Development of optical process for accessing three-dimensional patient topology

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Systems

Background:

• Accurate patient topology data is crucial for effective radiation therapy planning.
• Fabricating custom tissue compensators ensures precise radiation delivery.
• Existing methods for capturing patient contours can be time-consuming and less accurate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a commercial optical system for generating precise tissue compensators.
• To integrate patient topology acquisition into a medical facility's workflow.
• To improve the accuracy of tissue compensator fabrication and patient positioning.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Solid Photography, Inc. optical system to capture patient surface topology.
• Employed microprocessor-controlled reticles and automated photography for data acquisition.
• Drove a machine tool with topology data to sculpt paraffin-polyethylene tissue compensators.
• Transmitted data to a treatment-planning computer via acoustic-coupled terminals.

Main Results:

• The optical system successfully generated precise paraffin-polyethylene tissue compensators.
• Tissue compensators demonstrated accurate conformity to patient contours.
• Topology data acquisition and processing were integrated into a medical facility program.
• Generated data bases accommodate volumes up to approximately 70,000 cm3.

Conclusions:

• The commercial optical system is effective for producing accurate, custom tissue compensators.
• This technology enhances patient treatment planning, fabrication, and positioning verification.
• The system offers a significant advancement in radiotherapy support technologies.