Abstract: A control circuit accesses patient information and treatment-platform information and uses that information to automatically suggest a treatment plan having at least one of a given number of treatment-pathway traversals wherein the given number is permitted to be greater than one and sub-treatment-pathway traversal-based physical alterations to at least one of the dynamic elements of the dynamic radiation-treatment platform. By one approach the aforementioned patient information can refer, at least in part, to the patient's external contour and a treatment target's size and position with respect to the patient. The patient information regarding the treatment target can represent the latter as a simple symmetrical geometric shape (such as a cuboid). The treatment-platform information, in turn, can refer, at least in part, to dynamic elements of the dynamic radiation-treatment platform itself.

Abstract: A first dose calculated using a first set of fluence maps and a first (faster) dose prediction model is accessed. A second fluence map is accessed. The second fluence map is projected onto the first set of fluence maps to deter me set of scalars and a residual value. When the residual value satisfies a criterion, a second dose is calculated using the first dose prediction model, the set of scalars, and the second fluence map. When the residual value does not satisfy the criterion, the second dose is calculated using a second (more accurate) dose prediction model and the second fluence map.

Abstract: A system for estimating a dose from a radiation therapy plan includes a memory that stores machine-readable instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor operable to execute the instructions to subdivide a representation of a volume of interest into voxels. The processor also determines distances between a planned radiation field origin and each respective voxel. The processor further computes geometry-based expected (GED) metrics based on the distances, a plan parameter, and a field strength parameter. The processor sums the metrics to yield an estimated dose received by the volume of interest from the planned radiation field.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for dosimetric verification of radiation therapy treatments by selective evaluation of measurement points. Systems, methods, and computer program-products for providing dosimetric verification of radiation therapy treatments by evaluating measurement points using different evaluation criteria.

Abstract: Collision free regions are predetermined for one or more class solutions. Each class solution has defined limits for allowed field geometry variations. Collision free regions in planning can be defined as a set of allowed isocenter positions relative to a fixation device. The collision free regions may be visualized by a user to plan for field geometry and isocenter position tradeoffs. Collision free regions in delivery can be defined as a set of allowed couch support coordinates. The treatment fields in a radiation treatment plan can be checked against the collision free regions in delivery to determine whether they will pose any collision risks.

Abstract: A control circuit employs at least two optimization stages while developing a radiation-treatment plan. During a first optimization stage the control circuit uses a first radiation-treatment plan optimization process that employs user-selected constraints to provide general plan results. During this first optimization stage the control circuit then provides one or more opportunities for a user to modify those user-selected constraints to thereby influence the general plan results. Eventually, this first optimization stage identifies a set of resultant user-selected constraints. During the second optimization stage the control circuit then uses a second radiation-treatment plan optimization process that employs the aforementioned resultant user-selected constraints to provide an optimized radiation-treatment plan.

Abstract: Target values for quality metrics associated with the radiation treatment plan are accessed. Cost function contours are generated; each of the cost function contours includes a respective first set of values of the quality metrics calculated with a respective cost function based on a respective one of the target values. A region that includes a second set of values of the quality metrics is defined; the region is bounded by the cost function contours. A final (optimized) radiation treatment plan is selected from a set of radiation treatment plans that have values of the quality metrics that are within the region.

Abstract: A clinical goal for radiation treatment of a patient is set. A dose prediction model is selected from a number of dose prediction models based on the clinical goal. A radiation treatment plan is then generated for the patient using the dose prediction model that was selected based on the clinical goal.

Abstract: A method for determining MLC leaf sequences for radiation treatment includes obtaining BEV projections of a first target volume and a second target volume along one or more treatment paths of a radiation treatment plan, analyzing the BEV projections to determine one or more contiguous ranges of spatial points where there exists an interstitial region between the first target volume and the second target volume in the direction of MLC leaf motion, and determining a first set of MLC leaf sequences such that an aperture formed by the MLC in a first portion of the one or more contiguous ranges of spatial points exposes radiation to the first target volume but not the second target volume, and an aperture formed by the MLC in a second portion of the one or more contiguous ranges of spatial points exposes radiation to the second target volume but not the first target volume.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for dosimetric verification of radiation therapy treatments by selective evaluation of measurement points. Systems, methods, and computer program-products for providing dosimetric verification of radiation therapy treatments by evaluating measurement points using different evaluation criteria.

Abstract: A control circuit identifies (prior to optimizing a radiation-treatment plan) at least one angle (such as one or more gantry angles as correspond to an arc-therapy treatment platform) to provide one or more identified angles. The control circuit then optimizes a radiation-treatment plan with respect to a particular patient target volume by using the identified angle(s) as preferred angles as regards irradiating the patient target volume. Being “preferred,” the radiation-treatment plan is thereby influenced (without being required) towards changing a rate of moving the gantry when traversing the preferred angle(s). For example, the plan can be biased towards slowing down movement of the gantry at such angles to thereby deliver a relatively greater amount of radiation to the patient target volume at the preferred angle.

Abstract: A multi level multileaf collimator employs leaves with leaf tips having a non-square shape in a beam's eye view to improve beam shaping effect and penumbra performance. The multi level multileaf collimator includes a first multileaf collimator in a first level comprising beam blocking leaves longitudinally movable in a first direction, and a second multileaf collimator in a second level comprising beam blocking leaves longitudinally movable in a second direction. The first direction may be generally parallel with the second direction and the leaves of the first multileaf collimator may laterally offset the leaves of the second multileaf collimator. The beam blocking leaves of the first multileaf collimator may comprise an end portion having a non-square shape in a beam's eye view.

Abstract: A multi level multileaf collimator employs leaves with leaf tips having a non-square shape in a beam's eye view to improve beam shaping effect and penumbra performance. The multi level multileaf collimator includes a first multileaf collimator in a first level comprising beam blocking leaves longitudinally movable in a first direction, and a second multileaf collimator in a second level comprising beam blocking leaves longitudinally movable in a second direction. The first direction may be generally parallel with the second direction and the leaves of the first multileaf collimator may laterally offset the leaves of the second multileaf collimator. The beam blocking leaves of the first multileaf collimator may comprise an end portion having a non-square shape in a beam's eye view.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for developing radiation therapy treatment plans. A treatment template with radiation fields can be chosen for a patient based on a tumor location. Static radiation field positions can be adjusted for the patient, while arc radiation fields may remain the same. Static radiation field positions can be adjusted using dose gradient, historical patient data, and other techniques.

Abstract: An optimized radiation treatment plan may be developed in which the total monitor unit (MU) count is taken into account. A planner may specify a maximum treatment time. An optimization algorithm may convert the specified maximum treatment time to a maximum total MU count, which is then used as a constraint in the optimization process. A cost function for the optimization algorithm may include a term that penalizes any violation of the upper constraint for the MU count.

Abstract: Streamlined and partially automated methods of setting normal tissue objectives in radiation treatment planning are provided. These methods may be applied to multiple-target cases as well as single-target cases. The methods can impose one or more target-specific dose falloff constraints around each target, taking into account geometric characteristics of each target such as target volume and shape. In some embodiments, methods can also take into account a planner's preferences for target dose homogeneity. In some embodiments, methods can generate additional dose falloff constraints in locations between two targets where dose bridging is likely to occur.

Abstract: In a radiation treatment plan that includes a plurality of treatment fields of multiple treatment modalities, such as IMRT modality and dynamic treatment path modality (e.g., VMAT and conformal arc therapy), an optimized spatial point sequence may be determined that optimizes the total treatment time, which includes both the beam-on time (i.e., during the delivery of radiation dose) and the beam-off time (i.e., during transitions between consecutive treatment fields). The result is a time-ordered field trajectory that intermixes and interleaves different treatment fields. In one embodiment, a dynamic treatment path may be cut into a plurality of sections, and one or more IMRT fields may be inserted between the plurality of sections.

Abstract: An existing radiation treatment plan is accessed for a given patient as well as first information (such as automatically generated updated information) regarding at least one physical characteristic as corresponds to the radiation treatment of this patient. One then initiates, prior to receiving second information (such as user input) regarding the first information, an automatic adaptation process to adapt the treatment plan to accommodate the first information. Upon later receiving second information regarding the first information, one then modifies the automatic adaptation process itself to incorporate the second information regarding the first information.

Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support having a surface for supporting a patient and a longitudinal axis, and a positioner coupled to the patient support for positioning the patient support, wherein the positioner is configured to move the patient support along a path that has an arc, circular, or zig-zag shape, and wherein the path lies within a plane that forms an angle with the surface of the patient support.

Abstract: A control circuit controls real-time administration of a radiation-treatment plan that administers a therapeutic radiation dose to a patient. This includes compensating for a first movement as regards the application setting using a first treatment-administration modality and responding to detection of a second movement by using a second treatment-administration modality that is different from the first treatment-administration modality.