CA2324048A1 - Computer assisted radiotherapy dosimeter system and software therefor - Google Patents
Computer assisted radiotherapy dosimeter system and software therefor Download PDFInfo
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- CA2324048A1 CA2324048A1 CA002324048A CA2324048A CA2324048A1 CA 2324048 A1 CA2324048 A1 CA 2324048A1 CA 002324048 A CA002324048 A CA 002324048A CA 2324048 A CA2324048 A CA 2324048A CA 2324048 A1 CA2324048 A1 CA 2324048A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
- A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
- A61N5/1048—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
- A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
- A61N5/1048—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
- A61N2005/1074—Details of the control system, e.g. user interfaces
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
- A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
- A61N5/1048—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
- A61N5/1071—Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods for verifying the dose delivered by the treatment plan
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S128/00—Surgery
- Y10S128/92—Computer assisted medical diagnostics
Abstract
In order to facilitate the display and evaluation of data acquired while irradiating a body, e.g. a patient undergoing radiation therapy, a dosimetry system has a plurality of sensors for disposition on, in or near the body to be irradiated and connected to a sensor reading instrument which is interfaced with a display system, for example a personal computer, which is arranged to display, in use, one or more representations, for example drawings or photographs, of the body to be irradiated, along with the positions and the dose data for those specific sites where the dosimeter sensors were placed.b
Description
COMPUTER ASSISTED RADIOTHERAPY DOSIMETER SYSTEM AND
SOFTWARE THEREFOR
DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD:
The invention relates to radiotherapy dosimeter systems, especially of the kind which use a plurality of dosimeter sensors distributed in a region to be irradiated and means for monitoring radiation levels detected by the sensors.
BACKGROUND ART:
Radiotherapy treatment of cancer patients involves the use of machines which produce high energy X-rays or high energy electrons. It is common practice to verify the radiation dose delivered to the patient with a dosimetry system such as the Thomson & Nielsen Patient Dose Verification System.
There are three different types of dosimetry system used in radiotherapy.
These are based on (a) film or thermal luminescent dosimeters (TLD), (b) diodes and (c) MOSFETs. Diode and MOSFET systems use electronic dosimeter sensors together with electronic reading systems, whereas film or TLD use chemical or thermal methods of reading the detectors into an electronic reading system.
Since diode and MOSFET based dosimetry systems have the convenience of direct electronic reading of the dosimeters, they also have the potential advantage of direct data communication with computer systems. The person using a patient dosimetry system (usually a medical physicist, dosimetrist or therapist) requires the radiation dose information from the system to be in a format that is suitable for good quality assurance records.
The state of the art with patient dose verification systems is for the dose data to be presented in one of three formats - (a) on a display on the reading instrument, (b) on a print-out from the electronic reader or (c) on a computer screen. The latter case, the information presented on the screens is in the form of numbers and, in some cases, graphs.
Thomson & Nielsen MOSFET dosimetry systems use ExcelT'''' spreadsheets for this purpose. Sun Nuclear and Scanditronix have diode-based systems which use WindowsTM - based systems with numerical tables and graphs of data.
A disadvantage of these known systems is that it is not easy to confirm that the dose values measured were taken at the proper locations on the body or patient.
SOFTWARE THEREFOR
DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD:
The invention relates to radiotherapy dosimeter systems, especially of the kind which use a plurality of dosimeter sensors distributed in a region to be irradiated and means for monitoring radiation levels detected by the sensors.
BACKGROUND ART:
Radiotherapy treatment of cancer patients involves the use of machines which produce high energy X-rays or high energy electrons. It is common practice to verify the radiation dose delivered to the patient with a dosimetry system such as the Thomson & Nielsen Patient Dose Verification System.
There are three different types of dosimetry system used in radiotherapy.
These are based on (a) film or thermal luminescent dosimeters (TLD), (b) diodes and (c) MOSFETs. Diode and MOSFET systems use electronic dosimeter sensors together with electronic reading systems, whereas film or TLD use chemical or thermal methods of reading the detectors into an electronic reading system.
Since diode and MOSFET based dosimetry systems have the convenience of direct electronic reading of the dosimeters, they also have the potential advantage of direct data communication with computer systems. The person using a patient dosimetry system (usually a medical physicist, dosimetrist or therapist) requires the radiation dose information from the system to be in a format that is suitable for good quality assurance records.
The state of the art with patient dose verification systems is for the dose data to be presented in one of three formats - (a) on a display on the reading instrument, (b) on a print-out from the electronic reader or (c) on a computer screen. The latter case, the information presented on the screens is in the form of numbers and, in some cases, graphs.
Thomson & Nielsen MOSFET dosimetry systems use ExcelT'''' spreadsheets for this purpose. Sun Nuclear and Scanditronix have diode-based systems which use WindowsTM - based systems with numerical tables and graphs of data.
A disadvantage of these known systems is that it is not easy to confirm that the dose values measured were taken at the proper locations on the body or patient.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION:
An object of the present invention is to at least mitigate this disadvantage and, to this end, provides a dosimetry system having means for displaying a representation of the body, e.g., a patient, to be irradiated, showing locations of radiation sensors.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dosimetry system in which a plurality of sensors for disposition on, in or near a body to be irradiated, for example a patient, are connected to a sensor reading instrument which is interfaced with a display system, for example a personal computer, which is arranged to display, in use, one or more representations, for example drawings or photographs, of the body to be irradiated, along with the positions and the dose data for those specific sites where the dosimeter sensors were placed.
Preferably, the display system is arranged to display the representations, prior to irradiation, with the sensor locations and sensor identifiers and, after irradiation, with the measured doses associated with each sensor.
Preferably, the display system provides for adjustment of the sensor locations relative to the irradiation, to select desired locations, and then may provide for printing of the representations, showing the sensor locations, prior to irradiation, thus allowing the print-out to be used by an operator as a guide when positioning the sensors.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of using a dosimetry system of the first aspect to monitor radiation doses at various sites on a body comprises the steps of:
(i) displaying one or more representations of the body to be irradiated and points or icons representing a plurality of dosimeter sensors, and (ii) adjusting the display to position the sensor points or icons at preselected sites on, in or near the body at which radiation doses are to be measured.
Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of:
(iii) irradiating the body and obtaining data of radiation measured at each of the sensors, (iv) displaying the data for each sensor in the same display as the one or more representations of the body with the sensor points or icons at said preselected positions.
In preferred embodiments of either aspect of the invention, in the display, the dosimeter sensors are represented by graphical points or icons associated with respective identifiers, conveniently interconnected in the display by, for example, lead lines. The positions of the graphical sensor site points or icons may be adjusted relative to the representation of the body to locate them at sites on the image which correspond to the actual positions at which the sensors are (to be) located. In the display, each of the identifiers then is associated, conveniently in a table, with the corresponding dose data.
An object of the present invention is to at least mitigate this disadvantage and, to this end, provides a dosimetry system having means for displaying a representation of the body, e.g., a patient, to be irradiated, showing locations of radiation sensors.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dosimetry system in which a plurality of sensors for disposition on, in or near a body to be irradiated, for example a patient, are connected to a sensor reading instrument which is interfaced with a display system, for example a personal computer, which is arranged to display, in use, one or more representations, for example drawings or photographs, of the body to be irradiated, along with the positions and the dose data for those specific sites where the dosimeter sensors were placed.
Preferably, the display system is arranged to display the representations, prior to irradiation, with the sensor locations and sensor identifiers and, after irradiation, with the measured doses associated with each sensor.
Preferably, the display system provides for adjustment of the sensor locations relative to the irradiation, to select desired locations, and then may provide for printing of the representations, showing the sensor locations, prior to irradiation, thus allowing the print-out to be used by an operator as a guide when positioning the sensors.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a method of using a dosimetry system of the first aspect to monitor radiation doses at various sites on a body comprises the steps of:
(i) displaying one or more representations of the body to be irradiated and points or icons representing a plurality of dosimeter sensors, and (ii) adjusting the display to position the sensor points or icons at preselected sites on, in or near the body at which radiation doses are to be measured.
Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of:
(iii) irradiating the body and obtaining data of radiation measured at each of the sensors, (iv) displaying the data for each sensor in the same display as the one or more representations of the body with the sensor points or icons at said preselected positions.
In preferred embodiments of either aspect of the invention, in the display, the dosimeter sensors are represented by graphical points or icons associated with respective identifiers, conveniently interconnected in the display by, for example, lead lines. The positions of the graphical sensor site points or icons may be adjusted relative to the representation of the body to locate them at sites on the image which correspond to the actual positions at which the sensors are (to be) located. In the display, each of the identifiers then is associated, conveniently in a table, with the corresponding dose data.
Embodiments of the invention advantageously enable the physicist to plan the sites where dose measurements are required, ensure that the dosimeters are placed according to plan, and confirm that the body (patient) has received the correct dose to the correct site according to the plan.
Yet another advantageous feature is that the one or more representations of the body, together with the preselected dosimeter sensor pasitions, may be printed prior to patient treatment so as to facilitate correct positioning of the dosimeter sensors in the correct anatomical positions by the medical personnel performing the radiotherapy procedure.
Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention may provide real-time display of data from the dosimetry system reader.
Another advantageous feature is that the patient's treatment information may be readily recorded (e.g. patient name, identification of radiotherapy machine used, energy of machine).
The one or more representations used to indicate the positions of the dosimeter sensors on the body, e.g. on the patient's anatomy, may comprise standard line drawings or custom images, such as scanned photographs or digital camera images. In the latter cases, the use of actual images of the body facilitates proper location of the sensors.
Another advantageous feature of embodiments of the present invention which use a computer display is that the software may calculate the radiation dose using the data input from the reading instrument and any calibration or correction factors previously input by the physicist, typically following a previous calibration of the dosimetry system in known manner. The software then may compare the dose calculations with pre determined target doses and indicate, conveniently by highlighting in the display, any deviation for corrective action.
A further feature of embodiments of the present invention is the capability to view, print or electronically save the final report with all the relevant dosimetry data collected during the patient's treatment.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided software for interfacing a plurality of dosimeter sensors and a reader to a microcomputer or personal computer to provide for the specified display of an image or other representation of the body/patient and the corresponding doses, in a system according to the first aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
A computer assisted dosimetry system in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Figure 1 illustrates, partially and schematically, a dosimetry system for irradiating a person;
Figure 2 illustrates a portion of a display of the system;
Figure 3A illustrates a representation displayed during assignment of sensor positions; Figure 3B illustrates a representation subsequently displayed during assignment of sensor positions;
Figure 4 illustrates a report provided by the system;
Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting operation of the system;
Figures 6A to 6F and Figures 7A to 7F show display screens displayed during operation of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
Figure 1 illustrates a patient 10 lying upon a table 12 ready for radiation therapy.
The therapy entails irradiating the patient 10 by means of a radiation therapy machine, which might be an X-ray machine, a CT scanner, or other machine having means (not shown) for irradiating the patient. The amount of radiation to which the patient is subjected is monitored by a dosimetry system which comprises a set of MOSFET
radiation sensors A1...A4 positioned at predetermined locations on the patient's body and connected by leads 10/ 1...10/4, respectively, to a reader 14 by way of a bias supply unit 16. The reader 14 is connected to a personal computer 18 which controls a display device 20. The sensors A1-A4, bias supply 16, reader 14 and computer 18 may be of known construction and so will not be described in detail. The personal computer 18 is equipped with software, such as Visual BasicT'''', or the like. It is assumed that the sensors A 1-A4 and, when applicable, other parts of the dosimetry system, have been previously calibrated using known techniques.
Figure 2 illustrates a portion of the display 20 controlled by the computer 18 and showing, representations of the patient 10, specifically in outline, front lOF
and rear lOR
views of the patient 10 and positions for icons representing the four dosimeter sensors A1, A2, A3, and A4. The display also shows a table 22 listing the sensors A1-A4 and associated data. When the irradiation process has been carried out, the data will include the dose measured by each sensor.
Operation of the dosimetry system involves two main phases, namely (i) assignment of the sensor icons to selected positions on the representations, and (ii) measurement and display of the measured doses. 'these two phases need not be performed at the same time. For the first phase, the patient need not be present and, in fact, the first phase could be carried out remote from the radiation therapy machine. For convenience, however, both phases will be described as if carried out together.
Referring now to Figure 3A, which is the type of graphic first shown to the user on the computer screen 20, the sensor icons are not assigned, but merely grouped to the right of the front images lOF. The sensors A1, A2, A3, A4 are represented by icons comprising sensor dots connected by lead lines to respective labels (identifiers).
The computer then instructs the user to assign dosimeter sensors to various parts 5 of the anatomy. Figure 3B shows the screen displayed to the user once this task is completed. In the example shown, the user has dragged and dropped both the dots and labels of the dosimeter sensors (e.g. A1, A2 etc.) so that the dots are located at the required sites on the images and the identification label are conveniently nearby. A
description of the sites is optionally recorded in the database.
On completing dosimeter assignment, the user can print out the diagram or photo of the patient with dosimeter locations so that the medical personnel may then place the dosimeters in the correct locations.
Following irradiation, the dose information from the dosimeters is read into a computer by operating the dosimetry system connected as in Figure 1. (The dosimeters may be removed from the patient for this part of the procedure).
The dose measurements are stored in the computer and displayed on a final report, along with the patient and treatment information. Figure 4 shows the format of the final report with the dosimetry position information as well as the dose measurement, target dose and deviation information.
Figure 5 shows a flow diagram of the software required to carry out the above process. This particular software has been developed using Visual Basic TM.
4.1 Overview of the Program This program catalogs its functions into 5 groups:
- System Setup - Pre-Irradiation (Step 1) - Treatment Information (Step 2) - Measuring Dose (Step 3) - Viewing/Printing Reports (Step 4) The following is a description of the steps that the software carnes out in order to proceed from Step 2 (Treatment Information) to Step 4 (Viewing/Printing Reports).
Step 2 Treatment Information:
The user determines the number of patients in the current treatment, and, for each patient, selects the position on the screen to type in the appropriate information e.g.
Patient's ID, Treatment Plan Reference and Radiation Settings. The user assigns dosimeters to each patient through an on-screen table, and types in words to describe the locations and target doses of each dosimeters. (See Figure 2.) There is an on-screen picture-box which accommodates an image as background and some labels, lines and red dots as foreground. The user can select the background image from the software's built-in images, or use any image that has been stored in the computer's hard disk in BITMAP, JPEG or GIF format. For every assigned dosimeter, the picture-box shows on the foreground a label, a red dot, and a line to link the label and dot. Every label and dot can be dragged to appropriate positions to indicate the dosimeters' sites graphically.
The software uses a compound data type to store treatment information in this step. For every patient, the software creates an instance of this data type that accommodates fields to keep Patient's ID, Treatment Plan Reference, Radiation Settings, Dosimeters' Positions and Target Doses. It also includes a field to keep a reference to the selected background image, and some fields to keep the relative coordination of every foreground label, dot and line.
Step 3 Measuring Dose Dose data is inputted from the Reader 14 through a cable and placed in the dosimeter locations on the screen. The user can activate the "Recording"
procedure to allow the input data to overwrite the existing data, or freeze this procedure to prevent the recorded from being changed.
The software uses a data array to store the recorded data in this step.
Step 4 Viewing/Printing Reports In this step, the software extracts information, that is necessary to create a measurement report, from the inputted data in step 2 and recorded data in step 3. This information is stored into a special array. Then, from this array, a report summary is composed and the corresponding picture (see Figure 4) is drawn. If the user needs to save this report, the software will save all fields of this array to the hard disk of computer 18 (next time, they can be read into the array if needed). The data in this array are also used to print out the report. They may also be saved to a floppy disk or other removable storage medium or transmitted via a network or modem connection.
Step by step operation of the system will not be described, the various display screens presented to the user being shown in Figures 6A to 6F and 7A to 7F.
There are 5 display/control panels to let users access these 5 function groups. They are organized in a straightforward style and easy to use. Every panel except the last one has a yellow-coloured text box to show On-Screen Prompt. The following is an overview of these panels.
Yet another advantageous feature is that the one or more representations of the body, together with the preselected dosimeter sensor pasitions, may be printed prior to patient treatment so as to facilitate correct positioning of the dosimeter sensors in the correct anatomical positions by the medical personnel performing the radiotherapy procedure.
Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention may provide real-time display of data from the dosimetry system reader.
Another advantageous feature is that the patient's treatment information may be readily recorded (e.g. patient name, identification of radiotherapy machine used, energy of machine).
The one or more representations used to indicate the positions of the dosimeter sensors on the body, e.g. on the patient's anatomy, may comprise standard line drawings or custom images, such as scanned photographs or digital camera images. In the latter cases, the use of actual images of the body facilitates proper location of the sensors.
Another advantageous feature of embodiments of the present invention which use a computer display is that the software may calculate the radiation dose using the data input from the reading instrument and any calibration or correction factors previously input by the physicist, typically following a previous calibration of the dosimetry system in known manner. The software then may compare the dose calculations with pre determined target doses and indicate, conveniently by highlighting in the display, any deviation for corrective action.
A further feature of embodiments of the present invention is the capability to view, print or electronically save the final report with all the relevant dosimetry data collected during the patient's treatment.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided software for interfacing a plurality of dosimeter sensors and a reader to a microcomputer or personal computer to provide for the specified display of an image or other representation of the body/patient and the corresponding doses, in a system according to the first aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
A computer assisted dosimetry system in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Figure 1 illustrates, partially and schematically, a dosimetry system for irradiating a person;
Figure 2 illustrates a portion of a display of the system;
Figure 3A illustrates a representation displayed during assignment of sensor positions; Figure 3B illustrates a representation subsequently displayed during assignment of sensor positions;
Figure 4 illustrates a report provided by the system;
Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting operation of the system;
Figures 6A to 6F and Figures 7A to 7F show display screens displayed during operation of the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
Figure 1 illustrates a patient 10 lying upon a table 12 ready for radiation therapy.
The therapy entails irradiating the patient 10 by means of a radiation therapy machine, which might be an X-ray machine, a CT scanner, or other machine having means (not shown) for irradiating the patient. The amount of radiation to which the patient is subjected is monitored by a dosimetry system which comprises a set of MOSFET
radiation sensors A1...A4 positioned at predetermined locations on the patient's body and connected by leads 10/ 1...10/4, respectively, to a reader 14 by way of a bias supply unit 16. The reader 14 is connected to a personal computer 18 which controls a display device 20. The sensors A1-A4, bias supply 16, reader 14 and computer 18 may be of known construction and so will not be described in detail. The personal computer 18 is equipped with software, such as Visual BasicT'''', or the like. It is assumed that the sensors A 1-A4 and, when applicable, other parts of the dosimetry system, have been previously calibrated using known techniques.
Figure 2 illustrates a portion of the display 20 controlled by the computer 18 and showing, representations of the patient 10, specifically in outline, front lOF
and rear lOR
views of the patient 10 and positions for icons representing the four dosimeter sensors A1, A2, A3, and A4. The display also shows a table 22 listing the sensors A1-A4 and associated data. When the irradiation process has been carried out, the data will include the dose measured by each sensor.
Operation of the dosimetry system involves two main phases, namely (i) assignment of the sensor icons to selected positions on the representations, and (ii) measurement and display of the measured doses. 'these two phases need not be performed at the same time. For the first phase, the patient need not be present and, in fact, the first phase could be carried out remote from the radiation therapy machine. For convenience, however, both phases will be described as if carried out together.
Referring now to Figure 3A, which is the type of graphic first shown to the user on the computer screen 20, the sensor icons are not assigned, but merely grouped to the right of the front images lOF. The sensors A1, A2, A3, A4 are represented by icons comprising sensor dots connected by lead lines to respective labels (identifiers).
The computer then instructs the user to assign dosimeter sensors to various parts 5 of the anatomy. Figure 3B shows the screen displayed to the user once this task is completed. In the example shown, the user has dragged and dropped both the dots and labels of the dosimeter sensors (e.g. A1, A2 etc.) so that the dots are located at the required sites on the images and the identification label are conveniently nearby. A
description of the sites is optionally recorded in the database.
On completing dosimeter assignment, the user can print out the diagram or photo of the patient with dosimeter locations so that the medical personnel may then place the dosimeters in the correct locations.
Following irradiation, the dose information from the dosimeters is read into a computer by operating the dosimetry system connected as in Figure 1. (The dosimeters may be removed from the patient for this part of the procedure).
The dose measurements are stored in the computer and displayed on a final report, along with the patient and treatment information. Figure 4 shows the format of the final report with the dosimetry position information as well as the dose measurement, target dose and deviation information.
Figure 5 shows a flow diagram of the software required to carry out the above process. This particular software has been developed using Visual Basic TM.
4.1 Overview of the Program This program catalogs its functions into 5 groups:
- System Setup - Pre-Irradiation (Step 1) - Treatment Information (Step 2) - Measuring Dose (Step 3) - Viewing/Printing Reports (Step 4) The following is a description of the steps that the software carnes out in order to proceed from Step 2 (Treatment Information) to Step 4 (Viewing/Printing Reports).
Step 2 Treatment Information:
The user determines the number of patients in the current treatment, and, for each patient, selects the position on the screen to type in the appropriate information e.g.
Patient's ID, Treatment Plan Reference and Radiation Settings. The user assigns dosimeters to each patient through an on-screen table, and types in words to describe the locations and target doses of each dosimeters. (See Figure 2.) There is an on-screen picture-box which accommodates an image as background and some labels, lines and red dots as foreground. The user can select the background image from the software's built-in images, or use any image that has been stored in the computer's hard disk in BITMAP, JPEG or GIF format. For every assigned dosimeter, the picture-box shows on the foreground a label, a red dot, and a line to link the label and dot. Every label and dot can be dragged to appropriate positions to indicate the dosimeters' sites graphically.
The software uses a compound data type to store treatment information in this step. For every patient, the software creates an instance of this data type that accommodates fields to keep Patient's ID, Treatment Plan Reference, Radiation Settings, Dosimeters' Positions and Target Doses. It also includes a field to keep a reference to the selected background image, and some fields to keep the relative coordination of every foreground label, dot and line.
Step 3 Measuring Dose Dose data is inputted from the Reader 14 through a cable and placed in the dosimeter locations on the screen. The user can activate the "Recording"
procedure to allow the input data to overwrite the existing data, or freeze this procedure to prevent the recorded from being changed.
The software uses a data array to store the recorded data in this step.
Step 4 Viewing/Printing Reports In this step, the software extracts information, that is necessary to create a measurement report, from the inputted data in step 2 and recorded data in step 3. This information is stored into a special array. Then, from this array, a report summary is composed and the corresponding picture (see Figure 4) is drawn. If the user needs to save this report, the software will save all fields of this array to the hard disk of computer 18 (next time, they can be read into the array if needed). The data in this array are also used to print out the report. They may also be saved to a floppy disk or other removable storage medium or transmitted via a network or modem connection.
Step by step operation of the system will not be described, the various display screens presented to the user being shown in Figures 6A to 6F and 7A to 7F.
There are 5 display/control panels to let users access these 5 function groups. They are organized in a straightforward style and easy to use. Every panel except the last one has a yellow-coloured text box to show On-Screen Prompt. The following is an overview of these panels.
Setting up the system: Initially, where the user can determine the communication port, set up the title of measurement reports, set or change the password and determine its protection scope, input the lists of available radiation machines and TN-Readers.
Step 1. Pre-Irradiation: In this step, the user can modify CFs and CRs, check dosimeters, modify system settings, or view existing reports. In case some parameters need to be changed or some MOSFETs need to be replaced, the user can find them and take corrective actions.
Step 2. Treatment Information: In this step, the user will input treatment information for the patients and assign dosimeters. The user can describe the dosimeters' sites by description or graphically. The left-hand picture shows an example without picture.
The left-hand picture is an example to show how to describe the dosimeters' sites graphically. This program has 5 standard body images built into it. It also provides a very easy way to let the user use other images. Any BITMAP, JPEG, and GIF
images can be used.
Step 3. Measuring Dose: In this step, the program will record the measurement data from the TN-RD-50 Reader and calculate Dose (if the Reader's output is set to "mV") and Deviation from target dose.
Step 4. Viewing/Printing Reports: This is the last step of the measurement procedure. The user can view/print/save reports. The user can also type in your comments on reports. There are two report styles available.
Setting up the System The user clicks on the "TN-Dose Reporter 2.31" entry of the computer's "Start ~ Programs" menu to run the program. The "Set Up the System" panel is shown and the user is required to input some information or make some decisions, including:
(1) Choosing a serial port to communicate with the TN-RD-50 Reader.
(2) Inputting the Institution Name and the Report Title. They will be printed on the measurement reports. The default Report Title is "DOSIMETRY
REPORT" .
(3) Building up the list of radiation machines types.
(4) Building up the list of radiation machines' S/N.
(5) Building up the list of TN-RD-50 Readers' S/N.
(6) Setting or changing the user's password and determining the password-protection's scope.
Of these, (1) is a must, (2)-(6) are option.
g Usually, every computer provides at least one serial port. When the user connects the TN-RD-50 Reader to the computer, the user should check which port (COM1-COM4) is being used and select this port when setting up the system.
The port number (i.e., 1-4) may not be labelled on the computer, and the user may not be sure which port is being used. In such a situation, each port should be tried until the correct port is selected. To do so, the user may follow the instructions shown on the screen.
Note:
(a) This "Set Up The System" panel will not be shown when the program is run later. To view or change system settings, the user can select the action of "Modify System Settings" from Step 1 panel.
(b) When the program is started, it checks the computer's hardware resources and lists all available serial ports in the pull-down list. If there is no port available (for example, in case all ports being used by other applications), the program will give out a message and automatically show the panel of step 4 ("Viewing/Printing Reports").
c) After setup, a new folder "c:\TN-Dosimetry" is established in the computer. In it there is a file ("MessageHistory.txt") and two sub folders ("Libs" and "Reports"). These folders should not be renamed.
Step 1. Pre-Irradiation When the user has finished setting up their system, the panel of "Step 1. Pre-Irradiation" will be shown. In this step, the user can modify calibration parameters (CFs and CRs), check dosimeters, modify system settings, or view existing reports.
About the Message Window: This window is used to display the messages from the TN-RD-50 Reader. The user can view all messages (in the current measurement procedure) or just view recent messages. Every message displayed here is also saved into a file "c:\TN-Dosimetry\MessageHistory.txt" simultaneously.
About the CFs and CRs: The Reader can be set to read in radiation units (cGy or R) using Calibration Factors determined by the user for each dosimeter. The reader can also be set to read the MOSFET voltage in mV. In order to give the user more flexibility, this Dose Reporter program allows the user to store the CFs in the program when the mV mode is used. The program also enables the user to specify Correction Factors (CRs) to the dose calculation.
If the Reader is set to output radiation units (cC~y or R), then the CFs and CRs in the program are inoperable. If the user sets the output of the Reader to mV, then CFs and CRs must be set, because they will be used to calculate the doses according to the formula "Dose = CR * (Voltage / CF)".
Note: An example of the use of a CR would be if the user wanted to determine Dmas but was measuring doses with less than full build-up.
The user can get a hard copy of CFs and CRs by clicking the "Print" button.
The allowed CF range is 0.1 mV/cGy to 99.99 mV/cGy. If the user enters a too large or too small value, it will be trimmed into this range. The allowed CR
range is 0.100 to 9.000. If the user enters a value beyond this range, it will be trimmed into this range.
When the user has finished modifying CFs or CRs, the user can set them as defaults. Otherwise, the default CF and CR is I.OOmV/cGy and 1.000 respectively. If the user does not like other users changing CFs or CRs (or both), the user can set up a password (in "Setting Up the System" Panel) and put CFs or CRs (or both) into the protection scope, then restart this program.
Step 2. Treatment Information When the user has finished Step 1 and start Step 2, the user is first required to select the number of patients in this treatment. Then, Figure 2 appears on the screen to let the user input the Patient Information, Treatment Plan Reference, and Radiation Settings (the user can set them by importing treatment information from an existing measurement report by clicking "Import Existing Treatment Info"). The user also needs to assign dosimeters to the patient(s). The user can describe the dosimeters' sites with words or with pictures. To do the former, the user may type words in the corresponding cells of the dosimeter-Assigning Table. To do the latter, the user may click "Show Picture", whereupon a human body image will be displayed on screen, as Figure 4.
When the user assigns dosimeters to the current patient, the corresponding Site Pointer and Dosimeter Label will appear on the image area. To indicate the dosimeter's site, the user may simply the Site Pointer and Dosimeter Label to the appropriate place on the image. (The user can drag the Pointer and Label to the same place, and the pointer will disappear.) Clicking the "Print" button on the picture's bottom-right corner can print out the picture. (If that button is not enabled, the user may click the "Apply"
button.) The user can change the human body image. For example, 5 optional images, called "Standard Images", may be provided. They are #0, Unisex Body #1, Female Chest #2, Male Head #3, Female Head #4, Female Body Besides the standard images, the user can use their own images, conveniently called "Custom Images", such as those from a digital camera photo or a scanned photo.
Any BITMAP (*.bmp), JPEG (*.jpg) and GIF (*.gifj images can be used as a custom image. If the image to be used has been stored in another format, some tools (such as 5 Paint or PhotoShop) may be used to open them and save them in BITMAP or JPEG
format. There is no special requirement on the images' size.
To change the image, the current image is double-clicked, or right-clicked to pop up a menu and "change image" selected. An image-selection window, as in Figure 4, will be displayed on screen.
10 To select a standard image, its preview window is clicked. To select a custom image, the user should click on the corresponding item in the library of custom images to preview it, then, click on the preview window.
When the program is run for the first time, the library of custom images is empty. To populate it, the user may click the "Add new Custom Image" button, then select an image file from the open-file dialog box. That image will be copied to the library and can be used as a custom image by the program.
Step 3. Measuring Dose The panel of this step is shown in Figure 5. In this step, the user is required to perform 3 actions:
(1) Zero MOSFETS: press the Reader's START (or ZERO) button for 1 second to initiate the procedure.
(2) Place MOSFETS ON PATIENT(s) body. (To do it correctly, it is suggested that the user print out the dosimeter-site diagram in step 2 as a reference. ) (3) Read MOSFETs: click the "Record" button on the screen, then follow the prompt.
In the measurement procedure, if "N/A" appears in the "Voltage" column, it means that the voltage is Not Available since the Reader has been set up to output does in the radiation units cGy or R. Voltages are only shown in this column when the user is using the Reader in the "mV" mode and applying ('.alibration Factors (CFs) and/or Correction Factors (CRs) to translate m/v to radiation units.
Step 4. Viewing/Printing Reports In this last step, the user can review the information in the report summary before printing and saving. All report files have a filename with extension ".dsrpt".
The default file name is "Patient First Name + Patient Last Name + Date + .dsrpt".
For example, if John Smith was treated on May 10, 2000, then the default file name would be JohnSmith 2000Mayl0.dsrpt The default folder for saving reports is "c:\TN-Dosimetry\Reports". The user can save S the reports in any folder.
When the user wants to print out the reports, there are two styles available.
Style #1 accommodates a picture to indicate dosimeters' sites graphically. Style #2 doesn't print out the picture, but uses a table to provide more information about the treatment.
Two sample reports are illustrated in Figure 4 and 7F to show their differences.
In this step, the user can also type in comments.
Other Information 5.1 Operation Mode This program has two operation modes. The first is "Full-Functional Mode" in which the user can perform measurements, make reports, view existing reports, and modify system settings. The second one is "Report-Viewing Mode" in which the user can view/print existing reports, but can't perform measurements or modify system settings.
When the user double-clicks the program's icon to start it, it will run in Full-functional Mode. The initialization procedure for this mode is longer than that of the Report-Viewing Mode. If the user needs to view the existing reports frequently, the user should find the file "View Dose Report.exe" in the installation disk and copy it to the computer's desktop. Double-clicking its icon will start "TN-dose Reporter v2.31" in Report-Viewing Mode.
5.2 Using the program in Local Networks This program can be used to view existing reports through Local Networks. To allow the reports in the computer to be viewed from another computer, the user needs to set the computer's "c:\TN-dosimetry" folder as a shared folder.
5.3 Records of Message History All messages sent by the Reader are recorded in file "c:\TN-Dosimetry\MessageHistory. txt" . The user can view and print it using "Notepad" . (The attached is an example of printed History File.) Every day, when the user first uses the program, the user will be asked whether or not to erase the existing records.
If the answer is "No", the new messages will be appended to the existing records. If the user always answers "No", the size of the "MessageHistory.txt" will increase rapidly.
5.4 Double-click report files to view them If some reports have been saved in the computer, the user can double-click their icons to view them. In such situations, the "TN-Dose Reporter v2.31" runs in Report-Viewing Mode.
5.5 Use patients' photos when doing measurement Section 4.4 has described how to use an existing custom-image to indicate dosimeters' sites. But, in fact, that image need not have to exist before the user runs the program. The user can use the REAL photos of the patients) in current treatment. The following example shows how to do so (assuming that the user has a digital camera).
Example (1) When in Step 2, the user should input the patient's treatment information, but NOT draw the picture.
(2) In Step 3, after placing MOSFETs on the patient's body, the user should take a photo, then do the measurement.
(3) The user should minimize the "Step 3" Panel, then, input the photo to the computer, save it in the hard disk as JPEG file, and restore the "Step 3"
Panel.
(4) Going back to "Step 2" panel, the user should add the saved JPEG file to "custom-Images Lib" and select it, then, draw the picture.
(S) The user should go to "Step 4" panel to view the report.
It should be remembered that the user can change the treatment information and dosimeter-assignment at any time BEFORE starting a new measurement by clicking the red-coloured square on "Step 4" panel.
It should be appreciated that the software enabling implementation of the invention could be used with various kinds of hardware. Hence, the invention also embraces software per se, conveniently carried by a suitable storage medium, for operating a dosimetry system as described hereinbefore.
Step 1. Pre-Irradiation: In this step, the user can modify CFs and CRs, check dosimeters, modify system settings, or view existing reports. In case some parameters need to be changed or some MOSFETs need to be replaced, the user can find them and take corrective actions.
Step 2. Treatment Information: In this step, the user will input treatment information for the patients and assign dosimeters. The user can describe the dosimeters' sites by description or graphically. The left-hand picture shows an example without picture.
The left-hand picture is an example to show how to describe the dosimeters' sites graphically. This program has 5 standard body images built into it. It also provides a very easy way to let the user use other images. Any BITMAP, JPEG, and GIF
images can be used.
Step 3. Measuring Dose: In this step, the program will record the measurement data from the TN-RD-50 Reader and calculate Dose (if the Reader's output is set to "mV") and Deviation from target dose.
Step 4. Viewing/Printing Reports: This is the last step of the measurement procedure. The user can view/print/save reports. The user can also type in your comments on reports. There are two report styles available.
Setting up the System The user clicks on the "TN-Dose Reporter 2.31" entry of the computer's "Start ~ Programs" menu to run the program. The "Set Up the System" panel is shown and the user is required to input some information or make some decisions, including:
(1) Choosing a serial port to communicate with the TN-RD-50 Reader.
(2) Inputting the Institution Name and the Report Title. They will be printed on the measurement reports. The default Report Title is "DOSIMETRY
REPORT" .
(3) Building up the list of radiation machines types.
(4) Building up the list of radiation machines' S/N.
(5) Building up the list of TN-RD-50 Readers' S/N.
(6) Setting or changing the user's password and determining the password-protection's scope.
Of these, (1) is a must, (2)-(6) are option.
g Usually, every computer provides at least one serial port. When the user connects the TN-RD-50 Reader to the computer, the user should check which port (COM1-COM4) is being used and select this port when setting up the system.
The port number (i.e., 1-4) may not be labelled on the computer, and the user may not be sure which port is being used. In such a situation, each port should be tried until the correct port is selected. To do so, the user may follow the instructions shown on the screen.
Note:
(a) This "Set Up The System" panel will not be shown when the program is run later. To view or change system settings, the user can select the action of "Modify System Settings" from Step 1 panel.
(b) When the program is started, it checks the computer's hardware resources and lists all available serial ports in the pull-down list. If there is no port available (for example, in case all ports being used by other applications), the program will give out a message and automatically show the panel of step 4 ("Viewing/Printing Reports").
c) After setup, a new folder "c:\TN-Dosimetry" is established in the computer. In it there is a file ("MessageHistory.txt") and two sub folders ("Libs" and "Reports"). These folders should not be renamed.
Step 1. Pre-Irradiation When the user has finished setting up their system, the panel of "Step 1. Pre-Irradiation" will be shown. In this step, the user can modify calibration parameters (CFs and CRs), check dosimeters, modify system settings, or view existing reports.
About the Message Window: This window is used to display the messages from the TN-RD-50 Reader. The user can view all messages (in the current measurement procedure) or just view recent messages. Every message displayed here is also saved into a file "c:\TN-Dosimetry\MessageHistory.txt" simultaneously.
About the CFs and CRs: The Reader can be set to read in radiation units (cGy or R) using Calibration Factors determined by the user for each dosimeter. The reader can also be set to read the MOSFET voltage in mV. In order to give the user more flexibility, this Dose Reporter program allows the user to store the CFs in the program when the mV mode is used. The program also enables the user to specify Correction Factors (CRs) to the dose calculation.
If the Reader is set to output radiation units (cC~y or R), then the CFs and CRs in the program are inoperable. If the user sets the output of the Reader to mV, then CFs and CRs must be set, because they will be used to calculate the doses according to the formula "Dose = CR * (Voltage / CF)".
Note: An example of the use of a CR would be if the user wanted to determine Dmas but was measuring doses with less than full build-up.
The user can get a hard copy of CFs and CRs by clicking the "Print" button.
The allowed CF range is 0.1 mV/cGy to 99.99 mV/cGy. If the user enters a too large or too small value, it will be trimmed into this range. The allowed CR
range is 0.100 to 9.000. If the user enters a value beyond this range, it will be trimmed into this range.
When the user has finished modifying CFs or CRs, the user can set them as defaults. Otherwise, the default CF and CR is I.OOmV/cGy and 1.000 respectively. If the user does not like other users changing CFs or CRs (or both), the user can set up a password (in "Setting Up the System" Panel) and put CFs or CRs (or both) into the protection scope, then restart this program.
Step 2. Treatment Information When the user has finished Step 1 and start Step 2, the user is first required to select the number of patients in this treatment. Then, Figure 2 appears on the screen to let the user input the Patient Information, Treatment Plan Reference, and Radiation Settings (the user can set them by importing treatment information from an existing measurement report by clicking "Import Existing Treatment Info"). The user also needs to assign dosimeters to the patient(s). The user can describe the dosimeters' sites with words or with pictures. To do the former, the user may type words in the corresponding cells of the dosimeter-Assigning Table. To do the latter, the user may click "Show Picture", whereupon a human body image will be displayed on screen, as Figure 4.
When the user assigns dosimeters to the current patient, the corresponding Site Pointer and Dosimeter Label will appear on the image area. To indicate the dosimeter's site, the user may simply the Site Pointer and Dosimeter Label to the appropriate place on the image. (The user can drag the Pointer and Label to the same place, and the pointer will disappear.) Clicking the "Print" button on the picture's bottom-right corner can print out the picture. (If that button is not enabled, the user may click the "Apply"
button.) The user can change the human body image. For example, 5 optional images, called "Standard Images", may be provided. They are #0, Unisex Body #1, Female Chest #2, Male Head #3, Female Head #4, Female Body Besides the standard images, the user can use their own images, conveniently called "Custom Images", such as those from a digital camera photo or a scanned photo.
Any BITMAP (*.bmp), JPEG (*.jpg) and GIF (*.gifj images can be used as a custom image. If the image to be used has been stored in another format, some tools (such as 5 Paint or PhotoShop) may be used to open them and save them in BITMAP or JPEG
format. There is no special requirement on the images' size.
To change the image, the current image is double-clicked, or right-clicked to pop up a menu and "change image" selected. An image-selection window, as in Figure 4, will be displayed on screen.
10 To select a standard image, its preview window is clicked. To select a custom image, the user should click on the corresponding item in the library of custom images to preview it, then, click on the preview window.
When the program is run for the first time, the library of custom images is empty. To populate it, the user may click the "Add new Custom Image" button, then select an image file from the open-file dialog box. That image will be copied to the library and can be used as a custom image by the program.
Step 3. Measuring Dose The panel of this step is shown in Figure 5. In this step, the user is required to perform 3 actions:
(1) Zero MOSFETS: press the Reader's START (or ZERO) button for 1 second to initiate the procedure.
(2) Place MOSFETS ON PATIENT(s) body. (To do it correctly, it is suggested that the user print out the dosimeter-site diagram in step 2 as a reference. ) (3) Read MOSFETs: click the "Record" button on the screen, then follow the prompt.
In the measurement procedure, if "N/A" appears in the "Voltage" column, it means that the voltage is Not Available since the Reader has been set up to output does in the radiation units cGy or R. Voltages are only shown in this column when the user is using the Reader in the "mV" mode and applying ('.alibration Factors (CFs) and/or Correction Factors (CRs) to translate m/v to radiation units.
Step 4. Viewing/Printing Reports In this last step, the user can review the information in the report summary before printing and saving. All report files have a filename with extension ".dsrpt".
The default file name is "Patient First Name + Patient Last Name + Date + .dsrpt".
For example, if John Smith was treated on May 10, 2000, then the default file name would be JohnSmith 2000Mayl0.dsrpt The default folder for saving reports is "c:\TN-Dosimetry\Reports". The user can save S the reports in any folder.
When the user wants to print out the reports, there are two styles available.
Style #1 accommodates a picture to indicate dosimeters' sites graphically. Style #2 doesn't print out the picture, but uses a table to provide more information about the treatment.
Two sample reports are illustrated in Figure 4 and 7F to show their differences.
In this step, the user can also type in comments.
Other Information 5.1 Operation Mode This program has two operation modes. The first is "Full-Functional Mode" in which the user can perform measurements, make reports, view existing reports, and modify system settings. The second one is "Report-Viewing Mode" in which the user can view/print existing reports, but can't perform measurements or modify system settings.
When the user double-clicks the program's icon to start it, it will run in Full-functional Mode. The initialization procedure for this mode is longer than that of the Report-Viewing Mode. If the user needs to view the existing reports frequently, the user should find the file "View Dose Report.exe" in the installation disk and copy it to the computer's desktop. Double-clicking its icon will start "TN-dose Reporter v2.31" in Report-Viewing Mode.
5.2 Using the program in Local Networks This program can be used to view existing reports through Local Networks. To allow the reports in the computer to be viewed from another computer, the user needs to set the computer's "c:\TN-dosimetry" folder as a shared folder.
5.3 Records of Message History All messages sent by the Reader are recorded in file "c:\TN-Dosimetry\MessageHistory. txt" . The user can view and print it using "Notepad" . (The attached is an example of printed History File.) Every day, when the user first uses the program, the user will be asked whether or not to erase the existing records.
If the answer is "No", the new messages will be appended to the existing records. If the user always answers "No", the size of the "MessageHistory.txt" will increase rapidly.
5.4 Double-click report files to view them If some reports have been saved in the computer, the user can double-click their icons to view them. In such situations, the "TN-Dose Reporter v2.31" runs in Report-Viewing Mode.
5.5 Use patients' photos when doing measurement Section 4.4 has described how to use an existing custom-image to indicate dosimeters' sites. But, in fact, that image need not have to exist before the user runs the program. The user can use the REAL photos of the patients) in current treatment. The following example shows how to do so (assuming that the user has a digital camera).
Example (1) When in Step 2, the user should input the patient's treatment information, but NOT draw the picture.
(2) In Step 3, after placing MOSFETs on the patient's body, the user should take a photo, then do the measurement.
(3) The user should minimize the "Step 3" Panel, then, input the photo to the computer, save it in the hard disk as JPEG file, and restore the "Step 3"
Panel.
(4) Going back to "Step 2" panel, the user should add the saved JPEG file to "custom-Images Lib" and select it, then, draw the picture.
(S) The user should go to "Step 4" panel to view the report.
It should be remembered that the user can change the treatment information and dosimeter-assignment at any time BEFORE starting a new measurement by clicking the red-coloured square on "Step 4" panel.
It should be appreciated that the software enabling implementation of the invention could be used with various kinds of hardware. Hence, the invention also embraces software per se, conveniently carried by a suitable storage medium, for operating a dosimetry system as described hereinbefore.
Claims (12)
1. A dosimetry system having means for displaying a representation of a body to be irradiated and locations of radiation sensors in, on or adjacent the body.
2. A dosimetry system comprising a plurality of sensors for disposition on, in or near a body to be irradiated connected to a sensor reading instrument interfaced with a computer-operated display system operable to display, in use, one or more representations of the body to be irradiated, along with the positions and the dose data for those specific sites where the dosimeter sensors were placed.
3. A dosimetry system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the representation comprises one or more drawings.
4. A dosimetry system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the representation comprises one or more photographs of the body.
5. A dosimetry system according to claim 1, wherein the computer-operated display system is operable, prior to irradiation, to display the representations and icons representing the sensor locations.
6. A dosimetry system according to claim 5, wherein the computer-operated display system is operable after said irradiation, to display the representation, the sensor locations and sensor identifiers and measured doses associated with the sensor identifiers, respectively.
7. A dosimetry system according to claim 6, wherein the computer-operated display system displays the sensor identifiers and the corresponding measured dose data in tabular form.
8. A dosimetry system according to claim 1, wherein the computer-operated display system provides for adjustment of the sensor location icons relative to the representation to desired locations, and for printing of the representations and the icons are the selected locations.
9. A dosimetry system according to claim 1, wherein each of the icons representing the dosimeter sensors comprises a graphical point associated with a respective one of a plurality of identifiers connected to the graphical point by a line, and the computer-operated display system has means for adjusting the positions of either or both of the point and the identifier relative to each other and the representation of the body.
10. A method of using a dosimetry system as defined in claim 1, to monitor radiation doses at various sites on a body comprising the steps of:
(i) displaying one or more representations of the body to be irradiated and points or icons representing a plurality of dosimeter sensors, and (ii) adjusting the display to position the sensor points or icons at preselected sites on, in or near the body at which radiation doses are to be measured.
(i) displaying one or more representations of the body to be irradiated and points or icons representing a plurality of dosimeter sensors, and (ii) adjusting the display to position the sensor points or icons at preselected sites on, in or near the body at which radiation doses are to be measured.
11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of:
(iii) irradiating the body and obtaining data of radiation measured at each of the sensors, and (iv) displaying the data for each sensor in the same display as the one or more representations of the body with the sensor points or icons at said preselected positions.
(iii) irradiating the body and obtaining data of radiation measured at each of the sensors, and (iv) displaying the data for each sensor in the same display as the one or more representations of the body with the sensor points or icons at said preselected positions.
12. A storage medium carrying software for operating a dosimeter as defined in claim 1 or for controlling a computer to perform the method according to claim 10.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002324048A CA2324048A1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2000-10-20 | Computer assisted radiotherapy dosimeter system and software therefor |
| US09/978,595 US6650930B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-10-18 | Computer assisted radiotherapy dosimeter system and a method therefor |
| CA 2359496 CA2359496A1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-10-19 | Computer assisted radiotherapy dosimeter system and method |
| US10/713,043 US20040122308A1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2003-11-17 | Radiation dosimetry reports and a method of producing same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002324048A CA2324048A1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2000-10-20 | Computer assisted radiotherapy dosimeter system and software therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2324048A1 true CA2324048A1 (en) | 2002-04-20 |
Family
ID=4167446
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002324048A Abandoned CA2324048A1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2000-10-20 | Computer assisted radiotherapy dosimeter system and software therefor |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6650930B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2324048A1 (en) |
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| US3783251A (en) | 1970-11-27 | 1974-01-01 | Varian Associates | Computer assisted radiation therapy machine |
| US6405072B1 (en) * | 1991-01-28 | 2002-06-11 | Sherwood Services Ag | Apparatus and method for determining a location of an anatomical target with reference to a medical apparatus |
| US5621779A (en) | 1995-07-20 | 1997-04-15 | Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. | Apparatus and method for delivering radiation to an object and for displaying delivered radiation |
| DE19705035C1 (en) | 1997-02-10 | 1998-05-07 | Siemens Ag | Operating method for medical X-ray diagnostic arrangement |
| WO2000040299A1 (en) * | 1999-01-06 | 2000-07-13 | Ball Semiconductor, Inc. | Radiation dosimetry system |
| US6266453B1 (en) * | 1999-07-26 | 2001-07-24 | Computerized Medical Systems, Inc. | Automated image fusion/alignment system and method |
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| US20020049362A1 (en) | 2002-04-25 |
| US6650930B2 (en) | 2003-11-18 |
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