Abstract: A method of image-guided radiation treatment is described. The method may include acquiring digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) of a patient and generating a first set of image data of part or all of the patient using imaging radiation at a first energy level and a second set of image data of part or all of the patient using imaging radiation at a second energy level, wherein the first energy level is an energy level selected within the range of 50-100 kV and the second energy level is an energy level selected within the range of 100-150 kV. The method ma also include processing the first and second sets of image data to generate an enhanced image, wherein the enhanced image comprises a combination of the first and second sets of image data, and wherein part or all of the image data comprises the target.

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus determines a set of angles that have a tracking quality metric value that satisfies a tracking quality metric criterion. During an alignment phase or a treatment phase for a treatment stage of a target by the radiation therapy apparatus, the radiation therapy apparatus performs selects at least a first angle and a second angle from the set of angles for a first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus generates, using an imaging device mounted to the gantry, a first tracking image of the target from the first angle during the first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus generates, using the imaging device, a second tracking image of the target from the second angle during the first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus performs the target tracking based on the first tracking image and the second tracking image.

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus determines a set of angles that have a tracking quality metric value that satisfies a tracking quality metric criterion. During an alignment phase or a treatment phase for a treatment stage of a target by the radiation therapy apparatus, the radiation therapy apparatus performs selects at least a first angle and a second angle from the set of angles for a first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus generates, using an imaging device mounted to the gantry, a first tracking image of the target from the first angle during the first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus generates, using the imaging device, a second tracking image of the target from the second angle during the first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus performs the target tracking based on the first tracking image and the second tracking image.

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus determines a set of angles that have a tracking quality metric value that satisfies a tracking quality metric criterion. During an alignment phase or a treatment phase for a treatment stage of a target by the radiation therapy apparatus, the radiation therapy apparatus performs selects at least a first angle and a second angle from the set of angles for a first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus generates, using an imaging device mounted to the gantry, a first tracking image of the target from the first angle during the first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus generates, using the imaging device, a second tracking image of the target from the second angle during the first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus performs the target tracking based on the first tracking image and the second tracking image.

Abstract: A method of the present disclosure includes performing, by a processing device, a first image registration between a reference image of a patient and a motion image of the patient to perform alignment between the reference image and the motion image, wherein the reference image and the motion image include a target position of the patient. The method further includes performing, by the processing device, a second image registration between the reference image and a motion x-ray image of the patient, via a first digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) for the reference image of the patient. The method further includes tracking at least a translational change in the target position based on the first registration and the second registration.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first estimate of leaf positions for a plurality of leaves of a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) in a reference coordinate space based on an image generated by an image-based aperture verification system, wherein the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves define an aperture for the MLC. The method further includes determining a second estimate of the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves in the reference coordinate space based on data from an additional source. The method further includes verifying the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves based on comparing the first estimate to the second estimate, wherein the leaf positions are verified if the first estimate deviates from the second estimate by less than a threshold value.

Abstract: A radiation delivery system includes a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) that includes a housing, a plurality of leaves disposed within the housing, and an image sensor disposed within the housing at a position that is offset from a beam axis. The plurality of leaves are movable to define an aperture for the MLC, and the image sensor is directed toward the plurality of leaves. The image sensor is to generate an oblique-view image of the aperture. The radiation delivery system additionally includes a processing device to receive the oblique-view image, transform the oblique-view image into a top-view image having a reference coordinate space, and determine whether the aperture for the MLC corresponds to a specified aperture based on the top-view image.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first estimate of leaf positions for a plurality of leaves of a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) in a reference coordinate space based on an image generated by an image-based aperture verification system, wherein the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves define an aperture for the MLC. The method further includes determining a second estimate of the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves in the reference coordinate space based on data from an additional source. The method further includes verifying the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves based on comparing the first estimate to the second estimate, wherein the leaf positions are verified if the first estimate deviates from the second estimate by less than a threshold value.

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus determines a set of angles that have a tracking quality metric value that satisfies a tracking quality metric criterion. During an alignment phase or a treatment phase for a treatment stage of a target by the radiation therapy apparatus, the radiation therapy apparatus performs selects at least a first angle and a second angle from the set of angles for a first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus generates, using an imaging device mounted to the gantry, a first tracking image of the target from the first angle during the first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus generates, using the imaging device, a second tracking image of the target from the second angle during the first rotation of the gantry. The radiation therapy apparatus performs the target tracking based on the first tracking image and the second tracking image.

Abstract: A processing device determines a plurality of angles from which tracking images can be generated by an imaging device. The processing device generates a plurality of projections of a treatment planning image of a patient, the treatment planning image comprising a delineated target, wherein each projection of the plurality of projections has an angle that corresponds to one of the plurality of angles from which the tracking images can be taken. The processing device determines, for each angle of the plurality of angles, a value of a tracking quality metric for tracking the target based on an analysis of a projection generated at that angle. The processing device selects a subset of the plurality of angles that have a tracking quality metric value that satisfies a tracking quality metric criterion.

Abstract: A radiation delivery system includes a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) that includes a housing, a plurality of leaves disposed within the housing, and an image sensor disposed within the housing at a position that is offset from a beam axis. The plurality of leaves are movable to define an aperture for the MLC, and the image sensor is directed toward the plurality of leaves. The image sensor is to generate an oblique-view image of the aperture. The radiation delivery system additionally includes a processing device to receive the oblique-view image, transform the oblique-view image into a top-view image having a reference coordinate space, and determine whether the aperture for the MLC corresponds to a specified aperture based on the top-view image.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first estimate of leaf positions for a plurality of leaves of a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) in a reference coordinate space based on an image generated by an image-based aperture verification system, wherein the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves define an aperture for the MLC. The method further includes determining a second estimate of the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves in the reference coordinate space based on data from an additional source. The method further includes verifying the leaf positions for the plurality of leaves based on comparing the first estimate to the second estimate, wherein the leaf positions are verified if the first estimate deviates from the second estimate by less than a threshold value.

Abstract: A method of image-guided radiation treatment is described. The method may include acquiring digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) of a patient and generating a first set of image data of part or all of the patient using imaging radiation at a first energy level and a second set of image data of part or all of the patient using imaging radiation at a second energy level, wherein the first energy level is an energy level selected within the range of 50-100 kV and the second energy level is an energy level selected within the range of 100-150 kV. The method ma also include processing the first and second sets of image data to generate an enhanced image, wherein the enhanced image comprises a combination of the first and second sets of image data, and wherein part or all of the image data comprises the target.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating multi-energy x-ray images and systems and methods for processing and using multi-energy x-ray images are provided for treating a target, e.g., a tumor, for image-guided radiation therapy. An image-guided radiation therapy system is provided including a treatment delivery system, a multi-energy imaging system, and a system processor. The treatment delivery system includes a radiation source configured to generate treatment radiation beams. The multi-energy imaging system is configured to generate a first set of image data of the patient using imaging radiation at a first energy level and a second set of image data of the patient using imaging radiation at a second energy level. The system processor is configured to process the first and second sets of image data to generate an enhanced image of the patient and to direct the treatment delivery system based on information obtained from the enhanced image.

Abstract: An image registration process for detecting a change in position of a surgical target, such as a tumor, within a patient is disclosed. A pre-operative model of the target and surrounding area is generated, then registered to live patient images to determine or confirm a location of the target during the course of surgery. Image registration is based on a non-iterative image processing logic that compares a similarity measure for a template of the target (generated from the pre-operative model) at one location within the live image to other locations within the live image.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating multi-energy x-ray images and systems and methods for processing and using multi-energy x-ray images are provided for treating a target, e.g., a tumor, for image-guided radiation therapy. An image-guided radiation therapy system is provided including a treatment delivery system, a multi-energy imaging system, and a system processor. The treatment delivery system includes a radiation source configured to generate treatment radiation beams. The multi-energy imaging system is configured to generate a first set of image data of the patient using imaging radiation at a first energy level and a second set of image data of the patient using imaging radiation at a second energy level. The system processor is configured to process the first and second sets of image data to generate an enhanced image of the patient and to direct the treatment delivery system based on information obtained from the enhanced image.

Abstract: An image registration process for detecting a change in position of a surgical target, such as a tumor, within a patient is disclosed. A pre-operative model of the target and surrounding area is generated, then registered to live patient images to determine or confirm a location of the target during the course of surgery. Image registration is based on a non-iterative image processing logic that compares a similarity measure for a template of the target (generated from the pre-operative model) at one location within the live image to other locations within the live image.