Camera-based independent couch height verification in radiation oncology

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Imaging Technology

Background:

• Accurate patient positioning is crucial in radiation therapy (RT).
• The isocenter-to-couch distance (ICD) is vital for initial patient setup.
• Current electronic readouts do not account for couch sag, necessitating manual verification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement an independent, user-friendly camera-based system for measuring couch height.
• To replace the laborious manual ruler method for verifying the isocenter-to-couch distance (ICD).
• To enhance the accuracy and efficiency of initial patient setup in radiation therapy.

Main Methods:

• Development of an optical camera-based independent couch height measurement system (ICHS) in collaboration with Panasonic.
• Implementation of the ICHS in clinical settings for real-time couch height verification.
• Comparison of ICHS accuracy against the traditional ruler method for ICD measurement.

Main Results:

• The ICHS demonstrated accuracy comparable to the manual ruler method.
• The system was successfully implemented in seven treatment rooms.
• Clinical data confirmed the system's stability and adherence to a 1 mm tolerance.

Conclusions:

• The camera-based ICHS provides a reliable and efficient alternative to manual ruler measurements for patient setup.
• Implementation leads to a more streamlined workflow, reduced human error, and enables data logging.
• Regular quality assurance is essential for maintaining the system's accuracy and reliability.