Abstract: An imaging system includes a computed tomography (CT) imaging device (10) (optionally a spectral CT), an electronic processor (16, 50), and a non-transitory storage medium (18, 52) storing a neural network (40) trained on simulated imaging data (74) generated by Monte Carlo simulation (60) including simulation of at least one scattering mechanism (66) to convert CT imaging data to a scatter estimate in projection space or to convert an uncorrected reconstructed CT image to a scatter estimate in image space. The storage medium further stores instructions readable and executable by the electronic processor to reconstruct CT imaging data (12, 14) acquired by the CT imaging device to generate a scatter-corrected reconstructed CT image (42). This includes generating a scatter estimate (92, 112, 132, 162, 182) by applying the neural network to the acquired CT imaging data or to an uncorrected CT image (178) reconstructed from the acquired CT imaging data.

Abstract: The present application describes a computing system, a computer readable medium, and/or related method for supporting decision making in adaptive therapy. An input interface of receives an input image. A machine learning module predicts, based at least in part on the input image, a dose distribution associated with a first planning technique or a first treatment modality. A comparator compares a planned dose distribution as per a current treatment plan with the predicted dose distribution, to obtain a comparison result. The comparison result enables a user to gauge whether an actual re-planning would yield a dosimetric benefit before committing time or computational resources.

Abstract: An image processing system (IPS) and related method. The system (IPS) comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving an image (IM) of an object (OB) acquired by an imaging apparatus (IA). A kernel provider (KP) of the system (IPS) is configured to provide respective scatter kernels for at least two scatter types. A scatter correction module (SCM) of the system (IPS) is configured to perform a correction in the image based on the provided at least two kernels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for assisting in evaluating a contour of an anatomic structure (22) with respect to a dose distribution corresponding to a treatment plan for a radiation therapy treatment of a patient. The system comprises an evaluation unit particularly configured to evaluate the dose distribution in varying distances from the contour of the anatomic structure (22) to determine at least one point where the evaluated dose distribution fulfills a predetermined condition, and to determine the distance between the at least one point and the contour and/or to visualize the at least one point to a user of the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a planning apparatus for planning a radiation therapy. A medical image, in which a target to be irradiated is indicated, is reformatted based on ray geometries to be used during the radiation therapy to be planned, resulting in several reformatted medical images. Radiation therapy parameters being indicative of intensities of rays 5 to be used for irradiating a target 4 are determined based on the reformatted medical images by using a neural network unit. This allows to determine high quality radiation therapy parameters and hence allows for an improved planning of a radiation therapy. In particular, radiation and absorptions physics can be captured better, which can lead to the improved quality.

Abstract: The invention relates a system for assisting in planning a radiation therapy treatment provided using a treatment plan comprising irradiation parameters for controlling a delivery of radiation. The system is configured to (i) receive a first dose distribution, (ii) obtain a first objective function, which depends upon at least one parameter and a dose distribution, (iii) determine a first value of the parameter such that the first objective function fulfills a predefined criterion when being evaluated for the first value of the parameter and for a second dose distribution derived from the first dose distribution, (iii) provide the first objective function in connection with the first value of the at least one parameter to a user for modifying the first objective function to generate a second objective function, and (v) determine the treatment plan using the second objective function. Further, the invention relates to a corresponding method and computer program.

Abstract: An image processing system (IPS) and related method. The system (IPS) comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving an image (IM) of an object (OB) acquired by an imaging apparatus (IA). A kernel provider (KP) of the system (IPS) is configured to provide respective scatter kernels for at least two scatter types. A scatter correction module (SCM) of the system (IPS) is configured to perform a correction in the image based on the provided at least two kernels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for assisting in evaluating a contour of an anatomic structure (22) with respect to a dose distribution corresponding to a treatment plan for a radiation therapy treatment of a patient. The system comprises an evaluation unit particularly configured to evaluate the dose distribution in varying distances from the contour of the anatomic structure (22) to determine at least one point where the evaluated dose distribution fulfills a predetermined condition, and to determine the distance between the at least one point and the contour and/or to visualize the at least one point to a user of the system.

Abstract: Method for estimating radiation dose received by a tissue of interest during an imaging scan comprising: i, obtaining image data of a body region including the tissue of interest, ii. sub-dividing the image data into axial slices, comprising tissue axial slices and non-tissue axial slices, iii. determining a net amount of radiation dose emitted or received by each axial slice by combining scan parameters of each axial slice with pre-calculated amounts of radiation dose, iiii summing the net amounts of radiation dose of all the tissue axial slices to obtain a tissue dose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for adaptive contouring of a body part. It is described to provide (210) at least one image; wherein, the at least one image comprises a first image comprising image data of a body part. An initial automatic model based segmentation of image data of the body part in the first image is determined (220). Final segmentation data of the body part is determined (230) in response to a modification of the initial automatic model based segmentation. An updated model based segmentation can be applied (240) on the basis of the initial automatic model based segmentation and the final segmentation data.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a computed tomography (CT) imaging device (10) (optionally a spectral CT), an electronic processor (16, 50), and a non-transitory storage medium (18, 52) storing a neural network (40) trained on simulated imaging data (74) generated by Monte Carlo simulation (60) including simulation of at least one scattering mechanism (66) to convert CT imaging data to a scatter estimate in projection space or to convert an uncorrected reconstructed CT image to a scatter estimate in image space. The storage medium further stores instructions readable and executable by the electronic processor to reconstruct CT imaging data (12, 14) acquired by the CT imaging device to generate a scatter-corrected reconstructed CT image (42). This includes generating a scatter estimate (92, 112, 132, 162, 182) by applying the neural network to the acquired CT imaging data or to an uncorrected CT image (178) reconstructed from the acquired CT imaging data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for adaptive contouring of a body part. It is described to provide (210) at least one image; wherein, the at least one image comprises a first image comprising image data of a body part. An initial automatic model based segmentation of image data of the body part in the first image is determined (220). Final segmentation data of the body part is determined (230) in response to a modification of the initial automatic model based segmentation. An updated model based segmentation can be applied (240) on the basis of the initial automatic model based segmentation and the final segmentation data.

Abstract: Method for estimating radiation dose received by a tissue of interest during an imaging scan comprising: i. obtaining image data of a body region including the tissue of interest, ii. sub-dividing the image data into axial slices, comprising tissue axial slices and non-tissue axial slices, iii. determining a net amount of radiation dose emitted or received by each axial slice by combining scan parameters of each axial slice with pre-calculated amounts of radiation dose, iiii summing the net amounts of radiation dose of all the tissue axial slices to obtain a tissue dose.

Abstract: A method for extending initial image data of a subject for dose estimation includes obtaining first image data of the subject for dose calculation, wherein the first image data has a first field of view. The method further includes obtaining second image data for extending the field of view of the first image data. The second image data has a second field of view that is larger than the first field of view. The method further includes extending the first field of view based on the second image data, producing extended image data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (18) for calculating an x-ray dose distribution within an object for a computed tomography examination. A primary flux determination unit (15) determines firstly a primary flux distribution within the object, wherein then this determined primary flux distribution is used as an initial total flux distribution by a total flux determination unit (16) while applying a six-flux model algorithm. This allows the determination of the total flux distribution to start with a relatively good first approximation of the total flux distribution such that the six-flux model algorithm can determine the total flux distribution very fast. The determined total flux distribution is finally used by a dose distribution determination unit (17) for determining a total dose distribution. The apparatus allows therefore for a very fast determination of x-ray dose distributions for computed tomography examinations.

Abstract: A method for extending initial image data of a subject for dose estimation includes obtaining first image data of the subject for dose calculation, wherein the first image data has a first field of view. The method further includes obtaining second image data for extending the field of view of the first image data. The second image data has a second field of view that is larger than the first field of view. The method further includes extending the first field of view based on the second image data, producing extended image data.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing localized artifacts in imaging data, such as motion artifacts and bone streak artifacts, are provided. The method includes segmenting the imaging data to identify one or more suspect regions in the imaging data near which localized artifacts are expected to occur, defining an artifact-containing region of interest in the imaging data around each suspect region, and applying a local bias field within the artifact-containing regions to correct for the localized artifacts.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (18) for calculating an x-ray dose distribution within an object for a computed tomography examination. A primary flux determination unit (15) determines firstly a primary flux distribution within the object, wherein then this determined primary flux distribution is used as an initial total flux distribution by a total flux determination unit (16) while applying a six-flux model algorithm. This allows the determination of the total flux distribution to start with a relatively good first approximation of the total flux distribution such that the six-flux model algorithm can determine the total flux distribution very fast. The determined total flux distribution is finally used by a dose distribution determination unit (17) for determining a total dose distribution. The apparatus allows therefore for a very fast determination of x-ray dose distributions for computed tomography examinations.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing localized artifacts in imaging data, such as motion artifacts and bone streak artifacts, are provided. The method includes segmenting the imaging data to identify one or more suspect regions in the imaging data near which localized artifacts are expected to occur, defining an artifact-containing region of interest in the imaging data around each suspect region, and applying a local bias field within the artifact-containing regions to correct for the localized artifacts.

Abstract: A method includes generating, via a dose estimator, a dose map indicative of an estimated dose deposited in a subject based on acquisition protocol parameter values of an acquisition protocol of an imaging system, and generating, via a noise estimator, at least one of a noise map indicative of an estimated image noise based on the acquisition protocol parameter values or a contrast-to-noise map based on the noise map and an attenuation map. The method further includes displaying, via a display, the dose and noise maps in a human readable format.