Variable angle patient support system for radiotherapy

Abstract

A system for positioning a patient includes a tiltable patient support plate, and an angle adjustment mechanism mounted to an underside of the tiltable patient support plate and configured to adjust a tilt angle of the tiltable patient support plate. The angle adjustment mechanism includes at least one leg coupled to an underside of the tiltable patient support plate, and a bracket coupled to the underside of the tiltable patient support plate at a first end of the bracket and connected to the at least one leg at a second end of the bracket, where the bracket and the at least one leg form an acute angle to each other.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Certain types of medical treatment or testing require that a part of the human body be held in the same position in order to perform the medical treatment or test on that part of the body. For example, when a patient with breast cancer is receiving radiation therapy, the upper torso and one or more breasts must be held in a precise, repeatable position for treatment so that the underlying position of the breast tumor is fixed in space during the radiation therapy. In the field of radiation oncology, a variety of different techniques have been used to support and hold body parts in a fixed position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a patient support system described herein is shown;

[0003] Figure 2 An example of a positioning rod and track for positioning a body part support module on a tiltable support plate of a patient support system is shown;

[0004] Figure 3A and 3B An example of a body support module that may be used with a patient support system is shown;

[0005] Figures 4A-4C An example of an angle adjustment mechanism that supports a tiltable patient support plate and enables adjustment of the tilt angle of the patient support plate is shown;

[0006] Figure 5 An example of adjusting the tilt angle of a tiltable support plate of a patient support system is described;

[0007] Figures 6A-6D A tiltable support plate is shown that is adjusted to various specific tilt angles;

[0008] Figure 7-11B A first embodiment of a patient bottom support module is shown; and

[0009] Figure 12-13 A second embodiment of a patient bottom support module is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in different drawings may represent the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention.

[0011] There are various existing supine cancer treatment systems available for sale around the world. These existing systems are located on a support bed and provide means for positioning a supine patient at various inclination angles for external beam radiation therapy of cancers of the chest, breast and abdomen. For example, some systems can be operated in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. The range and complexity of patient and device positioning adjustments of these existing systems vary, and effectiveness, efficiency and cost also vary. The high adaptability of the arm supports or angle adjustments of existing systems can be beneficial to patient comfort and treatment needs, but the associated complexity often puts a strain on the mechanical skills of clinicians and takes up time that is not available in busy clinics. Reliable device and patient positioning are critical, but in view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of existing patient support systems, clinics, doctors' offices and hospitals often adopt a generic setup for simplicity and speed, which is usually not optimal for patient comfort or treatment. For example, even in the case where the means for adjusting the angle settings are simple, existing systems are often still obviously overly complex, due to the inclusion of many components that increase weight and cost without necessarily ensuring that other shortcomings or limitations will not occur. In addition, existing products / systems on the market provide very few configuration options, thereby limiting the ability of clinics or hospitals to customize the system to best meet their needs and budgets.

[0012] The modular patient support system described herein provides flexibility in selecting an overall configuration that best suits the needs of the patient and the requirements for achieving the desired treatment. The modular patient support system has an efficient minimalist approach while retaining the key elements required for effective treatment. The simple, quick, and accurate setup of the modular patient support system accommodates a variety of patient sizes without compromising comfort or quality of treatment. The modular patient support system has an adjustable inclination angle for securing a portion of a patient's body for treatment, testing, or examination. Specifically, the embodiments described herein can provide support for a patient during testing or treatment of the breast, chest, or other upper body area.

[0013] like Figure 1As shown, the modular patient support system 100 includes a base plate 110, a tiltable support plate 120, an angle adjustment mechanism 130, and a patient bottom support module 140. The base plate 110 may include a planar, generally rectangular plate on which the tiltable support plate 120 rests and may be the upper surface of a support table or support bed. The angle adjustment mechanism 130 may include a structure further described below that extends between the underside of the tiltable patient support plate 120 and the upper surface of the base plate 110 to support the patient support plate 120 on the base plate 110. The bottom support module 140 may be removably attached to a hinge point on the lower pivot end of the tiltable support plate 120. Various different body part support modules may be attached to the mounting area 150 on the upper surface of the tiltable support plate 120 to provide support for specific body parts of the patient (e.g., head, arm). Examples of body part support modules are as follows: Figure 3A and 3B shown.

[0014] like Figure 2 As further shown, the tiltable support plate 120 includes a body support module mounting area 150 at a first or upper end of the support plate 120. The body support module mounting area 150 includes a recessed area in which the track 210 is longitudinally disposed. A universal locking bar 220 (e.g., a three-pin locking bar) is mounted to a frame 230, which is further mounted on the track 210. The frame 230 and the locking bar 220 together can slide along the track 210 and be repositioned at multiple registered positions on the track 210. The releasable spring plunger 240 allows the locking bar 220 to be gradually adjusted along the track 210 at multiple registered positions. When a body support module (not shown) is attached to the locking bar 220, the locking bar 220 can be repositioned at one of multiple positions along the track 210 so that the attached body support module can move up and down on the upper surface of the tiltable support plate 120. In one embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, the releasable spring plunger 240 can be located at the center pin position on the locking bar 220. The close tolerance fit between the locking bar 220, the frame 230 and the track 21 minimizes yaw play. The universal locking bar pin registration allows the use of a variety of different existing body part support modules (e.g., wing panels) that are configured to attach to the universal locking bar 220. The locking bar 220 can include, for example, two or three pin locking bars.

[0015] Figure 3A and 3B Examples of two different designs of body support modules 300 and 310 that may be attached to locking bars 220 on tiltable support plate 120 are depicted. Figure 3A and 3BThe body support modules 300 and 310 shown in FIG. 1 are examples of "wing panels" that support the patient's head, upper back, shoulders, and arms in an "arms-overhead" position on the lower tiltable support panel 120. Figure 3A and 3B Other body support modules, different from the one shown in FIG. 1 , may have a design of a locking bar 220 that can be attached to the upper surface of the tiltable support plate 120 .

[0016] Figures 4A-4C 1 shows an example of an angle adjustment mechanism 130 that supports the tiltable patient support plate 120 on the base plate 110 and is capable of adjusting the tilt angle between the patient support plate 120 and the base plate 110. Figure 4A and 4B As shown, the angle adjustment mechanism 130 includes a structure that provides multiple tilt angle settings (e.g., 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 degrees) between the underlying base plate 110 and the tiltable support plate 120. The "scissor-like" structure of the angle adjustment mechanism 130 includes multiple intercommunication elements that are designed to hold the support plate 120 in a specific one of the adjustment angle settings, but also prevent the patient support plate 120 from being accidentally released. The angle adjustment mechanism 130 includes an adjustment bracket 400, two mounting brackets 405, a plurality of legs 410, and a support foot 415.

[0017] The adjustment bracket 400 may have an arcuate shape and may include an integral adjustment handle 420 at one end of the bracket 400, and a plurality of retaining notches 425 disposed along the underside of the bracket 400. One of the retaining notches 410 may engage with a crossbar 430 at an opposite second end of the bracket 400, the crossbar extending between and connecting the at least two legs 410. The crossbar 430 may extend laterally to the legs 410. When the retaining notches 425 engage with the crossbar 430, the adjustment bracket 400 may form an acute angle with the legs 410.

[0018] The mounting bracket 405 is attached to the underside of the tiltable patient support plate 120 and provides an attachment point for attaching the leg 410 to couple the leg 410 to the support plate 120. The leg 410 may include a plurality of legs (e.g., Figures 4A-4C 4 (four legs are shown in FIG. 4 ), which are attached to the mounting bracket 405 at a first or upper end of the leg 410 and to a support foot 415 at a second or lower end of the leg 410. The legs 410 can extend from the underside of the patient support plate 120 to the support foot 415 parallel to and equidistant from each other.

[0019] The support foot 415 may include a tubular member that may be laterally attached to the leg 410 and may rest on the base plate 110, transverse to the length of the base plate 110, and provide a support base to support the patient support plate 120 on the base plate 110. The support foot 415 may include a pivotable tab 435 at each end of the tubular member that may capture the side of the base plate 110 to align the tiltable support plate 120 with the underlying base plate and minimize yaw and provide repeatable, precise alignment of the tiltable support plate 120 with the base plate 110.

[0020] Figure 4C An isometric view of the angle adjustment mechanism 130 is shown, wherein the support bracket 405 and the two inner legs 410 are shown as transparent so that the interconnection of various other components of the structure of the angle adjustment mechanism 130 can be seen. As shown, a leg cross bar 440 extends between and through the upper ends of each leg 410 to operate as a pivot point, and the lower end of each support bracket 405 pivots when the tilt angle of the patient support board 120 (not shown) is adjusted. The cross bar 445 can also extend between each support bracket 405 to maintain the spacing between the lower ends of the brackets 405 and enhance the mechanical strength of the overall structure of the angle adjustment mechanism 130. The adjustment bracket cross bar 450 can also extend between each support bracket 405 at the upper ends of the brackets 405 to provide a rotation axis, and the adjustment bracket 400 can rotate about the rotation axis when the tilt angle of the patient support board 120 (not shown) is adjusted. A hole is provided at the upper end of the adjustment bracket 400, the diameter of the hole being slightly larger than the outer diameter of the adjustment bracket crossbar 450, and the crossbar 450 can be inserted through the hole to position the adjustment bracket 400 between the support brackets 405 below the patient support plate 120 (not shown). A torsion spring 455 can be positioned on each side of the adjustment bracket 400 on the adjustment bracket crossbar 450, wherein the upper arm of the torsion spring 455 contacts the underside of the patient support plate 120 and the lower arm contacts the retaining pin mounted to the side of the adjustment bracket 400 to provide a rotational biasing force that holds the lower end of the adjustment bracket 400 (i.e., the retaining notch 425) against the crossbar 430.

[0021] refer to Figure 5, in order to change the angle setting of the angle adjustment mechanism 130, the operator must first lift the upper end of the support plate 120 and simultaneously press downward on the adjustment handle 420 of the adjustment bracket 400 to disengage the current retaining notch 425 engaged with the crossbar 430. The operator can then adjust the angle setting of the tiltable support plate 120 to select a different retaining notch 425 (e.g., one of 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, or 15 degrees) on the bracket 400, and lower the upper end of the tiltable support plate 120 to engage the new retaining notch 425 with the crossbar 430 at the desired tilt angle of the tiltable support plate 120. This configuration of the angle adjustment mechanism 130 maintains the position of the support plate 120 relative to the base plate 110 even when, for example, the entire patient support system 100 is moved. Figures 4A-4C Minimization of internal forces in the design of the angle adjustment mechanism 130 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B reduces costs and helps ensure greater reliability and safety. Fig. 6A An example of an angle adjustment mechanism 130 adjusted to a maximum tilt angle of 15 degrees is shown, and Figure 6B An example of the angle adjustment mechanism 130 adjusted to a tilt angle of 10 degrees is shown. Figure 6C An example of the angle adjustment mechanism 130 adjusted to a tilt angle of 7.5 degrees is shown, and Fig.6D An example of the angle adjustment mechanism 130 adjusted to a tilt angle of 5 degrees is shown.

[0022] Figure 7-11B A first embodiment of a patient bottom support module 140 is depicted. Figure 7 As shown, the patient bottom support module 140 includes a planar bottom support plate 700, which is attached or detached from the first or lower end of the tiltable support plate 120 by a releasable spring plunger 710, which connects the hinge pivot point 720 at the lower end of the tiltable support plate 120 with a hinge 730 on the bottom support plate 700. The bottom support plate 700 also includes a slidable raised bottom stop 740, which includes a lower side ratchet-like device ( Figure 7 The slidable raised bottom stop 740 and the lower ratchet can be extended together from the tiltable support plate 120 further away from the position provided by the registered position to provide more room for the patient to climb on and off the system. In order to reduce the torque and strain on the attachment point of the tiltable support plate 120 when the patient climbs on and off, a plurality of rubber feet (not shown) can be provided to protrude below the bottom support plate 700 to abut the base plate 110.

[0023] Figure 8A close-up isometric view of the attachment between the bottom support plate 700 and the tiltable patient support plate 120 is shown, with the hinge 730 shown as transparent. As shown, the hinge 730 is attached to the bottom support plate 700 by, for example, a plurality of screws 800, which are inserted into the bottom support plate 700 through the hinge 730. The hinge 730 includes a hole at the end opposite the screw attachment to the bottom support plate 700, which aligns with a corresponding hole in the hinge pivot point 720 of the patient support plate 120. A releasable spring plunger 710 is inserted into the hole in the hinge 730 to screw into the corresponding hole in the hinge pivot point 720. The releasable spring plunger 710 can be pulled in an outward direction to release the spring plunger 710 from its connection with the corresponding hole in the hinge pivot point 720 so that the bottom support module 140 can be removed from its attachment to the patient support plate 120.

[0024] Fig. 9 The bottom support module 140 is shown in a "folded" position in which the bottom support module 140 is rotated by hinge 730 at the lower end of the tiltable patient support plate 120 so that the upper side of the bottom support module 140 rests on the upper or upper surface of the patient support plate 120. Folding the bottom support module 140 to rest on the upper surface of the tiltable support plate 120 creates a more compact system for easier transportation.

[0025] Fig.10 A ratchet mechanism 1000 is depicted disposed in the bottom support plate 700. A longitudinal slot 1010 extends across the midline of the bottom support plate 700 and operates as a track in which the ratchet mechanism 1000 slides longitudinally to adjust the position of a raised bottom stop 740 (not shown) attached to the ratchet mechanism 1000. The ratchet mechanism 1000 engages a linear series of spaced holes in the bottom support plate 700, as further described below.

[0026] Fig.11A Design details of an example of a ratchet mechanism 1000 are shown. The ratchet mechanism 1000 can be formed of a flexible material, such as a plastic material. The ratchet mechanism 1000 includes an integrally molded member, which includes a first portion 1100, which is connected to a second portion 1105 by a thin flexible portion 1110. The second portion 1105 includes a ratchet portion 1115, which also includes a retaining pin 1120, which is configured to extend into a linear series of spaced holes (not shown) in the bottom support plate 700. The first portion 1100 includes a retaining member 1125, which extends below the lower surface of the bottom support plate 700 and retains the ratchet mechanism 1000 within the longitudinal groove 1010. As further shown, the ratchet mechanism 1000 includes a connecting screw 1130 disposed at each end of the mechanism 1000 for connecting the mechanism 1000 to a raised bottom stop 740 (not shown).

[0027] Fig. 11B An example of the use of ratchet mechanism 1000 within longitudinal slot 1010 of bottom support plate 700 is shown. To change the registered position of raised bottom stop 740, an operator (not shown) lifts flexible second portion 1105 away from lower first portion 1100 to extract or release retaining pin 1120 from spaced holes 1020 in bottom support plate 700, and then applies force to raised bottom stop 740 to move raised bottom stop 740 in either longitudinal direction (e.g., in Fig. 11B The patient support 120 is positioned so that the patient can move the patient to the bottom support plate 700. The patient support 120 is positioned so that the patient can move the patient to the bottom support plate 700. The patient support 120 is positioned so that the patient can move the patient to the bottom support plate 700. The patient support 120 is positioned so that the patient can move the patient to the bottom support plate 700. The patient support 120 is positioned so that the patient can move the patient to the bottom support plate 700. The patient support 120 is positioned so that the patient can move the patient to the bottom support plate 700.

[0028] Figure 12-13 A second embodiment of a patient bottom support module 140 is shown. Fig.12 As shown, the patient bottom support module 140 includes a planar bottom support plate 1200, which is connected or disconnected with the lower end of the tiltable support plate 120 by a bolt 1210, which connects the hinge pivot point 1220 at the lower end of the tiltable support plate 120 with a hinge 1230 on the bottom support plate 1200. The bottom support plate 1200 also includes a slidable raised bottom stop 1240, which includes a lower ratchet-like device ( Fig.12 1200) to slide, align and secure the raised bottom stoppers to the spaced holes at various longitudinal positions along the bottom support plate 1200. Figure 7 Unlike the first embodiment shown, the bottom support plate 1200 extends below the lower end of the patient support plate 120 and the hinge 1230 is relative to the Figure 7 The first embodiment shown is oriented in the opposite direction.

[0029] Fig.13 A close-up isometric view of the attachment between the bottom support plate 1200 and the tiltable patient support plate 120 is shown, with the hinge 1230 shown as transparent. As shown, the hinge 1230 is attached to the bottom support plate 1200 by, for example, a plurality of screws 1300, which are inserted through the hinge 1230 into the bottom support plate 1200. The hinge 1230 includes a hole at one end that aligns with a corresponding hole in the hinge pivot point 1220 of the patient support plate 120. The bolt 1210 is threaded into the hole in the hinge 1230 to screw into the corresponding hole in the hinge pivot point 1220. The bolt 1210 can be screwed out of the hole in the hinge 1230 to release the connection with the corresponding hole in the hinge pivot point 1220 so that the bottom support module 140 can be removed from its attachment to the patient support plate 120.

[0030] The above description of embodiments provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, it should be clearly understood that it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention may be modified in various forms, designs or arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above description should be regarded as exemplary rather than restrictive, and the true scope of the present invention is the scope defined in the following claims.

[0032] Any element, action or instruction used in this application specification should not be interpreted as essential or indispensable to the present invention unless explicitly stated. In addition, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items. In addition, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on".

Claims

1. A system for positioning a patient, comprising: Tiltable patient support board; as well as An angle adjustment mechanism mounted to a lower surface of the tiltable patient support plate and configured to adjust a tilt angle of the tiltable patient support plate, wherein the angle adjustment mechanism comprises: at least one leg coupled to an underside of the tiltable patient support panel, and A bracket is coupled to the underside of the tiltable patient support panel at a first end of the bracket and to the at least one leg at a second end of the bracket, wherein the bracket and the at least one leg form an acute angle with each other.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one leg comprises a plurality of legs, the system further comprising: a crossbar extending between at least two of the plurality of legs, Wherein, the second end of the bracket is connected to the plurality of legs via the cross bar.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising: A tubular foot, wherein the plurality of legs are connected in parallel between the underside of the tiltable patient support panel and the tubular foot and are spaced apart from one another.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The bracket includes a handle and a plurality of retaining notches, wherein the bracket is configured to adjust the tilt angle of the tiltable support plate via adjustment using the handle to selectively engage one of the plurality of retaining notches with the crossbar.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: The bracket comprises an arc-shaped bracket, and wherein the plurality of retaining recesses are provided along the lower side of the arc-shaped bracket to enable adjustment of the tilt angle of the tiltable support plate.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: A foot is laterally connected to the at least one leg and is configured to rest on the underside support surface.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising: A pivotable tab is connected to each end of the foot and is configured to capture a side of the underside support surface.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: A detachable patient bottom support panel is removably attached to the tiltable patient support panel at a hinged attachment point.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The bottom patient support plate is removably attached to the tiltable patient support plate via at least one of a releasable spring plunger or a bolt.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The tiltable patient support panel includes a locking bar slidably engageable with a track within a recess of the tiltable patient support panel, and wherein a patient anatomy support module is removably attached to the locking bar.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The tiltable patient support plate further comprises: a recessed portion disposed in the upper surface of the patient support plate, a slidable track fixed in the recess, a frame configured to slide on the slidable track, and A locking bar is attached to the frame and is configured to allow attachment and detachment of a body support module thereto and therefrom and has a releasable spring plunger for repositioning the body support module at a plurality of positions along the slidable track.

12. A system for positioning a patient, comprising: a tiltable patient support panel, wherein the tiltable patient support panel supports a portion of the patient's upper torso; an angle adjustment mechanism mounted to a lower surface of the tiltable patient support plate to adjust a tilt angle of the patient support plate; and A detachable bottom support module is attached to the tiltable patient support board at a hinged attachment point, wherein the bottom support board module also includes a bottom support board that supports a portion of the patient's lower body and is capable of rotating via the hinged attachment point so that the bottom support board rotates toward an upper end of the tiltable patient support board and rests on an upper surface of the tiltable patient support board.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The bottom support module is removably attached to and detached from the hinge attachment point using a release spring plunger.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The bottom support module is removably attached to and detached from the hinge attachment point using bolts.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein: The bottom support module also includes a raised bottom stop slidably attached to the bottom support plate.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein: The bottom support module also includes a ratchet mechanism that enables the raised bottom stop to slide on the bottom support plate to one of a plurality of registered positions on the bottom support plate.

17. A system for supporting a patient, comprising: Patient support board; as well as a support structure mounted to the lower surface of the patient support plate and configured to support the patient support plate at an inclined angle relative to the lower side surface, Wherein, the patient support plate further comprises: a recessed portion disposed in the upper surface of the patient support plate, a slidable track fixed in the recess, a frame configured to slide on the slidable track, and A locking bar is attached to the frame and is configured to allow attachment and detachment of a body support module therefrom and has a releasable spring plunger for repositioning the locking bar at a plurality of positions along the slidable track.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein: The support structure includes an adjustable scissor-like structure having a plurality of legs and longitudinal feet interconnecting the patient support panel with an underside surface.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein: The support structure includes an angle adjustment mechanism, which is configured to adjust the tilt angle of the patient support plate, and wherein the angle adjustment mechanism includes: a plurality of legs coupled to an underside of the patient support plate, and A bracket is coupled to the underside of the patient support panel at a first end of the bracket and to the plurality of legs at a second end of the bracket, wherein the bracket and the plurality of legs form an acute angle with each other.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein: The support includes an arc-shaped support including an integral adjustment handle and a plurality of retaining notches disposed along an underside of the support so that the tilt angle setting of the angle adjustment mechanism can be changed to adjust the tilt angle of the patient support plate.

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