Scientists develop novel 3D robotic motion phantom that can reproduce human lung motion

What is the News?

A group of Indian scientists has developed a novel and cheap three-dimensional (3D) robotic motion phantom that can reproduce human lung motion. This will help to deliver focused radiation in cancer patients.

What was the need for 3D robotic motion phantom?

• Breathing motion is a problem for delivering focused radiation dose to the cancer tumour attached to the upper abdomen and thoracic regions.
• The motion exposes an area larger than the tumour to radiation during cancer treatment, thus affecting tissues surrounding the targeted tumour.
• Hence, focused radiation for a patient could be customised by simulating the lung movement of the particular patient and then orienting the delivery of the radiation so that it can be effective with minimal dosage.
• However, before this is done on a human, its effectiveness needs to be checked on a robotic phantom that has been developed now.

What will a 3D robotic motion phantom do?

• The 3-D robotic motion phantom can reproduce the human lung motions during breathing.
• The phantom not only emulates the human lung motion as a patient is breathing, but can also be used to check if the radiation is being correctly focussed on a moving target.
• This can help the doctors in easily treating cancer patients as it will ensure that the focused radiation is targeted correctly in the upper abdomen or thoracic region.

Significance of this development:

• This is the first time in India that this type of advanced manufacturing has been developed.
• Moreover, the robotic phantoms developed are more affordable than other imported products available in the market.