Radiation therapy methods, systems and related computer programs

Abstract

In various embodiments, a method of radiation therapy can include loading a planned image of a target within a human body. Additionally, the location of the target can be monitored. The occurrence of substantial alignment between the position of the target and the position of the target of the planning image may be calculated. Additionally, following the calculation, a radiation beam is triggered to deliver a dose to the target within a brief period of time (eg, less than a second).

Description

Background technique [0001] The use of radiation therapy to treat cancer is well known. In general, radiation therapy involves directing a beam of high-energy proton, photon, ion, or electron radiation ("therapeutic radiation") into a target or target volume (eg, a tumor or lesion) in a patient. [0002] Before treating a patient with radiation, a treatment plan specific to the patient is developed. The program uses simulations and optimizes various aspects of defined therapies based on past experience. In general, the goal of treatment planning is to deliver sufficient radiation to the target while minimizing exposure of surrounding normal healthy tissue to radiation. [0003] The planner's goal is to find an optimal solution with respect to multiple clinical targets that may conflict in the sense that improvements towards one target may have an adverse effect on achieving another. For example, a treatment plan that shields the liver from receiving a certain dose of radiat...

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Problems solved by technology

Note that abdominal compression is usually not well tolerated by most patients because it is very uncomfortable and can limit critical functions associated with normal organ movement (such as breathing or defecation)

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