Abstract: Particle radiation therapy and planning utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Radiation therapy prescription information and patient MRI data can be received and a radiation therapy treatment plan can be determined for use with a particle beam. The treatment plan can utilize the radiation therapy prescription information and the patient MRI data to account for interaction properties of soft tissues in the patient through which the particle beam passes. Patient MRI data may be received from a magnetic resonance imaging system integrated with the particle radiation therapy system. MRI data acquired during treatment may also be utilized to modify or optimize the particle radiation therapy treatment.

Abstract: An ion chamber has a chamber having an interior volume. There is a first electrode and a second electrode in the chamber and separated by a gap. A collector electrode is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The collector electrode is shaped to occlude a portion of the first electrode from the second electrode.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) enables control over the delivery of radiation based on patient motion indicated by MR imaging (MRI) images captured during radiation delivery. A method for MRgRT includes: simultaneously using one or more radiation therapy heads to deliver radiation and an MRI system to perform MRI; using a processor to determine whether one or more gates are triggered based on at least a portion of MRI images captured during the delivery of radiation; and in response to determining that one or more gates are triggered based on at least a portion of the MRI images captured during the delivery of radiation, suspending the delivery of radiation.

Abstract: A photon therapy delivery system can deliver radiation therapy to a patient via a photon beam. The system can utilize a controller configured to facilitate delivery of radiation therapy via a photon beam and also a particle beam. This can include receiving radiation therapy beam information for radiation therapy treatment of a patient utilizing the particle beam and photon beam. Also, patient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data can be received during the radiation therapy treatment. Utilizing the patient MRI data, real-time calculations of a location of dose deposition for the particle beam and for the photon beam can be determined taking into account interaction properties of soft tissues through which the particle beam passes.

Abstract: A phase correlation method (PCM) can be used for translational and/or rotational alignment of 3D medical images even in the presence of non-rigid deformations between first and second images of a registered volume of a patient.

Abstract: An ion chamber has a chamber having an interior volume. There is a first electrode and a second electrode in the chamber and separated by a gap. A collector electrode is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The collector electrode is shaped to occlude a portion of the first electrode from the second electrode.

Abstract: A collimating system for collimating a radiation beam having a first multileaf collimator and a second multileaf collimator configured such that the radiation beam will pass through the first multileaf collimator before passing through the second multileaf collimator, and pass through the second multileaf collimator before hitting its target. The leaves of the first multileaf collimator and the leaves of the second multileaf collimator may be configured to move independently of one another.

Abstract: A system including a diagnostic-quality CT scanner for imaging a patient, the diagnostic-quality CT scanner having an imaging isocenter and a radiation therapy device positioned adjacent the diagnostic-quality CT scanner, the radiation therapy device including a gantry carrying a radiation therapy beam source and having a radiation therapy isocenter separate from the imaging isocenter of the diagnostic-quality CT scanner. The system including a couch configured to position the patient for imaging and for radiation therapy by translating the patient between the diagnostic quality CT scanner and the radiation therapy device.

Abstract: A collimating system for collimating a radiation beam having a first multileaf collimator and a second multileaf collimator configured such that the radiation beam will pass through the first multileaf collimator before passing through the second multileaf collimator, and pass through the second multileaf collimator before hitting its target. The leaves of the first multileaf collimator and the leaves of the second multileaf collimator may be configured to move independently of one another.

Abstract: Reference data relating to a portion of a patient anatomy during patient motion can be acquired from a magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI) to develop a patient motion library. During a time of interest, tracking data is acquired that can be related to the reference data. Partial volumetric data is acquired during the time of interest and at approximately the same time as the acquisition of the tracking data. A volumetric image of patient anatomy that represents a particular motion state can be constructed from the acquired partial volumetric data and acquired tracking data.

Abstract: A collimating system for collimating a radiation beam having a first multileaf collimator and a second multileaf collimator configured such that the radiation beam will pass through the first multileaf collimator before passing through the second multileaf collimator, and pass through the second multileaf collimator before hitting its target. The leaves of the first multileaf collimator and the leaves of the second multileaf collimator may be configured to move independently of one another.

Abstract: An ion chamber has a chamber having an interior volume. There is a first electrode and a second electrode in the chamber and separated by a gap. A collector electrode is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The collector electrode is shaped to occlude a portion of the first electrode from the second electrode.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) enables control over the delivery of radiation based on patient motion indicated by MR imaging (MRI) images captured during radiation delivery. A method for MRgRT includes: simultaneously using one or more radiation therapy heads to deliver radiation and an MRI system to perform MRI; using a processor to determine whether one or more gates are triggered based on at least a portion of MRI images captured during the delivery of radiation; and in response to determining that one or more gates are triggered based on at least a portion of the MRI images captured during the delivery of radiation, suspending the delivery of radiation.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein provides methods for developing an IMRT treatment plan for a radiotherapy system. In one aspect, the method can include providing initial treatment parameters. These parameters can include a number of isotopic beams, a transmission angle for each beam, a prescribed dose for a target, and dose volume histogram constraints. The method can further include determining an initial fluence map including one or more beamlets. The initial fluence map can specify a fluence value for each beamlet. The method can further include determining a delivery sequence for the fluence values in the initial fluence map. The delivery sequence can include one or more apertures formed by the leaves of a collimator. These apertures can have a specified size constrained to substantially less than a maximum size associated with the collimator, when the isotopic beam is near a critical structure. Related apparatus and systems are also described.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein provides methods for developing an IMRT treatment plan for a radiotherapy system. In one aspect, the method can include providing initial treatment parameters. These parameters can include a number of isotopic beams, a transmission angle for each beam, a prescribed dose for a target, and dose volume histogram constraints. The method can further include determining an initial fluence map including one or more beamlets. The initial fluence map can specify a fluence value for each beamlet. The method can further include determining a delivery sequence for the fluence values in the initial fluence map. The delivery sequence can include one or more apertures formed by the leaves of a collimator. These apertures can have a specified size constrained to substantially less than a maximum size associated with the collimator, when the isotopic beam is near a critical structure. Related apparatus and systems are also described.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein provides methods for developing an IMRT treatment plan for a radiotherapy system. In one aspect, the method can include providing initial treatment parameters. These parameters can include a number of isotopic beams, a transmission angle for each beam, a prescribed dose for a target, and dose volume histogram constraints. The method can further include determining an initial fluence map including one or more beamlets. The initial fluence map can specify a fluence value for each beamlet. The method can further include determining a delivery sequence for the fluence values in the initial fluence map. The delivery sequence can include one or more apertures formed by the leaves of a collimator. These apertures can have a specified size constrained to substantially less than a maximum size associated with the collimator, when the isotopic beam is near a critical structure. Related apparatus and systems are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods including calibrating a radiotherapy machine to identify an effective radiation source size of a radiation source contained within the radiotherapy machine, the radiation source having a nominal radiation source size, to improve accuracy of a predicted dose profile for one or more radiation beams from the radiation source to further improve accuracy of radiation dose calculation and treatment delivery.