Precise positioning of patients for radiation therapy

Human factors evaluation of teletherapy: Literature review. Volume 5

“…According to Hendrickson (1982), "the problem of possible patient movement during the course of treatment and the ability to reproduce the patient position on subsequent treatments may be one of the major problems in radiation oncology" (p. 31 1). The importance of this routine but difficult-to-replicate aspect of treatment has been noted by other authors as well (Barish & Lerch, 1978;Bentel et al 1989;Kartha, Chung-Bin, Wachtor & Hendrickson, 1975;Goldson, Young, Espinoza & Henschke, 1978;Huaskins & Thomson, 1973;Verhey, Goitein, McNulty, Munzenrider &Suit, 1982, andWilliamson, 1979). Alignment lasers are used to enhance the reproducibility of the patient's position; a number of positioning and immobilization devices -body casts, Alpha Cradle, Aquaplast, Scotchcast, arm boards, head and neck cradles, bite blocks -have become an integral part of patient set-up that is reflected in treatment planning.…”

“…The next area of uncertainty that also has received considerable notice in the literature is patient positioning and immobilization (e.g., Barish & Lerch, 1978;Bentel et al 1989;Hendrickson, 1982;Kartha, Chung-Bin, Wachtor & Hendrickson, 1975;Goldson, Young, Espinoza & Henschke, 1978;Huaskins & Thomson, 1973;Rabinowitz, Broomberg, Goitein, McCarthy & Leong, 1985;Svensson, 1989;Verhey, Goitein, McNulty, Munzenrider &Suit, 1982, andWilliamson, 1979). Whatever the patient's treatment position, it can not be so awkward and uncomfortable that it precludes reproducibility or encourages movement.…”

Patient Positioning Using Artificial Intelligence Neural Networks, Trained Magnetic Field Sensors and Magnetic Implants

“…A common dilemma with high-precision fixation and positioning systems is that they tend to be complicated and unsuitable for standard external beam radiotherapy. However, they are often well adapted for special treatment modalities, such as boosting with high-precision proton or photon radiotherapy and stereotactic treatments (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Patient Alignment Estimation in Six Degrees of Freedom Using a CT-scan and a Single X-ray Image

“…Particle beam based radiotherapy allows accurate application of the treatment dose onto carcinogen tissue with accuracy less than 1.0 mm and therefore efforts accurate alignment of the patient in the facility [1]. Tracking external markers or patient fixation does not suffice the setup precision requirements.…”