Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses highly focused radiation to treat brain tumors and abnormalities. Gamma Knife is a leader in SRS, with at least 30,000 surgeries performed annually in the US, and over 1.3 million surgeries done globally by the year of 2019. Precision is critical for SRS including Gamma Knife, as treatments require accuracy within 1 mm. Maintaining the patient’s exact position is essential to avoid damaging healthy tissue and ensure effective targeting.
This technology, the Printed Adjustable Radiosurgery Chin Support (PARCS), enhances patient immobilization during Gamma Knife radiosurgery by providing a customizable, adjustable chin support that works in conjunction with thermoplastic face masks. Unlike existing thermoplastic mask systems that can permit small head movements and require treatment disruptions for repositioning, PARCS improves stability while maintaining patient comfort and compatibility with existing motion-monitoring systems. As such, PARCS has the potential to improve treatment precision, reduce repositioning and procedure times, and enhance patient outcomes through more consistent and reproducible head positioning.
Researchers and commercial partners interested in advancing this technology should contact the university's technology transfer office to discuss licensing opportunities, as the university is seeking to partner with qualified entities for continued development, regulatory clearance, and eventual market introduction of the technology.
Technology Overview
Current Challenges
Of the two available head immobilization systems, thermoplastic face masks are becoming more popular over metal head frames as they are more comfortable and less invasive. However, the thermoplastic masks can still allow slight head movements, leading to required readjustment, extended treatment times and potential complications. This emphasizes the need for improved thermoplastic mask immobilizing system to enhance accuracy, reduce repositioning, and improve patient outcomes.
Our Innovation
The PARCS device is designed to keep the patient's head still while using thermoplastic masks, without sacrificing comfort. Its adjustable chin support provides the enhanced immobilization, ensuring precise positioning during treatment. The device is designed to securely attach to the Elekta mask adapter on the Gamma Knife system and is fully compatible with motion monitoring reflectors.
Key components include a main body, two sleeves, a chin support piece, stability rods, and an adjustable bolt for precise chin support (Figure 1). The main body offers six height positions for patient-specific fit (Figure 2). The chin contacting piece is customizable to fit patient’s facial contours and its tightness is adjustable with a color-coded bolt in 5mm increments, ensuring reproducible setup.
Benefits of this Technology
The PARCS device enhances costly Gamma Knife treatment ($13,000~$40,000 per treatment) with:
- Reduced potential complications: Ensures precise alignment using thermoplastic mask, reducing the risk of complications.
- Improved patient outcome: Provides stable head positioning while maintaining patient comfort when using the thermoplastic masks.
- Streamlined Gamma Knife procedure: Reduces the need for readjustment.
- High compatibility with Gamma Knife system: Works seamlessly with Elekta mask adapters and motion monitoring systems.
Stage of Development
The PARCS device has been successfully designed, prototyped, and tested, demonstrating the feasibility of its adjustable chin support system for enhancing patient immobilization during radiosurgery.
Figures
Figure 1: Key components and configuration of PARCS
The PARCS device attaches to the Elekta mask adapter and provides support to the patient's chin, preventing head rotation.
Figure 2: Chin support has adjustable height position for patient-specific fit
The PARCS device can be flipped upside down to provide a total of 6 height positions for the chin support piece. In either orientation, the PARCS device does not block the motion monitoring system reflectors.