A radiation treatment couch with integrated helical CT for on-line image guidance

Unmet Need
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) denotes the use of imaging, usually CT scans and X rays, to precisely help target the cancer tissue with radiation therapy. This is specifically done through a flat-panel detector in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for IGRT. Flat panel CBCT imaging quality is degraded by several issues: 1) less than ideal cone based geometry acquisition; 2) inferior signal-to-noise performance to the helical CT detector array; 3) increased scatter noise from the imaging volume; and 4) slow acquisition speed renders artifacts due to patient motion. There is also a need for a system integration solution that can improve operation efficiency, increase accuracy (complexity increases with an accelerator), and minimize motion artifacts which will create a clear and usable image for radiation therapy.
 
Technology Overview
To address these operational limitations, Johns Hopkins researchers have developed an integrated CT-treatment couch to support IGRT with an online diagnostic component for x-ray CT. Helical CT is integrated with the treatment couch for couch motion, gantry motion, or both. The CT-couch is designed to support new robotic sensors and controls. The CT-couch can be marketed as a replacement of existing treatment couches. Furthermore, an on-line CT embodiment with additional capabilities can be an available option for this integrated treatment couch. The integrated CT-treatment couch provides a more efficient operation, increased accuracy with helical CT integrated into the treatment couch, and additional on-line diagnostic components to increase its application use. This new technology has the potential to change how radiation therapy is currently conducted.
 
Stage of Development
A working prototype has been developed and tested.
 

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