An image taken with OBI
On Board Imaging, or OBI, is an imaging technology that employs three different methods of imaging. One of these methods makes it possible to take 3-D, 360° CT scans of a patient when the patient lays on the treatment couch. This type of imaging is known as Cone-beam CT (CBCT), a new form of CT scan. CBCT makes 3D images of the body taken before or after the delivery of treatment using less radiation than older CT scanners. CBCT is especially useful for imaging cancers of the head, neck, prostate, lung, pancreas and cervix amongst others. This tool is extremely useful in IGRT, in that it makes accurate imaging extremely quick and easy.
In OBI, imaging is performed immediately before therapy once the patient has been placed on the treatment table. This ensures that the patient and the tumor are at the same position as planned originally. The imaging equipment is attached to the treatment equipment, so that patient doesn't need to be moved between imaging and treatment.
OBI is a new technology, and UPMC is the only center in the greater Pittsburgh region to make it available for patients.
