WO2013023246A1

WO2013023246A1 - Patient positioning device

Info

Publication number: WO2013023246A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000960
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ross Jones
Original assignee: Manscan Limited
Priority date: 2011-08-16
Filing date: 2012-08-15
Publication date: 2013-02-21

Abstract

A device for use in positioning a patient during a scan such as an MRI scan. The device has an elongate body which is configured to align with an imaging patient support and at least one securing member to connect the positioning device to the imaging patient support. Further, the device has at least one marker positioned in an intermediate region between a first and a second end of the elongate body, the marker extending outward from the intermediate region of the elongate body and acting to prevent slipping of the patient during the scanning procedure.

Description

"Patient Positioning Device"

Cross-Re ference to Related Applications The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent

Application No 2011903267 filed on 16 August 201 1 , the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field

The present disclosure relates to a positioning device for a subject undergoing a medical scan and in particular a scan using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A particular device and use is for the correct positioning a subject undergoing a prostate examination using MRI.

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Background

MRI is a technique that uses magnetic fields to create images of various tissues in the body and may be used to diagnose abnormalities.

One use for MRI is in the detection of prostate cancer in a subject. With an incidence of nearly 90% by the age of 90 years old, prostate cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers. It is the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the US and the UK. While detection is critical, controversy has surrounded the best methods of detection. A combination of digital rectal examination, prostate specific antigen level analysis and transrectal ultrasound with core biopsy have been used. However, despite using such methods of predicting disease extent, almost 50% of men undergoing radical prostatectomy in a population study of 3800 were found to have extraprostatic spread (Gillard FD et al. Predicting extracapsular extension of prostate cancer in men treated with radical prostatectomy: results from the population based prostate cancer outcomes study J Urol 1999; 162: 1359- 1360).

In general, MRI offers a technique which can provide accurate images showing local and regional metastatic disease. It has the advantage of being able to evaluate local disease, lymph nodes and bone marrow in one scan. Further, using dynamic contrast imaging may improve detection of extracapsular spread and accuracy of tumour volume assessments.

But clearly one of the most important aspects of MRI imaging is obtaining the best image possible. To do so, a patient must be still and correctly positioned to best image the affected region.

When imaging prostate cancer, the patient must lie still on an MRI bed. Movement during the scanning will produce artefacts on the image.

An accurate MRI image will provide a screening tool for use in conjunction with other screening methods to determine if prostate cancer is present and, if so, the location of the tumour in the prostate. The need for further investigation including the need for biopsy may be determined based on the MRI screening step. There is a need therefore to provide a device and method that will enable optimal MRI imaging and in particular optimal MRI imaging of the prostate.

Summary In one aspect there is provided a positioning device for use with medical imaging equipment, said positioning device comprising:

an elongate member extending from a first end to a second end and configured to engage an imaging patient support;

at least one securing member to connect said positioning device to said imaging patient support; and

at least one marker positioned between said first and second ends of the elongate support member.

The elongate support member may comprise a curved structure to correspond with a curved portion of an imaging patient support. A portion at or adjacent to the first end of the device may be substantially planar however. Similarly a portion at or adjacent the second end may be substantially planar.

The device typically comprises an intermediate region between said first and second substantially planar portions. The intermediate region may be curved. In this regard, the intermediate portion may be smoothly curved, that is, devoid of any step or ridge. Alternatively, the intermediate region may comprise a number of substantially planar sections angled to provide an overall curved configuration.

The intermediate region may comprise said marker. The marker may extend outwardly from the intermediate portion and may be made from the material of the intermediate portion and be integral thereto. Alternatively the marker may comprise a separate member connected to said intermediate portion.

Preferably when curved, the trough of the intermediate region comprises a substantially planar base portion. In this embodiment the at least one marker is connected to said base portion and extends therefrom.

The at least one marker may comprise a number of different configurations. In one embodiment, the at least one marker comprises a triangular prism structure. Still further, said at least one marker may be pyramidal, a rectangular prism, hemispherical or any other configuration having a raised profile relative to the intermediate portion. The function of said at least one marker is to allow a user to align a patient with said marker and wherein the raised profile of the at least one marker prevents the subject from further movement once positioned optimally.

In use, a subject lies upon the imaging patient support. In the case of a pelvic exam for imaging of the prostate, the patient positions his buttocks in a suitably curved imaging patient support. The imaging patient support itself may comprise a magnetic coil for imaging. A further coil may be secured to the imaging support and placed on top of the patient's skin over the pelvis. The imaging patient support may extend from a back support end to a buttock support end. In this embodiment, the device of this disclosure is configured to attach to said buttock support end of the imaging support. However, it should be appreciated that the device may attach to other parts of the imaging patient support.

When attached to the imaging patient support, the at least one marker may be positioned between the patient's legs and extend up into the groin area. The raised profile of the at least one marker relative to the planar base of the intermediate member prevents the movement of the patient by means of providing a physical barrier to any slippage. The planar base portion may further comprise a fastening device for fastening the device to the patient imaging support.

In a further embodiment, the device includes at least one fastening device at said first or said second end. Typically, both the first and the second ends comprise at least one fastening device to fasten the device to a patient imaging support. The fastening device may also allow for detachable fastening for removal of the device from the patient imaging support once the MRI screening is complete. The fastening devices may comprise a loop and hook fastener, with one component of the fastener on the device eg the loops and the other component eg the hooks on a receiving portion of the patient imaging support. Such an embodiment essentially allows the device to be stuck to the patient imaging support and easily removed therefrom when the MRI procedure is complete.

Alternatively, the fastening device may comprise a bracket member which engages with an edge, end or rim of the patient imaging support. Because the patient imaging support typically comprises a magnetic coil, it is preferable that the fastening device, while securing the device to the support does not damage the support. An example is a U-shaped bracket to engage an edge or end of the support. The support may further include a rail along which such a bracket may slide.

In a further embodiment, the device may include both a bracket member and a component of a hook and loop fastener. .

The device of this disclosure is preferably made from MRI compatible material. Preferably, the device is made from MRI compatible polymeric material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a elevational schematic view of a device according to the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in alignment for connection with a patient support device;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a side view of the device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is an elevational schematic view of a further embodiment of the device;

Figure 6A is a top plan view of a patient support for use with the' device of the present disclosure;

Figure 6B is a side elevational view of the patient support of Figure 6A;

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The device of the present disclosure is depicted generally as 10 in the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the device extends from a first planar region 12 to a second planar region 14. Intermediate region 16 is generally curved as shown. In the centre of intermediate region 16 is base region 18 which is shown as generally planar and supports positioning marker 20. In Figure 1, base portion 18 further includes an intermediate fastener 22. The positioning marker 20 in this embodiment extends from fastener 22 nd may be moveable along the length of the planar base portion 18 if desired. The device also has two further fasteners 17A and 17B at the first planar region 12 and second planar region 14 respectively.

In Figure 2 it will be noted that the positioning marker is separate to the fastener 22 and instead is attached to base region 18 directly.

The fasteners 17A, 17B and 18 may all depend from an upper surface 24 of the device. The fastener comprises a back plate 26 which extends from a connection edge 28 with upper surface 24 to a lower edge 30. Flange 32 extends from the lower edge 30. As shown, the flange 32 extends at a normal angle to the back plate 26. Lip 34 extends upwardly from flange 32.

As depicted in Figure 4 which is a side view of the device, fastener 17A comprises a flange 34 which extends under first planar region 12 and has a length that is greater than the thickness of first planar region 12. As such flange 32 extends beyond the device 10 at first planar region 12. Similarly, flange 32 of intermediate fastener 22 extends beyond base region 18. The flanges 32 and lips 34 are free to engage with a region of a patient support 100. In Figure 2 for example, fasteners 17A and 17B connect to an end 101 of patient support 100. While, fasteners 17A and 17B may depend from a sidewall 36 of the device 10 as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, as shown in Figure 5, fasteners 17A and 17B are attached to and depend from an end wall 38 of device 10. In this embodiment, the flanges form rails which may engage an edge 102 of patient support. This embodiment may also include fastener 18 however which engages an end 101 of patient support 100.

The device 10 may also include one or more strips of Velcro™ along an edge to engage with receiving Velcro™ strips 101 on patient support 100 Patient support 100 is shown in Figures 2, 5, 6A and 6B and is generally a curved structure in the case of a prostate MRI so that it can receive the lower back and buttocks of a patient.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A positioning device for use with medical imaging equipment, said positioning device comprising:

2. The positioning device of claim 1 wherein the elongate support member comprises an overall curved structure which is configured to align with a curved portion of the imaging patient support.

3. The positioning device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least a portion of the elongate body adjacent said first or said second end is substantially planar.

4. The positioning device of claim 3 comprising a substantially curved intermediate region between said first and second substantially planar portions.

5. The positioning device of claim 4 wherein said marker is positioned at said intermediate region.

6. The positioning device of claim 5 wherein said at least one marker extends outwardly from said intermediate region.

7. The positioning device of claim 5 wherein said at least one marker is integrally formed with at least a portion of the intermediate region.

8. The positioning device of any one of the preceding claims wherein said at least one marker comprises a substantially triangular prism shape.

9. The positioning device of any one of claim 1 to 7 wherein said at least one marker is substantially pyramidal, rectangular prism, or hemispherical in shape.

10. The positioning device of any one of the preceding claims for use in positioning a patient undergoing a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan.

11. The positioning device of claim 10 wherein said at least one marker is configured such that it is positioned between the patient's legs and extends up into the groin area between the legs.

12. The positioning device of any one of the preceding claims wherein said at least one securing member comprises at least one fastening device for fastening the device to the patient imaging support.

13. The positioning device of claim 12 wherein said at least one fastening device is positioned at said first and/or said second end of the elongate body.

14. The positioning device of claim 12 or claim 13 wherein said at least one fastening device is detachably fastened to said patient imaging support such that it is detachable from the patient imaging support once an MRI scan is complete.

15. The positioning device of claim 14 wherein said at least one fastening device comprises a loop and hook fastener having two mateable components, one of said mateable components positioned on the elongate body of the device and the other mateable component positioned on the patient imaging support.

16 The positioning device of claim 14 wherein the at least one fastening device comprises a resilient bracket member which engages with a portion of the patient imaging support.

17. The positioning device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the entire device is made from MRI compatible polymeric material.