Abstract: A metal artifact reduction (MAR) method and system for reducing metal artifacts from X-ray images. The method is suitable for CT images generated with metallic elements exterior to a patient being scanned, for example, where external probes are applied to a patient, such as ultrasound probes. The method may be embodied in a computer algorithm for use, for example, in radiotherapy treatment planning and patient positioning procedures. In one application, the disclosed technique improves the dose delivery accuracy in ultrasound-guided cardiac radioablation, making this treatment modality a viable option for cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system comprising: a manipulator arm of a robot, the manipulator arm or robot system, comprising a plurality of elements interconnected to each other by a plurality of joints whereby each element is rotatable relative to an adjoining element of the manipulator arm; a diagnostic ultrasound probe module comprising an ultrasound transducer, the diagnostic module being coupled to one of the elements of the manipulator arm by a coupling arrangement to allow movement of the diagnostic module relative to said one of the elements of the manipulator arm; a controller coupled to the manipulator arm and coupling arrangement to employ the manipulator arm to move the diagnostic ultrasound probe module relative to a subject's anatomy, the subject being positioned on a bed frame, wherein the controller is arranged to control the movement of the plurality of elements and the coupling assembly in a plurality of operable modes such that in each operable mode, motion of the ultrasound probe module relative

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for image based guidance of treatment delivery to a patient. The system is adapted to determine spatial parameters defining a position and orientation of an ultrasound probe (8) on the basis of a reference image which has been used for preparing a treatment plan. This can provide a certain degree of automation in arranging the ultrasound probe, in order to decrease user dependence and improve the usability for relatively untrained operators. Moreover, since the reference image is also used for generating the treatment plan, i.e. since the same image is used for generating the treatment plan and for determining the position and orientation of the ultrasound probe, it is not necessarily required to acquire an additional image. This can allow for a reduced radiation dose applied to the parts of the patient not being the target to be treated.

Abstract: An ultrasound device (18) is arranged to acquire an ultrasound image (19) of a thoracic diaphragm. A current location (24) of a tumor is determined using the ultrasound image (19) of the thoracic diaphragm and a predetermined relationship (14) assigning tumor locations to a set of simulation phase ultrasound images of the thoracic diaphragm in different geometries, or using a predetermined relationship (114) assigning tumor locations to a set of meshes representing the thoracic diaphragm in different geometries. The tumor may, for example, be a lung tumor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for delivering a radiation treatment to a structure (21) within a body. In the system, a plurality of treatments plans is provided, each treatment plan being associated to one of a plurality of predefined possible position (33a; 33b) of the structure (21), which area regularly distributed on at least one predefined surface (32a; 32b). A control unit is configured to determine the position of the structure during the treatment and to select a treatment plan which is associated with a predefined possible position having a smallest distance to the determined position, for controlling the radiation source in response to the detection of the position. Moreover, the invention relates to a computer program for controlling the system and to a planning unit for generating the treatment plans.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a thin two dimensional array transducer probe which is taped or belted to a patient to image a target region during radiotherapy. The radiotherapy procedure is conducted based upon planning done based on images of the target region acquired prior to the procedure. The array transducer is operated by an ultrasound system to produce three dimensional images of the target region by electronic beam steering, either during or between fractions of the treatment procedure. The ultrasound images are used to adjust the treatment plan in response to any movement or displacement of the target anatomy during the treatment procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for delivering a radiation treatment to a structure (21) within a body. In the system, a plurality of treatments plans is provided, each treatment plan being associated to one of a plurality of predefined possible position (33a; 33b) of the structure (21), which area regularly distributed on at least one predefined surface (32a; 32b). A control unit is configured to determine the position of the structure during the treatment and to select a treatment plan which is associated with a predefined possible position having a smallest distance to the determined position, for controlling the radiation source in response to the detection of the position. Moreover, the invention relates to a computer program for controlling the system and to a planning unit for generating the treatment plans.

Abstract: The invention relates to system and a method for adapting a radiotherapy treatment plan for treating a target structure within a target region of a patient body, where a planning unit (7) adapts the treatment plan on the basis of a set of influence parameters quantifying an influence of the radiation on the target region per unity intensity emission in accordance with an anatomical configuration of the target region. In a storage (8), a plurality of sets of influence parameters is stored, each set being associated with an image of the body region representing a particular anatomical configuration of the target region and the planning unit (7) is configured to select the set of influence parameters from the stored sets on the basis of a comparison between a captured image of the body region and at least one of the images associated with the sets of influence parameters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (DMS) manage dosage in radiation therapy planning and/or delivery. Images of a region of interest ROI are acquired at different times. A registration transformation is computed that deforms one of the two images into the other. A magnitude of the transformation is then computed based on a suitable metric. If the computed magnitude is found to comply with a pre-defined criterion, the transformation is used to deform a dose distribution map and compute, based on the deformed dose map, therefrom a new fluence map.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for image based guidance of treatment delivery to a patient. The system is adapted to determine spatial parameters defining a position and orientation of an ultrasound probe (8) on the basis of a reference image which has been used for preparing a treatment plan. This can provide a certain degree of automation in arranging the ultrasound probe, in order to decrease user dependence and improve the usability for relatively untrained operators. Moreover, since the reference image is also used for generating the treatment plan, i.e. since the same image is used for generating the treatment plan and for determining the position and orientation of the ultrasound probe, it is not necessarily required to acquire an additional image. This can allow for a reduced radiation dose applied to the parts of the patient not being the target to be treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to system and a method for adapting a radiotherapy treatment plan for treating a target structure within a target region of a patient body, where a planning unit (7) adapts the treatment plan on the basis of a set of influence parameters quantifying an influence of the radiation on the target region per unity intensity emission in accordance with an anatomical configuration of the target region. In a storage (8), a plurality of sets of influence parameters is stored, each set being associated with an image of the body region representing a particular anatomical configuration of the target region and the planning unit (7) is configured to select the set of influence parameters from the stored sets on the basis of a comparison between a captured image of the body region and at least one of the images associated with the sets of influence parameters.

Abstract: An ultrasound device (18) is arranged to acquire an ultrasound image (19) of a thoracic diaphragm. A current location (24) of a tumor is determined using the ultrasound image (19) of the thoracic diaphragm and a predetermined relationship (14) assigning tumor locations to a set of simulation phase ultrasound images of the thoracic diaphragm in different geometries, or using a predetermined relationship (114) assigning tumor locations to a set of meshes representing the thoracic diaphragm in different geometries. The tumor may, for example, be a lung tumor.

Abstract: Aspects of this invention are directed to multimodality imaging systems and automated programmable decision making units that permit optimal and effective exploitation of the best segmentation algorithms and parameters thereto. In some embodiments, the decision making employs a plurality of weighting factors and parameters applied to the respective segmentation algorithms, parameters and modalities, including sometimes as linear combinations, to provide optimal segmentation results and better processes for selection of segmentation algorithms and parameters for such segmentation.