TH-AB-202-07: Radar Tracking of Respiratory Motion in Real Time.

PURPOSE: To propose a method of real time tracking of respiratory motion in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Radar technology can be employed to detection the movement of diaphragm and thoracic anatomy.

METHODS: A radar transceiver was specially designed. During experiment, the radar device was securely attached to a fixed frame. Respiratory motion was simulated with: 1) Varian RPM phantom, 2) Standard Imaging Respiratory Gating Platform. Signals recorded with radar equipment were compared with those measured with Varian RPM system as a reference.

RESULTS: Motion generated by Varian RPM phantom was recorded by the radar device, and compared to the signals recorded by RPM camera. The results showed exact agreement between the two monitoring equipments. Motion was also generated by Standard Imaging Respiratory Motion Platform. The results showed the radar device was capable of measuring motion of various amplitudes and periods.

CONCLUSION: The proposed radar device is able to measure movements such as respiratory motion. Compared to state-of-the-art respiratory detection instrument, the radar device is shown to be equally precise and effective for monitoring respiration in radiation oncology patients.