Motion Management
Motion Management
The primary aim of radiation therapy treatments is to
deliver an optimal dose to the target volume whilst
minimizing dose to the surrounding normal structures.
Although increasingly complex plans are being employed
to achieve this clinical goal, there remain a number of
challenges posed by the inaccuracies of treating patients,
where tumors and critical structures are constantly moving
and adapting with normal physiological functions.
Firstly the respiratory cycle of the patient results in large
inaccuracies being introduced into both the planning
and delivery of radiation treatment, especially in the
abdominal and thoracic regions. Secondly, the anatomical
positioning of critical structures relative to the target
volume can be such that the prescribed dose cannot be
delivered without an unacceptable volume of critical
structure being irradiated, such as the heart for left-sided
breast treatments.
Various methods have been designed to gain control of
respiratory motion. However the best clinical solution will
be able to easily cope with a number of unique clinical
scenarios, such as applying simple and efficient breath
holds at an applicable threshold level.
The Elekta solution for managing the challenges outlined
above is Active Breathing Coordinator™, a purpose-designed
solution enabling accurate and reproducible breath holds
to be repeatedly applied. It allows clinicians to pause a
patient’s breathing at a precisely indicated volume and
co-ordinate treatment delivery, or imaging with this pause.
Active Breathing Coordinator adds precision and
repeatability to the well-conceived concept of deep
inspiration breath hold. The system is entirely portable,
allowing it to be used in any treatment or imaging room.
Active Breathing Coordinator with simulation and/or CT
simulation, provides enhanced data with which to plan
more precise treatments.