Knowledge-based spatial dose metrics and methods to generate beam orientations in radiotherapy
Granted: September 25, 2018
Patent Number:
10080911
A system for estimating a dose from a radiation therapy plan includes a memory that stores machine-readable instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor operable to execute the instructions to subdivide a representation of a volume of interest into voxels. The processor also determines distances between a planned radiation field origin and each respective voxel. The processor further computes geometry-based expected (GED) metrics based on the…
Pivoting multileaf collimator and method for large field coverage
Granted: September 11, 2018
Patent Number:
10071263
A radiation apparatus includes a source operable to generate a radiation beam, a multileaf collimator operable to shape of the radiation beam, and a pivoting mechanism configured to pivot the multileaf collimator about the source. The radiation apparatus may further include a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the multileaf collimator about an axis passing through the source and the multileaf collimator.
Method for dynamically generating an adaptive multi-resolution image from algorithms selected based on user input
Granted: August 28, 2018
Patent Number:
10062186
Methods and systems are proposed herein for generative adaptive, multi-resolution images efficiently without intensive processing and/or memory consumption or hardware requirements. According to one aspect of the claimed subject matter, a system is provided that includes a computing workstation, communicatively coupled to both a data storage device and an image acquisition device. Real time images acquired by the image acquisition device are presented to the user along with one or more…
5D cone beam CT using deformable registration
Granted: August 28, 2018
Patent Number:
10062168
An apparatus includes: an input configured to receive a plurality of images, wherein the images include respective sub-images of a bodily part of a subject, and wherein a position of the bodily part relates to a breathing movement and a cardiac movement of the subject; a first registration engine configured to determine a first registration of at least two breathing correlated images, wherein the at least two breathing correlated images comprise two of the plurality of images or are…
System and method for estimating and manipulating estimated radiation dose
Granted: August 21, 2018
Patent Number:
10052500
Methods are provided for permitting manipulation of an achievable dose distribution estimate deliverable by a radiation delivery apparatus for proposed treatment of a subject. One such method comprises: determining a dose modification voxel for which it is desired to modify the dose value and a corresponding magnitude of desired dose modification; for each of a plurality of beams: (i) characterizing the beam as a two-dimensional array of beamlets, wherein each beamlet is associated with…
Systems and methods for real-time tumor tracking
Granted: August 7, 2018
Patent Number:
10043284
Various embodiments disclose systems and methods for tracking regions (e.g., tumor locations) within living organisms. Some embodiments provide real-time, highly accurate, low latency measurements of tumor location even as the tumor moves with internal body motions. Such measurements may be suitable for closed-loop radiation delivery applications where radiation therapy may be continuously guided to the tumor site even as the tumor moves. Tumor motion may be associated with periodic…
Method and apparatus pertaining to multi-stage radiation-treatment plan optimization
Granted: August 7, 2018
Patent Number:
10039936
A control circuit employs at least two optimization stages while developing a radiation-treatment plan. During a first optimization stage the control circuit uses a first radiation-treatment plan optimization process that employs user-selected constraints to provide general plan results. During this first optimization stage the control circuit then provides one or more opportunities for a user to modify those user-selected constraints to thereby influence the general plan results.…
System for dynamically propagating real-time alterations of medical images
Granted: July 24, 2018
Patent Number:
10032316
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and a mechanism for manipulating images generated by radiotherapy machines used in radiation diagnostic and treatment applications. In one embodiment, a method is provided for intelligent automatic propagation of real-time alterations across graphical structures of an image by mapping the relativity between the structures; determining the correlation between the structures and a manually edited structure; referencing a…
External beam radiotherapy and imaging with radioactive isotope
Granted: July 17, 2018
Patent Number:
10022565
A method of delivering external radiation beams to a target volume in a body portion includes positioning a radioactive isotope source at a plurality of locations spaced apart around the body portion, and collimating radiation beams of the radioactive isotope source from the plurality of locations, whereby the target volume in the body portion is deposited with a predetermined dose distribution. A radiation device employs a member having a configuration adapted to surround a body portion…
Multileaf collimator assembly with reduced extra-focal leakage
Granted: July 17, 2018
Patent Number:
10026517
A multileaf collimator assembly employs one or more static blocks to significantly reduce extra focal leakage or out of field dose. The multileaf collimator assembly includes a plurality of pairs of beam shaping leaves. The leaves of each pair are movable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction. The one or more static blocks are disposed adjacent to the outermost pair of beam shaping leaves and unmovable in the longitudinal direction. The material composition and geometric…
Systems, methods, and devices for radiation beam alignment and radiation beam measurements using electronic portal imaging devices
Granted: July 17, 2018
Patent Number:
10022564
Systems and methods for using electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) as absolute radiation beam measuring devices and as radiation beam alignment devices without implementation of elaborate and complex calibration procedures.
Contouring tool having automatic interpolation and extrapolation
Granted: July 3, 2018
Patent Number:
10013810
An apparatus and method for generating a contour automatically based on one or more user-generated contours for a three dimensional (3D) structure. In one aspect, a method of integrating image contour generation and editing with contour interpolation and contour extrapolation is provided. Manual contour drawing and editing may be performed by a user while interpolation and/or extrapolation of contours is automatically calculated in the background. Results of the interpolation and/or…
Dynamic patient positioning system
Granted: June 26, 2018
Patent Number:
10004650
A patient treatment system includes one or more automated patient transporters configured to move a patient from a preparation area to one of a plurality of alternative treatment areas, and to position the patient relative to a therapeutic radiation beam. Both transportation of the patient and positioning of the patient are optionally performed while the patient is secured to one of the patient transporters. A control system may be used to both position and transport the patient…
Beam limiting device for intensity modulated proton therapy
Granted: June 19, 2018
Patent Number:
9999787
To overcome the difficulties inherent in conventional proton therapy systems, new techniques are described herein for synchronizing the application of proton radiation with the periodic movement of a target area. In an embodiment, a method is provided that combines multiple rescans of a spot scanning proton beam while monitoring the periodic motion of the target area, and aligning the applications of the proton beam with parameters of the periodic motion. For example, the direction(s)…
Visualization of deformations using color overlays
Granted: June 12, 2018
Patent Number:
9996929
Computer-implemented methods and apparati for graphically displaying deformations, said deformations defined by comparing a first image of an object (1) with a second image of the same or a different object (1). A method embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of scanning an object (1) twice to produce first and second images; tabulating deformations and converting said tabulated deformations into a scalar property over a preselected range; quantizing the range into a set…
Systems and methods for evaluating motion tracking for radiation therapy
Granted: June 5, 2018
Patent Number:
9990731
An apparatus includes: a processor configured for obtaining a first image that corresponds with a first multi-leaf collimator (MLC) configuration, wherein the first image is generated when the MLC is stationary, obtaining a second image that corresponds with a second MLC configuration, wherein the second image is generated when the MLC and/or another component of a radiation machine is being operated to track a motion, and performing an analysis based at least in part on the first image…
Portal dosimetry systems, devices, and methods
Granted: June 5, 2018
Patent Number:
9987504
Systems, devices, and methods for dosimetric verification of radiation therapy treatments by selective evaluation of measurement points. Systems, methods, and computer program-products for providing dosimetric verification of radiation therapy treatments by evaluating measurement points using different evaluation criteria.
System and method for scanned ion beam interplay effect mitigation using random repainting
Granted: May 29, 2018
Patent Number:
9981144
Interference of dose application in scanned ion beam therapy and organ motion, also called interplay effect, may lead to dose deviations at target volumes. Current repainting methods are susceptible to artifacts due to a predominant scanning direction, ranging from fringed field edges to under and overdosed regions (hot and cold spots). To overcome the difficulties inherent in the repainting techniques of conventional proton therapy systems, new random repainting techniques are described…
System and methods for treating patients using radiation
Granted: May 22, 2018
Patent Number:
9974494
A radiation system includes a radiation source having an accelerator, the radiation source having a magnetic field associated therewith that is resulted from an operation of the accelerator, and a magnetic field source configured to provide a compensating magnetic field to at least partially counteract against the magnetic field that is resulted from the operation of the accelerator. A radiation system includes a radiation device having a radiation source, a patient support, and a…
Method and apparatus for using preferred angles when irradiating patient target volumes
Granted: May 22, 2018
Patent Number:
9974975
A control circuit identifies (prior to optimizing a radiation-treatment plan) at least one angle (such as one or more gantry angles as correspond to an arc-therapy treatment platform) to provide one or more identified angles. The control circuit then optimizes a radiation-treatment plan with respect to a particular patient target volume by using the identified angle(s) as preferred angles as regards irradiating the patient target volume. Being “preferred,” the radiation-treatment…
