DEVICE USING X-RAYS TO HIGHLIGHT SOFT-TISSUE PARTS IN MEDICAL RADIOTHERAPY

摘要

The invention relates to a device using X-rays to highlight soft-tissue parts in medical imaging. This device and an associated method can be implemented in particular in radiotherapy equipment or used in radiotherapy. One aspect of the invention is a control of the radiation dose needed for the therapy, which control involves phase-contrast imaging using X-rays to highlight soft-tissue parts and can preferably be used in a radiotherapy apparatus. The result of the imaging by highlighting soft-tissue parts can be used for real-time and non-real-time planning of therapy and for adapting the treatment plan or the radiation dose. The radiation dose control here comprises: c) anatomical imaging for locating tumours before, during and after irradiation, d) optionally: real-time adaptation of the treatment plan, on the basis of imaging that highlights soft-tissue parts. The positioning and arrangement of the combination of X-ray sources S and detector D in such a radiotherapy apparatus and of an accelerator T are independent of one another. The accelerator makes it posible to cover the entire body of the patient P with X-rays.