Abstract: A control circuit optimizes a radiation treatment plan for a patient treatment volume using an automatically iterating optimization process that optimizes as a function, at least in part, of predetermined cost functions, wherein at least one of the cost functions favors apertures for the multi-leaf collimation system having local curvature that deviates only minimally from a reference curvature. By one approach the control circuit determines the reference curvature as a function, at least in part, of at least one of setting the reference curvature to a static minimal local curvature, a shape of a projective mapping of the treatment volume onto an isocenter plane, and/or a fluence map associated with an amount of radiation to be administered to the treatment volume from a particular direction. By one approach the control circuit dynamically determines when to employ one or more such cost functions.

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: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to optimize a radiation therapy treatment plan using dose distribution values predicted via a trained artificial intelligence model. A server trains the AI model using a training dataset comprising data associated with a plurality of previously implemented radiation therapy treatments on a plurality of previous patients and dose distributions associated with one or more organs of each previous patient. The server then executes the trained AI model to predict dose distribution for a patient. The server then displays a heat map illustrating the predicted values, transmits the predicted values to a plan optimizer to generate an optimized treatment plan for the patient, and/or transmits an alert when a treatment plan generated by a plan optimizer deviates from rules and thresholds indicated within the patient's plan objectives.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to optimize a radiation therapy treatment plan using dose distribution values predicted via a trained artificial intelligence model. A server trains the AI model using a training dataset comprising data associated with a plurality of previously implemented radiation therapy treatments on a plurality of previous patients and dose distributions associated with one or more organs of each previous patient. The server then executes the trained AI model to predict dose distribution for a patient. The server then displays a heat map illustrating the predicted values, transmits the predicted values to a plan optimizer to generate an optimized treatment plan for the patient, and/or transmits an alert when a treatment plan generated by a plan optimizer deviates from rules and thresholds indicated within the patient's plan objectives.

Abstract: A method of generating a treatment plan for treating a patient with radiotherapy, the method includes obtaining a plurality of sample plans, which are generated by use of a knowledge base comprising historical treatment plans and patient data. The method also includes performing a multi-criteria optimization based on the plurality of sample plans to construct a Pareto frontier, where the plurality of sample plans are evaluated with at least two objectives measuring qualities of the plurality of sample plans such that treatment plans on the constructed Pareto frontier are Pareto optimal with respect to the objectives. The method further includes identifying a treatment plan by use of the constructed Pareto frontier.

Abstract: A treatment planning apparatus includes: a modeler configured to obtain a model definition, wherein the model definition comprises a first quality metric of a first clinical goal; and a treatment planner having: a model trainer configured to obtain a set of existing treatment plans following desired clinical practice, and to perform model training to obtain a trained model based on the existing treatment plans and the first quality metric of the first clinical goal; an objective generator configured to generate a cost function based on the trained model; and an optimizer configured to determine a treatment plan based on the cost function.

Abstract: A method of generating a treatment plan for treating a patient with radiotherapy, the method includes obtaining a plurality of sample plans, which are generated by use of a knowledge base comprising historical treatment plans and patient data. The method also includes performing a multi-criteria optimization based on the plurality of sample plans to construct a Pareto frontier, where the plurality of sample plans are evaluated with at least two objectives measuring qualities of the plurality of sample plans such that treatment plans on the constructed Pareto frontier are Pareto optimal with respect to the objectives. The method further includes identifying a treatment plan by use of the constructed Pareto frontier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to optimize a radiation therapy treatment plan using dose distribution values predicted via a trained artificial intelligence model. A server trains the AI model using a training dataset comprising data associated with a plurality of previously implemented radiation therapy treatments on a plurality of previous patients and dose distributions associated with one or more organs of each previous patient. The server then executes the trained AI model to predict dose distribution for a patient. The server then displays a heat map illustrating the predicted values, transmits the predicted values to a plan optimizer to generate an optimized treatment plan for the patient, and/or transmits an alert when a treatment plan generated by a plan optimizer deviates from rules and thresholds indicated within the patient's plan objectives.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to optimize a radiation therapy treatment plan using dose distribution values predicted via a trained artificial intelligence model. A server trains the AI model using a training dataset comprising data associated with a plurality of previously implemented radiation therapy treatments on a plurality of previous patients and dose distributions associated with one or more organs of each previous patient. The server then executes the trained AI model to predict dose distribution for a patient. The server then displays a heat map illustrating the predicted values, transmits the predicted values to a plan optimizer to generate an optimized treatment plan for the patient, and/or transmits an alert when a treatment plan generated by a plan optimizer deviates from rules and thresholds indicated within the patient's plan objectives.

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: Systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of radiation therapy treatment plans, and systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of an adapted plan in an adaptive radiation therapy workflow.

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: Systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of radiation therapy treatment plans, and systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of an adapted plan in an adaptive radiation therapy workflow.

Abstract: A treatment planning apparatus include: a quality metric generator configured to electronically generate a first quality metric based on input received via a user interface; an optimizer configured to determine treatment parameters for a treatment plan that is executable by a processing unit of a treatment machine to operate the treatment machine, wherein the optimizer is configured to determine the treatment parameters for the treatment plan based on the first quality metric; and a controller configured to influence how the optimizer performs optimization, wherein the controller is configured to provide a first continuous function for the first quality metric.

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: 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: 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: An apparatus for use in a medical process that involves a particle accelerator, includes: a processing unit configured to obtain treatment plan information, obtain a viewing direction of a user of the apparatus, and process the treatment plan information based on the viewing direction of the user of the apparatus to create a graphical representation of the treatment plan information for presentation to the user of the apparatus; and a screen for displaying the graphical representation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of radiation therapy treatment plans, and systems and methods for the automatic generation and optimization of an adapted plan in an adaptive radiation therapy workflow.

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.