Systems and methods for providing radiation therapy and catheter guides

Abstract

A system and method for the prevention of restenosis uses a source of radiation to treat the blood vessel. An intra-vascular ultrasound system acquires precise two-dimensional images of a treatment volume. The intra-vascular ultrasound system enables medical personnel to obtain precise measurements of the distance between the radiation source and the lesion. Whereas conventional techniques for measuring this distance relied upon external imaging devices, the intra-vascular ultrasound system obtains in-vivo images allowing precise measurements to be taken at the point at which the radiation will be delivered. A computer-based treatment planner acquires the images from the imaging system and reconstructs a three-dimensional image of the treatment volume. From a dose prescription, the treatment planner calculates and optimizes the dose and also registers the dose with images of the treatment volume. A voice recognition unit allows medical personnel to provide voice commands for operating the system. The treatment planner and imaging system may be placed within the cath lab and enables the treatment plan to be dynamically changed based on patient specific information and avoids the need for the patient to travel to a different location for the imaging. A catheter guide is formed with a set of markers which produce image artifacts. A first pair of markers are used to determine a reference axis so that the precise orientation of the imaging transducer may be deduced and a third marker is used to permit clinicians to determine the precise location of the transducer along the length of the catheter guide.