Patient positioning system for radiotherapy

Abstract

A patient positioning system for radiotherapy, comprising a device for positioning a patient within the framework of treatment planning, using image detection and/or carrying out radiation treatment, comprising a patient bed on which a patient is positioned, wherein means are provided by which the same bed may be arranged both on a planning couch for image detection within the framework of treatment planning as well as on a radiotherapy table, and by providing a reference means on the patient bed by which the position of the immobilized patient or of a marked radiation target is determined with respect to the patient bed. Within this framework, a corresponding method is also provided, as well as an adjusting means for the transport and the bed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A patient positioning device for treatment planning and/or carrying out radiation treatment, comprising: 
 a patient bed on which a patient can lay,; and 
 an adjusting device that supports the patient bed relative to an associated patient couch or table for rotational movement about two axes, the adjusting device including comprising: 
 a horizontal base plate connected to a with the associated patient couch or table, 
 a horizontal cover plate connected to with the patient bed, and 
 a three-point bearing support with one point being a ball first joint located along a center longitudinal axis and the other two points being adjustable joints that are spaced apart from the ball first joint and are vertically height adjustable to vary the a pitch and roll of the patient bed relative to the associated patient couch or table, 
 
 wherein the ball first joint and the adjustable joints are connected directly to the base plate and the horizontal cover plate, and each of the two adjustable joints are configured to transform comprises a toggle lever that comprises a first link member pivotally connected with the base plate and a second link member pivotally connected with the cover plate wherein the first and second link members are mutually pivotally connected at a toggle lever joint, the toggle levers of each of the two adjustable joints transforming a horizontal activation-movement activation movement acting on the toggle lever joint to a vertical movement of the cover plate relative to the lower plate for varying the pitch and roll of the patient bed relative to the associated patient couch or table. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting device associated patient couch or table is arranged between the patient bed and a supporting device beneath to support the patient bed, and the horizontal base plate and the horizontal cover plate are movably linked together via the three point bearing support. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the adjusting device includes comprises a guide slot and follower a shaft guided in the guide slot to provide two translatory and two rotatory degrees of freedom with respect to one another while preventing the patient bed from shifting laterally with respect to the supporting device associated patient couch or table. 
     
     
       4. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a position tracking system that can detect the positions of markings arranged on at least one of a patient supported on the patient bed and bed, a reference device attached to the patient bed, or a patient supported on the patient bed and a reference device attached to the patient bed. 
 
     
     
       5. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the axes of the pitch and roll of the patient bed relative to the associated patient couch or table are orthogonal and respectively extend longitudinally and laterally with respect to the patient bed. 
     
     
       6. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable joints are height adjustable pneumatically, hydraulically, piezoelectrically or electromechanically. 
     
     
       7. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable joints each include first joint comprises a third toggle lever. 
     
     
       8. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment controller that controls the adjustable joints for rotating the patient bed about its lateral and longitudinal axes of the patient bed. 
     
     
       9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first joint comprises a ball joint. 
     
     
       10. An adjusting device for positioning an associated patient bed relative to an associated patient couch or table, the adjusting device comprising:
 a horizontal base plate adapted to engage the associated patient couch or table;   a horizontal cover plate operatively coupled with the associated patient bed; and   a three-point bearing support comprising a first joint and second and third adjustable joints, the first joint being located along a center longitudinal axis of the adjusting device and the second and third adjustable joints being spaced apart from the first joint, and the second and third adjustable joints being vertically adjustable to vary a pitch and a roll of the associated patient bed relative to the associated patient couch or table,   wherein the first joint and the second and third adjustable joints are operatively connected with the base plate and the horizontal cover plate,   wherein the second and third adjustable joints each comprises a toggle lever that comprises a first link member pivotally connected with the base plate and a second link member pivotally connected with the cover plate wherein the first and second link members are mutually pivotally connected at a toggle lever joint, the toggle levers of each of the two adjustable joints transforming a horizontal activation movement acting on the toggle lever joint to a vertical movement of the cover plate relative to the lower plate for varying the pitch and roll of the patient bed relative to the associated patient couch or table.   
     
     
       11. The adjusting device according to claim 10, further comprising:
 a releasing mechanism configured to enable releasable positioning of the associated patient bed in relation to the associated patient couch or table, and to enable securing the associated patient bed in relation to the cover plate and base plate such that the adjusting device can vary the pitch and roll of the associated patient bed relative to the associated patient couch or table, the releasing mechanism allowing the associated patient bed to be moved from the associated patient couch for planning a treatment to the associated patient table for the treatment.   
     
     
       12. The adjusting device according to claim 10, wherein the first joint comprises a ball joint.