Features:

• Add on system fully integrated into existing couch system
• All motion controls integrated into customer's control system
• Three degrees of freedom

Situation:

Internationally recognized research medical institution wishes to perform research that necessitates a significant modification to an ionizing radiation system used for oncology treatments.

Radiation therapy, also called radiation oncology, and sometimes abbreviated to XRT, is the medical use of ionizing radiation as part of cancer treatment to control malignant cells. Treatment couches, such as the one shown, are used by our client to treat lung cancer patients.

Problem:

With this type of therapy it is necessary to direct the energy at the tumor so as to not kill good cells and to be sure that all of the malignant cells are being irradiated. Unfortunately, during radiation treatment, a lung tumor is not stationary; as it moves in response to the patient’s breathing. The purpose of the add-on platform is to move the couch in real-time, tracking the lung tumor’s movement. In this way, the tumor can remain within the beam of radiation more consistently, with less irradiation of healthy tissue. To perform the necessary research the research institution needs to modify the “couch” so it moves to compensate the breathing motion caused by the patient. The OEM does not provide such a modification.

Solution:

Accudyne designed and built an add-on platform to an oncology treatment couch used in research and development at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine. The electrical system of the platform was designed to integrate easily with the University’s National Instruments custom control system.

The add-on platform can move in three directions: two horizontal and one vertical. It is capable of moving a payload of 500 pounds a distance of 4 inches, at a velocity of 4 inches/sec and with an acceleration of nearly 40 inches/sec2.

Client testimonial: "Accudyne has our couch ready to be delivered during this week. We deeply appreciate the work of Nan and Kyle there and thank you for providing such an excellent contact. They are extremely professional and friendly people. In fact they are now partners - we may return to them for some other work in the future."