Modular radiotherapy treatment chair and methods of treatment

A radiotherapy treatment chair, for use with a standard, open-couch type radiotherapy treatment table having a detachable section, for supporting a patient in a stable upright position while being treated with therapeutic radiation, comprising:

• a) a horizontal central support girder adapted to span an aperture formed by removing the detachable section from the treatment table;
• and
• b) a saddle-like seat assembly mounted on the central support girder;
• c) means for removably attaching the central support girder between opposing side rails forming the periphery of the aperture in the treatment table so that the patient may be stably supported on the seat within the aperture;
• and
• d) means for adjusting the position of the seat along the length of the support girder.

A method of radiotherapy treatment for treating a malignant tumor present in a patient's head, neck, upper torso, abdominal or pelvic cavity, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a radiotherapy treatment chair adapted for use with a standard, open-couch type radiotherapy treatment table having a detachable section, comprising a horizontal central support girder adapted to span an aperture formed by removing the detachable section from the treatment table;
• a saddle-like seat mounted on the central support girder;
• and means for removably attaching the central support girder to opposing side rails forming the periphery of the aperture in the treatment table so that the patient may be stably supported on the seat within the aperture;
• b) supporting the patient in the chair in a straddled stance with the patient's legs extending downward from the pelvis and the patient's head, neck, and upper torso, remaining upright and substantially unobstructed by any supporting structure;
• c) providing a frame around the patient and substantially immobilizing the patient, using a selected combination of support and immobilization devices mounted on the frame, to prevent undesirable movement during the treatment;
• and
• d) exposing the malignant tumor to a predetermined dosage of therapeutic radiation.

A method of radiotherapy treatment for treating patients having a combination of multiple malignant tumors involving areas of the head, neck, upper torso, abdominal or pelvic cavities, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a radiotherapy treatment chair adapted for use with a standard, open-couch type radiotherapy treatment table having a detachable section, comprising a horizontal central support girder adapted to span an aperture formed by removing the detachable section from the treatment table;
• a saddle-like seat mounted on the central support girder;
• and means for removably attaching the central support girder to opposing side rails forming the periphery of the aperture in the treatment table so that the patient may be stably supported on the seat within the aperture;
• b) supporting the patient in the chair in a straddled stance with the patient's legs extending downward from the pelvis and the patient's head, neck, and upper torso, remaining upright and substantially unobstructed by any supporting structure;
• c) providing a frame around the patient and substantially immobilizing the patient, using a selected combination of support and immobilization devices mounted on the frame, to prevent undesirable movement during the treatment;
• and
• d) exposing each of the malignant tumors, in succession, to a predetermined dosage of therapeutic radiation.