Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an image director of a patient monitoring system to obtain calibration images of a calibration sheet or other calibration object at various orientations and locations. The images are then stored and processed to calculate camera parameters defining the location and orientation of the image detector and identifying internal characteristics of the image detector, and the information are stored. The patient monitoring system can be re-calibrated by using the image detector to obtain an additional image of a calibration sheet or calibration object. The additional image and the stored camera parameters are then used to detect any apparent change in the internal characteristics of the image detector (10)(S6-4).

Abstract: A method of calibrating a monitoring system (10,14) is described in which a calibration phantom (70) is located with its center located approximately at the isocenter of a treatment room through which a treatment apparatus (16) is arranged to direct radiation, wherein the surface of the calibration phantom (70) closest to an image capture device (72) of the monitoring system (10,14) is inclined approximately 45° relative to the camera plane of an image capture device of the monitoring system. Images of the calibration phantom (70) are then captured using the image capture device (72) and the images are processed to generate a model of the imaged surface of the calibration phantom.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a monitoring system (10,14) is described in which a calibration phantom (70) is located with its center located approximately at the isocenter of a treatment room through which a treatment apparatus (16) is arranged to direct radiation, wherein the surface of the calibration phantom (70) closest to an image capture device (72) of the monitoring system (10,14) is inclined approximately 45° relative to the camera plane of an image capture device of the monitoring system. Images of the calibration phantom (70) are then captured using the image capture device (72) and the images are processed to generate a model of the imaged surface of the calibration phantom.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an image director of a patient monitoring system to obtain calibration images of a calibration sheet or other calibration object at various orientations and locations. The images are then stored and processed to calculate camera parameters defining the location and orientation of the image detector and identifying internal characteristics of the image detector, and the information are stored. The patient monitoring system can be re-calibrated by using the image detector to obtain an additional image of a calibration sheet or calibration object. The additional image and the stored camera parameters are then used to detect any apparent change in the internal characteristics of the image detector (10)(S6-4).

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an image director of a patient monitoring system to obtain calibration images of a calibration sheet or other calibration object at various orientations and locations. The images are then stored and processed to calculate camera parameters defining the location and orientation of the image detector and identifying internal characteristics of the image detector, and the information are stored. The patient monitoring system can be re-calibrated by using the image detector to obtain an additional image of a calibration sheet or calibration object. The additional image and the stored camera parameters are then used to detect any apparent change in the internal characteristics of the image detector (10)(S6-4).

Abstract: A method of calibrating a monitoring system (10,14) is described in which a calibration phantom (70) is located with its center located approximately at the isocenter of a treatment room through which a treatment apparatus (16) is arranged to direct radiation, wherein the surface of the calibration phantom (70) closest to an image capture device (72) of the monitoring system (10,14) is inclined approximately 45° relative to the camera plane of an image capture device of the monitoring system. Images of the calibration phantom (70) are then captured using the image capture device (72) and the images are processed to generate a model of the imaged surface of the calibration phantom.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a monitoring system (10,14) is described in which a calibration phantom (70) is located with its center located approximately at the isocenter of a treatment room through which a treatment apparatus (16) is arranged to direct radiation, wherein the surface of the calibration phantom (70) closest to an image capture device (72) of the monitoring system (10,14) is inclined approximately 45° relative to the camera plane of an image capture device of the monitoring system. Images of the calibration phantom (70) are then captured using the image capture device (72) and the images are processed to generate a model of the imaged surface of the calibration phantom.

Abstract: A patient monitor is disclosed for detecting patient movement or abnormal breathing. Images of a patient are obtained by a stereoscopic camera. These images are then processed by a 3D position determination module which determines measurements indicative of positions of at least part of a patient. The obtained measurements are then passed to a model generation module which generates a breathing model of the variation in position of the at least part of a patient during a breathing cycle. Subsequently abnormal breathing or patient movement can be detected by processing further images obtained by the stereoscopic camera to determine more measurements indicative of positions of at least part of a patient. These measurements are then compared with a stored breathing model by a comparison module.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a monitoring system (10,14) is described in which a calibration phantom (70) is located with its center located approximately at the isocenter of a treatment room through which a treatment apparatus (16) is arranged to direct radiation, wherein the surface of the calibration phantom (70) closest to an image capture device (72) of the monitoring system (10,14) is inclined approximately 45° relative to the camera plane of an image capture device of the monitoring system. Images of the calibration phantom (70) are then captured using the image capture device (72) and the images are processed to generate a model of the imaged surface of the calibration phantom.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a monitoring system for monitoring the positioning of a patient relative to a treatment apparatus operable to deliver radiation along a radiation path. A model generation module is arranged to generate a model of a surface of a patient being monitored. A comparison module determines a transformation required to match the generated model to the stored model target surface. An offset determination module then utilizes the transformation and data indicative of a current position of a treatment apparatus to determine an offset value indicative of the offset of the surface of a patient relative to an axis corresponding to a determined current radiation path for radiation generated by the treatment apparatus applied to a patient. If the offset value exceeds a threshold, a warning may be generated or treatment may be halted.

Abstract: A method of identifying portions of a model of a surface of a patient which can be used to identify to position of a patient is provided. A pre-existing model of the surface of a patient is utilised to generate simulated images of the projection of patterns of light onto the surface of the patient. The simulated images are then processed to generate a further model of the surface. Any differences between the model generated by processing the simulated images and the original model surface identifies portions of the surface which cannot be reliably modelled and hence portions of a surface which should not be used to monitor the positioning of a patient. The invention has particular application for identifying the reliability and accuracy of generated models of the surface of a patient used for monitoring and positioning a patient undergoing radiotherapy.

Abstract: A radiation dosage monitoring system comprising a 3D camera operable to obtain images of a patient undergoing radiation treatment, the 3D camera being operable to detect Cherenkov radiation and any subsequent secondary and scattered radiation originating due the initial Cherenkov radiation emitted from a surface of the patient when the patient is irradiated by a radiation beam; and a processing module operable to process the images obtained by the 3D camera utilizing data indicative of chromophores present in a patient's skin to apply a correction factor to such images to account for absorption of Cherenkov radiation by chromophores in the skin when utilizing the images to generate a representation of radiation applied to the surface of the patient.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system for monitoring a patient undergoing radiotherapy comprising a projector operable to project a pattern of light onto a patient undergoing radiation treatment, a patient restraint operable to restrain the patient relative to a treatment apparatus, an image detector operable to obtain images of the patient, and a model generation module operable to process images of the patient obtained by the image detector to generate a model of the surface of a portion of the patient, wherein at least a portion of the patient restraint is colored and the model generation module is inhibited from generating a model of the colored portion of the patient restraint.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an image director of a patient monitoring system to obtain calibration images of a calibration sheet or other calibration object at various orientations and locations. The images are then stored and processed to calculate camera parameters defining the location and orientation of the image detector and identifying internal characteristics of the image detector, and the information are stored. The patient monitoring system can be re-calibrated by using the image detector to obtain an additional image of a calibration sheet or calibration object. The additional image and the stored camera parameters are then used to detect any apparent change in the internal characteristics of the image detector (10)(S6-4).

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an image director of a patient monitoring system to obtain calibration images of a calibration sheet or other calibration object at various orientations and locations. The images are then stored and processed to calculate camera parameters defining the location and orientation of the image detector and identifying internal characteristics of the image detector, and the information are stored. The patient monitoring system can be re-calibrated by using the image detector to obtain an additional image of a calibration sheet or calibration object. The additional image and the stored camera parameters are then used to detect any apparent change in the internal characteristics of the image detector (10) (S6-4).

Abstract: A patient monitor is disclosed for detecting patient movement or abnormal breathing. Images of a patient are obtained by a stereoscopic camera. These images are then processed by a 3D position determination module which determines measurements indicative of positions of at least part of a patient. The obtained measurements are then passed to a model generation module which generates a breathing model of the variation in position of the at least part of a patient during a breathing cycle. Subsequently abnormal breathing or patient movement can be detected by processing further images obtained by the stereoscopic camera to determine more measurements indicative of positions of at least part of a patient. These measurements are then compared with a stored breathing model by a comparison module.

Abstract: A patient monitor is disclosed for detecting patient movement or abnormal breathing. Images of a patient are obtained by a stereoscopic camera. These images are then processed by a 3D position determination module which determines measurements indicative of positions of at least part of a patient. The obtained measurements are then passed to a model generation module which generates a breathing model of the variation in position of the at least part of a patient during a breathing cycle. Subsequently abnormal breathing or patient movement can be detected by processing further images obtained by the stereoscopic camera to determine more measurements indicative of positions of at least part of a patient. These measurements are then compared with a stored breathing model by a comparison module.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a monitoring system for monitoring the positioning of a patient relative to a treatment apparatus operable to deliver radiation along a radiation path. A model generation module is arranged to generate a model of a surface of a patient being monitored. A comparison module determines a transformation required to match the generated model to the stored model target surface. An offset determination module then utilizes the transformation and data indicative of a current position of a treatment apparatus to determine an offset value indicative of the offset of the surface of a patient relative to an axis corresponding to a determined current radiation path for radiation generated by the treatment apparatus applied to a patient. If the offset value exceeds a threshold, a warning may be generated or treatment may be halted.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system for monitoring a patient undergoing radiotherapy comprising a projector operable to project a pattern of light onto a patient undergoing radiation treatment, a patient restraint operable to restrain the patient relative to a treatment apparatus, an image detector operable to obtain images of the patient, and a model generation module operable to process images of the patient obtained by the image detector to generate a model of the surface of a portion of the patient, wherein at least a portion of the patient restraint is colored and the model generation module is inhibited from generating a model of the colored portion of the patient restraint.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an image director of a patient monitoring system to obtain calibration images of a calibration sheet or other calibration object at various orientations and locations. The images are then stored and processed to calculate camera parameters defining the location and orientation of the image detector and identifying internal characteristics of the image detector, and the information are stored. The patient monitoring system can be re-calibrated by using the image detector to obtain an additional image of a calibration sheet or calibration object. The additional image and the stored camera parameters are then used to detect any apparent change in the internal characteristics of the image detector (10) (S6-4).