Hybrid ultrasound-guided superficial radiotherapy system and method

A system for use in radiation treatment of skin lesions present exclusively within at least one of a plurality of skin layers selected from the group consisting of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous skin layers, comprising:

• a memory that stores instructions;
• and
• a processor that executes the instructions to perform operations, the operations comprising:
• receiving a plurality of two-dimensional image slices of a lesion from a high-frequency ultrasound imaging device, each image slice extending through the plurality of skin layers;
• isolating the lesion within the skin layers in each of the plurality of two-dimensional image slices to yield a plurality of processed images;
• combining at least a portion of the plurality of processed image slices to render a three dimensional model of the lesion, including the sub-surface portions of the lesion and sub-surface lesion edges contained within the plurality of skin layers;
• analyzing the three dimensional model of the lesion within the plurality of skin layers to determine lesion type, lesion volume, lesion edges and lesion depth;
• determining a treatment dosimetry based at least on the lesion type, lesion volume, lesion edges and lesion depth, the treatment dosimetry comprising dose energy level, dose amount, dose location and three-dimensional dose boundaries defined within the plurality of skin layers;
• and
• providing the treatment dosimetry for use with a radiotherapy device.

A computer-readable device comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

• receiving a plurality of two-dimensional image slices of a skin lesion present exclusively within at least one of a plurality of skin layers selected from the group consisting of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous skin layers, the image slices being received from a high-frequency ultrasound imaging device, each image slice extending through the plurality of skin layers;
• isolating the lesion within the skin layers in each of the plurality of two-dimensional image slices to yield a plurality of processed images;
• combining at least a portion of the plurality of processed image slices to render a three dimensional model of the lesion, including the sub-surface portions of the lesion and sub-surface lesion edges contained within the plurality of skin layers;
• analyzing the three dimensional model of the lesion within the plurality of skin layers to determine lesion type, lesion volume, lesion edges and lesion depth;
• determining a treatment dosimetry based at least on the lesion type, lesion volume, lesion edges and lesion depth, the treatment dosimetry comprising dose energy level, dose amount, dose location and three-dimensional dose boundaries defined within the plurality of skin layers;
• and
• providing the treatment dosimetry for use with a radiotherapy device.

A method of treating a skin lesion, comprising:

• obtaining a plurality of two-dimensional image slices of a skin lesion present exclusively within at least one of a plurality of skin layers selected from the group consisting of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous skin layers, the image slices being received from a high-frequency ultrasound imaging device, each image slice extending through the plurality of skin layers with a high-frequency ultrasound device;
• processing, by utilizing instructions stored in memory and executed by a processor, the plurality of two-dimensional image slices to isolate within the skin layers the lesion and yield a plurality of processed images;
• combining at least a portion of the plurality of processed image slices to render a three dimensional model of the lesion, including the sub-surface portions of the lesion and sub-surface lesion edges contained within the plurality of skin layers;
• analyzing the three dimensional model of the lesion within the plurality of skin layers to determine lesion type, lesion volume, lesion edges and lesion depth;
• determining a treatment dosimetry based at least on the lesion type, lesion volume, lesion edges and lesion depth, the treatment dosimetry comprising dose energy level, dose amount, dose location and three-dimensional dose boundaries defined within the plurality of skin layers;
• and
• providing a targeted radiotherapy to the lesion based on the treatment dosimetry, the targeted radiotherapy including the step of providing a radiotherapy device mounted to a compact maneuverable base unit and operable under the control of the at least one processor, the radiotherapy device including a treatment arm and a treatment head, the treatment arm articulated to facilitate positioning of the treatment head at a location to provide radiotherapy treatment to the lesion based on the treatment dosimetry, and the treatment head being responsive to the at least one processor to provide the radiotherapy treatment according to the dose energy level, dose amount, dose location and three-dimensional dose boundaries defined by the treatment dosimetry, the radiotherapy treatment comprising an x-ray beam, the x-ray beam having a source beam shape emanating from the treatment head.