Technical field
The present invention relates to a radiology device.
Such a device allows a user to investigate a treatment of a patient
emitting a high level of radioactivity without risk to the medical personnel or
to other patients. The field of the invention is most particularly but non-
1 0 !imitatively that of cancer therapies by the administration of radionuclides.
State of the prior art
A method of cancer treatment of a patient is to subject this patient
15 to a high activity of a radioactive substance, by the administration of
radionuclides, with the aim of reducing or eliminating the tumour cells.
In view of the high radioactivity of a patient subjected to such a
treatment, there are then two possible options:
Either to investigate the condition of the patient; in view of the
2 0 high radioactivity of the patient, this poses a problem for the
radiological protection on the one hand of the medical personnel in
contact with the patient and on the other hand of the other
patients likely to use the room containing the dedicated
equipment (for example a PET scanner, for "positron emission
25
30
tomography").
Or to place the patient in an isolation room, isolating them from
the medical personnel and from rooms which may be shared with
other patients, until their radioactivity level falls below a certain
threshold, which poses a problem for monitoring the treatment
and the patient.
The purpose of the invention is to propose a device making it possible
to solve these two problems.
5
10
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Disclosure of the invention
This objective is achieved with a radiology device comprising:
- at least one gamma radiation detector,
- acquisition means arranged in order to acquire data from each
gamma radiation detector,
- transmission means arranged in order to transmit the acquired data
to outside the device,
- at least one battery arranged in order to store electrical power and
supply electricity to each detector, the acquisition means and the
transmission means.
The device according to the invention is preferably arranged in order
to be worn in its entirety by a user. As will be described hereinafter, this
can be in particular due to its weight, and/or its range (battery, storage
means for local recording and/or wireless transmission means, for example
15 by Wifi), and/or the fact that it can be advantageously arranged so as not to
require a wired connection to outside the device according to the invention
during the acquisition by the acquisition means of data from at least one
detector.
The transmission means:
2 0 - can comprise means for storing the data in the device. In this case, the
transmission means also preferably comprise means for transmitting data to
outside the device by a wired connection, arranged in order to transmit data
after their acquisition by the acquisition means and their storage by the
storage means; and/or
2 5 - can be arranged in order to send data to outside the device via a wireless
link, preferably as they are acquired by the acquisition means.
30
The total weight of the device according to the invention can be less
than four kilograms, preferably less than two kilograms, ideally less than
one kilogram.
- 4 -
The device according to the invention can also comprise attachment
means arranged in order to attach at least one of the detectors to a part of
the user's body. The attachment means can comprise a neck brace for at
least one of the detectors. The at least one detector can comprise a first
5 group of two detectors placed:
10
on a front face of the neck brace, this front face being intended to
be positioned around a neck extending longitudinally along an axis
of the neck and on the side of the anterior face of this neck, and
preferably symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry so
that the axis of the neck forms part of this plane of symmetry.
The at least one gamma radiation detector can comprise at least one
first group (each detector of which is placed on the neck brace) and a
second group (each detector of which is not placed on the neck brace and
can be moved independently of the neck brace), each group comprising at
15 least one gamma radiation detector, the attachment means not being
20
common for the first group and the.second group, so that:
the attachment means comprise the neck brace for the first group,
and
the second group is arranged in order to act as a measurement
reference for the first group.
The attachment means can comprise an article of clothing to hold at
least one of the detectors.
The at least one gamma radiation detector can comprise at least two
2 5 groups each comprising at least one gamma radiation detector so that the
attachment means are not common for all the groups of detectors. The two
groups can comprise a second group arranged in order to act as a
measurement reference for the first group.
The device according to the invention preferably comprises gamma
3 0 radiations detectors only, and no X-ray detector.
- 5 -
The acquisition means preferably comprise a dedicated electronic
acquisition module for each gamma radiation detector and integral with this
detector.
The transmission means and the at least one battery are preferably
5 grouped together in a case electrically connected to each detector by a
wired connection arranged in order to supply electricity to each detector by
the at least one battery and in order to transfer data to the transmission
means.
The device according to the invention can also comprise means for
10 measuring a heart rate and/or means for measuring a respiration rate of
the user and means for synchronizing the acquisition of data from each
gamma radiation detector with the heart rate and/or the respiration rate.
15
Description of the figures and embodiments
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become
apparent on examination of the detailed description of implementations and
embodiments which are in no way limitative, and of the attached diagrams,
in which:
- Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to
20 the invention worn by a human user 7 (also called the patient),
- Figure 2 shows a detector 2 of the device 1 according to the
invention of Figure 1, carried by its associated electronic acquisition module
4.
- Figure 3 shows an electronic acquisition module 4 of a detector 2 of
2 5 the device 1 according to the invention of Figure 1.
- Figure 4 shows in detail a first part 41 of an electronic acquisition
module 4 of a detector 2 of the device 1 according to the invention of Figure
1, and
- Figure 5 shows in detail a second part 42 of an electronic acquisition
30 module 4 of a detector 2 of the device 1 according to the invention of Figure
1.
As these embodiments are in no way limitative, consideration may be
given in particular to variants of the invention comprising only a selection of
the characteristics described hereinafter in isolation from the other
- 6 -
characteristics described (even if this selection is isolated within a sentence
comprising these other characteristics), if this selection of characteristics is
sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention
from the prior art. This selection comprises at least one characteristic
5 preferably at least one functional characteristic without structural details, or
with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to
confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior
art.
10 Firstly there will be described, with reference to Figures 1 to 5, a
preferred embodiment of the radiology device 1 according to the invention.
By radiology is meant the use of a radioactive radiation for counting
or dosimetry and/or for imaging.
The device 1 is a portable device, i.e. intended to be worn in its
15 entirety by a user 7.
The device 1 comprises at least one detector 2 of gamma radiation 3.
In the case of the device 1 shown in Figure 1, this device 1 comprises four
detectors 2.
By gamma radiation 3 is meant preferably electromagnetic radiation
2 0 with a frequency greater than 7x1018 Hertz, preferably comprised between
7x1018 Hertz and 3x1022 Hertz (or with a wavelength less than 10-11 metre,
or comprised between 10-14 metre and 10-11 metre). Each detector is
preferably arranged in order to detect gamma radiation having an energy
comprised between 30 keV (Kiloelectron volts) and 600 keV, such as
25 gamma radiation corresponding to Iodine 131 (364 keV).
30
In the case of the device 1, all the detectors 2 have the same
technical characteristics described hereinafter. Each detector 2 is for
example a detector with the reference AGM SPM Sensor SSL-Csi-001.
Each detector 2 of gamma radiation 3 comprises:
a scintillation crystal 18 (for example of the Csi(TI) thallium-doped
caesium-iodine type) arranged in order to convert gamma
radiation 3 into at least one new photon 19 with
5
10
- 7 -
a "visible" wavelength different from (preferably greater than)
that of the photons of the gamma radiation 3 (these new photons
19 having a typical frequency comprised between 4.3x1014 Hertz
and 9.4x1014 Hertz, or a wavelength comprised between 320
nanometres and 700 nanometres), and
a detector or photomultiplier 20 (preferably of the SiPM (for
Silicon Photomultiplier) type, for example with the reference
Sensl MicroSL30035-X13 or Hamamatsu 510931-0SOP) arranged
in order to capture each new photon 19 originating from the
crystal 18 and to generate, depending on the photons 19
captured, an electrical signal corresponding to a detection of the
gamma radiation by the detector 2.
The crystal 18 and the photomultiplier 20 of each detector 2 are
mounted inside a conduit of a collimator 21, preferably composed at least
15 partially of aluminium and/or tungsten.
The crystal 18 and the photomultiplier 20 are optically connected and
in contact with a layer of optical gel 22 (for example with the reference
NyoGel OC-431A-LVP or OC-462 from Neyco), having the same optical
index as the crystal 18.
2 0 The crystal 18 is preferably preceded by a filter 23 that allows only
the gamma radiation 3 to pass from outside the device 1 to the crystal 18
(or at least, blocks the light with a wavelength "visible" to the
photomultiplier 20)
The device 1 also comprises acquisition means 4, 41, 42 arranged in
2 5 order to acquire data from each detector 2 of gamma radiation 3.
The acquisition means 4, 41, 42 comprise a dedicated electronic
acquisition module 4 (typically an electronic board) for each gamma
radiation detector 2 and firmly fixed to this detector 2.
The photomultiplier 20 of each detector 2 is mounted (by soldering
3 0 the electrodes 24 of the photomultiplier 20 of this detector 2) onto the
acquisition electronic board associated with this detector 2.
- 8 -
Within each acquisition electronics 4, an electronic processing module
27 (interface and amplification) is arranged in order to shape a signal 34 (of
any shape, typically a curved pulse) generated by the detector 2 associated
with this acquisition electronics 4. An electronic pulse detection module 28
5 is arranged in order to generate a pulse (typically a square pulse 35) if the
signal 34, after processing by the module 27, exceeds a certain threshold.
An electronic module 26 is arranged in order to measure the temperature of
the photomultiplier 20. This module 26 comprises a temperature sensor
with the reference Texas Instruments TMP275. An electronic module 29 for
10 threshold selection is arranged in order to adjust this threshold, preferably
as a function of the temperature measured by the module 26, and is
arranged in order to be able to select only a part of the gamma radiation
spectrum and in order to calibrate the detector 2. An electronic module 25
is arranged in order to control the electricity supply to the photomultiplier
15 20, preferably as a function of the temperature measured by the module
26. A microcontroller 32 (reference MicroChip PIC24EP64GP202) is arranged
for overall control. The acquisition electronics 4 of the detector 2 also
comprise a memory 33, typically of the EEPROM type (for ElectricallyErasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory), for example with the reference
2 0 MicroChip 25AA1024X), arranged in order to store the data acquired from
this detector 2 via its associated electronic acquisition module 4. An
electronic supply module 30 is arranged in order to distribute and regulate
the electrical power for the whole of the acquisition electronics 4 of the
detector 2. The acquisition electronics 4 of the detector also comprises a
25 connector 31.
For each detector 2, the data thus acquired via the acquisition
means (i.e. via the acquisition electronics 4 associated with this detector 2)
typically comprise:
- preferably a gamma radiation measurement (for example number
3 0 of pulses 35) per unit of time as a function of time (typically the detector 2
will count the number of pulses 35 per second over a duration of several
seconds, preferably every N minutes, with N being an integer greater than
or equal to 1) (for example several measurement points, each
measurement point having a format of the
- 9 -
type: 10 pulses 35 per second over a period of time T comprised between
t = 3 seconds and t = 6 seconds, with a measurement point every 3
seconds or every minute), or
- a gamma radiation measurement (for example number of pulses
5 35) as a function of time (for example several measurement points, each
measurement point being of a format of the type: 30 pulses 35 over a
period of time T comprised between t = 3 seconds and t = 6 seconds; or
even several measurement points, two successive measurement points
being of a format of the type: nth pulse detected at t = 3 seconds, (n+ 1)th
10 pulse detected att = 3.1 seconds)
Each detector 2 and its associated acquisition electronics 4 are
arranged so that together they convert a gamma radiation 3 into an
electronic pulse 35. Each acquisition electronics 4 is arranged in order to
count the number of gamma rays 3 that strikes the associated detector 2
15 preferably within a predetermined period of time T, and in order to store
this figure (in the memory 33) for several consecutive periods. These data
are then sent (via the connector 31) to a central board (electronic board of
the transmission means 5).
The device 1 is arranged in order to be worn in its entirety by a user
20 7.
The device 1 is arranged in order not to require a wired connection
from the device 1 to outside the device 1 during the acquisition of data from
at least one detector 2 via acquisition means 4, 41, 42. Thus, the device 1
according to the invention makes it possible to monitor a patient 7 and their
25 treatment, while allowing them to move freely and to live normally without
any movement constraint. The patient no longer needs to be in a specific
room (such as a PET scanner room) and can be placed in a room such as an
isolation room for the safety of the medical personnel and the other
patients.
30 The acquisition means 4, 41, 42 are preferably arranged for a
continuous acquisition of dosimetric reading data of gamma radiation 3 over
a period of time T, and for storing such an acquisition over several
successive periods T. This makes it possible to establish how the patient 7
(typically their thyroid) reacts to the administration
- 10 -
of the therapeutic radionuclides, preferably while the patient 7 remains in
an isolation room. In addition to the protection of the medical personnel and
the other patients, this allows a quantitative review of the absorption of the
radionuclides by the patient 7 and this makes it possible to adjust the
5 treatment accordingly.
The device 1 also comprises transmission means 5, arranged in
order to transmit the acquired data to outside the device 1, and means 36,
37 for attaching the transmission means 5 to a part of the user's body 7.
The device 1 also comprises at least one battery 6 (for example 3
10 batteries in series, with the reference SAFT MP174565) arranged in order to
store electrical power and to supply electricity to each detector 2, the
acquisition means 4, 41, 42, and the transmission means 5, and means 36,
37 for attaching the at least one battery 6 to a part of the user's body 7.
The at least one battery 6 is equipped with a plug making it possible to plug
15 this at least one battery 6 into a cord connected to an electrical socket in
order to recharge the battery occasionally, preferably when the device 1 is
not being worn or used by a user 7 in order to acquire data from the
gamma radiation detector 2.
The transmission means 5 and the at least one battery 6 are grouped
2 0 together in a case 15 and electrically connected to each detector 2 (via the
connector 31 of the acquisition electronics 4 associated with each detector
2) by a wired connection arranged in order to supply each detector 2 with
electricity by the at least one battery 6 and for the transfer to the
transmission means 5 of the data acquired from at least one detector 2 by
2 5 the acquisition means 4. The case 15 is equipped with a shoulder strap 37
and/or a clip or loop 36 arranged in order to attach the case 15 to a belt of
the user 7.
The transmission means 5 comprise storage means (a memory for
example with the reference MicroChip 25AA1024X) arranged in order to
3 0 store in the device 1 the data acquired from at least one detector 2 by the
acquisition means 4.
The transmission means 5 comprise means (for example a USB port
in order to connect the device 1 to a computer or a
- 11 -
PC in order to retrieve the data and analyze them) in order to transmit
these data to outside the device 1 by a wired connection, arranged in order
to transmit these data after their acquisition by the acquisition means 4 and
after their storage by the storage means. Thus, even when the patient 7 is
5 in an isolation room, the medical personnel are protected from the
radioactivity, but are still able to gain access at the end of the treatment to
data describing the progress of the treatment over time, these data being
much more complete than a simple photographic film badge dosimeter.
The transmission means 5 (typically comprising a Wifi transmitter)
10 are arranged in order to send to outside the device 1 the data acquired from
at least one detector 2 by the acquisition means 4 via a wireless link (for
example of the Wifi type), preferably as they are acquired by the acquisition
means 4, or even after their storage by the storage means. Thus, even
when the patient 7 is in an isolation room, the medical personnel are
15 protected from the radioactivity but are still able to monitor the treatment
in another room, by means of the transmission means 5 arranged in order
to send to outside the device 1 (preferably directly and not in deferred
mode) via a wireless link (for example of the Wifi type) the data acquired
from at least one detector 2 by the acquisition means 4.
20 The device 1 also comprises (preferably in the case 15) a processor
arranged in order to monitor the state of charge of the at least one battery
6.
The device 1 also comprises attachment means 8 arranged in order
to attach at least one of the detectors 2 to a part of the user's body 7. The
2 5 attachment means 8 typically comprise means of tightening around this part
of the body. It should be noted that these optional attachment means 8 are
not necessarily present for all the detectors 2. The attachment means 8 are
not common for all the detectors 2 but are preferably different, so that the
at least one detector 2 of gamma radiation 3 comprises several groups 10,
3 0 14, 38 each comprising at least one gamma radiation detector 2, each
group 10, 14, 38 being moveable with respect to the other groups.
- 12 -
In the device 1 the attachment means 8 comprise a neck brace 9 for
a first group 10 of two detectors 2 intended for the acquisition of gamma
radiation 3 originating from the thyroid of the user 7 (one detector 2 per
lobe of the thyroid).
5 In a known manner, a neck brace (sometimes also called a cervical
collar or cervical brace) is an appliance placed around the neck of the user 7
and arranged in order to maintain the head of the user 7 in a fixed position
with respect to the neck of the user 7, this fixed position being generally
straight and extended. A neck brace is thus equipped with means to
10 immobilize the cervical vertebrae (and thus the neck) of the user 7.
15
20
A neck brace generally comprises a sternal support for user 7 and/or
a mandibular support for user 7.
The two detectors 2 of the first group 10 are placed:
on or in a front face 11 of the neck brace 9 (on an inner or outer
wall of the neck brace, or inside the neck brace) this front face 11
being intended to be positioned:
o around the neck of the user 7, this neck extending
longitudinally along an axis 12 of the neck, and
o on the side of the anterior face of this neck, and
symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry 13
(perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1) so that the axis 12 of the
neck forms part of this plane of symmetry 13.
A second group 14 (in which each detector is not placed on the neck
brace and can be moved independently of the neck brace) comprising a
2 5 single detector 2 is arranged in order to act as a measurement reference for
the first group 10, i.e. in order to measure the ambient radiation level of
the environment of the user. It should be noted that this second group 14 is
not equipped with attachment means 8.
A third group 38 comprising a detector 2 makes it possible to take
30 measurements on another part of the body for example on the bladder of
the patient 7. The part of the attachment means 8 (not shown) for this third
group 38 comprises for example a self-adhesive surface or a Velcro
fastening or a clip or a belt buckle, or an item of clothing (belt, jacket,
sleeve, sleeveless jacket, shorts, helmet, hat, trousers, sock, shoe,
5
- 13 -
glove, etc.) arranged (for example using a pocket) for holding a detector 2.
Optionally, the device 1 also comprises the following elements (not
shown on the figures):
firstly:
o at least one system for measuring a heart rate of the user
7. Typically, each system for measuring a heart rate
comprises an ECG (electrocardiogram) for example with the
reference Lead Lok A10. Each detector 2 is equipped with
its own system for measuring a heart rate directly
10 connected to the acquisition electronics 4 of this detector 2
without passing via the case 15 of the battery 6 and of the
15
20
25
transmission means 5, and/or
o at least one system 17 for measuring a respiration rate of
the user 7. Typically, each system for measuring a
respiratory rate comprises a piezoelectric pressure
measurement system, for example with the reference
Respironics CT2 P1823. The device 1 comprises a single
respiratory rate measurement system 17, common to all
the detectors 2, and preferably electrically connected to
each detector 2 by passing via the case 15 of the at least
one battery 6 and of the transmission means 5.
and also electronic means (inside each acquisition electronics 4)
for synchronizing the acquisition of the data from each detector 2
of gamma radiation 3 with the heart rate and/or the respiratory
rate.
This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the data acquired
by suppressing certain measurement artefacts.
The device 1 has a weight of less than one kilogram.
It should be noted that the device 1 comprises gamma radiation
30 detectors only, and no X-ray detector.
- 14 -
Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have
just been described, and numerous adjustments can be made to these
examples without exceeding the scope of the invention.
In particular, variants of the device 1 can be envisaged, that may be
5 combined with one another:
the at least one detector 2 can comprise a single detector 2, or a
single group 10, 14 or 38 of detectors,
the attachment means 8 can be absent; in this case, each detector 2
can be fixed in a pocket that does not form part of the device 1 or by
10 means of an adhesive tape or self-adhesive sticker or glue not forming
part of the device 1,
the means 36, 37 for attaching the at least one battery 6 and/or for
attaching the transmission means 5 can be absent; in this case, the at
least one battery 6 and/or the transmission means 5 can be attached in a
15 pocket that does not form part of the device 1 or by means of an
adhesive tape or self-adhesive sticker or glue not forming part of the
device 1,
at least one of the detectors 2 can comprise several pixels (for
example one or more detectors with the reference Sensl ArraySM-4 ),
2 0 making it possible to carry out imaging (for example of the thyroid in the
case of the neck brace), the acquired data even allowing imaging to be
carried out as a function of time. The data acquired from this at least one
of the detectors allow an image to be constructed. To this end, the device
according to the invention comprises (preferably in the case 5 or in the
2 5 electronics 5 of this at least one of the detectors) means (dedicated
electronic circuit) for processing the acquired data and constructing an
image in the form of electronic and/or computer data.
Of course, the different characteristics, forms, variants and
embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various
30 combinations to the extent that they are not mutually incompatible or
exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments previously
• described can be combined together.

WE CLAIM:
1. Radiology device (1), comprising:
- at least one detector (2) of gamma radiation (3)
- acquisition means ( 4, 41, 42) arranged in order to acquire data
from each gamma radiation detector,
- transmission means (5) arranged in order to transmit the acquired
data to outside the device,
- at least one battery (6) arranged in order to store electrical power
and supply electricity to each detector, to the acquisition means and
to the transmission means,
the device being arranged in order to be worn in its entirety by a user
(7),
said device also comprising attachment means (8) arranged in order
to attach at least one of the detectors to a part of the user's body
characterized in that the attachment means comprise a neck brace
(9) for at least one of the detectors.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one
gamma radiation detector comprises at least one first group (10) and
one second group (14), each group comprising at least one gamma
radiation detector, the attachment means not being common to the
first group (10) and the second group (14), so that:
the attachment means comprise the neck brace (9) for the first
group (10), and
the second group ( 14) is arranged in order to act as a
measurement reference for the first group (10).
3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that the transmission means are arranged in order to send data to
outside the device by a wireless link, preferably as they are acquired
by the acquisition means.
- 15 -
5
10
- 16 -
4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that the transmission means comprise means for storing the data in
the device.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the transmission
means comprise means for transmitting data to outside the device by
a wired connection, arranged in order to transmit data after their
acquisition by the acquisition means and their storage by the storage
means.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that its weight is less than two kilograms.
15 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in
20
that the at least one detector comprises a first group (10) of two
detectors placed:
on a front face (11) of the neck brace, this front face being
intended to be positioned around a neck extending longitudinally
along an axis (12) of the neck and on the side of the anterior face
of this neck, and
preferably symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry (13)
so that the axis of the neck forms part of this plane of symmetry.
2 5 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that the attachment means comprise an item of clothing arranged to
hold at least one of the detectors.
9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in
30 that at least one of the detectors comprises several pixels so that the
data acquired from this at least one of the detec~ors make it possible
to construct an image.
- 16 -
- 17 -
10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the acquisition means comprise a dedicated
electronic acquisition module for each gamma radiation detector and
5 integral with this detector.
10
11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the transmission means and the at least one
battery are preferably grouped together in a case (15) electrically
connected to each detector by a wired connection (16) arranged in
order to supply electricity to each detector via the at least one
battery and in order to transfer data to the transmission means.
12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims,
15 characterized in that it also comprises means for measuring a heart
rate and/or means (17) for measuring a respiration rate of the user
and means for synchronizing the acquisition of data from each
gamma radiation detector with the heart rate and/or the respiration
rate.