University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated

Guanghua Yan

Chihray Liu

Bo Lu

Jonathan Gang Li

Richard Helmig

Kathryn Elizabeth Mittauer

A cranial alignment device for use in intracranial stereotactic radiotherapy includes a nosepiece that is custom shaped to mate with the dorsum and alae of the patient's nose.

Cranial alignment device for use in intracranial stereotactic surgery

An ambiguity-free optical tracking system () includes a position sensor unit (), a control box (), a computer () and software. The position sensor unit includes two cameras (and) that track a plurality of individual infra-red reflecting markers () affixed on a patient's skin. Coordinates of the cameras in a coordinate system of the cameras are determined as part of a system calibration process by intentionally creating ambiguous markers with two true markers. Using this information, an ambiguity elimination algorithm automatically identifies and eliminates ambiguous markers. A recursive backtracking algorithm builds a one-to-one correspondence between reference markers and markers optically observed during treatment. By utilizing a concept of null markers, the backtracking algorithm deals with missing, misplaced and occluded markers.

Ambiguity-free optical tracking system

A patient safety system (PSS) () uses optical tracking in a linear accelerator treatment room to prevent gross setup errors. A patient () undergoes a computed tomography (CT) treatment-simulation scan while a CT ball bearing (BB) is on patient's surface. The CT BB is replaced with an infrared reflective marker (IRRM) () before radiotherapy treatment starts. Coordinates of the CT BB relative to an isocenter of the treatment room are used as reference for tracking. The coordinate system of an optical tracking system is converted to a coordinate system of the treatment room. The PSS evaluates setup accuracy for a radiotherapy session by comparing real-time position of the single IRRM determined by the optical tracking technology with a predicted reference position, and displays results on a graphical user interface. The PSS stops radiation when a deviation between real-time coordinates and predicted coordinates of the IRRM () exceeds a predefined threshold.

Prevention of setup errors in radiotherapy

A jig for calibrating an image-guided radiotherapy apparatus is disclosed. The jig includes a ball bearing and a three-axis positioner. Once the ball bearing has been moved to the calculated radiation isocenter of the apparatus, other calibration procedures can be performed by directing light onto the jig.

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Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Guanghua Yan