Abstract: A computing system comprising a central processing unit (CPU), and memory coupled to the CPU and having stored therein instructions that, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to execute operations to generate a radiation treatment plan. The operations include accessing a minimum prescribed dose to be delivered into and across the target, determining a number of beams and directions of the beams, and determining a beam energy for each of the beams, wherein the number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the beam energy for each of the beams are determined such that the entire target receives the minimum prescribed dose. The operations further include prescribing a dose rate and optimizing dose rate constraints for FLASH therapy, and displaying a dose rate map of the FLASH therapy.

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: A computing system comprising a central processing unit (CPU), and memory coupled to the CPU and having stored therein instructions that, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to execute operations to generate a radiation treatment plan. The operations include accessing a minimum prescribed dose to be delivered into and across the target, determining a number of beams and directions of the beams, and determining a beam energy for each of the beams, wherein the number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the beam energy for each of the beams are determined such that the entire target receives the minimum prescribed dose. The operations further include prescribing a dose rate and optimizing dose rate constraints for FLASH therapy, and displaying a dose rate map of the FLASH therapy.

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: A graphical user interface is configured for display on a computer display. The graphical user interface includes a dose rate slider configured to enable a user to select a range of radiation dose rates of a radiotherapy plan, and a display image configured to present an image. The dose rate slider may be selectable among less than a value of the dose rate slider, and more than a value of the dose rate slider.

Abstract: A method of planning radiation treatment for a patient includes identifying a region of interest of the patient to be treated with radiation and determining a simulated treatment plan for the region of interest based on a statistical analysis between one or more metrics of the identified region of interest and a previously determined predictive dynamics database that includes information regarding the one or more metrics for corresponding regions of interest for a population of patients. The method further includes characterizing the simulated treatment plan with a FLASH Index that compares an ideal FLASH radiation treatment plan to the simulated treatment plan.

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: Radiation treatment planning includes accessing values of parameters such as a number of beams to be directed into sub-volumes in a target, beam directions, and beam energies. Information that specifies limits for the radiation treatment plan are accessed. The limits include a limit on irradiation time for each sub-volume outside the target. Other limits can include a limit on irradiation time for each sub-volume in the target, a limit on dose rate for each sub volume in the target, and a limit on dose rate for each sub-volume outside the target. The values of the parameters are adjusted until the irradiation time for each sub-volume outside the target satisfies the maximum limit on irradiation time.

Abstract: A computing system comprising a central processing unit (CPU), and memory coupled to the CPU and having stored therein instructions that, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to execute operations to generate a radiation treatment plan. The operations include accessing a minimum prescribed dose to be delivered into and across the target, determining a number of beams and directions of the beams, and determining a beam energy for each of the beams, wherein the number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the beam energy for each of the beams are determined such that the entire target receives the minimum prescribed dose. The operations further include prescribing a dose rate and optimizing dose rate constraints for FLASH therapy, and displaying a dose rate map of the FLASH therapy.

Abstract: A system for treating a patient during radiation therapy is disclosed. The system includes a shell, a plurality of material inserts disposed in the shell, where each material insert of the plurality of material inserts respectively shapes a distribution of a dose delivered to the patient by a respective beam of a plurality of beams emitted from a nozzle of a radiation treatment system, and a scaffold component disposed in the shell that holds the plurality material inserts in place relative to the patient such that each material insert lies on a path of at least one of the beams.

Abstract: Information associated with a radiation treatment plan includes, for example, values of dose per voxel in a target volume, values of dose rate per voxel in the target volume, and values of parameters used when generating the values of dose per voxel and the values of dose rate per voxel. Renderings that include, for example, a rendering of an image of or including the target volume, and a rendering of selected values of the radiation treatment plan, are displayed. When a selection of a region of one of the renderings is received, a displayed characteristic of another one of the renderings is changed based on the selection.

Abstract: These teachings provide for accessing optimization information comprising at least one isocenter that corresponds to a body outline for a particular patient, field geometry information for a particular radiation treatment platform, and dosimetric data. The optimization information can further comprise a model of a body outline for the patient. A control circuit optimizes a radiation treatment plan as a function of the optimization information to provide an optimized radiation treatment plan where radiation dose levels delivered to the particular patient from a particular field depends on the relative volume magnitude of field path intersections to thereby reduce radiation dose delivery to healthy patient tissue in regions having relatively more overlapping fields.

Abstract: Radiation treatment planning includes accessing values of parameters such as a number of beams to be directed into sub-volumes in a target, beam directions, and beam energies. Information that specifies limits for the radiation treatment plan are accessed. The limits include a limit on irradiation time for each sub-volume outside the target. Other limits can include a limit on irradiation time for each sub-volume in the target, a limit on dose rate for each sub-volume in the target, and a limit on dose rate for each sub-volume outside the target. The values of the parameters are adjusted until the irradiation time for each sub-volume outside the target satisfies the maximum limit on irradiation time.

Abstract: A dose rate-volume histogram can be generated for a target volume. The dose rate-volume histogram can be stored in computer system memory and used to generate a radiation treatment plan. The radiation treatment plan can be used as the basis for treating a patient using a radiation treatment system.

Abstract: A system for treating a patient during radiation therapy is disclosed. The system includes a shell, a plurality of material inserts disposed in the shell, where each material insert of the plurality of material inserts respectively shapes a distribution of a dose delivered to the patient by a respective beam of a plurality of beams emitted from a nozzle of a radiation treatment system, and a scaffold component disposed in the shell that holds the plurality material inserts in place relative to the patient such that each material insert lies on a path of at least one of the beams.

Abstract: Information associated with a radiation treatment plan includes, for example, values of dose per voxel in a target volume, values of dose rate per voxel in the target volume, and values of parameters used when generating the values of dose per voxel and the values of dose rate per voxel. Renderings that include, for example, a rendering of an image of or including the target volume, and a rendering of selected values of the radiation treatment plan, are displayed. When a selection of a region of one of the renderings is received, a displayed characteristic of another one of the renderings is changed based on the selection.

Abstract: A computing system comprising a central processing unit (CPU), and memory coupled to the CPU and having stored therein instructions that, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to execute operations to generate a radiation treatment plan. The operations include accessing a minimum prescribed dose to be delivered into and across the target, determining a number of beams and directions of the beams, and determining a beam energy for each of the beams, wherein the number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the beam energy for each of the beams are determined such that the entire target receives the minimum prescribed dose. The operations further include prescribing a dose rate and optimizing dose rate constraints for FLASH therapy, and displaying a dose rate map of the FLASH therapy.

Abstract: Information associated with a radiation treatment plan includes, for example, values of dose per voxel in a target volume, values of dose rate per voxel in the target volume, and values of parameters used when generating the values of dose per voxel and the values of dose rate per voxel. Renderings that include, for example, a rendering of an image of or including the target volume, and a rendering of selected values of the radiation treatment plan, are displayed. When a selection of a region of one of the renderings is received, a displayed characteristic of another one of the renderings is changed based on the selection.

Abstract: A dose rate-volume histogram can be generated for a target volume. The dose rate-volume histogram can be stored in computer system memory and used to generate a radiation treatment plan. The radiation treatment plan can be used as the basis for treating a patient using a radiation treatment system.

Abstract: These teachings provide for accessing optimization information comprising at least one isocenter that corresponds to a body outline for a particular patient, field geometry information for a particular radiation treatment platform, and dosimetric data. The optimization information can further comprise a model of a body outline for the patient. A control circuit optimizes a radiation treatment plan as a function of the optimization information to provide an optimized radiation treatment plan where radiation dose levels delivered to the particular patient from a particular field depends on the relative volume magnitude of field path intersections to thereby reduce radiation dose delivery to healthy patient tissue in regions having relatively more overlapping fields.