Mask system and method for stereotactic radiotherapy and image guided procedures
AssigneeUniversity of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsFrank J. Bova, William A. Friedman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Repeat fixation for medical procedures is accomplished using a non-invasive locator, specifically a face mask. The face mask has at least three fiducial markers on it. By detecting the position of the markers, the position of features within the patient can be determined with great precision. The features can be the location of head or neck cancer or other target to which radiation or other medical procedure is to be applied. Since the face mask has been molded to uniquely fit to the patient's face, it may be removed after an initial imaging of the patient. The face mask may then be re-attached one or more times to the teeth. The face mask is molded to conform to the patient's face by using thermoplastic material.
Claims23
A system for medical procedures, the system comprising:
- a locator attachable to a patient, having at least 3 fiducial markers thereon;
- a medical device for performing a diagnostic imaging or a therapeutic medical procedure on a patient;
- and
- a sensing subsystem for sensing the positions of the fiducial markers when the patient is in a position for performing the medical procedure using the medical device;
- and
- wherein the locator has a registration portion for registration with a portion of a patient's body, the locator being mechanically free such that a patient is positionable without applying forces to the locator during patient positioning;
- and wherein the locator is molded to fit external features of a specific patient.
A medical method comprising the steps, not necessarily in order, of positioning a patient for a first medical procedure;
- molding a locator to external features of a patient, the locator being placed in registry with a portion of the patient;
- using at least 3 fiducial markers that are fixed relative to the locator a first time to get precise positioning information relative to at least part of the patient, the locator remaining mechanically free during this step;
- performing a first medical procedure on the patient, the locator remaining mechanically free during this step;
- after the first medical procedure, removing the locator from the patient;
- at a later time after the removing of the locator, reattaching the locator to the patient, the locator again being in registry with the portion of the patient and having an identical relative to the portion of the patient as when the locator was previously attached;
- after the re-attaching step, using the fiducial markers a second time to get precise positioning information relative to the at least part of the patient, the locator remaining mechanically free during this step;
- and
- after the re-attaching step, performing a second medical procedure on the patient, the locator remaining mechanically free during this step.
A method for performing a diagnostic imaging or a therapeutic medical procedure comprising the steps of, not necessarily in order:
- putting a mechanically free locator on a patient, the locator including a face mask having at least 3 fiducial markers thereon;
- placing the patient adjacent a medical device operable for performing the diagnostic imaging or therapeutic medical procedure on a patient, the locator remaining mechanically free during this step;
- and
- sensing the positions of the fiducial markers when the patient is in a position for performing the diagnostic imaging or therapeutic medical procedure using the medical device, the locator remaining mechanically free during this step.
A method of making a medical device that is a mechanically free locator comprising the steps of, not necessarily in order:
- providing a locator having a face portion;
- molding the face portion into a face mask corresponding to the face of a specific person and operable to register with the face of the specific person;
- and attaching at least 3 fiducial markers to the face mask, the fiducial markers operable to provide precise determination of the position of the patient.
A system for medical procedures, the system comprising:
- a locator attachable to a patient, having at least 3 fiducial markers thereon, and having a registration portion for registration with a portion of a patient's body, the locator being mechanically free such that a patient is positionable without applying forces to the locator during patient positioning;
- and
- wherein the locator is molded to fit external features of a specific patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.