Radiation therapy can be used for targeted destruction of unwanted tissue. The degree of accuracy in radiation dose is a key determinant in the efficacy and safety of the therapy. This technology is a device for delivering highly localized doses of radiation to target sites that move with respiratory and cardiac cycles. An electrocardiogram and respiratory monitor connected to the patient relay cardio-pulmonary activity to a computer. The computer processes this information and signals the radiation source to deliver x-rays only at the time of a predetermined respiratory and cardiac event.
Treating tumors with radiation requires highly accurate delivery of a dose in order to penetrate the malignant tissue and limit collateral damage to healthy tissue. This becomes an issue when targeting tissues that physically move with respiratory and cardiac cycles, such as the heart, lung and kidney. Radiation is also administered during angioplasty procedures in order to prevent restenosis. Physical insertion of radioactive wires or seeds is the most common form of radiation therapy on tissues constantly in motion, but this method has drawbacks such as uneven distribution of dose, excessive exposure, and possible thrombus formation of radioactive material. External beam irradiation is a safer, more efficacious method for delivering a radiation dose. The computer-controlled dosing aligned with the patient’s cardiac and respiratory cycles, enabled by this technology, allows safe and accurate use of external beam irradiation on these tissues.
Judah Z. Weinberger, M.D., Ph.D.
Patent Issued (US 5,764,723)
Tech Ventures Reference: IR 599