Abstract: A method of image-guided radiation treatment is described. The method includes processing a 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, wherein part or all of the image data comprises a target of a patient. The method also includes registering the enhanced image with another image to obtain a registration result and tracking the target using the registration result to generate tracking information. The method also includes directing treatment delivery to the target based on the tracking information obtained from the enhanced image.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to receive measured projection data from a wide aperture scan of a wide axial region and a narrow aperture scan of a narrow axial region within the wide axial region and determine an estimated scatter in the wide axial region using an optimized scatter estimation technique. The optimized scatter estimation technique is based on the difference between the measured scatter in the narrow axial region and the estimated scatter in the narrow axial region. Kernel-based scatter estimation/correction techniques can be fitted to minimize the scatter difference in the narrow axial region and thereafter applying the fitted (optimized) kernel-based scatter estimation/correction to the wide axial region. Optimizations can occur in the projection data domain or the reconstruction domain. Iterative processes are also utilized.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to efficiently estimate scatter during multi-fraction treatments for improved quality and workflow. Estimated scatter from one fraction during a treatment course can be utilized during subsequent fractions, allowing for measurements with higher scatter-to-primary ratios. The quality of scatter estimates can be maintained, while workflow improves and dosage decreases. Scan configuration limits can be utilized to maintain a minimum level of scatter measurement quality. Patient information can be monitored to ensure that prior fraction scatter estimates are still applicable to current patient status.

Abstract: A method of image-guided radiation treatment is described. The method may include acquiring a pre-treatment image 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. The method may 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. The method may also include registering the enhanced image with the pre-treatment image to obtain a registration result and tracking movement and position of the target using the registration result to generate tracking information.

Abstract: A method comprises inputting a treatment planning image of a target subject into a machine learning system. The method further comprises determining, by the machine learning system, a first target-subject-specific model of the treatment planning image. The method further comprises applying, by a processing device, the first target-subject-specific model to the treatment planning image to generate a transformed treatment planning image corresponding to a first position of a plurality of positions of the target subject. The method further comprises comparing the transformed treatment planning image to a reference image. The method further comprises, based on the comparing, modifying one or more parameters of the first target-subject-specific model to generate a second target-subject-specific model corresponding to a second position of the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A method comprises identifying a treatment planning image of a target subject, the treatment planning image comprising information associated with an arrangement of structures within the target subject. The method further comprises generating, based on the information, a set of reference data associated with the target subject, the reference data indicating a plurality of positions of the target subject. The method further comprises generating target-subject-specific models based on the reference data and modifying one or more hyper-parameters of the target-subject-specific mode to generate second target-subject-specific models corresponding to a second position of the plurality of positions. The method further comprises controlling a radiation treatment delivery device based on the second target-subject-specific model to deliver a radiation treatment to the target subject.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for operating a radiation treatment delivery system. The method includes generating, by a processing device, a set of instructions for a volumetric imager based on a set of directionalities for a radiation beam of a linear accelerator (LINAC) to avoid a collision between the volumetric imager and the LINAC, wherein the set of instructions comprises physical locations of the volumetric imager and timing values corresponding to the physical locations. The method further includes operating the volumetric imager during the radiation treatment delivery according to the set of instructions.

Abstract: A method of image-guided radiation treatment is described. The method may include acquiring a pre-treatment image 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. The method may 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. The method may also include registering the enhanced image with the pre-treatment image to obtain a registration result and tracking movement and position of the target using the registration result to generate tracking information.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first set of positions for a volumetric imager and determining a second set of positions for a linear accelerator (LINAC), during radiation treatment delivery. The method further includes determining a set of radiation beam directionalities of the LINAC, wherein for each of the second set of positions for the LINAC a radiation beam corresponds to a radiation beam directionality. The method further includes generating instructions for the volumetric imager based on the first and the second set of positions, the radiation beam directionalities, and a treatment time constraint to avoid a collision between the volumetric imager and the LINAC and between the volumetric imager and the radiation beam, wherein the instructions include physical locations of the volumetric imager and timing values corresponding to the physical locations. The method further includes operating the volumetric imager during the radiation treatment delivery according to the set of instructions.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a volumetric imager, a first image including a target of a patient. The method further includes receiving a second image including the target of the patient. The method further includes tracking, by a processing device, a position of the target using the first image and the second image by maintaining a fixed alignment between a treatment beam of a linear accelerator (LINAC) and a source and detector pair of the volumetric imager during operation of the LINAC.

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. The method may 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. The method may also include registering the enhanced image with the DRRs to obtain a registration result, tracking movement and position of the target using the registration result to generating tracking information.

Abstract: A reference image of a patient may be generated. A subsequent x-ray image of the patient may be generated after the generating of the reference image where the subsequent x-ray image is associated with a low dosage. A difference between the reference image and the subsequent x-ray image that is associated with the low dosage may be determined. A motion of the patient may be identified as having occurred based on the determined difference.

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: Systems and methods for tracking a target volume, e.g., tumor, in real-time during radiation treatment are provided. The system includes a memory to store a pre-acquired 3D image of the anatomy of interest in a first reference frame and a processor, operative coupled with the memory, to receive, from an ultrasound probe, a set-up ultrasound image of the anatomy of interest in a second reference frame. The processor further to establish a transformation between the first and second reference frames by registering the set-up ultrasound image with the pre-acquired 3D image and receive, from the ultrasound probe, an intrafraction ultrasound image of the anatomy of interest. The processor further to register the intrafraction ultrasound image with the set-up ultrasound image and track motion of the anatomy of interest based on the registered intrafraction ultrasound image.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a volumetric imager, a first image including a target of a patient. The method further includes receiving a second image including the target of the patient. The method further includes tracking, by a processing device, a position of the target using the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A radiation treatment apparatus, comprising a gantry structure comprising a beam member extending between first and second ends of the gantry structure. The radiation treatment apparatus also includes a radiation treatment head movably mounted to the beam member in a manner that allows (i) translation of the radiation treatment head along the beam member between the first and second ends, and (ii) gimballing of the radiation treatment head relative to the beam member, the gimballing comprising pivotable movement in at least one independent pivot direction defined with respect to the beam member. The radiation treatment apparatus also includes a patient couch operative coupled with the radiation treatment head in manner to provide movement of the patient couch relative to the radiation treatment head.

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: Systems and methods for tracking a target volume, e.g., tumor, in real-time during radiation treatment are provided. Under one aspect, a system includes an ultrasound probe, an x-ray imager, a processor, and a computer-readable medium that stores a 3D image of the tumor in a first reference frame and instructions for causing the processor to: instruct the x-ray imager and ultrasound probe to substantially simultaneously obtain inherently registered x-ray and set-up ultrasound images of the tumor in a second reference frame; establish a transformation between the first and second reference frames by registering the 3D image and the x-ray image; instruct the ultrasound probe to obtain an intrafraction ultrasound image of the tumor; registering the intrafraction ultrasound image with the set-up ultrasound image; and track target volume motion based on the registered intrafraction ultrasound image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to efficiently estimate scatter during multi-fraction treatments for improved quality and workflow. Estimated scatter from one fraction during a treatment course can be utilized during subsequent fractions, allowing for measurements with higher scatter-to-primary ratios. The quality of scatter estimates can be maintained, while workflow improves and dosage decreases. Scan configuration limits can be utilized to maintain a minimum level of scatter measurement quality. Patient information can be monitored to ensure that prior fraction scatter estimates are still applicable to current patient status.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to receive measured projection data from a wide aperture scan of a wide axial region and a narrow aperture scan of a narrow axial region within the wide axial region and determine an estimated scatter in the wide axial region using an optimized scatter estimation technique. The optimized scatter estimation technique is based on the difference between the measured scatter in the narrow axial region and the estimated scatter in the narrow axial region. Kernel-based scatter estimation/correction techniques can be fitted to minimize the scatter difference in the narrow axial region and thereafter applying the fitted (optimized) kernel-based scatter estimation/correction to the wide axial region. Optimizations can occur in the projection data domain or the reconstruction domain. Iterative processes are also utilized.