Abstract: Systems and methods for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment planning include a processor determining, using a current solution of a non-convex VMAT optimization problem, a search region defining a corresponding spatial movement range for each leaf of a plurality of leaves of a MLC. The current solution can include first positions of the plurality of leaves of the MLC. The processor can merge, for each spatial movement range of a corresponding leaf, beamlets associated with the spatial movement range, and transform the nonconvex VMAT optimization problem into a convex VMAT optimization based on the merging of b camlets associated with each spatial movement range. The processor can solve the convex VMAT optimization problem to determine at least second positions of the plurality of leaves of the MLC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved radiation treatment planning can employ hierarchical constrained optimization with relaxed constraints also referred to herein after as expedited hierarchical constrained optimization (ECHO). The systems and methods described herein employ a combination of constrained optimization and a correction loop involving unconstrained optimization to enhance the speed and efficiency of the radiation treatment planning process and improve the accuracy and quality of resulting radiation treatment plans. The use of a hierarchical constrained optimization approach leads to less complex and faster to solve optimization problems. The correction loop allows for compensating for optimization error associated with the sequence of constrained optimizations by incorporating such error in an unconstrained optimization. Hard and soft dose volume constraints can be efficiently incorporated.