Abstract: A system and method of defining a new region of interest for an existing region of interest using a dose volume histogram. The method includes the acts of generating a dose volume histogram of radiation dose for a pre-existing region of interest, selecting a subset of the dose volume histogram, and defining a new region of interest that corresponds to the selected subset of the dose volume histogram.

Abstract: A system and method of placing constraints on a deformation map. The method includes the acts of generating a deformation map between two images, identifying a defined structure in one of the images, applying the deformation map to relate the defined structure from the one image onto the other image to create a deformation-based defined structure, modifying the deformation-based defined structure, and updating the deformation map in response to the step of modifying the deformation-based defined structure.

Abstract: A system and method for developing and analyzing radiation therapy treatment plans and a computer-generated user interface for presenting data relating to a radiation therapy treatment plan. The user interface includes a list of fractions identified in the treatment plan, data identifying delivery status of the fraction, and data identifying a processing status of the fraction. The system includes a computer processor, a data store connected to the computer processor and storing information relating to at least one fraction of a radiation therapy treatment plan, which fraction has been delivered to a patient as part of the implementation of the radiation therapy treatment plan, and software, stored in a computer readable medium accessible by the computer processor, the software being operable to automatically process the information relating to the at least one fraction.

Abstract: A system for and method of delivering radiation therapy to a moving region of interest is disclosed. The method, in one implementation, includes the acts of generating a plurality of treatment plans for providing radiation therapy, delivering radiation therapy to the patient following one of the plurality of treatment plans, monitoring the patient while providing radiation therapy, and changing the treatment plan based at least in part on monitoring the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of predicting a radiation dose to be delivered to a patient. The method includes the acts of generating a first image of at least a portion of the patient, defining a treatment plan for the patient, generating a second image of at least a portion of the patient while the patient is substantially in a treatment position, updating the patient profile with the second image, and predicting the radiation dose to be delivered to the patient based upon the patient profile and the treatment plan.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically processing data relating to a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of acquiring image data of a patient, generating a treatment plan for the patient based at least in part on the image data, the treatment plan including a calculated radiation dose to be delivered to the patient, acquiring an on-line image of the patient in substantially a treatment position, delivering at least a portion of the calculated radiation dose to the patient, and automatically recalculating the radiation dose received by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of adapting a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of preparing a treatment plan for a patient, acquiring images of the patient, performing deformable registration of the images, acquiring data relating to a radiation dose delivered to the patient, applying a biological model relating the radiation dose delivered and a patient effect, and adapting the radiation therapy treatment plan based on the deformable registration and the biological model.

Abstract: A system and method of evaluating a radiation dose delivered to a patient receiving radiation therapy. The method includes the acts of generating a time-based series of patient images, collecting a time-based series of data indicating patient motion, and evaluating a radiation dose delivered to the patient based upon the time-based series of patient images and the time-based series of data.

Abstract: System and method of evaluating quality assurance criteria related to the delivery of a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of acquiring image data of a patient, generating a treatment plan for the patient based at least in part on the image data, the treatment plan including a calculated radiation dose to be delivered to the patient, acquiring an on-line image of the patient in substantially a treatment position, delivering at least a portion of the calculated radiation dose to the patient, monitoring quality assurance criteria related to the delivery of the treatment plan, calculating the radiation dose received by the patient, and determining whether delivery of the treatment plan occurred as intended based on the quality assurance criteria and the radiation dose received by the patient.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering a radiation therapy treatment plan to a patient. The treatment plan is delivered using a radiation therapy system including a moveable support for supporting a patient, a gantry moveable relative to the support and supporting a radiation source and multi-leaf collimator for modulating the radiation source. The support and gantry are moved during delivery of the treatment plan.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing remote access to a radiation therapy treatment system. Remote access to the radiation therapy treatment system can assist in providing quality assurance processes, service and maintenance procedures, patient monitoring, and statistical analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of contoured-anatomy dose repositioning (CADR) as a means to automatically reposition a patient to better recover the planned dose distribution without reoptimize the treatment plan. Specifically, CADR utilizes planning CT images, the planned dose distribution, and on-line images for repositioning dose distribution on a given day. Contours are also placed upon the images using manual, automatic, template-based, or other techniques. CADR then optimizes the rigid-body repositioning of the patient so that the daily dose distribution closely matches the planned dose distribution. The present invention also provides a method of multiple-margin optimization with daily selection (MMODS) to improve radiation delivery without reoptimization. During the initial optimization procedure, plans are optimized for several margins of various contours (e.g., tight, medium, loose, etc.), or with different objectives (e.g., aggressive treatment, sensitive structure sparing, etc.).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for registering frames of imaging data using Fourier phase matching. Successive image frames of pixel data are processed using an image registration algorithm. Either image frames or the frames after edge detection are transformed into polar-logarithmic coordinates in the frequency domain and the phases of the Fourier transform of the resulting image representations, after inverse Fast Fourier transformation, are matched. The coordinates at the maximum phase difference are used to determine the scaling and rotation parameters needed for image frame registration. The frequency domain representation of one of the image frames is then scaled and rotated using an anti-aliasing algorithm in accordance with those parameters. The phase of the result is matched with the phase of the frequency domain representation of the other image frame to determine the translation parameters needed for image frame registration.