A three-dimensional geometrical patient treatment planning program for scanned focussed ultrasound hyperthermia

Abstract

A computer graphics workstation was developed to geometrically plan scanned focussed ultrasound hyperthermia treatments, and is currently in clinical use at the Arizona Health Sciences Center. The workstation allows the user to base the treatment plan on any set of hard copy images of the patient's treatment anatomy by using a frame grabber to import these images into the workstation. Anatomical structures are outlined by the user, and a three dimensional image is reconstructed using these outlines. A geometric outline of the ultrasound power deposition field is then inserted into the reconstructed patient anatomy, along with thermocouple junction locations. The use of a custom foam mold and fiducial marker system enables the location of the anatomical features to be determined in the treatment system's coordinates. A scan size and orientation that sufficiently sonicates the treatment volume can then be determined in an interactive three dimensional environment.