Abstract: A system and method of delivering a radiation therapy treatment plan to a patient. The treatment plan is delivered using a radiation therapy system including a moveable support for supporting a patient, a gantry moveable relative to the support and supporting a radiation source and multi-leaf collimator for modulating the radiation source. The support and gantry are moved during delivery of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A system for and method of delivering radiation therapy to a moving region of interest is disclosed. The method, in one implementation, includes the acts of generating a plurality of treatment plans for providing radiation therapy, delivering radiation therapy to the patient following one of the plurality of treatment plans, monitoring the patient while providing radiation therapy, and changing the treatment plan based at least in part on monitoring the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of optimizing delivery of a radiation therapy treatment. The system optimizes treatment delivery in real-time to take into account a variety of factors, such as patient anatomical and physiological changes (e.g., respiration and other movement, etc.), and machine configuration changes (e.g., beam output factors, couch error, leaf error, etc.).

Abstract: A system and method of optimizing delivery of a radiation therapy treatment. The system optimizes treatment delivery in real-time to take into account a variety of factors, such as patient anatomical and physiological changes (e.g., respiration and other movement, etc.), and machine configuration changes (e.g., beam output factors, couch error, leaf error, etc.).

Abstract: A method of contoured-anatomy dose repositioning (CADR) as a means to automatically reposition a patient to better recover the planned dose distribution without reoptimizinq the treatment plan. CADR utilizes planning CT images, the planned dose distribution, and on-line images for repositioning dose distribution on a given day. Contours are also placed upon the images using manual, automatic, template-based, or other techniques. CADR then optimizes the rigid-body repositioning of the patient so that the daily dose distribution closely matches the planned dose distribution.

Abstract: A radiation therapy treatment system and method of treating a patient with radiation. The system integrates positioning of the patient, treatment planning, and delivery of the plan. As a result of the integration of imaging capabilities into the treatment apparatus, and efficient processes for contouring and planning, a patient can be treated in approximately 20 minutes or less. The method includes acquiring image data from the patient, defining a target region with one or more predefined shapes, generating a treatment plan based on the defined target region, and delivering radiation to the target region.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting a breathing phase of a patient receiving radiation therapy is disclosed. The method, in one implementation, includes the acts of obtaining a plurality of patient images representing phases of a breathing cycle, delivering radiation to the patient, collecting transmission data of the patient during the delivering radiation, and comparing the transmission data to the plurality of patient images.

Abstract: A system and method of adapting a radiation therapy treatment plan for a patient by varying the fraction size delivered to the patient on any individual day, based at least partially on the use of daily patient registration (i.e., taking images of the patient before each fraction is delivered to see the position and size of the tumor on that day). The fraction size can be dynamically altered based upon the biology of the tumor.

Abstract: A system and method of evaluating dose delivered by a radiation therapy system using a marker that indicates motion. The marker is associated with the patient. In one method of operation, the method includes delivering radiation to the patient, monitoring motion of the marker during the delivering radiation, and evaluating a dose delivered to the patient based at least in part on the motion of the marker. In another method of operation, the method includes delivering radiation to the patient, obtaining information relating to the delivery of radiation, estimating dose to the marker based at least in part on the information, acquiring dose received by the marker, and comparing the received dose with the estimated dose.

Abstract: A radiation treatment system and method of commissioning the system, the system including a gantry, a radiation source operable to produce a beam of radiation, and a measurement device. The measurement device is physically connected to the gantry, and includes a multi-dimensional scanning arm, and a detector. The method includes generating radiation from the radiation source, passing the radiation through an attenuation block, and receiving radiation with the measurement device. The measurement device is positioned such that it is not in contact with water. Data is generated from the radiation received and the system is commissioned using the generated data to match system characteristics to a previously defined standard.

Abstract: System and method of evaluating quality assurance criteria related to the delivery of a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of acquiring image data of a patient, generating a treatment plan for the patient based at least in part on the image data, the treatment plan including a calculated radiation dose to be delivered to the patient, acquiring an on-line image of the patient in substantially a treatment position, delivering at least a portion of the calculated radiation dose to the patient, monitoring quality assurance criteria related to the delivery of the treatment plan, calculating the radiation dose received by the patient, and determining whether delivery of the treatment plan occurred as intended based on the quality assurance criteria and the radiation dose received by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of evaluating a radiation dose delivered to a patient receiving radiation therapy. The method includes the acts of generating a time-based series of patient images, collecting a time-based series of data indicating patient motion, and evaluating a radiation dose delivered to the patient based upon the time-based series of patient images and the time-based series of data.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically processing data relating to a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of acquiring image data of a patient, generating a treatment plan for the patient based at least in part on the image data, the treatment plan including a calculated radiation dose to be delivered to the patient, acquiring an on-line image of the patient in substantially a treatment position, delivering at least a portion of the calculated radiation dose to the patient, and automatically recalculating the radiation dose received by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of predicting a radiation dose to be delivered to a patient. The method includes the acts of generating a first image of at least a portion of the patient, defining a treatment plan for the patient, generating a second image of at least a portion of the patient while the patient is substantially in a treatment position, updating the patient profile with the second image, and predicting the radiation dose to be delivered to the patient based upon the patient profile and the treatment plan.

Abstract: A system and method of defining a new region of interest for an existing region of interest using a dose volume histogram. The method includes the acts of generating a dose volume histogram of radiation dose for a pre-existing region of interest, selecting a subset of the dose volume histogram, and defining a new region of interest that corresponds to the selected subset of the dose volume histogram.

Abstract: A system and method of optimizing delivery of a radiation therapy treatment. The system optimizes treatment delivery in real-time to take into account a variety of factors, such as patient anatomical and physiological changes (e.g., respiration and other movement, etc.), and machine configuration changes (e.g., beam output factors, couch error, leaf error, etc.).

Abstract: A system and method of adapting a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of preparing a treatment plan for a patient, acquiring images of the patient, performing deformable registration of the images, acquiring data relating to a radiation dose delivered to the patient, applying a biological model relating the radiation dose delivered and a patient effect, and adapting the radiation therapy treatment plan based on the deformable registration and the biological model.

Abstract: A system and method of placing constraints on a deformation map. The method includes the acts of generating a deformation map between two images, identifying a defined structure in one of the images, applying the deformation map to relate the defined structure from the one image onto the other image to create a deformation-based defined structure, modifying the deformation-based defined structure, and updating the deformation map in response to the step of modifying the deformation-based defined structure.

Abstract: A system and method of optimizing delivery of a radiation therapy treatment. The system optimizes treatment delivery in real-time to take into account a variety of factors, such as patient anatomical and physiological changes (e.g., respiration and other movement, etc.), and machine configuration changes (e.g., beam output factors, couch error, leaf error, etc.).

Abstract: A system and method of adapting a radiation therapy treatment plan for a patient by varying the fraction size delivered to the patient on any individual day, based at least partially on the use of daily patient registration (i.e., taking images of the patient before each fraction is delivered to see the position and size of the tumor on that day). The fraction size can be dynamically altered based upon the biology of the tumor.