Abstract: A method and apparatus compares in-treatment X-ray images of a volume with pre-treatment reference images of the volume and determines a combined similarity measure. A combined registration search space is searched to maximize the combined similarity measure and to jointly register the in-treatment X-ray images with the pre-treatment images.

Abstract: A unified quality assurance technique to verify alignment of a radiation treatment delivery system. In one embodiment, a radiation treatment source is instructed to move to a preset source position. An image of the radiation treatment source at its actual source position is generated and compared against a reference image to determine whether the radiation treatment source correctly achieved the preset source position. In one embodiment, a positioning system is instructed to move a target detector to a preset target position. An image of the target detector at its actual target position is generated and compared against a reference target image to determine whether the positioning system correctly achieved the preset target position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for approximating a path of movement of a target. The method includes referencing a temporal sequence of images, identifying a plurality of data points associated with a selected volume element of the volume of interest, and calculating an estimated location of the selected volume element based on a cost function having a constraint which favors continuous spatial motion of the selected volume element over time. Each of the images of the temporal sequence of images depicts a volume of interest. Each of the plurality of data points corresponds to one of the images.

Abstract: An image-guided radiation treatment system includes a robotic positioning system and a tracking system that enables a radiation target to be imaged and aligned at one location and treated at another location by transferring positional data from the imaging system to the positioning system and the radiation treatment system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in an image-guided radiation treatment system for determining an in-treatment 3-D position of a patient and for registering the 3-D in-treatment position of the patient with a pre-treatment 3-D scan of the patient.

Abstract: An interface is provided to a user to perform a plurality of treatment planning operations associated with the treatment plan before the treatment plan is optimized. The treatment planning operations include at least one of selecting a treatment planning parameter or inputting data corresponding to the treatment planning parameter. One or more templates containing one or more pre-defined treatment planning parameters are provided to the user to enable the user to skip performing one or more of the plurality of operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quality assurance of an image guided radiation treatment delivery system. A quality assurance (“QA”) marker is positioned at a preset position under guidance of an imaging guidance system of a radiation treatment delivery system. A radiation beam is emitted from a radiation source of the radiation treatment delivery system at the QA marker. An exposure image of the QA marker due to the radiation beam is generated. The exposure image is then analyzed to determine whether the radiation treatment delivery system is aligned.

Abstract: Method and systems are disclosed for radiating a moving target inside a heart. The method includes acquiring sequential volumetric representations of an area of the heart and defining a target tissue region and/or a radiation sensitive structure region in 3D for a first of the representations. The target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region are identified for another of the representations by an analysis of the area of the heart from the first representation and the other representation. Radiation beams to the target tissue region are fired in response to the identified target tissue region and/or radiation sensitive structure region from the other representation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a positioning system are described to position an upper-half of a body relative to a head-end of a couch. The positioning system may be a patient positioning system and may include a treatment couch, a leg rest coupled to the treatment couch, and a drive mechanism coupled to the leg rest. The patient positioning system may also include a treatment couch, having a base portion of a treatment couch and plurality of detachable portions of the treatment couch. The plurality of detachable portions to adjust a height of the treatment couch to accommodate differing heights of patients.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing quality assurance on a radiation treatment delivery system includes a housing, a target region, and alignment protrusions. The housing is penetrable by a radiation beam of a radiation source of the radiation treatment delivery system and translucent to an image guidance system of the radiation treatment delivery system. The target region is disposed within the housing and contrasts with the housing when imaged by the image guidance system. The alignment protrusions are disposed on the housing for aligning a film insert relative to the target region.

Abstract: A method of automatically optimizing an inverse treatment plan by referencing data from an accepted plan library.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically determining a beam parameter at each of a plurality of treatment nodes are disclosed. The beam parameter may include a beam shape, beam size and/or beam orientation. Systems and methods for automatically selecting multiple collimators in a radiation treatment system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a positioning system are described to position an upper-half of a body relative to a head-end of a couch. The positioning system may be a patient positioning system and may include a treatment couch, a leg rest coupled to the treatment couch, and a drive mechanism coupled to the leg rest. The patient positioning system may also include a treatment couch, having a base portion of a treatment couch and plurality of detachable portions of the treatment couch. The plurality of detachable portions to adjust a height of the treatment couch to accommodate differing heights of patients.

Abstract: A system and method for stereoscopically imaging a patient at multiple locations with a radiation treatment system using a common imaging center.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a target-to-surface distance (TSD) between a target region in a body and an actual point of entry of a radiation beam into the body from a radiation source. The method may include determining an absorbed dose of radiation from the radiation beam at the target region using the TSD. The method may also include compensating for both the motion of the target region with respect to the radiation source, and the motion of surrounding tissue relative to the target region. The apparatus may include a sensor system to determine the actual point of entry of the radiation beam into the body.

Abstract: A system and method for stereoscopically imaging a patient at multiple locations in a radiation treatment system with variable imaging geometry to enable the delivery of radiation treatments from multiple ranges of treatment angles without obstructing the imaging system or the radiation treatment.

Abstract: A respiration phantom that may be used to perform quality assurance on a radiation delivery system. The respiration phantom includes a human-like skeletal structure, at least one deformable component, and a respiration actuator. The deformable component is positionable at least partially internal to the human-like skeletal structure, has a shape resembling an organ of a human anatomy, and attenuates radiation substantially similarly to the organ of the human anatomy. The respiration actuator is positioned to deform the deformable component with a respiration-like motion.

Abstract: A method of automatically identifying a region of differing intensity in a functional image is described.

Abstract: A target structure for an electron linear accelerator converts energy in an electron beam to x-rays and provides for the monitoring and control of the effective energy of the electron beam by collecting and processing a residual current in the target structure.

Abstract: A method of automatically optimizing an inverse treatment plan by referencing data from accepted plan libraries.