Abstract: A method and system for normalizing an IMPT plan are provided as well as an arrangement for planning IMPT and a computer program product comprising instructions to perform the method. The method comprises the steps of: receiving an IMPT plan for a subject to be treated, receiving anatomical image data of the subject comprising at least one ROI, and receiving at least one clinical goal associated with the ROI. The method further comprises identifying one or more deficiency areas of the IMPT plan within the ROI where the clinical goal is not met, and identifying the particle spots of the IMPT plan that are associated with the identified deficiency areas as critical particle spots. When the critical spots have been identified, the method comprises normalizing at least one of the deficiency areas by adjusting the intensity of the critical particle spots.

Abstract: In a continuous arc radiation therapy planning method for planning a radiation therapy session parameterized by a set parameters for control points (CPs) along at least one radiation source arc, a geometric optimization (40) is performed that does not include calculating radiation absorption profiles to generate optimized values for a sub-set of the parameters. After the geometric optimization, a main optimization (42) is performed that includes calculating radiation absorption profiles. The main optimization is performed with the sub-set of parameters initialized to the optimized values from the geometric optimization. The sub-set of parameters optimized by the geometric optimization may include collimator angle parameters for a multileaf collimator (MLC) (58). The geometric optimization may optimize a cost function comprising a sum over the CPs of a per-CP cost function dependent on a target-only region (62) defined as a planning target volume excluding any portion overlapping an organ at risk.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium (26) stores instructions executable by at least one electronic processor (20) to perform a method (100, 200) of identifying possible arc segments for removal in a modulated arc therapy plan. The method includes: iteratively optimizing a modulated arc therapy plan for an initial arc segment; and computing a geometric freedom (GF) metric for each control point (CP) of the initial arc segment.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing an IMPT plan are provided, as well as a computer program product for performing, and an arrangement for planning IMPT. For optimizing the IMPT plan, the following steps are performed. An initial IMPT plan is received, along with anatomical image data of the subject to be treated. Critical proton spots are identified in the initial plan using the anatomical image data. At least one local plan deficiency area associated with the identified critical proton spots is generated. A local treatment plan is then generated for the LPDA by applying robust optimization to it. The optimized treatment plan for delivery to the subject to is then generated by combining the local treatment plan with the initial IMPT plan.

Abstract: In order to assess the achievability of treatment goals for a radiation therapy treatment, an estimation unit generates a treatment plan for the radiation therapy treatment only on the basis of treatment goals relating to a target structure to obtain a first dose distribution, (i) segments the region of the patient's body into a plurality of concentric shells surrounding the target structure and determines a mean radiation dose assigned to each shell in accordance with the first dose distribution, and (iii) checks whether a further dose distribution can be determined, which fulfills the treatment goals relating to at least one structure at risk and, which is configured such that the mean radiation dose assigned to each shell in accordance with the further dose distribution corresponds to the mean radiation dose assigned to the same shell in accordance with the first dose distribution.

Abstract: A method includes generating a nominal dose distribution based on an image and clinical goals. The method further includes generating a setup error dose distribution based on range and setup uncertainties. The method further includes generating a dose distribution for a parameter of an internal organ. The method further includes optimizing a planned dose distribution of an intensity modulated proton therapy plan by minimizing a total objective value including the nominal dose distribution, the setup error dose distribution dose distribution, and the dose distribution for the internal organ. The method further includes generating a final dose distribution for the intensity modulated proton therapy plan based on beam parameters of the optimized planned dose distribution. The method further includes controlling a proton therapy apparatus configured to deliver proton therapy based on the intensity modulated proton therapy plan with the optimized planned dose distribution.

Abstract: A radiation therapy system (100) includes a radiation therapy (RT) optimizer unit (102) and an interactive planning interface unit (120). The RT optimizer unit (102) receives at least one target structure and at least one organ-at-risk (OAR) structure segmented from a volumetric image (108), and generates an optimized RT plan (140) based on dose objectives (200-204, 210-222, 320), at least one dose objective of the dose objectives corresponding to each of the at least one target structure (210-222) and the at least one OAR structure (200-204). The optimized RT plan includes a planned radiation dose for each voxel of the volumetric image using external beam radiation therapy, wherein the RT optimizer unit operates iteratively.

Abstract: A robustness optimization is disclosed for a broad beam proton therapy plan. A nominal dose distribution (62) is computed, to be delivered to a volume by performing proton therapy on the volume according to a proton therapy plan (50) having parameters (52) defining a range compensator shape and a range band. The parameters of the proton therapy plan are adjusted to reduce a difference between the nominal dose distribution (62) and a perturbed dose distribution calculated to be delivered to the volume modified by an error scenario (64) by performing proton therapy on the volume modified by the error scenario in accordance with the proton therapy plan with the parameters adjusted by the adjusting operation. The adjusting may be repeated serially for each error scenario of a set of error scenarios (44) to produce a proton therapy plan that is robust for any of these error scenarios.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image fusion of lower resolution images (32) and higher resolution reference images (50) of an object (30). Specific image scanning geometries used for acquiring the lower resolution images (32) are determined based on a machine learning algorithm that uses at least one feature in at least one region of interest in the respective lower resolution images (32) as input. Image scanning geometry matching oblique higher resolution images (54) are generated based on the higher resolution reference images (50) and the determined specific image scanning geometries used for acquiring the respective lower resolution images (32). The oblique higher resolution images (54) are registered with the lower resolution images (32) in order to generate registered higher resolution images. Current feature information is extracted from the lower resolution images and mapped on corresponding feature information in the registered higher resolution images in order to generate fusion images.

Abstract: A radiation therapy delivery device console (50) controls a radiation therapy delivery device (36) and an imaging device (40, 42), and further performs adaptive radiotherapy (ART) recommendation as follows. The imaging device is controlled to acquire a current image (44) of a patient. At least one perturbation of the current image is determined compared with a radiation therapy planning image (1) from which a radiation therapy plan (22) for the patient has been generated. An ART recommendation score is computed, indicating whether ART should be performed, based on the determined at least one perturbation. A recommendation is displayed as to whether ART should be performed based on the computed ART recommendation score, or an alarm is displayed conditional upon the computed ART recommendation score satisfying an ART recommendation criterion.

Abstract: An achievability estimate is computed for an intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) geometry (32) including a target volume, an organ at risk (OAR), and at least one radiation beam. Namely, a geometric complexity (GC) metric is computed for the IMRT geometry that compares a number NT of beamlets of the at least one radiation beam available in the IMRT geometry for irradiating the target volume and a number n of these beamlets that also pass through the OAR. A GC metric ratio is computed of the GC metric for the IMRT geometry and the GC metric for a reference IMRT geometry for which an IMRT plan is achievable. If the clinician is satisfied with this estimate then optimization (38) of an IMRT plan for the IMRT geometry (32) is performed. Alternatively, a reference IMRT geometry is selected by comparing the GC metric with GC metrics of past IMRT plans.

Abstract: A method includes generating a nominal dose distribution based on an image and clinical goals. The method further includes generating a setup error dose distribution based on range and setup uncertainties. The method further includes generating a dose distribution for a parameter of an internal organ. The method further includes optimizing a planned dose distribution of an intensity modulated proton therapy plan by minimizing a total objective value including the nominal dose distribution, the setup error dose distribution dose distribution, and the dose distribution for the internal organ. The method further includes generating a final dose distribution for the intensity modulated proton therapy plan based on beam parameters of the optimized planned dose distribution. The method further includes controlling a proton therapy apparatus configured to deliver proton therapy based on the intensity modulated proton therapy plan with the optimized planned dose distribution.

Abstract: A method and related system to adjust an existing treatment plan. A second optimization is run based on a dual objective function system that includes a first objective function used for the optimization in respect of the existing plan and a second, extended objective function that includes the said first objective function as a functional component.

Abstract: In a continuous arc radiation therapy planning method for planning a radiation therapy session parameterized by a set parameters for control points (CPs) along at least one radiation source arc, a geometric optimization (40) is performed that does not include calculating radiation absorption profiles to generate optimized values for a sub-set of the parameters. After the geometric optimization, a main optimization (42) is performed that includes calculating radiation absorption profiles. The main optimization is performed with the sub-set of parameters initialized to the optimized values from the geometric optimization. The sub-set of parameters optimized by the geometric optimization may include collimator angle parameters for a multileaf collimator (MLC) (58). The geometric optimization may optimize a cost function comprising a sum over the CPs of a per-CP cost function dependent on a target-only region (62) defined as a planning target volume excluding any portion overlapping an organ at risk.

Abstract: In order to assess the achievability of treatment goals for a radiation therapy treatment, an estimation unit generates a treatment plan for the radiation therapy treatment only on the basis of treatment goals relating to a target structure to obtain a first dose distribution, (i) segments the body region into a plurality of concentric shells (301a, 301b) surrounding the target structure (302) and determines a mean radiation dose assigned to each shell (301a, 301b) in accordance with the first dose distribution, and (iii) checks whether a further dose distribution can be determined which fulfills the treatment goals relating to at least one structure at risk and which is configured such that the mean radiation dose assigned to each shell (301a, 301b) in accordance with the further dose distribution corresponds to the mean radiation dose assigned to the same shell (301a, 301b) in accordance with the first dose distribution.

Abstract: A therapy planning system and method generate an optimal treatment plan accounting for changes in anatomy. Therapy is delivered to the subject according to a first auto-planned optimal treatment plan based on a first image of a subject. A second image of the subject is received after a period of time. The second image is registered with the first image to generate a deformation map accounting for physiological changes. The second image is segmented into regions of interest using the deformation map. A mapped delivered dose is computed for each region of interest using the dose delivery goals and the deformation map. The first treatment plan is merged with the segmented regions of the second image and the mapped delivered dose during optimization.

Abstract: A robustness optimization is disclosed for a broad beam proton therapy plan. A nominal dose distribution (62) is computed, to be delivered to a volume by performing proton therapy on the volume according to a proton therapy plan (50) having parameters (52) defining a range compensator shape and a range band. The parameters of the proton therapy plan are adjusted to reduce a difference between the nominal dose distribution (62) and a perturbed dose distribution calculated to be delivered to the volume modified by an error scenario (64) by performing proton therapy on the volume modified by the error scenario in accordance with the proton therapy plan with the parameters adjusted by the adjusting operation. The adjusting may be repeated serially for each error scenario of a set of error scenarios (44) to produce a proton therapy plan that is robust for any of these error scenarios.

Abstract: A method for reviewing a treatment plan (24) for delivering radiation therapy to a patient. The treatment plan (24) includes geometric analysis data, dose distribution analysis data, dose volume histogram data, parametric analysis data or deliverability analysis data of a patient. First, for the treatment plan (24), a plurality of clinical and delivery goals are identified (20, 22). Next, goal data points are extracted (26) from the treatment plan (24). Then, data points are correlated (28) to identify deficiencies in the treatment plan (24). A report is generated (30) to display on a display (10) the correlated data points using visual markings (84) to highlight identified deficiencies. Text and audio notations can be attached to the report to explain the correlations and warn a user of plan deficiencies.

Abstract: A radiation therapy system (100) includes a radiation therapy (RT) optimizer unit (102) and an interactive planning interface unit (120). The RT optimizer unit (102) receives at least one target structure and at least one organ-at-risk (OAR) structure segmented from a volumetric image (108), and generates an optimized RT plan (140) based on dose objectives (200-204, 210-222, 320), at least one dose objective of the dose objectives corresponding to each of the at least one target structure (210-222) and the at least one OAR structure (200-204). The optimized RT plan includes a planned radiation dose for each voxel of the volumetric image using external beam radiation therapy, wherein the RT optimizer unit operates iteratively.

Abstract: An achievability estimate is computed for an intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) geometry (32) including a target volume, an organ at risk (OAR), and at least one radiation beam. Namely, a geometric complexity (GC) metric is computed for the IMRT geometry that compares a number NT of beamlets of the at least one radiation beam available in the IMRT geometry for irradiating the target volume and a number n of these beamlets that also pass through the OAR. A GC metric ratio is computed of the GC metric for the IMRT geometry and the GC metric for a reference IMRT geometry for which an IMRT plan is achievable. If the clinician is satisfied with this estimate then optimization (38) of an IMRT plan for the IMRT geometry (32) is performed. Alternatively, a reference IMRT geometry is selected by comparing the GC metric with GC metrics of past IMRT plans.