Patents by Inventor Perttu Niemela

Perttu Niemela has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12083356
    Abstract: A computing system comprising a central processing unit (CPU), and memory coupled to the CPU and having stored therein instructions that, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to execute operations to generate a radiation treatment plan. The operations include accessing a minimum prescribed dose to be delivered into and across the target, determining a number of beams and directions of the beams, and determining a beam energy for each of the beams, wherein the number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the beam energy for each of the beams are determined such that the entire target receives the minimum prescribed dose. A quantitative time-dependent model-based charged particle pencil beam scanning optimization is then implemented for FLASH therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignees: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS INTERNATIONAL AG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS PARTICLE THERAPY GMBH & CO. KG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC
    Inventors: Michael Matthew Folkerts, Jessica Perez, Christel Smith, Eric Abel, Anthony Magliari, Reynald Vanderstraeten, Timo Kalevi Koponen, Renate Parry, Alexander Katsis, Rajiv Dua, Michiko Alcanzare, Perttu Niemela, Matti Ropo
  • Patent number: 12076587
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of developing a radiation treatment plan comprising spot scanning of a treatment target comprising accessing information associated with a patient and information pertaining to a radiation delivery machine. The method further comprises determining an area associated with the treatment target, wherein the area comprises a plurality of spots and computing a weighting for each spot of the plurality of spots, wherein the weighting is associated with a number of protons delivered at a respective spot. Further, the method comprises computing timing related parameters based on information retrieved from the radiation delivery machine and determining a transition dose delivered by the radiation delivery machine during the transition from one spot to another spot when irradiating the treatment target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers International AG
    Inventors: Pierre Lansonneur, Perttu Niemela, Michiko Rossi, Matti Sakari Ropo, Viljo Petaja
  • Patent number: 12070622
    Abstract: Treatment fields can be produced as part of a treatment plan that achieves a desired balance between field delivery time and dose based on machine parameters and knowledge, such as machine-specific beam production, transport and scanning logic, and/or a maximum treatment time value. The treatment parameters can be adjusted using a graphical user interface so that treatment time or dosimetry is prioritized. As a result, the overall treatment time is reduced, and hence treatment quality and patient experience are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS THERAPY GMBH & CO KG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Arturs Meijers, Perttu Niemela, Roni Hytonen, Reynald Van der Straeten, Jan Timmer, Timo Koponen, Christel Smith, Isabel Huth
  • Patent number: 12036422
    Abstract: A search space used for multicriteria optimization in radiation treatment planning can be expanded using extrapolation. For instance, given an initial set of base plans, one or more virtual plans can be generated by assigning a weight to each base plan such that at least one of the weights is less than zero and/or such that the sum of the weights is not normalized to 1. The dose distribution for the virtual plan is computed as the weighted sum of the dose distributions of the base plans. Virtual plans criteria can be used together with the initial set of base plans to define an expanded search space within which interpolation can be performed to identify an optimal treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers International AG
    Inventors: Janne Nord, Esa Kuusela, Perttu Niemelä, Tuomas Tallinen
  • Patent number: 11992703
    Abstract: A method used for planning radiation treatment accessing information that includes calculated doses and calculated dose rates for sub-volumes in a treatment target, and also accessing information that includes values of a measure of the sub-volumes as a function of the calculated doses and the calculated dose rates. A graphical user interface includes a rendering that is based on the calculated doses, the calculated doses rates, and the values of the measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS PARTICLE THERAPY GMBH & CO. KG, VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Pierre Lansonneur, Perttu Niemela, Viljo Petaja, Simon Busold, Michiko Rossi, Matti Sakari Ropo, Michael Folkerts, Jessica Perez, Christel Smith, Adam Harrington, Eric Abel, Lauri Halko
  • Patent number: 11957934
    Abstract: A crystalline structure modeling methodology that is conventionally used to model crystalline matter down to the atomic level is instead used to determine spot placement for radiation treatment. The cross-sectional shape of a treatment target is specified; locations (peaks) in a density field inside the shape are determined using the crystalline structure model; locations of spots in the treatment target for spot scanning are determined, where the locations correspond to the locations (peaks) inside the shape determined using the crystalline structure model; and the locations of the spots are stored as candidates for potential inclusion in a radiation treatment plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Petri Hirvonen, Michiko Rossi, Pierre Lansonneur, Matti Ropo, Viljo Petaja, Perttu Niemela, Timo Koponen
  • Patent number: 11941544
    Abstract: Nominal values of parameters, and perturbations of the nominal values, that are associated with previously defined radiation treatment plans are accessed. For each treatment field of the treatment plans, a field-specific planning target volume (fsPTV) is determined based on those perturbations. At least one clinical target volume (CTV) and at least one organ-at-risk (OAR) volume are also delineated. Each OAR includes at least one sub-volume that is delineated based on spatial relationships between each OAR and the CTV and the fsPTV for each treatment field. Dose distributions for the sub-volumes are determined based on the nominal values and the perturbations. One or more dose prediction models are generated for each sub-volume. The dose prediction model(s) are trained using the dose distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Perttu Niemela, Jari Lindberg, Tuomas Jyske, Maria Cordero Marcos, Esa Kuusela
  • Publication number: 20230310887
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of developing a radiation treatment plan comprising spot scanning of a treatment target comprising accessing information associated with a patient and information pertaining to a radiation delivery machine. The method further comprises determining an area associated with the treatment target, wherein the area comprises a plurality of spots and computing a weighting for each spot of the plurality of spots, wherein the weighting is associated with a number of protons delivered at a respective spot. Further, the method comprises computing timing related parameters based on information retrieved from the radiation delivery machine and determining a transition dose delivered by the radiation delivery machine during the transition from one spot to another spot when irradiating the treatment target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Pierre LANSONNEUR, Perttu NIEMELA, Michiko ROSSI, Matti Sakari ROPO, Viljo PETAJA
  • Publication number: 20230130526
    Abstract: Nominal values of parameters, and perturbations of the nominal values, that are associated with previously defined radiation treatment plans are accessed. For each treatment field of the treatment plans, a field-specific planning target volume (fsPTV) is determined based on those perturbations. At least one clinical target volume (CTV) and at least one organ-at-risk (OAR) volume are also delineated. Each OAR includes at least one sub-volume that is delineated based on spatial relationships between each OAR and the CTV and the fsPTV for each treatment field. Dose distributions for the sub-volumes are determined based on the nominal values and the perturbations. One or more dose prediction models are generated for each sub-volume. The dose prediction model(s) are trained using the dose distributions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Perttu NIEMELA, Jari LINDBERG, Tuomas JYSKE, Maria Cordero MARCOS, Esa KUUSELA
  • Publication number: 20220414525
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for revising radiation therapy treatment plans, and in particular, revising beam angles used during radiation therapy treatment. A computer may receive a radiation therapy treatment plan based on a particular patient's diagnosis. The computer may use a machine learning model to revise radiation therapy treatment parameters such as a beam angle indicating a direction of radiation into the patient. The machine learning model may use reinforcement learning to optimize an initial beam angle from the radiation therapy treatment plan, revising the beam angle. The performance of the machine learning model is measured against metrics including fulfilling dosimetric clinical goals. The machine learning model may present the revised beam angle for display to a medical professional, or transmit the revised beam angle to downstream applications to further revise the radiation therapy treatment plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Santiago Gaspar PRINC, Perttu NIEMELA, Tuomas JYSKE, Reynald van der STRAETEN
  • Patent number: 11537912
    Abstract: Nominal values of parameters, and perturbations of the nominal values, that are associated with previously defined radiation treatment plans are accessed. For each treatment field of the treatment plans, a field-specific planning target volume (fsPTV) is determined based on those perturbations. At least one clinical target volume (CTV) and at least one organ-at-risk (OAR) volume are also delineated. Each OAR includes at least one sub-volume that is delineated based on spatial relationships between each OAR and the CTV and the fsPTV for each treatment field. Dose distributions for the sub-volumes are determined based on the nominal values and the perturbations. One or more dose prediction models are generated for each sub-volume. The dose prediction model(s) are trained using the dose distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Perttu Niemela, Jari Lindberg, Tuomas Jyske, Maria Cordero Marcos, Esa Kuusela
  • Publication number: 20220176156
    Abstract: Treatment fields can be produced as part of a treatment plan that achieves a desired balance between field delivery time and dose based on machine parameters and knowledge, such as machine-specific beam production, transport and scanning logic, and/or a maximum treatment time value. The treatment parameters can be adjusted using a graphical user interface so that treatment time or dosimetry is prioritized. As a result, the overall treatment time is reduced, and hence treatment quality and patient experience are improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Arturs MEIJERS, Perttu NIEMELA, Roni HYTONEN, Reynald VAN DER STRAETEN, Jan TIMMER, Timo KOPONEN, Christel SMITH, Isabel HUTH
  • Patent number: 11253214
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining material property, includes: an interface configured to obtain a first HU value associated with a first image of an object, and to obtain a second HU value associated with a second image of the object, wherein the first image is created using a first energy having a first energy level, and wherein the second image is created using a second energy having a second energy level that is different from the first energy level; and a processing unit configured to determine a weighted property value for the object based at least in part on the first HU value and the second HU value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Roni Hytonen, Timo K. Koponen, Perttu Niemela
  • Publication number: 20220001204
    Abstract: In the context of a multi-criteria optimization workspace, a control circuit provides a user opportunity to modify radiation treatment plan optimization objective values, wherein the optimization objectives include at least one of a radiation treatment plan complexity optimization objective and a radiation treatment delivery time optimization objective. These teachings then provide for the control circuit receiving input from the user comprising a change to at least one of these optimization objective values. By one approach the control circuit first accesses a prioritized list of clinical goals and automatically generates optimization objectives as a function of the prioritized list of clinical goals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Laura Korhonen, Tuomas Tallinen, Jarkko Y. Peltola, Perttu Niemelä, Martin Sabel
  • Publication number: 20220001203
    Abstract: A crystalline structure modeling methodology that is conventionally used to model crystalline matter down to the atomic level is instead used to determine spot placement for radiation treatment. The cross-sectional shape of a treatment target is specified; locations (peaks) in a density field inside the shape are determined using the crystalline structure model; locations of spots in the treatment target for spot scanning are determined, where the locations correspond to the locations (peaks) inside the shape determined using the crystalline structure model; and the locations of the spots are stored as candidates for potential inclusion in a radiation treatment plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Petri HIRVONEN, Michiko ROSSI, Pierre LANSONNEUR, Matti ROPO, Viljo PETAJA, Perttu NIEMELA, Timo KOPONEN
  • Publication number: 20210393982
    Abstract: A method used for planning radiation treatment accessing information that includes calculated doses and calculated dose rates for sub-volumes in a treatment target, and also accessing information that includes values of a measure of the sub-volumes as a function of the calculated doses and the calculated dose rates. A graphical user interface includes a rendering that is based on the calculated doses, the calculated doses rates, and the values of the measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Pierre Lansonneur, Perttu NIEMELA, Viljo Petaja, Simon Busold, Michiko Rossi, Matti Sakari Ropo, Michael Folkerts, Jessica Perez, Christel Smith, Adam Harrington, Eric Abel, Lauri HALKO
  • Publication number: 20210379405
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of determining a resultant treatment plan for a proton radiation therapy system based on given dose volume constraints, wherein the resultant treatment plan is optimized for treatment time comprises accessing the dose volume constraints and range information, wherein the range information indicates acceptable deviations from the dose volume constraints. Based on the proton radiation therapy system, the method further comprises accessing machine configuration information comprising a plurality of machine parameters that define a maximum resolution achievable in irradiating a patient. Further, the method comprises iteratively adjusting the plurality of machine parameters to values which decrease the maximum resolution and simulating a plurality of candidate treatment plans to generate a plurality of treatment plan results, wherein each treatment plan result comprises: a respective treatment time and a respective plan quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Isabel Huth, Christel Smith, Timo Koponen, Perttu Niemela, Markus Bach, Reynald VANDERSTRATEN
  • Publication number: 20210346719
    Abstract: A computing system comprising a central processing unit (CPU), and memory coupled to the CPU and having stored therein instructions that, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to execute operations to generate a radiation treatment plan. The operations include accessing a minimum prescribed dose to be delivered into and across the target, determining a number of beams and directions of the beams, and determining a beam energy for each of the beams, wherein the number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the beam energy for each of the beams are determined such that the entire target receives the minimum prescribed dose. A quantitative time-dependent model-based charged particle pencil beam scanning optimization is then implemented for FLASH therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Matthew FOLKERTS, Jessica PEREZ, Christel SMITH, Eric ABEL, Anthony MAGLIARI, Reynald VANDERSTRAETEN, Timo Kalevi KOPONEN, Renate PARRY, Alexander KATSIS, Rajiv DUA, Michiko ALCANZARE, Perttu NIEMELA, Matti ROPO
  • Patent number: 11154726
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of determining a resultant treatment plan for a proton radiation therapy system based on given dose volume constraints, wherein the resultant treatment plan is optimized for treatment time comprises accessing the dose volume constraints and range information, wherein the range information indicates acceptable deviations from the dose volume constraints. Based on the proton radiation therapy system, the method further comprises accessing machine configuration information comprising a plurality of machine parameters that define a maximum resolution achievable in irradiating a patient. Further, the method comprises iteratively adjusting the plurality of machine parameters to values which decrease the maximum resolution and simulating a plurality of candidate treatment plans to generate a plurality of treatment plan results, wherein each treatment plan result comprises: a respective treatment time and a respective plan quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Varian Medical Systesm Particle Therapy GmbH & Co. KG, Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Isabel Huth, Christel Smith, Timo Koponen, Perttu Niemela, Markus Bach, Reynald Vanderstraeten
  • Publication number: 20210308485
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose methods and systems for proton therapy planning that includes proton energy and spot optimization that discretizes layers and spots using an optimization algorithm to produce an optimal distribution of layer energies and spots with a relatively smooth dose distribution. The treatment planning algorithms disclosed herein can freely choose the number of spots and the energy levels of the spots. In this way, each spot can be treated as its own layer and is not constrained by the requirements of other spots/layers. Thereafter, the spots defined by the algorithm can be sorted in a list according to energy levels/depth, and the spots can be grouped into blocks according to intensity and location. The blocks can be assigned energy levels based on the corresponding spots, such as an average of all the spots associated with the block. The blocks then are used as the energy layers applied by the proton therapy treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Timo KOPONEN, Perttu NIEMELA