Radiation seed implant method and apparatus

An image-guided method for implanting radiation seeds into target tissue comprising the steps of:

• (a) imaging the target tissue using an imaging system, the imaging system having a image coordinate system;
• (b) positioning a needle template in proximity to the target tissue, the needle template having a plurality of working holes, each of the working holes having a location predefined in a template coordinate system;
• (c) mapping the template coordinate system to the image coordinate system such that each of the working holes has a determinable location in the image coordinate system;
• (d) using images of the target tissue from the imaging system, creating a treatment plan for the target tissue;
• (e) in accordance with the created treatment plan, loading a needle with radiation seeds and placing the needle with respect to the target tissue;
• (f) acquiring radiographic, geometric and dosimetric feedback on the placement of the needle with respect to the target tissue;
• (g) modifying the created treatment plan based upon the acquired radiographic, geometric and dosimetric feedback, said modifying producing a modified treatment plan;
• (h) placing the radiation seeds from the needle into the target tissue at a position relative to the needle and acceptable according to the modified treatment plan;
• (i) evaluating total effect of placed radiation seeds;
• (j) for each subsequent needle insertion, repeating steps (e) through (i) using the modified treatment plan of an iteration of step (g) immediately preceding a current iteration of step (e), for the created treatment plan, said repeating until the evaluated total effect is substantially equivalent to that of the created treatment plan;
• wherein the step of placing the needle includes inserting a needle through a working hole in the needle template as specified by the treatment plan;
• wherein
• the imaging system is an interventional magnetic resonance imaging system;
• the needle template is non-magnetic;
• and
• the step of mapping includes calibrating the needle template using an array of light receivers mounted to the imaging system measuring at least three known calibration points on the needle template.

A real time dosimetry based implant and planning system comprising:

• an imaging system having an image coordinate system;
• a digital processor coupled to receive images from the imaging system;
• and
• a treatment module executable by the digital processor, comprising:
• a target definition submodule for selecting target tissue and sensitive areas based upon images generated by the imaging system;
• a implant planning submodule for creating a treatment plan;
• a validation submodule for providing in real-time radiographic, geometric and dosimetric feedback of needle placement with respect to the target tissue and sensitive areas during implantation.

A real time dosimtery based implant and planning system comprising:

• an imaging system having an image coordinate system;
• a needle template containing working holes for the needles loaded with a determined a mount of radiation seeds and calibration points for needle template registration, the needle template removably coupled to the imaging system and having a respective needle template coordinate system;
• a digital processor coupled to receive images from the imaging system;
• and
• a treatment module executable by the digital processor, comprising:
• a target definition submodule for selecting target tissue and sensitive areas based upon images generated by the imaging system;
• a implant planning submodule for creating a treatment plan;
• a validation submodule for providing in real-time radiographic, geometric and dosimetric feedback of needle placement with respect to the target tissue and sensitive areas;
• and
• a template registration submodule using the calibration points to define a mapping from needle template coordinates into imaging system coordinates;
• wherein:
• the imaging system is an interventional magnetic resonance imaging system;
• the needle template is non-magnetic;
• and
• the template registration submodule utilizes an array of light receivers mounted to the imaging system measuring at least three known calibration points on the needle template.