Real-time Body Surface Motion Tracking using the Couch Based Computer-controlled Motion Phantom (CBMP) and Ultrasonic Sensor: A Feasibility Study

Lee, Suk; Yang, Dae Sik; Park, Young Je; Shin, Dongho; Huh, Hyun Do; Lee, Sang Hoon; Cho, Sam Ju; Lim, Sangwook; Jang, Jisun; Cho, Kwang Hwan; Shin, Hun Joo; Kim, Chul Yong

Abstract

Respiration gating radiotherapy technique developed in consideration of the movement of body surface and internal organs during respiration, is categorized into the method of analyzing the respiratory volume for data processing and that of keeping track of fiducial landmark or dermatologic markers based on radiography. However, since these methods require high-priced equipments for treatment and are used for the specific radiotherapy. Therefore, we should develop new essential method whilst ruling out the possible problems. This study aims to obtain body surface motion by using the couch based computer-controlled motion phantom (CBMP) and US sensor, and to develop respiration gating techniques that can adjust patients' beds by using opposite values of the data obtained. The CBMP made to measure body surface motion is composed of a BS II microprocessor, sensor, host computer and stepping motor etc. And the program to control and operate it was developed. After the CBMP was adjusted by entering random movement data, and the phantom movements were acquired using the sensors, the two data were compared and analyzed. And then, after the movements by respiration were acquired by using a rabbit, the real-time respiration gating techniques were drawn by operating the phantom with the opposite values of the data. The result of analyzing the acquisition-correction delay time for the data value shows that the data value coincided within 1% and that the acquisition-correction delay time was obtained real-time (2.34 x 10(-4) sec). And the movement was the maximum movement was 6 mm in Z direction, in which the respiratory cycle was 2.9 seconds. This study successfully confirms the clinical application possibility of respiration gating techniques by using a CBMP and sensor.