AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING QUALITY ASSURANCE OF RADIATION THERAPY WITH INTEGRATED RADIATION FIELD ANALYZER

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automated system for providing Quality assurance of radiation therapy with an integrated Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA), wherein the system (100) comprises a radiation therapy equipment (101) for emitting one or more radiation beams (101a) and an RFA (102) detachably integrated or permanently integrated to the radiation therapy equipment (101). Further, the integrated RFA (102) comprises one or more radiation detectors (103) for performing data dosimetry operations with assistance of 3 independent axis modules. Furthermore, the system (100) comprises a three-dimensional phantom (104) which is disposed on the couch tabletop (101c) or on a pedestal into the gantry ring during the process of performing data dosimetry operations on one or more radiation beams (101a).

Claims

1. An automated system for providing quality assurance of radiation therapy with an integrated Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA), the system (100) comprising: a. a radiation therapy equipment (101) for emitting one or more radiation beams (101a), wherein the radiation therapy equipment (101) comprises: i. a gantry (101b) housing a source for emitting one or more radiation beams (101a) and having an inner periphery of the gantry (101b); ii. a linear motion stage (101c) configured to move a patient within the inner periphery of the gantry (101b); b. an RFA (102) integrated with the radiation therapy equipment (101) wherein the RFA (102) comprises an axis 1 module (102a), axis 2 module (102b) and axis 3 module (102c) for performing data dosimetry operations on one or more radiation beams (101a); c. at least one radiation detector (103) configured to receive and analyze one or more radiation beams (101a) which are emitted by the radiation therapy equipment (101); d. a three-dimensional phantom (104) accommodating a pre-defined measurement medium, wherein the three-dimensional phantom (104) is disposed on the stage (101c) during the process of performing data dosimetry operations on one or more radiation beams (101a).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiation therapy equipment (101) and RFA (102) comprise a singular user interface and control panel.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFA (102) is detachably integrated or permanently integrated to the radiation therapy equipment (101),

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the permanently integrated RFA (102) is: retractably extended to a pre-defined position for performing data dosimetry operations; and retracted after performing data dosimetry operations and accommodated within the gantry (101b) of the radiation therapy equipment (101).

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFA (102) which is integrated within the gantry (101b) of the radiation therapy equipment (101) does not intervene during the process of radiation therapy provided by the radiation therapy equipment (101).

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axis 1 module (102a) of the RFA (102) is mounted on the axis 3 module (102c) of the RFA (102).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0012] FIG. 1a illustrates an automated system for providing quality assurance of radiation therapy with an integrated Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA) with a three-dimensional phantom disposed on a stage such as couch tabletop.

[0013] FIG. 1b illustrates the gantry of a radiation therapy equipment which is integrated with a Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.

[0015] The present invention discloses an automated system for providing Quality assurance of radiation therapy with an integrated Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA), wherein the system comprises a radiation therapy equipment for emitting one or more radiation beams and an RFA detachably integrated or permanently integrated to the radiation therapy equipment. Further, the integrated RFA comprises one or more radiation detectors for performing data dosimetry operations with assistance of three independent axis modules. Furthermore, the system comprises a three-dimensional phantom which may be disposed on the couch tabletop or on a pedestal into the gantry ring during the process of performing data dosimetry operations on one or more radiation beams.

[0016] FIG. 1a illustrates an automated system for providing quality assurance of radiation therapy with an integrated Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA), wherein the system (100) comprises a radiation therapy equipment (101) for emitting one or more radiation beams (101a). Further, the radiation therapy equipment (101) comprises a gantry (101b) which houses the source for emitting one or more radiation beams (101a) and a stage (101c), such as a couch tabletop or pedestal, for enabling a linear motion of a patient within the inner periphery of the gantry (101b). Further, the system (100) comprises a Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA) (102) for performing periodic quality assurance assessments for one or more radiation beams (101a) emitted by the radiation therapy equipment (101).

[0017] In the present embodiment, the RFA (102) is integrated with the radiation therapy equipment (101), wherein the radiation therapy equipment (101) and RFA (102) comprise a singular user interface and control panel thereby eliminating the need for additional equipment for achieving synchronization between the radiation therapy equipment (101) and RFA (102). Further, parameters of the radiation therapy equipment (101) such as Beam ON & OFF controls, field size openings, collimator rotation, interlocks, and so on are controlled and monitored automatically in conjunction with RFA (102).

[0018] Further, in one embodiment, when RFA (102) is permanently integrated to the radiation therapy equipment (101), the RFA (102) is retractably extended to a pre-defined position for performing data dosimetry operation after which the RFA (102) is retracted and accommodated within the gantry (101b) of the radiation therapy equipment (101) such that the extension and retraction of the RFA (102) does not intervene during the process of radiation therapy provided by the radiation therapy equipment (101). In another embodiment, the RFA (102) may be detachably integrated to the radiation therapy equipment (101) and may be employed as per the requirement of one or more users.

[0019] Further, the RFA (102) comprises three-axis rectilinear modules namely, axis 1 module (102a), axis 2 module (102b) and axis 3 module (102c), wherein the operators for controlling the axis 1 module (102a), axis 2 module (102b) and axis 3 module (102c) are enclosed within the RFA (102) which provides the flexibility to be permanently integrated or detachably integrated with the radiation therapy equipment (101). In one embodiment, axis 1 module (102a) may house at least one radiation detector (103) for performing data dosimetry operations on one or more radiation beams (101a) which are emitted by the radiation therapy equipment (101). Further, the axis 2 module (102b) may allow the RFA (102) to move along the direction of y-axis and axis 3 module (102c) may allow the RFA (102) to move along the direction of z-axis.

[0020] In another embodiment, the axis 2 module (102b) may be secured to the structure of the gantry (101b) in the radiation therapy equipment (101), wherein the axis 1 module (102a) of the RFA (102) is mounted on the orthogonal axis i.e. axis 3 module (102c) of the RFA (102). However, the three axis modules may be interchanged and employed in multiple embodiments depending on the requirement of one or more users. Further, the system (100) comprises a three-dimensional phantom (104) for accommodating a pre-defined measurement medium such, water. The three-dimensional phantom (104) is disposed on the couch tabletop (101c) during the process of performing data dosimetry operations on one or more radiation beams (101a) which are emitted by the radiation therapy equipment (101). In another embodiment, the three-dimensional phantom (104) may be disposed on a pedestal into the ring of the gantry (101b) during the process of performing data dosimetry operations on one or more radiation beams (101a).

[0021] FIG. 1b illustrates the gantry of a radiation therapy equipment which is integrated with a Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA). The RFA (102) is integrated with the radiation therapy equipment (101) through the gantry (101b). Further, the integrated RFA (102) comprises one or more radiation detectors (103) for performing data dosimetry operations on one or more radiation beams (101a) with the assistance of three independent axis module namely axis 1 module (102a), axis 2 module (102b) and axis 3 module (102c) or by combination of circular, horizontal and vertical drives or by any means to provide first, second and third orthogonal axes in a three dimensional scanning of the radiation detector (103).

[0022] The present invention provides an integrated solution for validating the performance of a radiation therapy equipment (101) using an RFA (102) which is in-built with the radiation therapy equipment (101) that is primarily employed for providing radiation treatments to patients. The integrated solution reduces the overall cost and time which is dedicated towards employing two separate equipment for quality assurance and radiation therapy. Furthermore, the present invention is completely automated and controlled using a singular user interface thereby reducing the dependency on multiple manufacturers or suppliers.

[0023] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a vast number of variations exist. Such variations may exist in structural features, structural feature assembly, structural feature organization, operational parameters of the disclosed system, or the like. It is intended that the scope of the present disclosure be defined only by the claims appended hereto.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0024]

TABLE-US-00001 Components Reference Numbers System 100 Radiation therapy equipment 101 Radiation beam 101a Gantry 101b Couch tabletop 101c Radiation Field Analyzer (RFA) 102 axis 1 module 102a axis 2 module 102b axis 3 module 102c Radiation detector 103 Three-dimensional phantom 104