Template and method for making a form for casting a radiation treatment block

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for forming a radiation treatment block using a template with the perimetric outline of different sized radiation treatment blocks with a foam block cutting machine to make a foam mold for casting a radiation treatment block.

1 . A template for use with a foam block cutting machine for making a form to cast a radiation treatment block, comprising a sheet, said sheet having marked or inscribed thereon at least one perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block.  
   
   
       2 . The template as in  claim 1  wherein said template further comprises at least one horizontal line and at least one vertical line inscribed or marked thereon, said horizontal and vertical lines intersecting at a center of at least one perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block present on said template.  
   
   
       3 . The template as in  claim 1  wherein said sheet is transparent.  
   
   
       4 . The template as in  claim 1  wherein said sheet is marked or scribed with perimetric outlines of radiation treatment blocks having different sizes.  
   
   
       5 . The template as in  claim 1  wherein each perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block present on said template has four sides and is rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       6 . The template as in  claim 5  wherein said template further comprises a radiation treatment block alignment line marked or scribed thereon, said radiation treatment block alignment line being positioned such that it intersects with one side of each perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block present on said template, said side having a protrusion thereon extending from said side at the intersection of said side with the radiation treatment block alignment line.  
   
   
       7 . The template as in  claim 1  wherein at least one perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block present on said template has a notch present on at least one side of said perimetric outline, said notch projecting inward towards an interior of said radiation treatment block.  
   
   
       8 . The template as in  claim 1  wherein each side of at least one perimetric outline of said radiation treatment block present on said template has a notch present therein, each notch projecting inward towards an interior of said perimetric outline of said radiation treatment block.  
   
   
       9 . The template as in  claim 8  wherein said notch is rectangular.  
   
   
       10 . The template as in  claim 8  wherein said notch is U-shaped or V-shaped.  
   
   
       11 . A template for use with a foam block cutting machine for making a form to cast a radiation treatment block, said template comprising a transparent sheet, said sheet having marked or inscribed thereon perimetric outlines of radiation treatment blocks having different sizes, each perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block present on said template having four sides, being rectangular in shape, and having four corners, each of said sides having a rectangular notch positioned thereon, each perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block present on said template having a rectangular notch present on each corner of said perimetric outline, said template further having a horizontal and a vertical line that intersect at a center of said perimetric outlines of said template, said template further having a radiation treatment block alignment line marked or scribed thereon, said radiation treatment block alignment line being positioned such that it intersects with one side of each perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block present on said template, said side having a protrusion thereon extending from said side at the intersection of said side with the radiation treatment block alignment line.  
   
   
       12 . A method for making a foam form to cast a radiation treatment block comprising: 
 (a) providing a foam block cutting machine for making a form to cast a radiation treatment block, said foam block cutting machine having a light table, a hot wire frame, said hot wire frame having an upper hot wire frame member and a lower hot wire frame member, and a hot wire for cutting a foam block, said hot wire being positioned between said upper and lower hot wire frame members, said foam block cutting machine further having a stylus connected to said hot wire frame for tracing a perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block, and a tray for holding a foam block;    (b) positioning a template for use with a foam block cutting machine for making a form to cast a radiation treatment block on said light table, said template comprising a transparent sheet, said sheet having marked or inscribed thereon a perimetric outline of at least one radiation treatment block;    (c) placing a foam block for casting a radiation treatment block on said tray;    (d) tracing a perimetric outline of a radiation treatment block present on said template with said stylus causing said hot wire to cut said foam block in a same perimetric dimension as said perimetric outline of said radiation treatment block on said template.    
   
   
       13 . The method as in  claim 12  wherein the light table has a vertical and horizontal line marked thereon, the vertical and horizontal lines of the light table intersecting at the center of the light table.  
   
   
       14 . The method as in  claim 12  wherein said foam block can be further cut with said hot wire to create an opening in said foam block that will form a field shaping opening in a radiation treatment block when a radiation treatment block is cast in said foam block form.  
   
   
       15 . A ruler for use with a template for use with a foam block cutting machine for making a form to cast a radiation treatment block, said ruler having an elongated rectangular shape, said ruler having four sides, two of said sides being elongated, at least one elongated side having a tab protruding from an elongated side.  
   
   
       16 . The ruler as in  claim 15  wherein said ruler further comprises a notch present in at least one elongated side of said ruler.  
   
   
       17 . A ruler for use with a template for use with a foam block cutting machine for making a form to cast a radiation treatment block, said ruler having four sides, two of said sides being elongated, at least one elongated side having a notch present therein.  
   
   
       18 . The ruler as in  claim 17  wherein said ruler further comprises a tab protruding from an elongated side of said ruler.