Systems and methods for automatic creation of dose prediction models and therapy treatment plans as a cloud service
Granted: August 9, 2016
Patent Number:
9409039
The present invention proposes a method for automatically creating a dose prediction model based on existing clinical knowledge that is accumulated from multiple sources without collaborators establishing communication links between each other. According to embodiments of the claimed subject matter, clinics can collaborate in creating a dose prediction model by submitting their treatment plans into a remote computer system (such as a cloud-based system) which aggregates information from…
Mechanism for dynamically propagating real-time alterations of medical images
Granted: July 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9401051
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…
Multi-energy X-ray imaging
Granted: July 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9400332
An imaging method includes obtaining a first image data for a subset of a target region, the subset of the target region having a first metallic object, obtaining a second image data for the target region, and using the first and second image data to determine a composite image. A imaging system includes a first detector configured to provide a first projection data using a first radiation having high energy, and a second detector configured to provide a second projection data using a…
Prediction of breathing signal and determining non-periodicity of breathing using signal-phase histogram
Granted: July 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9392962
A method of processing breathing signals of a subject includes obtaining breathing signals of a subject, obtaining a signal-phase histogram using the breathing signals, wherein the signal-phase histogram comprises a plurality of data points, each of the data points having at least a phase value and a signal value, determining a reference value using at least some of the plurality of data points from the signal-phase histogram, determining whether a difference between the reference value…
Apparatus and method pertaining to determining a spatially-variant normal tissue constraint as a function of dose distribution
Granted: July 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9387345
A control circuit optimizes a radiation-treatment plan (as regards treating at least one target volume for a given patient) by automatically determining a spatially-variant normal tissue constraint as a function, at least in part, of dose distribution for normal tissue that is proximal to the target volume. If desired, the control circuit can repeatedly determine spatially-variant normal tissue constraints while optimizing the radiation-treatment plan. This automatic determination can…
External beam radiotherapy and imaging with radioactive isotope
Granted: July 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9387342
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…
Cathode structures for X-ray tubes
Granted: July 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9384935
An apparatus and method comprising a cathode structure which can be a cylindrical filament coiled in a helix or which can be constructed of a ribbon or other suitable shape. The cathode structure can be heated by passage of an electrical current, or by other means such as bombardment with energetic electrons. Selected portions of the surface of the cathode structure have an altered property with respect to the non-selected portions of the surface. In one embodiment, the altered property…
Systems, devices, and methods for quality assurance of radiation therapy
Granted: July 5, 2016
Patent Number:
9381376
Systems, devices, and methods for quality assurance for verification of radiation dose delivery in arc-based radiation therapy devices using a 3D gamma evaluation method.
Pixel circuit with constant voltage biased photodiode and related imaging method
Granted: June 28, 2016
Patent Number:
9380239
An imaging system includes a plurality of pixel circuits each having a photodiode, a biasing circuit and a charge-to-voltage converter. The photodiode is configured to generate charges in response to light or radiation. The biasing circuit is configured to provide a constant bias voltage across the photodiode so as to drain the charges generated by the photodiode. The charge-to-voltage converter is configured to accumulate the charges drained by the biasing circuit and convert the…
Interlaced multi-energy betatron with adjustable pulse repetition frequency
Granted: May 10, 2016
Patent Number:
9338875
Variable pulse frequency during an output session of a betatron device and adjustable energy from pulse to pulse are provided. A different bias magnetic field may be used for different cycles of an output session, thereby providing different pulse energies. In one example, the bias field can be switched from a positive value to zero, with energy stored in a storage device when the bias field is zero. The bias field can also be used to expand electrons from a stable orbit when the bias…
Methods and systems for estimating scatter
Granted: May 3, 2016
Patent Number:
9330458
Techniques described herein generally relate to estimating scatter. In one embodiment, one example method for estimating scatter associated with a target object may include generating a set of original projections associated with the target object, generating a set of reference scatter data associated with the target object at one or more selected projection angles, generating a first set of estimated scatter data associated with the target object also at the one or more selected…
Radiation therapy treatment plan improvement through use of knowledge base
Granted: May 3, 2016
Patent Number:
9327139
A method for determining a radiation therapy dose distribution starts with selecting and downloading a treatment type from a database. Then an organ at risk (OAR) distance to target map is determined, wherein the OAR distance to target map comprises distances to a target organ for respective portions of at least one OAR, and wherein the OAR distances are determined from at least one segmented patient organ image. Now a cohort average dose distance to target histogram is selected and…
Patient positioning and support systems
Granted: May 3, 2016
Patent Number:
9326907
A patient positioning system employs an arm having a first portion and a second portion which is telescopic relative to the first portion. A first positioning device may be coupled to the first portion of the arm providing support for the arm. The first positioning device is rotatable on a first axis, allowing the arm to rotate with the first positioning device. The second positioning device is coupled to the second portion of the arm and movable with the second portion of the arm…
Dual-energy X-ray tubes
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9324536
Dual-energy x-ray tubes. In one example embodiment, a dual-energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure, an anode positioned within the evacuated enclosure, a first cathode positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and a second cathode positioned within the evacuated enclosure. The first cathode and the second cathode are configured to operate simultaneously at different voltages.
Multileaf collimators with transverse motion
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9324468
A collimation assembly includes a multileaf collimator and motion assembly. The multileaf collimator includes a support body and a plurality of pairs of beam blocking leaves supported by the support body. The beam blocking leaves are longitudinally movable in a first direction. The motion assembly includes an actuator and a guide assembly operable to move the support body and thereby allowing the plurality of pairs of beam blocking leaves to move in a second direction generally…
Image processing of images that include marker images
Granted: April 26, 2016
Patent Number:
9324152
A method, includes: obtaining an image, the image having marker images and a background image; identifying presence of an object in the background image using a processor; and providing a signal for stopping a procedure if the presence of the object is identified. An image processing apparatus, includes: a processor configured for: obtaining an image, the image having marker images and a background image; identifying presence of an object in the background image; and providing a signal…
Constructive anatomic geometry
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9317969
A method involving an image of an anatomy, includes: obtaining an image of an anatomy; obtaining a program instruction from a user for creating an object in the image; and executing the program instruction to create the object in the image, wherein the act of executing the program instruction is performed using a processor. A computer product having a non-transitory medium storing a set of instructions, an execution of which causes a method to be performed, the method includes: obtaining…
Preparative regimen for engraftment, growth and differentiation of non-hematopoeitic cells in vivo after transplantation
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9314486
Disclosed are methods of obtaining an expanded population of mammalian ex vivo cells for treating a mammalian subject by (a) administering to a subject an effective amount of an agent that confers a growth disadvantage to at least a subset of endogenous cells at the site of engraftment; (b) administering to the subject an effective amount of a mitogenic stimulus for the ex vivo cells; and (c) administering the ex vivo cells to the subject, wherein the ex vivo cells engraft at the site…
Systems and methods for real-time target validation for image-guided radiation therapy
Granted: April 19, 2016
Patent Number:
9314160
Systems and methods for real-time target validation during radiation treatment therapy based on real-time target displacement and radiation dosimetry measurements.
Radiation systems with minimal or no shielding requirement on building
Granted: April 12, 2016
Patent Number:
9308395
A radiation system includes a support, a capsule rotatably coupled to the support, a radiation source movably coupled to the capsule, wherein the radiation source is configured to provide a treatment radiation beam, and is capable of being turned on or off in response to a control signal, and a collimator located next to the radiation source, wherein the capsule defines a space for accommodating a portion of a patient, and includes a shielding material for attenuating radiation resulted…
