US 12,296,194 B2Granted

Sensing apparatus

AssigneeNucletron Operations B.V.

InventorsSjoerd Ferwerda, Martin van Beek

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Abstract

A sensing apparatus for sensing the presence of a radioactive source, or check-dummy- or sensor cable, at a point along the sensing apparatus during a brachytherapy procedure. The sensing apparatus comprises a transfer tube comprising a first end and a second end. The second end being downstream of the first end. The sensing apparatus further comprises sensing means operable to detect the presence of a radioactive source, or check-dummy- or sensor cable, at a point downstream of the first end of the transfer tube. The reason for the plurality of “prisms” or the semispheres, is that they are orientation independent to the light fibers, simplifying assembly. Alternatively the plurality of prisms may be substituted by two half-spherical “prisms”. Between the prisms, a light blocking surface need to be placed to avoid optical short circuits.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A sensing apparatus for sensing a presence of an article at a point along the sensing apparatus during a brachytherapy procedure, the sensing apparatus comprising:

a transfer tube defining at least part of a path through the transfer tube along which an article may travel for use in a brachytherapy procedure, the transfer tube comprising:
a first end connectable to an afterloader;
a second end connectable to an applicator, the second end being downstream of the first end;
signal transfer means operable with sensing means to detect the presence of the article at a point downstream of the first end of the transfer tube, wherein the signal transfer means is operable with the sensing means to detect the presence of the article as it exits the transfer tube via the second end, wherein the signal transfer means is configured to transfer a signal across the path which may be interrupted by the presence of the article at the point;
and
a zero reference point controller arranged to control progression of the article into the applicator relative to a zero reference point formed by the point downstream of the first end of the transfer tube, wherein the sensing means is configured to send the zero reference point controller a signal indicating that the article is at the point, and the zero reference point controller is configured to send an instruction to a drive mechanism to drive the article into the applicator by a predetermined distance from the point.

3 more elements

A method of sensing the presence of an article at a point along brachytherapy apparatus during a brachytherapy procedure, the brachytherapy apparatus defining a path along which the article may travel and comprising:

a transfer tube comprising a first end connectable to an afterloader and
a second end connectable to an applicator, the second end being downstream of the first end;
and
signal transfer means operable with sensing means to detect the presence of the article at the point downstream of the first end of the transfer tube, wherein the signal transfer means is operable with the sensing means to detect the presence of the article as it exits the transfer tube via the second end the method comprising:
sending, from a source, a signal to the sensing means via the signal transfer means;
the signal transfer means being configured to transfer the signal across the path;
determining if the signal is received at the sensing means;
and if the signal is not received at the sensing means, determining that the article is at the point downstream of the first end of the transfer tube;
and
controlling, by a zero reference point controller, the progression of the article into the applicator relative to a zero reference point formed by the point downstream of the first end of the transfer tube, by sending, from the controller, an instruction to drive the article a predetermined distance from the point.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/632,080Filed 3 Aug 2020
Priority: NL 20236052 Aug 2019
Published: US 2022/0273966 A11 Sep 2022
Granted: 13 May 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61N 5/1001
X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy: using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
A61N 5/1048
X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy: monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
A61N 5/1007
Using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy: arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
A61N 5/1075
Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods: for testing, calibrating, or quality assurance of the radiation treatment apparatus