An automatic therapy couch with 6 degrees of freedom based on a 3D sensor system first pre-clinical results

The medical application of a 3D scanner based on a LCD projector which not only scans surface structures in form of a 3D cloud allowing automated 3D subtraction images but also grants definition of absolute 3D coordinates for each surface element is described. The attainable accuracy of under 0.1 mm with this system is determined on hand a simple setup. Mounted on the ceiling of a treatment room, this system could be used as a registration tool allowing simultaneous registration of reference structures such as rigid frames, tables etc., and of patient anatomy in relation to these structures, serving as (re)positioning as well as QA tool in one. The process of positioning and leveling the table in isocenter takes up a significant amount of time, not only in fractionated stereotactic treatments. A highly precise and automatic table, which can also rotate around all axes, could greatly expedite and objectify this process