Abstract: Methods and systems dedicated to automatic object segmentation from image data are provided. In a first step a fuzzy seed set is generated that is learned from training data. The fuzzy seed set is registered to image data containing an object that needs to be segmented from a background. In a second step a random walker segmentation is applied to the image data by using the fuzzy seed set as an automatic seeding for segmentation. Liver segmentation, lung segmentation and kidney segmentation examples are provided.

Abstract: A device to measure the beam spot of a particle beam, has a device that records the projections of the beam spot in many directions that are essentially perpendicular to the direction of the particle beam, and an analysis device that reconstructs a two-dimensional cross section profile of the particle beam from the recorded projections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particle therapy apparatus having an accelerator for generating a particle beam, a passive energy modulator comprising an absorber element, and a control entity. The control entity is designed to switch between an active adjustment of the energy in the accelerator and a passive energy modulation by the energy modulator, for the purpose of changing the energy of the particle beam from a high energy level to a low energy level in a step-by-step manner. In particular, this has the effect of shortening the dead times when changing between the energy levels.

Abstract: A system for carrying out or monitoring irradiation of a moving object using a particle beam is provided. A particle beam may be directed onto the moving object from a beam outlet. X-ray images from different directions are recorded by an imaging unit. The imaging unit may include an x-ray detector and an x-ray emitter opposite the x-ray detector. The imaging unit may be positioned around the object independently of the position of the beam outlet, for example, during application of the particle beam. The X-ray images may be used to reconstruct a series of digital tomosynthesis images of the moving object online. The reconstructed digital tomosynthesis images are evaluated so that movement of the moving object is captured and the irradiation profile is controlled.

Abstract: There is proposed a device for the slice-by-slice irradiation of tumour tissue (3) in a patient using a particle beam, having—an accelerator (7) for generating a particle beam (5) with predetermined energy for each slice, —a raster scanning device (9), acting on the particle beam (5), for the slice-by-slice scanning of the tumour tissue (3), —a modulator (17) for modulating the energy of the particle beam (5), —a detection device (37) for the time-resolved detection of the position of the tumour tissue (3) and having—a first storage device for storing data relating to the tumour tissue (3), which were determined prior to the irradiation operation, and for releasing that data to the raster scanning device (9) and to the modulator (17). The device is characterized by—a module (39), which registers the data on the course of the irradiation and the data of the detection device (37) which have been obtained during an irradiation operation.

Abstract: A method for determining an irradiation plan includes specifying a target volume to be irradiated and a condition to be fulfilled, and implementing a first optimization. Implementing the first optimization includes providing a first data record, in which the target volume is mapped, and determining a first parameter set for the irradiation planning by implementing a first optimization algorithm. The first parameter set is optimized with respect to the condition to be fulfilled by using the first data record. The method also includes implementing a second optimization that includes providing a second data record that has a higher resolution than the first data record, determining a second parameter set by implementing a second optimization algorithm. The second parameter set is optimized with respect to the condition to be fulfilled by using the second data record and using the first parameter set. The method also includes generating an irradiation planning data record from the second parameter set.

Abstract: A method for registering a first imaging data set with a second imaging data set of an object includes determining range information that describes the range of a beam in the object and determining at least one transformation parameter that describes a registration of the first imaging data set with the second imaging data set. The determination of the at least one transformation parameter is carried out using the determined range information.

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus includes a source for providing a therapy beam, an imaging apparatus including an x-ray source and an x-ray detector, and a control apparatus for the imaging apparatus. The control apparatus is configured to read out the x-ray detector during an irradiation of the target object with the therapy beam, in order to record photons, which develop within the target object as a result of the interaction of the therapy beam with the target object.

Abstract: A phantom device for in-vitro validation of radiation procedures under motion influence in consideration of an effective biological dose includes a phantom having a first biological detector with a first biological sample. The first biological sample includes a plurality of culturing and irradiation elements. Each of the culturing and irradiation elements are provided with a respective biological sub-sample so that the first biological detector is configured as a spatially resolving biological detector. A first motion device is configured to move the first biological detector so as to simulate a motion of a target volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning device for positioning a patient in a medical device comprising a patient receiving device for placing a patient and a robot arm having a plurality of movement axes for positioning the patient receiving device in a room. The positioning device can be placed into a manual operating mode in which a position of the patient receiving device in the room can be changed manually. The invention also relates to a method for operating the positioning device, comprising: providing a normal operating mode for positioning the patient receiving device automatically at a position predefined by a control device; providing a manual operating mode for manually changing a position of the patient receiving device; and switching from the normal operating mode into the manual operating mode if a switchover condition is present. The invention further relates to an irradiation device having the positioning device.

Abstract: A patient positioning system for positioning a patient relative to radiographic equipment. The system includes: a 3D optical imaging system for optically scanning the patient, such 3D optical imaging system having a focal plane and providing, for each position on the object, data representative of the intensity of reflected energy received by the system from such position and data representative of distance from such position on the object to the focal plane; a table apparatus for supporting the patient and for moving the table relative to the radiographic equipment in response to positioning signals; and a processor responsive to data from the radiographic equipment and the data from the a 3D optical imaging system for producing the positioning signals. The system enables a method for displaying temporal changes in a patient positioned with a bore of radiographic equipment.

Abstract: A method of generating a data set defining a plurality of target points in a target volume in a body at which a particle beam is to be directed in a continuous or discontinuous process includes directing a particle beam to each of the target points so as to provide a spatial dose distribution in an area around the respective target point. The target points include a first target point having z-spacing, measured in a direction of the particle beam in a homogenous body equivalent to the body, from an adjacent second target point at a higher or lower particle energy. The method also includes defining the target points in the data set by at least one of the z-spacing and the spatial dose distribution in dependence upon a particle energy of the respective target point.

Abstract: A method of determining an actual, especially an actual effective, radiation dose distribution of a moving target volume includes detecting first and further positions of volume elements of the target volume in a first and at least one further motional state of the moving target volume, determining transformation parameters by transformation of the first positions into the further positions, irradiating the moving target volume in accordance with an irradiation plan which comprises a plurality of raster points to be irradiated, wherein during the irradiation of a raster point it is detected which of the motional states is occupied by the moving target volume, assigning raster points to subirradiation plans and determining the actual effective dose for each of the plurality of volume elements, in each case from contributions from the raster points of the subirradiation plans using the transformation parameters.

Abstract: A medical radiation apparatus has a beam source and a deflection apparatus, which can be activated by means of a data processing device according to a radiation schedule generated using a recording of tissue to be irradiated produced using a medical imaging diagnosis device, said data processing device being set up for data purposes such that characteristics of the radiation acting on the tissue according to different irradiation scenarios can be visualized in a common display.

Abstract: A particle therapy system for irradiating a volume of a patient to be irradiated with high-energy particles is provided. The system includes a radiation outlet of a radiation delivery and acceleration system from which a particle beam exits in order to interact with the patient positioned in an irradiation position; an imaging device for verifying the position of the volume to be irradiated in relation to the particle beam; and a patient-positioning device with which the patient can be brought into the irradiation position for irradiation. The imaging device checks the position of the volume to be irradiated in an imaging position of the patient that is spatially remote from the irradiation position, and the patient-positioning device automatically changes position between imaging position and irradiation position.

Abstract: Methods and systems dedicated to automatic object segmentation from image data are provided. In a first step a fuzzy seed set is generated that is learned from training data. The fuzzy seed set is registered to image data containing an object that needs to be segmented from a background. In a second step a random walker segmentation is applied to the image data by using the fuzzy seed set as an automatic seeding for segmentation. Liver segmentation, lung segmentation and kidney segmentation examples are provided.

Abstract: A particle therapy system is provided. The particle therapy system includes at least two acceleration units, with each of which acceleration units particles can be accelerated to at least an energy necessary for the irradiation; and a common energy selection system, connected downstream of the at least two acceleration units, with which system the energy of particles that have been accelerated by one of the acceleration units can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for reduced-artifact 3D-imaging of an imaging volume having an interfering element. A patient is positioned in a first position and a second positions spatially different from each other in an imaging device and first 3D-imaging and second 3D-imaging are performed with the interfering element lying within a first radiographic layer and a second radiographic layer. A first and second set of raw data of the imaging volume are provided with the first set having artifact-influenced raw data for the first radiographic layer and the second set having artifact-influenced raw data for the second radiographic layer and non-artifact influenced raw data for the first radiographic layer. A reduced-artifact 3D data set is created by combining the raw data sets or by calculating a first 3D image data set and a second 3D image data set from the raw data sets and combining the 3D image data sets.

Abstract: A treatment station for particle bombardment of a patient is provided. The treatment station includes an apparatus for adaptation of at least one particle beam parameter of a particle beam of a particle therapy installation. The treatment station operates in at least two operating modes, with the treatment station being operable in a first operating mode with a first particle type and in a second operating mode with a second particle type. The apparatus has at least one first beamforming element, which is held by a holding unit. The beamforming element is designed for adaptation of the particle beam parameter. The holding unit positions of the first beamforming element as a function of the operating mode, such that the first beamforming element can be arranged in the particle beam in the first operating mode, and cannot be arranged in the particle beam in the second operating mode.

Abstract: Abstract: A control parameter is determined for a system (10) for irradiating a predetermined target volume in a body (77) with a particle beam (75). The system is constructed to direct the particle beam at a multiplicity of target points (30) in the target volume in succession in order to produce at, each of the target points a predetermined dose distribution (42) in a region around the target point. The control parameter controls the extent of an overlap of the dose distribution of a first target point with the dose distributions of neighbouring target points. For determination of the control parameter, there is first determined (94) a movement parameter which quantitatively characterises the movement of the body at the first target point. The control parameter is determined (95) in dependence on the movement parameter.