporting said patient support.   
     
     
         2 . The patient support system of  claim 1  wherein the radiation source is a LINAC. 
     
     
         3 . The patient support system of  claim 1  wherein the radiation source is a supervoltage x-ray generator. 
     
     
         4 . The patient support system of  claim 1  wherein the radiation source is a particle beam accelerator. 
     
     
         5 . The patient support system of  claim 1  wherein the support system is CT compatible. 
     
     
         6 . The patient support system of  claim 1  wherein the support system is MR compatible. 
     
     
         7 . The patient support system of  claim 1  wherein the support system further comprises a rotational mechanism that allows rotation about the longitudinal axis of the patient support system. 
     
     
         8 . The patient support system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more imaging components and associated software algorithms for patient registration. 
     
     
         9 . The patient support system of  claim 1  wherein the support system for the patient interface surface further comprises a longitudinal translation stage and a rotary stage. 
     
     
         10 . The patient support system of  claim 1  wherein the support system for the patient interface surface further comprises cross shaped radiolucent spacers for separating the patient interface surface and a bottom structure. 
     
     
         11 . A prone position patient support system to be used in conjunction with a radiation source, comprising:
 an anatomically contoured patient interface surface adapted to support a patient thereon in a cantilevered position;   an aperture in said patient support surface, proximal to a breast of said patient, to permit passage of a breast of said patient to be treated through the patient interface surface; and   a support system for the patient interface surface that provides space below the patient interface surface to allow beam access from a radiation source for at least 270 degrees of rotation in a substantially horizontal plane; said patient interface surface being rotatable and cantilevered at an end thereof proximal to said patient's feet.   
     
     
         12 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the radiation source is a LINAC. 
     
     
         13 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the radiation source is a supervoltage x-ray generator. 
     
     
         14 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the radiation source is a particle beam accelerator. 
     
     
         15 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the support system is CT compatible. 
     
     
         16 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the support system is MR compatible. 
     
     
         17 . The patient support system of  claim 11  that includes one or more imaging components and associated software algorithms for patient registration. 
     
     
         18 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the support system for the patient interface surface is designed from radio-lucent material. 
     
     
         19 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the support system for the patient interface surface is geometrically designed such that the radiation beam is unobstructed. 
     
     
         20 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the support system includes a rotational mechanism that allows rotation about the longitudinal axis of the patient support system. 
     
     
         21 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the support system for the patient interface surface is geometrically designed to have limited interference with the radiation beam. 
     
     
         22 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the support system for the patient interface surface further comprises a longitudinal translation stage and a rotary stage. 
     
     
         23 . The patient support system of  claim 11  wherein the support system for the patient interface surface further comprises cross shaped radiolucent spacers for separating the patient interface surface and a bottom structure. 
     
     
         24 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A prone position patient support system to be used in conjunction with a radiation source, comprising:
 a contoured patient support surface including an aperture to permit passage of the anatomy to be treated through the patient support surface;   a lower support structure;   a support member between the patient support surface and the lower support structure which provides space between the patient support surface and the lower support structure;   a treatment couch on which the lower structure is coupled, the treatment couch having a rotary base; and   a rotational mechanism coupled to the lower structure and the treatment couch which allows beam access from a radiation source for 360 degrees in a substantially horizontal plane.   
     
     
         37 . The patient support system of  claim 36  wherein the radiation source is a LINAC. 
     
     
         38 . The patient support system of  claim 36  wherein the radiation source is a supervoltage x-ray generator. 
     
     
         39 . The patient support system of  claim 36  wherein the radiation source is a particle beam accelerator. 
     
     
         40 . The patient support system of  claim 36  wherein the support system is CT compatible. 
     
     
         41 . The patient support system of  claim 36  wherein the patient support system is MR compatible. 
     
     
         42 . The patient support system of  claim 36  wherein rotational mechanism allows rotation about the longitudinal axis of the patient support system. 
     
     
         43 . The patient support system of  claim 36  further comprising one or more imaging components and associated software algorithms for patient registration. 
     
     
         44 . The patient support system of  claim 36  wherein the rotational mechanism comprises a longitudinal translation stage and a rotary stage. 
     
     
         45 . The patient support system of  claim 36  wherein the support member comprises cross shaped radiolucent spacers for separating the patient interface surface and a bottom structure.