Electromechanical Robotic Platform for Patient Motion Management in Radiotherapy

Head and neck cancer is often treated with radiation therapy. During this treatment, patient movement causes healthy cells to receive excessive radiological dose. We have designed an electromechanical robotic platform that enables compensation of patient movement during treatment. This project includes analysis of materials and motion of the system, design of the control system and model, and the functional prototype. The design of the robotic platform will be compatible with pre-existing head and mouth harnesses in order to keep a patient’s head steady while the patient’s headrest in motion. For radiotherapy, this system requires radio-compatible materials. Through the use of computer-aided engineering technology and technical calculations, the project team demonstrated the feasibility of the design. Finite element analysis was used to determine which specific materials were best suited for the project, taking into consideration the difficulty in obtaining certain materials. The development of a prototype device was established with electrical motors to allow for precise controls and movements of the device. Overall, this project will benefit patients by ensuring the optimal treatment delivery. The project will lead to advancement in patient motion management systems and radiation therapy, and will serve as a foundation for future radiotherapy systems.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1131/thumbnail.jp