Abstract: A radiation therapy treatment system and method of treating a patient with radiation. The system integrates positioning of the patient, treatment planning, and delivery of the plan. As a result of the integration of imaging capabilities into the treatment apparatus, and efficient processes for contouring and planning, a patient can be treated in approximately 20 minutes or less. The method includes acquiring image data from the patient, defining a target region with one or more predefined shapes, generating a treatment plan based on the defined target region, and delivering radiation to the target region.

Abstract: System and method of evaluating quality assurance criteria related to the delivery of a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of acquiring image data of a patient, generating a treatment plan for the patient based at least in part on the image data, the treatment plan including a calculated radiation dose to be delivered to the patient, acquiring an on-line image of the patient in substantially a treatment position, delivering at least a portion of the calculated radiation dose to the patient, monitoring quality assurance criteria related to the delivery of the treatment plan, calculating the radiation dose received by the patient, and determining whether delivery of the treatment plan occurred as intended based on the quality assurance criteria and the radiation dose received by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of evaluating a radiation dose delivered to a patient receiving radiation therapy. The method includes the acts of generating a time-based series of patient images, collecting a time-based series of data indicating patient motion, and evaluating a radiation dose delivered to the patient based upon the time-based series of patient images and the time-based series of data.

Abstract: A system and method of predicting a radiation dose to be delivered to a patient. The method includes the acts of generating a first image of at least a portion of the patient, defining a treatment plan for the patient, generating a second image of at least a portion of the patient while the patient is substantially in a treatment position, updating the patient profile with the second image, and predicting the radiation dose to be delivered to the patient based upon the patient profile and the treatment plan.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically processing data relating to a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of acquiring image data of a patient, generating a treatment plan for the patient based at least in part on the image data, the treatment plan including a calculated radiation dose to be delivered to the patient, acquiring an on-line image of the patient in substantially a treatment position, delivering at least a portion of the calculated radiation dose to the patient, and automatically recalculating the radiation dose received by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of defining a new region of interest for an existing region of interest using a dose volume histogram. The method includes the acts of generating a dose volume histogram of radiation dose for a pre-existing region of interest, selecting a subset of the dose volume histogram, and defining a new region of interest that corresponds to the selected subset of the dose volume histogram.

Abstract: A system and method of adapting a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of preparing a treatment plan for a patient, acquiring images of the patient, performing deformable registration of the images, acquiring data relating to a radiation dose delivered to the patient, applying a biological model relating the radiation dose delivered and a patient effect, and adapting the radiation therapy treatment plan based on the deformable registration and the biological model.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of using current but incomplete data to prepare an approximated complete image of a patient potentially undergoing radiation therapy. A limited patient image, such as that obtained from a CT scan is fused with a complete image of the same area using image registration techniques. The fused image is converted to sinogram data. This data is compared to sinogram data corresponding to the limited patient image to determine what data exists beyond the scope of the limited sinogram. Any additional data is added to the limited data sinogram to obtain a complete sinogram. This is reconstructed into an image that approximates the complete image that would have been taken at the time the limited image was obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using current but incomplete data to prepare an approximated complete image of a patient potentially undergoing radiation therapy. A complete image of the patient is fused or aligned with a limited patient image using image registration techniques. The aligned image is converted to sinogram data. This sinogram data is compared to sinogram data corresponding to the limited patient image to determine what data exists beyond the scope of the limited sinogram. Any additional data is added to the limited data sinogram to obtain a complete sinogram. This complete sinogram is then reconstructed into an image that approximates the complete image that would have been taken at the time the limited image was obtained.

Abstract: A method of compensating for unexpected changes in the size, shape, and/or position of a patient in the delivery of radiation therapy. An image of a patient is used to prepare a treatment plan for the irradiation of a tumor or the like, shown in the image. A second image of a patient includes a visual representation of the tumor and sensitive structures wherein any combination of the size, shape, or position of the tumor or sensitive structures is different from any combination of the size, shape, or position of the visual representation of the tumor or sensitive structures in said first image. The radiation treatment is adjusted to more closely conform the treatment plan to the new size, shape, or position of the tumor as shown in said second image. This adjustment can occur before, during, or after the radiation delivery and can be used to define trade-offs that exist for the delivery.

Abstract: A method of compensating for unexpected changes in the size, shape, and/or position of a patient in the delivery of radiation therapy. An image of a patient is used to prepare a treatment plan for the irradiation of a tumor or the like, shown in the image. A second image of a patient includes a visual representation of the tumor and sensitive structures wherein any combination of the size, shape, or position of the tumor or sensitive structures is different from any combination of the size, shape, or position of the visual representation of the tumor or sensitive structures in said first image. The radiation treatment is adjusted to more closely conform the treatment plan to the new size, shape, or position of the tumor as shown in said second image. This adjustment can occur before, during, or after the radiation delivery and can be used to define trade-offs that exist for the delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of using current but incomplete data to prepare an approximated complete image of a patient potentially undergoing radiation therapy. A limited patient image, such as that obtained from a CT scan is fused with a complete image of the same area using image registration techniques. The fused image is converted to sinogram data. This data is compared to sinogram data corresponding to the limited patient image to determine what data exists beyond the scope of the limited sinogram. Any additional data is added to the limited data sinogram to obtain a complete sinogram. This is reconstructed into an image that approximates the complete image that would have been taken at the time the limited image was obtained.

Abstract: In radiotherapy, a high quality imaging array may be placed after the patient and opposite the radiation source to be used during radiation treatment to verify operation of a shutter system or similar device and/or to compute dose delivered to the patient. A model of the patient may be used and inverted in order to estimate values of energy fluence prior to absorption by the patient and overlapping of the various radiation beams passing through the patient. A test pattern of shutter excitation to illuminate a single ray at a time provides a simple method of obtaining the necessary model. The dose from this test pattern may be subtracted from the subsequent radiation treatment so as to provide limited or no increase in total dose to the patient.