Mobile radiation therapy

Abstract

The invention provides techniques for diagnosing medical conditions and providing appropriate treatment at a patient's home residence. A mobile x-ray team can be dispatched to the patient's home residence. A technical team reviews patient data to determine a proper therapy plan. A mobile radiation therapy apparatus is dispatched to the patient's home as required by the therapy plan. The mobile radiation therapy apparatus includes a radiation source and shielding, and is capable of superficial radiation therapy and/or High Dose Rate (HDR), Low Dose Rate (LDR), and Medium Dose Rate (MDR) implant therapy and/or particle thereapy. For HDR, LDR and MDR therapy, the mobile radiation therapy apparatus itself is a specialized radiation vault which the patient will enter. The technical team adjusts the therapy plan based on the additional analysis, and the mobile radiation therapy apparatus is dispatched in accordance with adjusted therapy plan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile radiation treatment apparatus comprising:
 a radiation source configured to emit radiation;   a patient treatment table disposed in proximity to the radiation source;   a patient table shield disposed around the patient treatment table;   an operator control station;   an operator control station disposed to reduce exposure thereto from radiation emitted from said radiation source;   a compartment comprising a plurality of shielding sections collectively disposed in surrounding relation to an interior of said compartment,   said compartment interior dimensioned and configured to house at least said patient treatment table, said patient table shield, said radiation source, said operator control station, and   said plurality of shielding sections disposed and structured to substantially impede the radiation emitted from said radiation source.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one patient area radiation bulkhead configured to enclose the patient treatment table. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one patient area radiation bulkhead further comprises a door configured to allow access to the patient treatment table. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile radiation treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein portions of the patient table shield are hinged to allow access to the patient treatment table. 
     
     
         5 . A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , comprising two patient area radiation bulkheads collectively disposed in at least partially enclosing relation to said patient treatment table. 
     
     
         6 . A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein at least one of said patient area radiation bulkheads includes an access door disposed and configured to allow access to said patient treatment table. 
     
     
         7 . A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each of said patient area radiation bulkheads includes an access door disposed and configured to allow access to said patient treatment table. 
     
     
         8 . A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the patient treatment table is adjustable and selectively disposed in a raised position and a lowered position. 
     
     
         9 . A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the radiation source is adjustably disposed in corresponding relation to a height of said patient treatment table. 
     
     
         10 . A mobile radiation treatment apparatus as recited in  1  wherein said compartment is dimensioned and configured to be attached to a flatbed vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said radiation source is configured to emit radiation for particle therapy. 
     
     
         12 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an operator shield assembly disposed in protective relation to said operator control station and configured to reduce exposure thereto from radiation emitted from said radiation source. 
     
     
         13 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus comprising:
 a vehicle including a vehicle cabin with driving controls for the vehicle;   a patient treatment compartment attached to the vehicle cabin;   a radiation source configured to emit radiation;   a patient treatment table disposed within the patient treatment compartment;   a treatment table radiation shield disposed in protecting relation to said patient treatment table and configured to impede the radiation emitted from the radiation source; and   a control computer operably connected to the radiation source and configured to control the radiation emitted by the radiation source.   
     
     
         14 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said radiation source is configured to emit radiation for particle therapy. 
     
     
         15 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said radiation source is configured to emit radiation for medium-dose radiation therapy. 
     
     
         16 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a portable radiation shield configured to be removed from the mobile radiation therapy apparatus and disposed in proximity to the radiation source. 
     
     
         17 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a control tether for connecting said patient treatment compartment to said radiation source, said radiation source located outside of the patient treatment compartment. 
     
     
         18 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a wireless connection to the internet. 
     
     
         19 . A mobile radiation therapy apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising an x-ray imaging system. 
     
     
         20 . A method for providing mobile radiation therapy, comprising: dispatching a mobile radiation therapy apparatus of  claim 13  to any one of a plurality of treatment locations on a periodic basis; and administering radiation therapy to a patient in need thereof. 
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 20  further comprising dispatching a mobile x-ray team on a periodic basis as part of a mobile radiation plan. 
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 19  wherein the administering radiation therapy includes high-dose radiation therapy. 
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 19  wherein the administering radiation therapy includes variable low-dose radiation therapy for the treatment of a superficial disease. 
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 19  wherein the administering radiation therapy includes medium-dose radiation therapy. 
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 19  wherein the administering radiation therapy includes particle therapy.