Abstract: A control circuit optimizes a radiation treatment plan for a patient treatment volume using an automatically iterating optimization process that optimizes as a function, at least in part, of predetermined cost functions, wherein at least one of the cost functions favors apertures for the multi-leaf collimation system having local curvature that deviates only minimally from a reference curvature. By one approach the control circuit determines the reference curvature as a function, at least in part, of at least one of setting the reference curvature to a static minimal local curvature, a shape of a projective mapping of the treatment volume onto an isocenter plane, and/or a fluence map associated with an amount of radiation to be administered to the treatment volume from a particular direction. By one approach the control circuit dynamically determines when to employ one or more such cost functions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for proton therapy planning that maximize the dose rate for different target sizes for FLASH therapy treatment are disclosed herein according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments, non-standard scanning patterns can be generated, for example, using a TPS optimizer, to maximize dose rate and the overall FLASH effect for specific volumes at risk. The novel scanning patterns can include scanning subfields of a field that are scanned independently or spiral-shaped patterns, for example. In general, spot locations and beam paths between spots are optimized to substantially achieve a desired dose rate in defined regions of the patient's body for FLASH therapy treatment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting a location of a target heart region for cardiac ablation can include one or more processors generating a 3D model of a heart of a patient based on medical images of the patient, and estimating, using the 3D model of the heart and electrophysiology data of the patient, one or more mechanical properties that drive motion of the patient's heart. The one or more processors can generate, using the 3D model and the one or more mechanical properties, a simulated motion pattern of the patient's heart over at least a portion of a cardiac cycle, and identify a region of interest (ROI) of the heart of the patient to be radiated. The one or more processors can determine, using the simulated motion pattern of the heart of the patient, a location of the ROI at a predefined time instance within the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A remote diagnostic monitoring of operating states for physical components of a particle accelerator system includes generating, by at least one processor, a component hierarchy corresponding to a physical arrangement of one or more physical components of a particle emitting system and including corresponding operating indicators of operating states of the physical components, identifying, by the at least one processor, a faulted physical component among the physical components, identifying, by the at least one processor, one or more fault path components among the physical components, the fault path components corresponding to a portion of the physical arrangement associated with the faulted physical component, and modifying, by the at least one processor, the operating indicators of the fault path components to fault state indicators.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides a method including obtaining a surface of a patient, obtaining first treatment information for the patient, the first treatment information associated with a treatment for the patient, the first treatment information corresponding to at least one of a treatment intent for the patient, a treatment plan for the patient or a structure of the patient, obtaining at least one model based on the first treatment information for the patient and determining a region of interest of the patient based on the surface of the patient and the at least one model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating radiation effect for cardiac ablation can include a processor generating a heart simulation model configured to simulate electrical activities of the heart of the patient. The processor can determine a simulated post-radiation state of the heart of the patient by adjusting the heart simulation model to account for an effect of a radiation treatment plan on simulated electrical activities of the heart of the patient. The processor can simulate, using the adjusted heart simulation model, the simulated post-radiation state of the heart with a stimulation to induce a heart rhythm disorder, determine whether the heart rhythm disorder is induced based on electrical activities generated when simulating the simulated post-radiation state of the heart with the stimulation, and output an indication of whether the heart rhythm disorder is induced. The processor can suggest modifications to the radiation plan if the heart rhythm disorder is induced.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides a method including obtaining surface information of a patient using a camera; determining a motion of the patient based on the surface information; and providing an indicator of a region of interest (ROI) of the patient based on the motion.

Abstract: A method enables testing and evaluation of an expert human reviewer or an artificial intelligence (AI) error detection engine associated with a radiotherapy treatment planning process. Intentional errors are introduced into the output of a software module or AI engine that performs a certain step in the radiotherapy treatment planning process. The efficacy of the human or AI reviewer in detecting errors can then be evaluated or tested by determining whether the human or AI reviewer has detected the introduced error.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a radiotherapy treatment by focusing an electron beam on an x-ray target (e.g., a tungsten plate) to produce a high-yield x-ray output with improved field shaping. A modified electron beam spatial distribution is employed to scan the x-ray target, such as a 2D periodic beam path, which advantageously lowers the temperature of the x-ray target compared to typical compact beam spatial distribution. As a result, the x-ray target can produce a high yield x-ray output without sacrificing the life span of the x-ray target. The use of a 2D periodic beam path allows a much colder x-ray target functioning regime such that more dosage can be applied in a short period of time compared to existing techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to cryogenic systems and methods useful to cool objects, including living tissue, to freezing or cryogenic temperatures by placing the object in thermal communication with sub-cooled supercritical nitrogen.

Abstract: A method includes determining skin characteristics in a region of a patient. An in-treatment optical scan is performed on a region of a patient, wherein the in-treatment optical scan comprises a near infrared (NIR) energy source. A plurality of detected signals is detected from the optical scan. The skin characteristics are filtered out from the plurality of detected signals. Skeletal anatomy positioning associated with the region is determined from the plurality of signals that is filtered.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective generation and delivery of radiation. A radiation generation system can comprise: a particle beam gun, a high energy dissipation anode target (HEDAT); and a liquid anode control component. In some embodiments, the particle beam gun generates an electron beam. The HEDAT includes a solid anode portion (HEDAT-SAP) and a liquid anode portion (HEDAT-LAP) that are configured to receive the electron beam, absorb energy from the electron beam, generate a radiation beam, and dissipate heat. The radiation beam can include photons that can have radiation characteristics (e.g., X-ray wavelength, ionizing capability, etc.). The liquid anode control component can control a liquid anode flow to the HEDAT. The HEDAT-SAP and HEDAT-LAP can cooperatively operate in radiation generation and their configuration can be selected based upon contribution of respective HEDAT-SAP and the HEDAT-LAP characteristics to radiation generation.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for radiotherapy treatment plan analysis and guidance using voice commands and human language processing. A processor monitors a computer model generating a radiation therapy treatment plan comprising a projected dose-volume distribution for a structure of a patient or an attribute of the radiation therapy treatment plan. The processor receives a query indicating the structure of the patient. The processor generates a query term based on the received query. The processor retrieves data associated with the query term by querying data generated based on monitoring the computer model. The processor transmits the retrieved data to computer device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for planning radiosurgical treatments for neuromodulating a portion of the renovascular system may be used to plan radiosurgical neuromodulation treatments for conditions or disease associated with elevated central sympathetic drive. The renal nerves may be located and targeted at the level of the ganglion and/or at postganglionic positions, as well as preganglionic positions. Target regions include the renal plexus, celiac ganglion, the superior mesenteric ganglion, the aorticorenal ganglion and the aortic plexus. Planning of radiosurgical treatments will optionally employ a graphical representation of a blood/tissue interface adjacent these targets.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are radiotherapy methods and systems that can display a workflow-oriented graphical user interface(s). In an embodiment, a method comprises presenting, by a server, a first page of a first graphical user interface on the radiotherapy console associated with a radiotherapy machine in a treatment room, wherein the first graphical user interface contains a plurality of pages, each page corresponding to a stage of treatment implemented by the radiotherapy machine, and the first page corresponds to a first stage; and transitioning, by the server, the first page of the first graphical user interface to a second page of the first graphical user interface corresponding to a second stage responsive to an input of a user interacting with a second graphical interface presented on a display in the treatment room indicating that at least a predetermined portion of tasks associated with the first stage has been satisfied.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems to train and execute a computer model that uses artificial intelligence methodologies (e.g., deep learning) to learn and predict Multi-leaf Collimator (MLC) openings and control weights for a radiation therapy treatment plan.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are radiotherapy systems and methods that can display a workflow-oriented graphical user interface(s). In an embodiment, a system comprises a radiotherapy machine comprising: a gantry having a screen in communication with a server, the screen configured to display a graphical user interface; and at least one camera, wherein the server is configured to present, in real time, images received from the at least one camera for display on a graphical user interface displayed on the screen.

Abstract: Radiation treatment planning includes determining a number of beams to be directed into a target, determining directions (e.g., gantry angles) for the beams, and determining an energy level for each of the beams. The number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the energy levels are determined such that the beams do not overlap outside the target and the prescribed dose will be delivered across the entire target.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are radiotherapy methods and systems that can display a workflow-oriented graphical user interface(s). In an embodiment, a method comprises presenting, by the server for display on a screen associated with a radiotherapy machine, a series of consecutive graphical user interfaces, wherein each graphical user interface displays one or more graphical components corresponding to one or more tasks of one or more stages of a patient's radiotherapy treatment; and when a user operating the pendant interacts with a first controller of the pendant, the radiotherapy machine adjusts at least one of its configurations; and when the user interacts with a second controller of the pendant, the server revises the graphical user interface corresponding to the user's input.

Abstract: A motion-enable device includes a mechanical switch and a capacitive sensor with a sensing region that is located adjacent to the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch enables a first signal when closed or actuated that indicates that the mechanical switch is in an active state. The capacitive sensor enables a second signal when a conductive object is disposed in the sensing region, where the second signal indicates that the capacitive sensor is in an active state. Enablement of operation of an apparatus depends on receipt of both the first signal and the second signal. The mechanical switch and the capacitive sensor act as the two separate switches required by functional safety requirements for a motion enable device. Because the sensing region of the capacitive sensor is adjacent to the mechanical switch, the first and second signals are generated when an operator actuates the mechanical switch with a single digit.