Abstract: A virtual beam's-eye view of a planning target volume is generated based on volumetric image data acquired immediately prior to radiation therapy by a radiation therapy system. The virtual beam's-eye view can then be displayed to confirm that, with the patient disposed in the current position, the planned beam-delivered treatment extends beyond the surface of the skin. In some embodiments, the virtual beam's-eye view can be displayed in conjunction with a beam's-eye view that is generated based on volumetric image data acquired during treatment planning, to create a blended beam's-eye view. In some embodiments, a field outline of a treatment beam can be superimposed on the blended beam's-eye view, thereby illustrating whether the planned beam-delivered treatment extends beyond the surface of the skin of the patient. The blended beam's-eye view can facilitate a manual confirmation process that verifies the planned beam-delivered treatment extends beyond the surface of the skin.

Abstract: A prescribing user can designate and prioritize clinical goals that can, in turn, serve as the basis for optimization objectives to guide the development of a radiation treatment plan. The prescribing user can then alter that prioritization of one or more clinical goals and view information regarding changes to fluence-based dose distributions that occur in response to those changes to relative prioritization amongst the clinical goals to thereby understand dosing tradeoffs that correspond to prioritization amongst the clinical goals.

Abstract: Dermatological cosmetic combination treatments with high intensity focused ultrasound, dermal fillers, fat-reducing compounds, cavitation-prone fluids, and/or septa dissection are provided. A HIFU therapy system can include an imaging system, methods adapted to alter placement and position of a line focus band therapy, multiple simultaneous cosmetic ultrasound treatment zones in tissue, and dithering ultrasound beams from a transducer to alter placement and position of multiple cosmetic treatment zones in tissue. The HIFU systems can include a hand wand, removable transducer modules, and a control module. The dermal fillers can include hydroxyapatite. The fat-reducing compounds can include adipocytolytic compounds, pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds, proapoptotic compounds, compounds impairing differentiation of pre-adipocytes, and combinations thereof. The cavitation-prone fluids can include molecules dissolved in fluids, ethanol, glycerin, and ethylene glycol.

Abstract: These teachings provide for quickly yet accurately forming an influence matrix by generating the influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation. The resultant influence matrix can then be utilized in an ordinary manner when optimizing a radiation treatment plan. By one approach, the foregoing comprises generating the influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation on a particle-by-particle basis. For example, for each particle, these teachings can provide for identifying a spot to which the particle belongs and then adding a dose deposited by the particle during transport to an influence matrix element that corresponds to a spot to which the particle belongs and a voxel to where the dose was deposited.

Abstract: An estimated or predicted dose for radiotherapy treatment may be generated based on a partial dose map including dose information only for one or more regions of interest within a treatment site, by use of a properly trained machine learning system such as a U-Net or a V-Net. Said partial dose map typically set to fulfil clinical goals. A method of training such a machine learning system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a radiation system. The system may include a treatment assembly, an imaging assembly, a first gantry, and a second gantry. The treatment assembly may include a first radiation source configured to deliver a treatment beam and have a treatment region. The first gantry may be configured to support the first radiation source. The imaging assembly may include a second radiation source and a radiation detector. The second radiation source may be configured to deliver an imaging beam and the radiation detector may be configured to detect at least a portion of the imaging beam. The imaging assembly may have an imaging region. The second gantry may be configured to support the second radiation source and the radiation detector, wherein the second radiation source is located within the second gantry. The treatment region and the imaging region at least partially overlap.

Abstract: A method for adaptive treatment planning is provided. The method may include obtaining a planning image volume of a subject, a treatment image volume of the subject, and a first treatment plan related to the planning image volume of the subject, each of the planning image volume and the treatment image volume including an ROI of the subject. The method may also include registering the planning image volume and the treatment image volume, and determining a first contour of the ROI in the registered planning image volume and a second contour of the ROI in the registered treatment image volume. The method may also include evaluating whether an error exists in at least one of the registration or the contour determination based on the first contour and the second contour, and determining a second treatment plan with respect to the treatment image volume based on the evaluation result.

Abstract: The effects of acute toxicity from a radiation procedure can be reduced without altering the radiation dose. Instead, a radiation procedure can be weighted to deliver certain amounts of radiation per day through temporal feathering. A target volume for a radiation procedure can be determined based on at least one image. The radiation procedure includes a total dose of radiation to be administered in a time period. An organ outside of the target volume at risk of acute toxicity from the radiation procedure can be determined based on the at least one image. A sequence plan that ensures the total dose of radiation is administered in the time period can be calculated. The sequence plan includes one day of a high fractional dose of radiation and four days of a low fractional dose of radiation. The sequence accomplishes temporal feathering of the radiation therapy procedure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for assessing and adjusting the composition of groups for monitoring programs. In some implementations, a computer system determines a target level of diversity for a monitoring program based on a composition of a reference group. The system determines a group level of diversity for a group based on the composition of the group, wherein the group comprises at least one of candidates or participants for the monitoring program. The system determines that the group level of diversity does not provide the target level of diversity, and in response, selects one or more actions that are configured to adjust the composition of the group to achieve the target level of diversity in the group. The system provides output data that indicates the selected one or more actions to adjust the composition of the group toward the target level of diversity for the group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for irradiating a population of mammalian cells comprising at least one target mammalian cell with electron beams and/or X-rays, characterized in that: (i) a composition comprising a population of mammalian cells is irradiated in vitro with electron beams and/or X-rays, the population of mammalian cells containing at least one target mammalian cell and the dose rate being within the range from 5 Gy/sec to 107 Gy/sec, and (ii) optionally viable target mammalian cells are isolated or enriched from the population of mammalian cells, and to agents obtainable thereby and to uses thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions. The computer readable medium is configured to cause a processor to access an image volume of a rectum comprising a rectal tumor. A forward mapping is generated based on non-rigidly registering a healthy rectal atlas to the image volume. The forward mapping is inverted to generate an inverse mapping from the image volume to the healthy rectal atlas. Based on the inverse mapping, a plurality of deformation vectors, associated with a deformation within a rectal wall of the rectum, are determined. Magnitude based deformation features and orientation based deformation features are computed from the plurality of deformation vectors. One or more of the magnitude based deformation features and one or more of the orientation based deformation features are utilized to determine a response of a patient to a chemoradiation treatment.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of cell therapies. Also described herein are methods of generating donor derived T cells in an organ transplant recipient, by administering bone marrow stem cells to the organ transplant recipient about 1 to about 30 days after the organ transplant recipient receives one or more organ transplants.

Abstract: CD47+ disease cells such as cancer cells are treated using a combination of CD47 blockade drug and a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. The anti-cancer effect of one drug enhances the anti-cancer effect of the other. Specific combinations include SIRP?Fc as CD47 blockade drug, and one of depsipeptide and romidepsin as HDAC inhibitor. These combinations are useful particularly to treat blood cancers including lymphomas, leukemias and myelomas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used for medical and/or cosmetic treatment of a tissue, such as skin tightening, skin laxity and/or wrinkle reduction and or other skin flaws, including an energy source, a vacuum chamber and rollers which may facilitate easy sliding of the apparatus from one treated area to another. The rollers may also prevent excessive friction of the skin during the treatment. The energy source can be configured to emit energy based on the position of the apparatus on the skin (i.e., the position of the rollers), as well as the pressure within the vacuum chamber. The vacuum level and energy emission can be changed or pulsed based on the treatment regime.

Abstract: A statistical learning technique that does not rely upon paired imaging information is described herein. The technique may be computer-implemented and may be used in order to train a statistical learning model to perform image synthesis, such as in support of radiation therapy treatment planning. In an example, a trained statistical learning model may include a convolutional neural network established as a generator convolutional network, and the generator may be trained at least in part using a separate convolutional neural network established as a discriminator convolutional network. The generator convolutional network and the discriminator convolutional network may form an adversarial network architecture for use during training. After training, the generator convolutional network may be provided for use in synthesis of images, such as to receive imaging data corresponding to a first imaging modality type, and to synthesize imaging data corresponding to a different, second imaging modality type.

Abstract: Methods of treatment trajectory optimization for radiotherapy treatment of multiple targets include determining beam's eye view (BEV) regions and a BEV region connectivity manifold for each target group of a plurality of target groups separately. The information contained in the BEV regions and the BEV region connectivity manifolds for all target groups is used to guide an optimizer to find optimal treatment trajectories. To improve the visibility of insufficiently exposed voxels of planning target volumes (PTVs), a post-processing step may be performed to enlarge certain BEV regions, which are considered for exposing during treatment trajectory optimization.

Abstract: Methods of beam angle optimization for intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment include determining beam's eye view (BEV) regions and a BEV region connectivity manifold by evaluating dose response of each region of interest for each vertex in a delivery coordinate space (DCS). The information contained in the BEV regions and the BEV region connectivity manifold is used to guide an optimizer to find optimal field geometries in the IMRT treatment. To improve the visibility of insufficiently exposed voxels of planning target volumes (PTVs), a post-processing step may be performed to enlarge certain BEV regions, which are considered for exposing during treatment trajectory optimization.

Abstract: A control circuit accesses information regarding a plurality of pre-existing vetted radiation treatment plans for a variety of patients and uses that information to train at least one model (such as a dose volume histogram estimation model). The control circuit then uses that model to develop estimates for a radiation treatment plan for a particular patient. The control circuit can then use those estimates to develop a candidate radiation treatment plan.

Abstract: A photon source emits a flattening filter-free photon beam. A control circuit operably couples to a multi-layer multi-leaf collimator that is disposed between the photon source and a treatment area of a patient. The control circuit automatically arranges operation of some, but not all, of the layers of the multi-layer multi-leaf collimator to serve as a virtual flattening filter with respect to the flattening filter-free photon beam emitted by the photon source. By one approach, another of the layers of the multi-layer multi-leaf collimator serves to form a treatment aperture corresponding to a shape of the treatment area of the patient. By one approach the control circuit comprises an integral part of a treatment platform (as versus a dedicated treatment planning platform) and can carry out most or even essentially all of the planning steps that lead to administration of the treatment to a patient.

Abstract: A phantom, calibration system and calibration method are described. The phantom having a phantom body and an X-ray luminescent material, wherein at least a portion of the X-ray luminescent material is on a surface of the phantom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radiation therapy using functional measurements of branching structures. The method includes determining a location of each voxel of a plurality of voxels in a reference frame of a radiation device. The method further includes obtaining measurements that indicate a tissue type at each voxel. The method further includes determining a subset of the voxels based on an anatomical parameter of a respective branching structure of a set of branching structures indicated by the measurements. The method further includes determining a subset of the voxels that enclose an organ-at-risk (OAR) volume. The method further includes determining a value of a utility measure at each voxel. The method further includes determining a series of beam shapes and intensities which minimize a value of an objective function based on a computed dose delivered to each voxel and the utility measure for that voxel summed over all voxels.

Abstract: A computer based method of obtaining a 3D image of a part of a patient's body is disclosed, based on a fraction image having a limited field-of-view and extending the field of view with information from an image of the patient's outline, obtained from a surface scan of the patient. Anatomical data from the planning image are preferably used to fill in the outline image, by means of a contour-guided deformable registration between the planning image and contour.

Abstract: A deformable phantom, according to the present invention, has a housing made of a MRI invisible material enclosing a sealed reservoir filled with a MRI signal producing material, a piston slidably mounted within a sleeve and extending into the sealed reservoir, wherein the sleeve is slidably mounted to the housing and extends into the sealed reservoir, and a deformable structure within the sealed reservoir. The piston and sleeve move opposite to one another to conserve a constant fluid volume within the sealed reservoir as the piston moves in and out of the sealed reservoir to cause motion and/or deformation of the deformable structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a radiation beam using a linear accelerator (LINAC). Optimal beam alignment parameters may be determined and stored for each of N gantry angles. The beam alignment parameters may adjust a current supplied to one or more bending magnets of the LINAC and, thus, change an angle and direction of the radiation beam. An optimum beam alignment parameter for a gantry angle may be determined by adjusting the beam alignment parameter until a center of a radiation field of the radiation beam in a radiation transmission image is at a center of shadow of a radiation opaque marker, which may be placed at a radiation isocenter. The beam alignment parameters stored for the N gantry angles may be used to adjust the beam steering current as the gantry is rotated through any arbitrary gantry angle.

Abstract: A method for EPID-based verification, correction and minimization of the isocenter of a radiotherapy device includes the following: Positioning a measurement body; applying an irradiation field; capturing a common dose image of the measurement body; creating a dose profile on the basis of the captured dose image; determining an inflection point in a plot of the dose profile; linking positions of the inflection points to bodily limits of the measurement body; determining position of a center point of the measurement body relative to an EPID-center; determining a differential vector from a deviation in position of the center point of the measurement body from the EPID-center and from a deviation in position of the field center point of the irradiation field from the EPID-center; and correcting the current radiological isocenter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for registering images. The systems and methods perform operations comprising: receiving, at a first time point in a given radiation session, a first imaging slice corresponding to a first plane; encoding the first imaging slice to a lower dimensional representation; applying a trained machine learning model to the encoded first imaging slice to estimate an encoded version of a second imaging slice corresponding to a second plane at the first time point to provide a pair of imaging slices for the first time point; simultaneously spatially registering the pair of imaging slices to a volumetric image, received prior to the given radiation session, comprising a time-varying object to calculate displacement of the object; and generating an updated therapy protocol to control delivery of a therapy beam based on the calculated displacement of the object.

Abstract: Information associated with a radiation treatment plan includes, for example, values of dose per voxel in a target volume, values of dose rate per voxel in the target volume, and values of parameters used when generating the values of dose per voxel and the values of dose rate per voxel. Renderings that include, for example, a rendering of an image of or including the target volume, and a rendering of selected values of the radiation treatment plan, are displayed. When a selection of a region of one of the renderings is received, a displayed characteristic of another one of the renderings is changed based on the selection.

Abstract: Systems and methods include a method for providing, for presentation to a user, a graphical user interface (GUI) for defining and generating machine learning-based proxy models as surrogates for process-based reactive transport modeling (RTM). User selections of training parameters for generating training sample data are received. The training sample data is generated in response to receiving a parameter files generation indication. A training cases generation indication is received. Training sample cases are executed using the training sample data. User selections of proxy models training parameters are received. A set of parameter-specific proxy models represented by a neural network are trained. Each parameter-specific proxy model corresponds to a specific RTM parameter from a set of RTM parameters. Blind tests are performed using the set of parameter-specific proxy models. Each blind test tests a specific one of the parameter-specific proxy models.

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.

Abstract: A reinforcement learning agent facilitates optimization of a radiation-delivery treatment plan. The reinforcement learning agent is configured to generate a radiation-delivery treatment plan that can exceed the quality of a plan or plans employed to train the reinforcement learning agent. The reinforcement learning agent is trained to evaluate a radiation-delivery treatment plan that is output by an optimization software application, modify one or more dose-volume objective parameters of the evaluated radiation-delivery treatment plan, and then input the modified radiation-delivery treatment plan to the optimization software application for further optimization. The reinforcement learning agent adaptively adjusts the one or more dose-volume objective parameters based on an action policy learned during a reinforcement learning training process.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes an instrument shaft with exit holes near a distal end of the shaft, a tool coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a backend. The backend may include a mechanism that manipulates a drive element that extends through the shaft and couples to the tool, a fluid inlet, and a fluid channel assembly providing fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the proximal end of the shaft. Cleaning fluid is directed into the fluid inlet, through the fluid channel assembly, and into the shaft. A chassis or other structural piece of the backend may form part of the fluid channel assembly.

Abstract: A dual double balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion, and a secondary treatment balloon for a catheter. The catheter includes a plurality of lumens within the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and a secondary treatment balloon communicatively associated with the distal end portion of the catheter, and the balloons and the secondary treatment balloon being communicatively connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens to selectively inflate/deflate the corresponding inflatable balloon or to receive a radioactive dose or a therapeutic agent for a treatment.

Abstract: A system for dynamic localization of medical instruments includes an ultrasound imaging system (110) configured to image a volume where one or more medical instruments are deployed. A registration module (136) registers two images of the one or more medical instruments to compute a transform between the two images, the two images being separated in time. A planning module (142) is configured to have positions of the volume and the one or more medical instruments updated based on the transform and, in turn, update a treatment plan in accordance with the updated positions such that changes in the volume and positions of the one or more medical instruments are accounted for in the updated plan.

Abstract: A template matching is performed on two fluoroscopic images by using a template image prepared in advance and a position corresponding to a high matching score is listed as a candidate for the position of a marker 29. From two lists of the candidates of the position of the marker 29, the lengths of common vertical lines for all combinations are calculated. Then, the position of the marker 29 is detected based on the matching score and the common vertical line. Then, based on the detected position of the marker 29, an amount of a proton beam to be irradiated to a target is controlled. Therefore, a tracking target can be accurately detected even when the conditions for X-ray fluoroscopy is severe, e.g., a thick object.

Abstract: A computer program product, method, system and device that acquires, by a radiation detector, exit radiation measurement information during delivery of patient treatment. Patient anatomy information is also received and a radiation detector response calibration is determined utilizing at least the exit radiation measurement information, the patient anatomy information, and at least a portion of a radiation treatment plan.

Abstract: Materials and methods for reducing, preventing, or mitigating the effects of exposure to ionizing radiation are provided herein. In general, the methods can include administering a nanoparticulate genistein composition to a subject identified as having been exposed or at risk of being exposed to ionizing radiation, such as proton radiation.

Abstract: A method is proposed for evaluating the robustness of a radiotherapy treatment plan. The method comprises, defining a number of scenarios, each comprising one or more errors for each fraction of the plan, including interfractional and/or intrafractional errors, and calculating a dose distribution resulting from the scenario; The robustness of the plan is then evaluated based at least one of the following i. the probability of fulfilling a set of clinical goals estimated as the clinical goal fulfilment over the scenarios ii. the range of DVH values over the scenarios iii. dose statistics for dose distributions defined as voxel-wise aggregates over the scenario doses.

Abstract: A temporary aortic occlusion device is disclosed, having an expandable locator portion and an expandable occlusion portion. The expandable locator portion assists a user in determining whether the distal end of the device has been advanced within a patient's aorta, and the occlusion portion is expanded to occlude the patient's aorta, preferably below the renal arteries.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the treatment of cancer with a combination of radiation, cerium oxide nanoparticles and at least one chemotherapeutic agent. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) are nanometer-sized crystals of cerium oxide, typically ranging between about one nanometer to about 20 nanometers in longest dimension. The present methods use cerium oxide nanoparticles to enhance radiation-induced and chemotherapy-induced cancer cell death and also reduce the toxicity associated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for PET imaging. The system may include a first device and a second device. The first device may include a first scanning channel. The second device may include a second scanning channel connected to the first scanning channel, a heat generating component, and a cooling assembly configured to cool the heat generating component, wherein the cooling assembly may include an inlet chamber and a return chamber, the heat generating component may be closer to a first side of the second device than at least one of the inlet chamber or the return chamber, and the first side of the second device may face the first device.

Abstract: The present disclosure lies in the field of medical radiotherapy and relates to an applicator for a medical radiotherapy device, an applicator system for a medical radiotherapy device and a method for using an applicator or an applicator system. The applicator includes an applicator head and an applicator body. The applicator head and the applicator body are embodied such that the applicator head can be assembled on, and disassembled from, the applicator body, in each case without damage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ophthalmic treatment device, a control method therefor and a fundus lesion treatment method, the ophthalmic treatment device comprising: a treatment beam generation unit for generating a treatment beam; a beam delivery unit for forming a path through which the treatment beam generated from the treatment beam generating unit is irradiated into a patient's fundus; and a control unit for controlling the beam delivery unit to irradiate the treatment beam into a location adjacent to the lesion area of the fundus.

Abstract: System and methods may be used for arc fluence optimization without iteration to arc sequence generation. A method may include defining a particle arc range for a radiotherapy treatment of a patient, and generating an arc sequence, including a set of parameters for delivering the radiotherapy treatment, without requiring a dose calculation. The method may include optimizing fluence of the arc sequence for the radiotherapy treatment without iterating back to arc sequence generation, and outputting the fluence optimized arc sequence for use in the radiotherapy treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to decrease acute and late skin toxicity for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. This invention will enable better breast positioning during therapy, eliminating skin folds and reducing the skin dose below that required for development of moist desquamation. The present invention has the potential to reduce the volume of normal tissue and organs at risk of being irradiated during a course of whole breast radiation therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method of treatment for treating or ameliorating various conditions caused by radiation exposure such as RIGS, enteritis, oral mucositis, mucositis, and proctitis by the administration of a compound Yel002/BCN057 or an analog thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are drug implants comprising a therapeutically active agent for the treatment of disease in a subject. In some cases, the drug implant may comprise a polymer matrix and a therapeutically active agent disposed therein. Additionally provided are methods for manufacturing the drug implants and methods of treating diseases with the implants. In some cases, the drug implant may comprise bicalutamide, e.g., for use in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Abstract: A surgical probe system comprising a surgical probe having an instrument tip, and at least one motion sensor located within the surgical probe that measures movement and orientation data. The system further includes a processor that is configured to determine movement and orientation of the instrument tip based on the movement and orientation data, and adjust at least one surgical parameter of the surgical probe based on the movement and orientation of the instrument tip to affect a predetermined surgical outcome.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for generating an ultrasound image. The method includes receiving a raw ultrasound signal output from an ultrasound device and performing operations to transform the raw ultrasound signal into an enhanced ultrasound image. The enhanced ultrasound image may be further processed by radial symmetry filtering to generate a radial symmetry image. Both the enhanced image and the radial symmetry image can be by a medical practitioner to make a liver or kidney cancer diagnosis exclusively based on ultrasound data.

Abstract: System-in-package (SiP) devices are disclosed that include power amplifiers and controllers such as beamformer integrated circuits that are packaged together. Packaging and thermal management configurations are disclosed that allow a plurality of power amplifiers and a beamformer integrated circuit to operate efficiently while in close proximity to one another. SiP devices are disclosed that include heat spreaders that are incorporated within the SiP devices and exposed at top surfaces of the SiP devices to effectively dissipate heat. Heat spreaders may be provided as part of a lead frame that allows multiple SiP devices to be uniformly assembled with dimensions sized for high frequency applications, including millimeter wave operation.

Abstract: Information that describes a target inside a patient to be treated with radiation is accessed from computer system memory. An arrangement of spots inside the target is determined. Each the spots corresponds to a location inside the target where a respective beam of radiation is to be directed during radiation treatment of the patient. A dose rate for each of the beams is determined. The dose rate for each beam is a dose delivered in less than one second to a spot corresponding to that beam. For example, each beam can deliver at least four grays (GY) in less than one second, and may deliver as much as 20 Gy to 50 Gy or 100 Gy or more in less than one second. A radiation treatment plan, that includes the arrangement of the spots and the dose rate for each of the beams, is stored in computer system memory.