Patent ID: 7657303
Filing Date: 2010-02-02
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for preparing a patient for radiation treatment in a radiation device that directs a radiation beam to a beam isocenter, the apparatus comprising: a wireless marker configured to be implanted in the patient relative to a target wherein the marker is energized or excited by an excitation source positioned exterior of the patient; a movable patient support having a platform and a drive system to move the platform, wherein the platform is configured to situate the patient so that the marker can be sensed by a plurality of sensors in a fixed and known geometry relative to each other and the radiation beam can irradiate the patient; and a computer including computer operable instructions that cause the computer to perform the method of (a) receiving position information of the marker provided by the sensors, (b) determining a location of the marker relative to a reference frame using the position information, and (c) computing a displacement between the location of the marker and a desired location for the marker, wherein the target is located at a desired situs in the reference frame when the marker is at the desired location for the marker.