Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating surface brachytherapy applicators in which catheter channel trajectories are generated laterally from both sides of a cut plane bisecting an initial model of the surface brachytherapy applicator model, thereby mitigating the effects of patient-surface-induced curvature. The catheter channels may be defined based on catheter channel trajectories that are spatially distributed, relative to the cut plane, on both sides of the cut plane, and spatially offset relative to a patient-facing surface of the surface brachytherapy applicator model. In some example embodiments, catheter channel trajectories are spaced relative to the cut plane such that neighbouring catheter channel trajectories are evenly spaced along a set of contours. Prior to fabrication, the local radius of curvature of catheter channels may be adjusted in a manual or automated manner to exceed a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for designing and/or modifying a radiation therapy bolus for the reduction of hot spots. A digital bolus model may be modified based on the identification of a peak in the outer surface of the digital bolus model, where the peak satisfies search criteria associated with the generation of a hot spot through scattering from the peak. The digital bolus model is modified within a region surrounding the peak to smooth the peak and thereby reduce the intensity of the hot spot. The modified digital bolus model may be employed to fabricate a bolus for use in radiation therapy. The search criteria may be evaluated according to a proximity between a location measure associated with the peak and a location measure associated with the hot spot, optionally when the location measures are projected in a reference plane that resides perpendicular to the beam axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating surface brachytherapy applicators in which catheter channel trajectories are generated laterally from both sides of a cut plane bisecting an initial model of the surface brachytherapy applicator model, thereby mitigating the effects of patient-surface-induced curvature. The catheter channels may be defined based on catheter channel trajectories that are spatially distributed, relative to the cut plane, on both sides of the cut plane, and spatially offset relative to a patient-facing surface of the surface brachytherapy applicator model. In some example embodiments, catheter channel trajectories are spaced relative to the cut plane such that neighbouring catheter channel trajectories are evenly spaced along a set of contours. Prior to fabrication, the local radius of curvature of catheter channels may be adjusted in a manual or automated manner to exceed a threshold.

Abstract: A method for creating a volumetric data set representing a three-dimensional distribution, such as a dose distribution produced by a radiosurgery system uses a plurality of stacked sensors (12) to obtain two-dimensional cross sectional images of the distribution. The images are optically scanned in a scanner (20) to obtain digitized two-dimensional images which can be processed by software in a computer (22). Each of the sensors (12), which may be, for example, a sheet of X-ray sensitive film, is marked with a visible fiducial mark (17). The software locates images of the fiducial marks (17) in the digitized images. The locations of the fiducial marks (17) indicate the proper orientation and sequence of each image. The software populates a volumetric data structure with data from the scanned images. Interpolation may be used to increase the resolution of the data structure.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and verifying three-dimensional dose distributions administered during stereotactic radiosurgery using an anthropomorphic film phantom are provided. The method provides a phantom (11) including a head-shaped hollow shell (12), which mounts a cassettebox therein (14), which in turn may contain a simulated lesion (16) similar to the lesion to be treated. An image is taken of the head-shaped shell including the cassettebox and the simulated lesion using, for example, a CT or MRI scanner. The image is used to develop a stereotactic radiosurgery plan, which includes creating an intended three-dimensional dose distribution map to “treat” the simulated lesion. Thereafter, the simulated lesion is removed from the cassettebox and the cassettebox is loaded with multiple layers of film (42) separated by spacers (44) having tissue-equivalent characteristics.

Abstract: A method for creating a volumetric data set representing a three-dimensional distribution, such as a dose distribution produced by a radiosurgery system uses a plurality of stacked sensors (12) to obtain two-dimensional cross sectional images of the distribution. The images are optically scanned in a scanner (20) to obtain digitized two-dimensional images which can be processed by software in a computer (22). Each of the sensors (12), which may be, for example, a sheet of X-ray sensitive film, is marked with a visible fiducial mark (17). The software locates images of the fiducial marks (17) in the digitized images. The locations of the fiducial marks (17) indicate the proper orientation and sequence of each image. The software populates a volumetric data structure with data from the scanned images. Interpolation may be used to increase the resolution of the data structure.