Real time dosimetry of ultrasound imaging probe

Abstract

An external beam radiation therapy method is described, wherein radiation therapy is performed on a subject by applying at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject. While applying the at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject, an ultrasound probe images the subject, where the ultrasound probe is not located in the ionizing radiation beam. While applying the ionizing radiation beam to the subject, a dosimeter that is integral with or attached to the ultrasound probe measures the radiation dose or radiation exposure received by the ultrasound probe.

1 . A method of monitoring exposure of a device to ionizing radiation during external beam radiation therapy comprising:
 performing radiation therapy on a subject by applying at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject;   while applying the at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject, imaging the subject using an ultrasound probe that is not located in the at least one ionizing radiation beam; and   while applying the at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject, measuring radiation dose or radiation exposure received by the ultrasound probe using a dosimeter or ionizing radiation detector that is integral with or attached to the ultrasound probe.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 detecting excessive radiation dose or radiation exposure received by the ultrasound probe based on the measuring and outputting an alarm warning of the detection of excessive radiation dose or radiation exposure received by the ultrasound probe. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 the measuring comprises measuring radiation dose received by the ultrasound probe using a dosimeter; and 
 the detecting and outputting is performed after completion of the applying of the at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the detecting and outputting is performed while applying the at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 detecting excessive radiation dose or radiation exposure received by the ultrasound probe based on the measuring and operating a robot to move the ultrasound probe in response to the detection of excessive radiation dose or radiation exposure received by the ultrasound probe. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the measuring comprises:
 measuring radiation dose received by the ultrasound probe using a one-time use dosimeter that is not resettable. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the measuring comprises measuring radiation dose received by the ultrasound probe using a dosimeter; and 
 the performing, imaging, and measuring operations are repeated to perform a plurality of radiation therapy fractions and the measuring operations of the repetitions are performed using the same dosimeter without resetting the dosimeter between fractions. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the external beam radiation therapy method does not include measuring radiation dose or radiation exposure delivered to the subject using the dosimeter or ionizing radiation detector that is integral with or attached to the ultrasound probe.