Patient Positioning Devices Flashcards
What are the main purposes of immobilization devices?
Immobilization devices are designed to hold the patient in a specific position that is comfortable, reproducible, and allows for quick setup.
What is the purpose of Silverman headrests?
Silverman headrests are designed to allow radiation beams to pass through with as little attenuation as possible.
Silverman headrests are made from low-density materials like acrylic ( which have a lower atomic number) to minimize radiation absorption.
What is each one typically used for in clinic?
A (Standard Model):
Clinical Use: Provides general head support, often used for standard positioning in radiation therapy.
B (Contoured Model):
Clinical Use: Designed for enhanced anatomical fit, making it suitable for patients with specific positioning needs, especially in head and neck treatments.
C (Elevated Model):
Clinical Use: Specifically used for patients requiring chin elevation to optimize treatment angles for radiation delivery
D (Pediatric Model):
Clinical Use: Tailored for children, ensuring appropriate support and positioning for their smaller anatomy during treatment.
E (Flat Design Model):
Clinical Use: Ideal for patients needing minimal elevation, providing a comfortable base for extended treatment sessions.
F (Adjustable Model):
Clinical Use: Allows for customization based on individual patient needs, making it suitable for various treatment configurations.
Timo Headrests
ignore the lettering & colors in these ones, different in lab
what letter?
C IN LAB
WHAT LETTER?
B IN LAB
WHAT LETTER
F IN LAB
WHAT LETTER
D IN LAB
Describe the function/clinical use for each individual headrest.
ignore the lettering in these ones different in lab
Red Headrest:
Shape & Function: The design often supports specific positioning of the head and neck.
Clinical Use: Commonly used for patients requiring adjustments in head tilt or elevation to optimize radiation delivery.
Green Headrest:
Shape & Function: Typically provides a moderate contour for support.
Clinical Use: Suitable for standard positioning where a slight elevation is needed, often used in treatment setups requiring minimal adjustments.
Blue Headrest:
Shape & Function: Designed for stability and comfort, providing firm yet gentle support.
Clinical Use: Often used for patients needing enhanced stability during treatment, especially in scenarios requiring precise positioning.
Brown Headrest:
Shape & Function: Usually has a flat design with contours to accommodate different head shapes.
Clinical Use: Ideal for patients requiring a more generalized support without specific angular adjustments, providing comfort during longer procedures.
Yellow Headrest:
Shape & Function: Specifically designed to lift the chin and support the neck effectively.
Clinical Use: Most often chosen when precise chin elevation is needed for treatment areas like the head and neck, improving radiation accuracy.
Gray Headrest:
Shape & Function: Generally provides a neutral, flat support surface.
Clinical Use: Often used for patients needing a straightforward, supportive option without specific positioning requirements, suitable for a range of treatment scenarios.
What are indexed frames used for?
Indexed frames, like the U-Frame and S-Frame, provide fixed reference points for securing immobilization devices, allowing for consistent alignment of the patient’s anatomy relative to the radiation beams. These frames ensure that the patient’s position remains the same across multiple treatment sessions, which is essential for delivering accurate and effective radiation therapy.
What is the purpose of index bars?
What is a breast board used for in radiation therapy?
What are the advantages of the breast board?
What is a wingboard used for?
A wingboard is used to position and immobilize a patient’s arms above their head, typically for treatments involving the chest, lung or thorax.
What is the function of a belly board?
What is a prone pillow used for?
A prone pillow is used for positioning patients comfortably during prone treatments, supporting the head and neck.
How are knee sponges used in patient positioning?
Knee sponges are placed under the patient’s knees to relieve pressure and improve comfort during treatments.
Knee vs. Ankle?
Vac-Loc or Vac-Bag
What are comfort sponges?
Comfort sponges are used in various shapes and sizes to provide additional support and comfort for patients during treatments.
What types of miscellaneous devices may be used in positioning?
Blue Rings: These are often used as positioning aids in radiation therapy to help stabilize and immobilize specific body parts, allowing for precise alignment during treatment sessions. They can provide support and comfort for patients during positioning.
Velcro Straps: These straps are designed to secure the patient in place on the treatment table.
They are adjustable and can accommodate different body shapes and sizes, enhancing patient safety and comfort.
What is a bolus in radiation therapy?
A bolus is a material placed over the skin to increase the surface dose of radiation, making the treatment more effective for superficial tumors.
What is an example of an all-in-one customizable immobilization solution?
The Orfit system is an all-in-one solution for customizable patient immobilization in radiation therapy.
It features advanced thermoplastic materials that allow for the creation of tailored masks, significantly reducing both translational and rotational movements of the patient,.
Additionally, the system includes innovative head supports that provide reliable positioning, ensuring consistent alignment across treatment sessions
What is the purpose of the Qfix system?
The Qfix system is a versatile and innovative patient positioning solution designed for precise immobilization in radiation therapy.
This system features a range of customizable components, including vacuum cushions and base plates, which can be tailored to fit the unique anatomical requirements of each patient, enhancing both comfort and treatment accuracy.
It supports various treatment types, including cranial, breast, lung, and abdominal therapies, while minimizing movement.
How does a bolus enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy for certain tumors?
A bolus mimics tissue, ensuring that superficial tumors receive the intended radiation dose by bringing the treatment closer to the skin surface.
What are the common types of thermoplastic masks used in radiation therapy?
Thermoplastic masks are used for immobilizing the patient’s head and neck.
The aquaplast, this device is made from a rigid plastic that becomes pliable when placed in warm water.
When it is wet it is placed over the patients body and conforms to the contour of the treatment area.
Advantages:provide great reproducibility in daily treatments, lightweight, and easy to use. Additional modifications can be made if the patient experiences swelling or weight loss.
Disadvantages: windows cut cannot be reused, when it is old it becomes brittle, and too soft when activated.
Thermoplastic heating devices
Front: What is the function of a testicular shield (clam shell) in radiation therapy?
The testicular shield (also known as a clam shell) is used to protect the testicles from unnecessary radiation exposure during treatment.
How do physical calipers help in radiation therapy setup?
Used for finding patient separation of two surfaces.
Can be used with the SSD to help locate the tumor at Iso-center.
SAD and separation can conform the SSD.
What is a Vac-Loc and how is it used?
A Vac-Loc is a patient immobilization device that forms a mold around the patient’s body to hold them securely in place during treatment.
Shoulder Retractor
