The most advanced patient immobilization & repositioning system in radiation therapy.
Alpha Cradle Topics
August 1, 2011
Introducing our newest form, the Alpha Cradle® Frog Form™. Developed to reduce skin folds dramatically in a reproducible set-up that is comfortable for the patient. Two foam guides hold the patient’s legs comfortably wide apart, while a custom foam footrest gives the patient the support they need to hold the position. Developed to address ...
Gunilla Bentel, R.N., R.T.T., was a renowned author and clinician at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Gunilla was the Chief Dosimetrist and Clinical Associate in the Department of Radiation Oncology/Physics Division. Gunilla was a true pioneer in the use of immobilization devices for external beam radiation therapy patients. Ms. Bentel spent several decades ...
March 18, 2011
PATIENT POSITIONING AND IMMOBILIZATION IN RADIATION ONCOLOGY: SOME CONSIDERATIONS BY Gunilla C. Bentel, RN, RTT Duke University Medical Center Durham, North Durham INTRODUCTION Uncertainties associated with the delivery of a prescribed radiation treatment can be divided into two groups; uncertainties of dose (i.e., in homogeneities, dose calculations, variables in machine output and uncertainties in patient-beam ...
March 14, 2011
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here’s our model, over six foot and three inches standing on the AC Side form just made for him. Durability? You bet. You can get in and out of a properly made Alpha Cradle® form all day long without damaging the form or moving its sides ...
March 4,2011
Smithers Medical Products is proud to introduce a new tool to the arsenal when it comes to treating your decubitus patients, the Alpha Cradle Side Form. No two patients are alike, and this is even more true when trying to fix your patient in the decubitus position. The form consists of an extruded polystyrene base ...
March 18,2011
STABILIZATION DEVICE FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIATION THERAPY FOR CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST Gunilla C. Bentel, RN, RTT Duke University Medical Center Durham, North Carolina INTRODUCTION Improved imaging modalities, primarily Computerized Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and three-dimensional treatment planning capabilities has resulted in increased confidence in the target localization. This increased confidence, along ...
March 18, 2011
Using Alpha Cradle® Forms and the Alpha Cradle Mold Maker II Board Robert F. Giffel, RTR St. Joseph Hospital Flint, Michigan This set up is a compromise between the standard ALPHA CRADLE® brand Patient Repositioning System form and the use of the ALPHA CRADLE® Mold Maker Board. The following set-up is primarily used for breast ...
March 18, 2011
THE BUILDING OF FREE-FORM CUSTOMIZED IMMOBILIZERS Max Buscher Tufts New England Medical Center Boston, Massachusetts The immobilization required for patients’ limbs or achieving the decubitus position can be solved using the Smithers Medical Products ALPHA CRADLE® MOLD MAKER II, polyform bag and foaming agents. This department has been using a different method which has advantages ...
March 18, 2011
Treating Lung Patients with Hands Over Their Heads with Alpha Cradle® Forms Sheila R. Polansky, RTRT University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas The purpose of this paper will be to demonstrate the necessity of the ALPHA CRADLE® brand Patient Repositioning System, specifically, the head and shoulder 2 form, HS2, while resolving three specific problems. ...
March 18, 2011
THE CHALLENGING EXTREMITY Sandi Williamson Regional Cancer Center Erie, Pennsylvania The ALPHA CRADLE® system is a unique device that can help simplify the sometimes complex and difficult extremity setup. The possibilities of uses vary as vastly as the variety of patients. So to take the challenge out of the challenging extremity, try an ALPHA CRADLE® ...