Dose adjustment for maximum field delivery time in radiation therapy treatment planning

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to dose adjustment for maximum field delivery time in radiation therapy treatment planning. A proton therapy system may include at least one processor and a memory storing computer executable instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to selectively adjust a treatment plan for a proton therapy treatment of a target volume based on a treatment delivery time of the treatment plan and a threshold maximum treatment delivery time, the treatment plan specifies at least proton therapy field characteristics for treating the target volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One or more example embodiments relate to radiation therapy treatment plans and radiation therapy treatments. Background Technology

[0002] Radiation therapy treatment plans are typically developed using medical imaging techniques such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A series of two-dimensional patient images (each representing a two-dimensional cross-sectional "slice" of the patient's anatomy) are usually used to reconstruct a three-dimensional representation of the volume of interest (VOI) or structure of interest based on the patient's anatomy.

[0003] A VOI typically includes one or more organs of interest, often comprising the planned target volume (PTV), such as an organ containing malignant tissue requiring radiation therapy; a relatively healthy organ at risk (OAR) located near a malignant tumor and at risk of radiation therapy exposure; or a large portion of the patient's anatomy that includes one or more target organs (PTV) and one or more OARs. The goal of radiation therapy treatment planning is generally to irradiate as much of the PTV as possible, as close as possible to the prescribed dose, while minimizing irradiation of nearby OARs.

[0004] The final radiation therapy treatment plan is used during radiation therapy to selectively expose precise areas of the body, such as malignant tumors, to specific doses of radiation to destroy the affected tissue. During the development of a patient-specific radiation therapy treatment plan, information is typically extracted from a three-dimensional model to determine parameters such as shape, volume, location, and orientation of one or more target organs (PTVs) and one or more organs at risk (OARs). Example treatments using this treatment plan include intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

[0005] In IMRT, a photon beam comprises multiple beam segments or sub-beams. Before or simultaneously with directing the beam to the processing target, the beam is shaped using a multi-leaf collimator (MLC). A maximum energy is specified for the beam (e.g., 20 MeV), and the energy for each sub-beam is determined as a percentage (100%) or equivalent fraction of the maximum beam energy. Therefore, each sub-beam can be weighted based on its energy level. By weighting based on energy, it is also possible to weight each sub-beam based on its intensity.

[0006] In IMPT (e.g., spot or pencil beam scanning), a proton or ion beam is guided to a point in the target to be processed, as specified in the processing plan. The specified point locations are typically arranged in a fixed (grating) pattern within each energy level of the beam, and the beam is delivered along a fixed scan path within each energy level. For example, each point can be weighted based on, for instance, the number of protons received when irradiated by the beam. The weight of each point can be expressed as a monitoring unit (e.g., the number of protons) or a MU value. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The scope of protection for the various example embodiments is defined by the independent claims. Example embodiments and / or features (if any) described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims should be interpreted as examples helpful in understanding the various embodiments.

[0008] At least one example embodiment provides a proton therapy system, including: a memory storing computer-executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to selectively adjust the processing schedule based on a processing delivery time and a threshold maximum processing delivery time for a proton therapy treatment of a target volume, the processing schedule specifying at least proton therapy field characteristics for treating the target volume.

[0009] At least one example embodiment provides a proton therapy system, comprising: components for selectively adjusting a processing plan based on a processing delivery time and a threshold maximum processing delivery time for proton therapy treatment of a target volume, the processing plan specifying at least proton therapy field characteristics for treating the target volume; and components for treating the target volume according to the processing plan.

[0010] At least one example embodiment provides a method comprising: selectively adjusting a processing schedule based on a processing delivery time and a threshold maximum processing delivery time for a proton therapy treatment of a target volume, the processing schedule specifying at least proton therapy field characteristics for treating the target volume.

[0011] At least one other example embodiment provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor on a proton therapy system, cause the proton therapy system to perform a method comprising: selectively adjusting a processing schedule based on a processing delivery time and a threshold maximum processing delivery time for a proton therapy treatment of a target volume, the processing schedule specifying at least proton therapy field characteristics for treating the target volume.

[0012] According to one or more example embodiments, selectively adjusting the processing schedule may include selectively adjusting at least one of the proton therapy field characteristics used to process the target volume.

[0013] At least one proton therapy field characteristic may include at least one of the number of energy layers used to treat the target volume or the point spacing.

[0014] At least one proton therapy field characteristic may include at least one of the number of energy layers used to treat the target volume or the point spacing, and at least one proton therapy field characteristic may be selectively adjusted by at least one of: (i) removing energy layers from the number of energy layers; or (ii) increasing the point spacing.

[0015] At least one processor can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: determine that the processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; and adjust the processing schedule in response to determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time.

[0016] At least one processor can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust a treatment plan in such a way as to: adjust at least one of the proton therapy field characteristics used to treat the target volume; and generate an adjusted treatment plan based on the adjusted at least one proton therapy field characteristic.

[0017] At least one proton therapy field characteristic may include at least one of the number of energy layers used to treat the target volume or the point spacing.

[0018] Adjusting at least one characteristic of a proton therapy field may include at least one of the following: (i) removing energy layers from the number of energy layers; or (ii) increasing the point spacing.

[0019] The characteristics of a proton therapy field may include at least the number of energy layers and the pitch of the dots used to process the target volume. At least one processor may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: determine that the processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; adjust at least one of the number of energy layers or the pitch of the dots in response to determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time; and generate an adjusted processing plan based on at least one of the adjusted number of energy layers or the pitch of the dots.

[0020] At least one processor may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust at least one of the following: (i) remove an energy layer from the number of energy layers; or (ii) increase the spacing between the energy layers.

[0021] The characteristics of a proton therapy field may include the number of energy layers used to process a target volume. At least one processor may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: determine that the processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; adjust the number of energy layers in response to determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time; and generate a first adjusted post-processing plan based on the adjusted number of energy layers.

[0022] At least one processor can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust the number of energy layers by removing energy layers from the number of energy layers.

[0023] At least one processor may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: calculate a first adjusted post-processing delivery time of a first adjusted post-processing plan; determine whether the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; and output a first adjusted post-processing plan for processing the target volume in response to determining that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is less than or equal to the threshold maximum processing delivery time.

[0024] The proton therapy system may also include a radiation therapy machine configured to perform treatment based on a first adjusted post-treatment plan.

[0025] The proton therapy field characteristics may also include a dot pitch for processing the target volume. At least one processor may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: determine that a first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; adjust the dot pitch in response to determining that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time; and generate a second adjusted post-processing plan based on the adjusted dot pitch.

[0026] The proton therapy field characteristics may also include a dot pitch for processing the target volume. At least one processor may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: calculate a first adjusted post-treatment delivery time for a first adjusted post-treatment plan; determine that the first adjusted post-treatment delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum treatment delivery time; adjust the dot pitch in response to determining that the first adjusted post-treatment delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum treatment delivery time; and generate a second adjusted post-treatment plan based on the adjusted dot pitch.

[0027] At least one processor can be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to enable the proton therapy system to adjust the dot pitch by increasing the dot pitch.

[0028] At least one processor may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: calculate a second adjusted processing delivery time of a second adjusted post-processing plan; determine whether the second adjusted processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; and selectively output a second adjusted post-processing plan for processing the target volume based on whether the second adjusted processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time.

[0029] At least one processor may be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to output a second adjusted post-processing plan for processing the target volume in response to determining that the second adjusted processing delivery time is less than or equal to a threshold maximum processing delivery time. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The exemplary embodiments can be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below, wherein the same elements are indicated by the same reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and therefore do not limit the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a block diagram of a system example on which example embodiments can be implemented.

[0032] Figure 2 An example of a beam view of a processed target according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated.

[0033] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of an automated radiation therapy treatment planning process according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an example embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an example embodiment.

[0036] It should be noted that these figures are intended to illustrate the general characteristics of the methods, structures, and / or materials utilized in certain exemplary embodiments and to supplement the written description provided below. However, these figures are not drawn to scale and may not accurately reflect the precise structural or performance characteristics of any given embodiment, and should not be construed as defining or limiting the range of values ​​or properties covered by the exemplary embodiments. The use of similar or identical reference numerals in the various figures is intended to indicate the presence of similar or identical elements or features. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Various exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, some of which illustrate exemplary embodiments.

[0038] This document discloses detailed exemplary embodiments. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely illustrative of the exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments may be embodied in various alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0039] It should be understood that this document is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments to the specific forms disclosed. Rather, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of this disclosure. Throughout the description of the drawings, the same numbers refer to the same elements.

[0040] As discussed in this article, the terms “one or more” and “at least one” are used interchangeably.

[0041] As discussed in this article, a radiation therapy treatment plan may also be referred to as a radiation treatment plan, treatment plan, or plan. Furthermore, in the context of a radiation therapy treatment plan, the terms "recommendation" and "candidate" are used interchangeably.

[0042] It should be understood that multiple example implementations can be used in combination.

[0043] Unless otherwise expressly stated, as is apparent from the following discussion, it should be understood that the use of terms such as “access,” “determine,” “store,” “allocate,” “adjust,” “combine,” “sum,” “add,” “optimize,” “minimize,” “generate,” “recognize,” “set,” “increase,” “evaluate,” and “calculate” throughout this disclosure can refer to the actions and processes of a computer system or similar electronic computing device or processor. A computer system or similar electronic computing device manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's memory, registers, or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices.

[0044] The following discussion may include terms such as “weight,” “metric,” “intensity,” “monitoring unit,” and so on. Unless otherwise stated, each of these terms is associated with a value. For example, a weight (e.g., the weight of a point or sub-bundle) has a value, and a metric has a value. For simplicity, the terms “weight,” “metric,” “intensity,” or “monitoring unit” may refer to the value of the weight, metric, intensity, or MU itself, unless otherwise stated or obvious from the discussion.

[0045] Although the operations in one or more flowcharts are presented as occurring sequentially and in a specific order, the example embodiments are not limited thereto. These operations may be performed in different orders and / or in parallel, and they may also be performed iteratively.

[0046] In IMPT (point or pencil beam scanning), a field comprises the number of energy layers, each energy layer consisting of multiple points. These points correspond to successive locations irradiated by the pencil beam during treatment and are typically arranged in a fixed (grating) pattern within each energy layer of the beam. Each energy layer corresponds to the depth reached by the pencil beam as it passes through the patient. The layer energy and the number of energy layers in the field can be determined in any known manner based on the patient's geometry and hardware constraints.

[0047] During radiation therapy treatment, to irradiate the target volume (also known as the treatment target, treatment target volume, or planned target volume (PTV)), the target is divided into a number of energy layers, and (e.g., in a fixed scan path) a pencil beam is scanned through different points in the farthest energy layer in the field direction (the direction of the beam). Once all points in the farthest energy layer have been delivered, the pencil beam switches to scanning through different points in the next farthest energy layer in the field direction. This process continues until the pencil beam has scanned through all points in the nearest energy layer in the field direction, thus treating the treatment target.

[0048] The time required to irradiate a field is called the processing field delivery time. The processing field delivery time can also be referred to as the processing schedule delivery time.

[0049] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example beam-view perspective of the treatment target 208 in an IMPT example embodiment. The treatment target 208 may conform to the shape of the treated volume (e.g., the outline of the treatment target may conform to the outline of a tumor), the treatment target may be larger than the treated volume, or the treatment target may correspond to a portion of the treated volume (e.g., a sub-volume).

[0050] As shown in the figure, an arrangement of dots (e.g., dots 204 and 206) is mapped onto a processing target 208. Each dot corresponds to a specific location within the processing target 208. The dots in the processing target 208 can be irradiated using a pencil beam raster scan (two-dimensional emission) as discussed above. It is well known that each pencil beam can deliver a relatively high dose rate to each dot (delivering a relatively high dose over a relatively short time period). For example, if necessary, a pencil beam can deliver a dose exceeding 40 Gy to each dot in less than one second.

[0051] Before treating a patient with radiation, a patient-specific treatment plan is developed. This plan is based on past experience and is optimized through simulations to determine various aspects of the treatment.

[0052] In intensity-modulated therapy (IMRT), the planner's goal is to find the optimal solution relative to multiple clinical objectives, which may be contradictory—that is, improvements toward one objective may adversely affect the achievement of another. For example, a treatment plan to avoid radiation dose to the liver might result in excessive radiation to the stomach. These trade-offs lead to an iterative process in which planners create different plans to find the one best suited to achieve the desired outcome. Furthermore, treatment planning software can be used to find the optimal plan that balances all clinical objectives and dosage criteria.

[0053] For example, when generating a treatment plan associated with IMPT, a set of initial point locations or a grid is specified for the entire treatment target, and the plan is optimized by adjusting the weights (proton number or monitoring unit (MU)) of the points in the pattern. An example method for determining a set of point locations and point density is described in Pierre Lansonneur's U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0405358, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Generally, the number of points in a set of initial point locations should be as low as possible (minimum) to reduce the time required to optimize the plan and achieve a high-quality dosimetric plan. Furthermore, if a set of initial point locations includes a relatively large number of points, the final treatment plan may also include many points, thus prolonging the treatment time (dose delivery time) and harming the patient's interests.

[0054] The advantage of proton therapy over other traditional therapies, such as X-ray or neutron radiation therapy, is that proton radiation can be limited in depth, and thus can avoid or at least limit the accidental radiation to non-target cells whose depth exceeds the target calculation area.

[0055] By superimposing several proton beams of different energies, the Bragg peak can be extended to cover the target volume with a uniform prescription dose. This allows proton radiation applications to target the radiation dose more precisely compared to other types of external beam radiation therapy. During proton therapy, a particle accelerator, such as a cyclotron or synchrotron, is used to generate a proton beam from an internal ion source, for example, located at the center of the particle accelerator. The protons in the beam are accelerated (via the generated electric field), and then the accelerated proton beam is “extracted” and magnetically guided through a series of interconnected channels (called beamlines), typically passing through multiple chambers, rooms, or even multiple floors of a building, and finally applied to the target volume in the treatment chamber via a radiation application device (usually through a radiation nozzle) located at the end of the beamline.

[0056] Treatment planners may need to ensure that the field can be delivered within a specified delivery time, for example, because the patient cannot hold their breath for a period of time. However, conventional treatment planning systems do not include maximum field delivery time as a requirement in their treatment plans.

[0057] One or more example embodiments provide mechanisms for taking treatment field delivery time into account when generating a radiation therapy treatment plan. More specifically, for example, one or more example embodiments provide mechanisms for optimizing radiation therapy treatment plans that allow treatment field delivery time to be taken into account.

[0058] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrates an example system on which one or more example embodiments may be implemented. The system includes a computer system 100 and a radiation therapy machine 1000 that communicate bidirectionally with each other.

[0059] The radiation therapy machine 1000 can be used to provide radiation therapy treatments, such as IMPT.

[0060] Computer system 100 includes at least one processing unit 102, memory 104, removable storage device 108, non-removable storage device 120, and communication connections(s) 122 to enable the system to communicate with other devices (e.g., using logical connections to one or more remote computers in a networked environment).

[0061] System 100 also includes one or more input devices 124 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch screen, or other input devices) and one or more output devices 126, such as display devices, speakers, printers, etc. Display devices may be, for example, cathode ray tube displays, light-emitting diode displays, liquid crystal displays, touch screen displays, combinations thereof, etc.

[0062] exist Figure 1 In this system, memory 104 includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, etc., associated with the Processing Planning System (TPS) 150 (which may also be referred to as an optimizer). However, TPS 150 may instead reside in any of the computer storage media used by system 100, or may be distributed across some combination of computer storage media, or may be distributed across some combination of networked computers. TPS 150 is configured to generate, optimize, and / or evaluate candidate (suggested) treatment plans (e.g., for IMPT) and produce a final (optimized) treatment plan. The final treatment plan can be used to apply radiation therapy to the treatment target of a patient via radiation therapy machine 1000.

[0063] More specifically, for example, the TPS150 can define a proposed radiation treatment plan, which is stored in and accessible from the computer system memory. As mentioned above, the processing method for the treatment plan can include IMPT.

[0064] Radiation therapy treatment plans include parameter values ​​that may affect dose and / or dose rate, as well as other parameters. Depending on the treatment method, parameters may include, but are not limited to: the number and spacing of energy layers in the field; the number, arrangement, spacing, and density of points used for pencil beam (spot) scanning; and the point weights in each energy layer; sub-beam weights; sub-beam intensity or energy; beam / sub-beam orientation; specified dose and specified dose rate; the number of irradiations of the target volume; the duration of each irradiation (irradiation time); and the dose deposited in each irradiation. Parameters may also include the time period during which irradiation is applied (e.g., the number of irradiations applied within a time period, such as one hour, with each irradiation within that time period interspersed with another time period) and the time interval between each irradiation (e.g., a one-day interval between each hourly time period).

[0065] The sheer number of parameters and their ranges of values ​​could result in a virtually endless number of potential processing plans. Therefore, consistently and efficiently generating and evaluating high-quality processing plans is beyond human capability and relies on and / or requires the use of computing systems.

[0066] To deliver a specified radiation dose / dose rate, the radiation treatment plan can be converted (e.g., via TPS150) into machine parameters for a radiation therapy machine (e.g., radiation therapy machine 1000). Machine parameters may include, for example, the beam flux of the proton, ion, or photon beam, the number of protons, ions, or photons emitted by the accelerator per time interval, the magnet flux, the setting of the specified energy of the protons, ions, or photons at the target volume, and the measurement range of the dose monitoring system. Therefore, this conversion takes into account the limitations of the processing equipment that generates the beam and delivers and monitors the radiation treatment.

[0067] During treatment, the beam enters a nozzle of the radiation therapy machine 1000, which may include one or more components that influence (e.g., reduce, modulate, etc.) the beam energy to control the dose / dose rate delivered by the beam and / or control the dose-depth profile of the beam, depending on the type of beam. For example, for a proton beam with a Bragg peak, the nozzle may control the transverse position of the Bragg peak relative to the beam axis within the treatment target. In other examples, energy modulation is performed outside the nozzle (e.g., upstream of the nozzle).

[0068] The nozzle is mounted on a movable frame so that the beam can be delivered from different directions (angles) relative to the patient (or the patient's treatment target) on the patient support device, and the position of the patient support device relative to the beam can also be changed.

[0069] Figure 3This is an example block diagram of an automated radiation therapy treatment planning process or method 300 according to an example embodiment. Process 300, in whole or in part, can be implemented as a software program, hardware logic, or a combination thereof. Figure 1 It is implemented on / used by computer system 100.

[0070] See Figure 3 In step 302, the computer system 100 obtains a three-dimensional (3D) image of the patient and segments and delineates the organs and other structures (patient geometry) within the patient. In steps 304 and 306, as will be discussed below... Figure 4 For a more detailed discussion, system 100 develops and evaluates a radiation therapy treatment plan based on the information obtained in step 302 and other information.

[0071] In step 308, if the treatment plan developed by system 100 is satisfactory (e.g., meets clinical objectives), then the radiation therapy treatment plan can be used to treat the patient's treatment target (e.g., using radiation therapy machine 1000). If not, then system 100 can iteratively modify aspects of the treatment plan and / or clinical objectives until a satisfactory plan is generated, and then use the satisfactory radiation therapy treatment plan to treat the patient (e.g., using radiation therapy machine 1000). Clinical objectives can be expressed, for example, by a set of quality indicators, such as target homogeneity, consistency with the treatment target, preservation of critical organs, field delivery time, etc., and corresponding target values ​​are set for these quality indicators.

[0072] Figure 4 This is an example block diagram of an automated radiation therapy treatment planning process 400 according to an example embodiment. Process 400, in whole or in part, can be implemented as a software program, hardware logic, or a combination thereof. Figure 1 It is implemented on / used by system 100. For example, process 400 can be executed at TPS 150. Process 400 typically corresponds to Figure 3 Steps 304 and 306 in the process.

[0073] See Figure 4 TPS150 (e.g., from Figure 1 The memory 104) receives or accesses information including parameters such as those mentioned above. The TPS 150 may also access or receive patient-specific information (e.g., patient geometry), including information describing the treatment target (region of interest (ROI)), which may include planned target volume (PTV), gross tumor volume (GTV), clinical target volume (CTV), and / or organ at risk (OAR).

[0074] The TPS150 also accesses or receives target functions defined for the patient's treatment. A target function is a mathematical formula for variables (such as the parameters mentioned above) that may influence the achievement of a specific clinical target. More specifically, target functions are used to evaluate a proposed radiation therapy treatment plan to determine whether it meets the clinical objectives specified for the patient's treatment.

[0075] An example of the dose-target function f(d) is: f(d) = ∑(w i )(d i -d p ) 2 , where w i It is the weight of each voxel in the target, d i The dose of each voxel expected to be received is based on the proposed treatment plan, d p Σ represents the specified dose for each voxel, while the sum Σ is for all voxels i in the treatment target. As noted above in IMPT, a voxel can be a point in the treatment target irradiated by a pencil beam. In this example, the goal is to minimize the value of the dose-target function (in this case, as the function value decreases, the dose across the entire treatment target becomes more uniform). In practice, there may be several target functions (in addition to the dose-target function) to minimize in order to achieve the optimal final treatment plan. Target functions may conflict with each other; that is, minimizing one target function may penalize another, and therefore it may not be possible to minimize all target functions. Therefore, in the example embodiment, a weighted sum of the target functions can be taken to provide a sum of all target functions, which can then be minimized.

[0076] As noted above, treatment planners may need to ensure that the field can be delivered within a delivery time less than a specified threshold, for example, because the patient cannot hold their breath for a period of time. However, conventional treatment planning systems do not include maximum field delivery time as a requirement in their treatment plans.

[0077] At least Figure 5 and Figure 6 The example embodiments shown provide mechanisms for taking treatment field delivery time into account when generating and / or adjusting radiation therapy treatment plans. More specifically, for example, one or more example embodiments provide mechanisms for optimizing radiation therapy treatment plans that allow treatment field delivery time to be taken into account.

[0078] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for planning and processing radiation therapy according to an example embodiment. Figure 5 The method shown will be by Figure 1 The system implementation shown is used for discussion. However, the example embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0079] according to Figure 5 The method shown Figure 1 The system shown (e.g., TPS150) can selectively adjust the treatment plan based on the treatment field delivery time (also referred to herein as the treatment plan delivery time) and a threshold maximum treatment delivery time for a treatment plan of proton therapy processing (e.g., IMPT) for the target volume. The treatment plan specifies at least the proton therapy field characteristics for processing the target volume. Then, Figure 1 The system shown can perform radiation therapy treatments based on a selectively adjusted treatment plan.

[0080] See Figure 5 At S502, TPS150 specifies the threshold maximum treatment field delivery time t for delivering radiation therapy treatments to the target volume. max Maximum processing field delivery time t max This can be specified by the processing plan user. In at least one example, the maximum processing field delivery time t max This can be equal to the duration of a patient holding their breath once. For example, the maximum processing field delivery time t. max It can be less than or equal to approximately 20 seconds.

[0081] At S504, TPS150 calculates the initial treatment field delivery time t for the confirmed (e.g., recommended or candidate) radiation therapy treatment plan. The confirmed radiation therapy treatment plan can be obtained from memory and / or as described above regarding Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is generated as described. The initial treatment field delivery time t can be calculated as the sum of the delivery times per energy in each energy layer of the field. The delivery time for a given energy layer depends on the location of the point and the MU value, as well as the machine parameters of the radiation therapy machine delivering the radiation therapy. For example, the delivery time for a given energy layer can be the sum of the time required to deliver the required dose to each point and the time required to move between the points included in the energy layer. Since the methods used to calculate the delivery time are publicly known, further discussion is omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0082] At S506, TPS150 determines whether the processing field delivery time t (also known as the processing delivery time or the processing scheduled delivery time) is less than or equal to the maximum processing field delivery time t. max (Also referred to in this document as the threshold maximum processing delivery time). That is, for example, TPS150 compares the processing field delivery time t with the maximum processing field delivery time t. max A comparison is made to determine whether the processing field delivery time meets (or is within) the maximum processing field delivery time constraint.

[0083] If the processing field delivery time t is less than or equal to the maximum processing field delivery time t max Then TPS150 can determine that the plan is acceptable, at least in terms of processing field delivery time. At S508, if the processing plan is also satisfactory, as mentioned above... Figure 3 The TPS150 can output the processing plan to the radiation therapy machine 1000 for processing.

[0084] At S510, the radiation therapy machine 1000 performs radiation therapy on the target volume according to the radiation treatment plan from TPS150.

[0085] Returning to S506, if the processing field delivery time t is greater than the maximum processing field delivery time t max Then at S512, TPS150 is based on the processing field delivery time t and the maximum processing field delivery time t. max To adjust the radiation therapy treatment plan, the adjusted plan must at least meet the maximum treatment field delivery time constraint (treatment field delivery time t is less than or equal to the threshold maximum treatment field delivery time constraint (t≤t)). max And all other aspects are satisfactory. In at least one example embodiment, the TPS150 can adjust the radiation therapy treatment plan by adjusting (e.g., iteratively adjusting) at least one of the proton therapy field characteristics used to process the target volume, and re-optimize the treatment plan until the treatment field delivery time t satisfies the threshold maximum treatment field delivery time constraint (t≤t). max At least one proton therapy field characteristic may include at least one of the number of energy layers or the spacing between points used to treat the target volume. At least one proton therapy field characteristic may be adjusted by at least one of the following: (i) removing an energy layer from the number of energy layers in the field; or (ii) increasing the spacing between points in one of the energy layers or within the number of energy layers in the field.

[0086] The following will combine Figure 6 An example embodiment of the method for adjusting the radiation therapy treatment plan at S512 is discussed in more detail.

[0087] See also Figure 5 Once a radiation therapy treatment plan that satisfies the maximum treatment field delivery time constraint and is otherwise satisfactory is obtained, the process continues to S508 and proceeds as discussed above.

[0088] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting a radiation therapy treatment plan at S512, according to an example embodiment. Figure 5 similar, Figure 6 The method shown will be by Figure 1The TPS150 shown is used for the purpose of discussion. However, the example embodiment should not be limited to this example.

[0089] See Figure 6 Once it is determined at S506 that the processing field delivery time t is greater than or equal to the threshold maximum processing field delivery time constraint (t>t), max If so, at S602, TPS150 removes the energy layer from the radiation therapy treatment field and re-optimizes the post-treatment plan based on the remaining energy layer in the field. In one example, the remaining energy layer can be reallocated, and the treatment plan can be optimized in any known manner.

[0090] At S604, TPS150 recalculates the treatment field delivery time t used for the adjusted radiation therapy treatment plan determined at S602. TPS150 then recalculates the time t from the above regarding... Figure 5 The processing field delivery time t is calculated in the same or substantially the same way as discussed in S504.

[0091] At S606, TPS150 again determines whether the processing field delivery time t used to adjust the post-processing schedule satisfies the maximum processing field delivery time constraint.

[0092] If TPS150 determines at S606 that the processing field delivery time t used to adjust the post-processing schedule satisfies the maximum processing field delivery time constraint, then the process continues to S508, and as described above... Figure 5 The discussion continued as before.

[0093] Returning to S606, if TPS150 determines that the processing field delivery time t used to adjust the post-treatment plan does not meet the maximum processing field delivery time constraint, then at S608, TPS150 further adjusts the radiation therapy treatment plan by adjusting the dot pitch for the processing field. In one example, TPS150 adjusts the dot pitch by increasing the dot pitch of the energy layers in the processing field. The dot pitch can be increased at a fixed distance for the energy layers in the field, or it can be adjusted layer by layer based on, for example, the dot size. Also at S608, TPS150 re-optimizes the further adjusted treatment plan based on the increased dot pitch.

[0094] In at least one example embodiment, the TPS150 can calculate the adjusted point location (including spacing) based on the minimum MU of each point in the field constraint. In one example, the TPS 150 can calculate the distance (spacing) s between points in the field according to the following formula (1) to satisfy the minimum MU constraint, where MU min It is the minimum MU for each point in the field, MU fieldis the total MU of the field, and A is the total coverage area of ​​the target volume. To calculate the adjusted dot pitch, the TPS150 can adjust one or more of the parameters in formula (1) as needed.

[0095] The minimum distance s between the points in formula (1) min The spacing is proportional to the minimum MU constraint at each point. The larger the minimum MU at each point, the wider the spacing needs to be when determining the set of point locations. Points can be evenly spaced on a regular grid to cover the cross-section of the corresponding PTV as seen from the beam viewpoint. Therefore, the point spacing s for a target volume with a minimum MU of 400 per point is higher than the spacing s′ for a target volume with a minimum MU of 100 per point.

[0096] According to one or more example embodiments, information regarding the point spacing or point density based on the minimum monitoring unit (MU) criterion can be combined with certain optimization targets (e.g., for PTV and OAR) to derive a set of point locations that satisfy both the minimum MU constraints and the optimization targets (e.g., using density maps and a weighted Voronoi plotting process (rendering process)). Further discussion on determining the point spacing can be found in Pierre Lansonneur's U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0405358, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, the example embodiments should not be limited to this example. Instead, other methods for determining and / or adjusting the point spacing may be used.

[0097] At S610, TPS150 again calculates the treatment field delivery time t for the further adjusted radiation therapy treatment plan determined at S608. TPS150 uses the above-mentioned... Figure 5 The processing field delivery time t is calculated in the same or substantially the same way as discussed in S504.

[0098] At S612, TPS150 again determines whether the processing field delivery time t for the further adjusted processing plan satisfies the maximum processing field delivery time constraint.

[0099] If TPS150 determines at S612 that the processing field delivery time t for the further adjusted processing plan satisfies the maximum processing field delivery time constraint, then the process continues to S508 and continues as discussed above.

[0100] However, returning to S612, if TPS150 determines at S612 that the treatment field delivery time t for the further adjusted treatment plan does not meet the maximum treatment field delivery time constraint, then the process returns to S602 and continues to iteratively adjust the radiation therapy treatment plan as discussed herein until the maximum treatment field delivery time constraint is met.

[0101] Through one or more example embodiments, the treatment planner can ensure that the treatment field is delivered within a time period less than a threshold, as needed, for example, because the patient is unable to hold their breath for a period of time.

[0102] Furthermore, treatment planners do not need to use brute-force methods to optimize the dose through iterative search and take field delivery time into account.

[0103] Illustrative Example 1. A proton therapy system, comprising: a memory storing computer-executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to selectively adjust the processing schedule based on a processing delivery time and a threshold maximum processing delivery time for a processing schedule for proton therapy treatment of a target volume, the processing schedule specifying at least proton therapy field characteristics for treating the target volume.

[0104] Illustrative Example 2. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 1, wherein selectively adjusting the treatment plan includes selectively adjusting at least one of the proton therapy field characteristics for treating the target volume.

[0105] Illustrative Example 3. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 2, wherein at least one proton therapy field characteristic includes at least one of the number of energy layers or the dot pitch for treating the target volume.

[0106] Illustrative Example 4. A proton therapy system according to any one of Illustrative Examples 2 or 3, wherein at least one proton therapy field characteristic includes at least one of the number of energy layers or the dot pitch for treating a target volume, and at least one proton therapy field characteristic is selectively adjusted by at least one of: (i) removing energy layers from the number of energy layers; or (ii) increasing the dot pitch.

[0107] Illustrative Example 5. A proton therapy system according to any one of Illustrative Examples 1-4, wherein at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: determine that the processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; and adjust the processing schedule in response to determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time.

[0108] Illustrative Example 6. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 5, wherein at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust a processing plan in such a way as to: adjust at least one of the proton therapy field characteristics for processing the target volume; and generate an adjusted processing plan based on the adjusted at least one proton therapy field characteristic.

[0109] Illustrative Example 7. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 6, wherein at least one proton therapy field characteristic includes at least one of the number of energy layers or the dot pitch for treating the target volume.

[0110] Illustrative Example 8. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 7, wherein adjusting at least one proton therapy field characteristic includes at least one of the following: (i) removing an energy layer from the number of energy layers; or (ii) increasing the point spacing.

[0111] Illustrative Example 9. A proton therapy system according to any one of Illustrative Examples 1-8, wherein the proton therapy field characteristics include at least the number of energy layers and the pitch of the dots for treating the target volume, and at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: determine that the treatment delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum treatment delivery time; adjust at least one of the number of energy layers or the pitch of the dots in response to determining that the treatment delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum treatment delivery time; and generate an adjusted post-treatment plan based on at least one of the adjusted number of energy layers or the pitch of the dots.

[0112] Illustrative Example 10. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 9, wherein at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust at least one of the number of energy layers or the dot pitch by at least one of: (i) removing an energy layer from the number of energy layers; or (ii) increasing the dot pitch.

[0113] Illustrative Example 11. A proton therapy system according to any one of Illustrative Examples 1-10, wherein the proton therapy field characteristics include the number of energy layers for processing a target volume, and at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: determine that the processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; adjust the number of energy layers in response to determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time; and generate a first adjusted post-processing plan based on the adjusted number of energy layers.

[0114] Illustrative Example 12. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 11, wherein at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust the number of energy layers by removing energy layers from the number of energy layers.

[0115] Illustrative Example 13. A proton therapy system according to any one of Illustrative Examples 11-12, wherein at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: calculate a first adjusted post-processing delivery time of a first adjusted post-processing plan; determine whether the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; and output a first adjusted post-processing plan for processing a target volume in response to determining that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is less than or equal to the threshold maximum processing delivery time.

[0116] Illustrative Example 14. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 13 further includes: a radiation therapy machine configured to perform processing based on a first adjusted post-processing plan.

[0117] Illustrative Example 15. A proton therapy system according to any one of Illustrative Examples 13-14, wherein the proton therapy field characteristics further include a dot pitch for processing the target volume, and at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: determine that a first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; adjust the dot pitch in response to determining that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time; and generate a second adjusted post-processing plan based on the adjusted dot pitch.

[0118] Illustrative Example 16. A proton therapy system according to any one of Illustrative Examples 11-15, wherein the proton therapy field characteristics further include a dot pitch for processing the target volume, and at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: calculate a first adjusted post-processing delivery time of a first adjusted post-processing plan; determine that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; adjust the dot pitch in response to determining that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time; and generate a second adjusted post-processing plan based on the adjusted dot pitch.

[0119] Illustrative Example 17. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 16, wherein at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust the dot pitch by increasing the dot pitch.

[0120] Illustrative Example 18. A proton therapy system according to any one of Illustrative Examples 16-17, wherein at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: calculate a second adjusted processing delivery time of a second adjusted post-processing plan; determine whether the second adjusted processing delivery time is greater than a threshold maximum processing delivery time; and selectively output a second adjusted post-processing plan for processing a target volume based on whether the second adjusted processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time.

[0121] Illustrative Example 19. A proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 18, wherein at least one processor is configured to execute computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: output a second adjusted post-processing plan for processing the target volume in response to determining that a second adjusted processing delivery time is less than or equal to a threshold maximum processing delivery time.

[0122] Illustrative Example 20. The proton therapy system according to Illustrative Example 19 further includes: a radiation therapy machine configured to perform processing based on a second adjusted post-processing plan.

[0123] Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0124] When an element is described as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to that other element, or there may be an intermediate element. Conversely, when an element is described as "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there is no intermediate element. Other terms used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" and "directly between," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.).

[0125] As used herein, terminology is used only to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural forms. It should also be understood that, as used herein, the terms “comprising” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0126] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions / actions shown may differ from the order shown in the figures. For example, two figures shown consecutively may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or sometimes in reverse order, depending on the functions / actions involved.

[0127] Specific details are provided in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. For example, systems may be shown as block diagrams to avoid obscuring the exemplary embodiments with unnecessary details. In other instances, well-known processes, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary details to avoid obscuring the exemplary embodiments.

[0128] As discussed herein, illustrative embodiments will be described with reference to symbolic representations of actions and operations (e.g., in the form of flowcharts, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.) that can be implemented as program modules or functional processes, including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types, and can be implemented using existing hardware, such as processing or control circuitry, including but not limited to one or more processors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more controllers, one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more microcomputers, one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more system-on-a-chip (SoCs), one or more programmable logic units (PLUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.

[0129] Although flowcharts can describe operations as a sequential process, many operations can be executed in parallel, concurrently, or simultaneously. Furthermore, the order of operations can be rearranged. A process can terminate when its operations are completed, but it can also have additional steps not included in the diagram. A process can correspond to a method, function, program, subroutine, subroutines, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to the function returning to the calling function or the main function.

[0130] As discussed herein, “memory,” “storage medium,” “processor-readable medium,” “computer-readable storage medium,” or “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” can mean one or more devices for storing data, including read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and / or other tangible machine-readable media for storing information. The term “computer-readable medium” can include, but is not limited to, portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and a variety of other media capable of storing, containing, or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0131] Furthermore, the example embodiments can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, program code or code segments for performing necessary tasks can be stored in a machine or computer-readable medium (such as a computer-readable storage medium). When implemented in software, one or more processors will perform the necessary tasks. For example, as mentioned above, according to one or more example embodiments, at least one memory may include or store computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured, together with at least one processor, to enable a network element or network device to perform necessary tasks. Furthermore, the processor, memory, and example algorithms encoded as computer program code serve as components that provide or cause the performance of the operations discussed herein.

[0132] As used herein, the terms “include” and / or “have” are defined as including (i.e., open-ended language). As used herein, the term “coupled” is defined as a connection, but not necessarily a direct or mechanical connection. Terms derived from the word “indication” (e.g., “indicates” and “indication”) are intended to encompass all the various techniques that can be used to convey or reference an indicated object / information. Some (but not all) examples of techniques that can be used to convey or reference an indicated object / information include: conveying the indicated object / information, conveying an identifier of the indicated object / information, conveying information used to generate the indicated object / information, conveying parts or portions of the indicated object / information, conveying derivatives of the indicated object / information, and conveying symbols representing the indicated object / information.

[0133] According to example embodiments, a medical system may be (or include) hardware, firmware, software executed by the hardware, or any combination thereof. Such hardware may include processing or control circuitry, such as, but not limited to, one or more processors, one or more CPUs, one or more controllers, one or more ALUs, one or more DSPs, one or more microcomputers, one or more FPGAs, one or more SoCs, one or more PLUs, one or more microprocessors, one or more ASICs, or any other one or more devices capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.

[0134] The benefits, other advantages, and solutions to the problems have been described above with respect to specific embodiments. However, these benefits, advantages, solutions to the problems, and any elements(s) that may cause or result in such benefits, advantages, or solutions, or that may make such benefits, advantages, or solutions more prominent, should not be construed as key, essential, or necessary features or elements of any or all claims.

Claims

1. A proton therapy system, comprising: Memory, the memory storing computer-executable instructions; as well as At least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to selectively adjust the processing schedule based on a processing delivery time and a threshold maximum processing delivery time for proton therapy processing of the target volume, the processing schedule specifying at least the proton therapy field characteristics for processing the target volume.

2. The proton therapy system of claim 1, wherein the selective adjustment of the treatment plan includes selectively adjusting at least one of the proton therapy field characteristics for treating the target volume.

3. The proton therapy system of claim 2, wherein the at least one proton therapy field characteristic includes at least one of the number of energy layers or the dot pitch for treating the target volume.

4. The proton therapy system according to claim 2, wherein... The at least one proton therapy field characteristic includes at least one of the number of energy layers or the spacing between dots used to treat the target volume, and The characteristics of the at least one proton therapy field may be selectively adjusted by at least one of the following: (i) removing an energy layer from the number of energy layers; or (ii) increasing the point spacing.

5. The proton therapy system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: Determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time, and The processing schedule is adjusted in response to determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time.

6. The proton therapy system of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust the processing schedule in such a way as: Adjust at least one of the proton therapy field characteristics used to process the target volume, and An adjusted posttreatment plan is generated based on the adjusted characteristics of at least one proton therapy field.

7. The proton therapy system of claim 6, wherein the at least one proton therapy field characteristic includes at least one of the number of energy layers or the dot pitch for treating the target volume.

8. The proton therapy system of claim 7, wherein adjusting at least one proton therapy field characteristic comprises at least one of: (i) removing an energy layer from the number of energy layers; or (ii) increasing the point spacing.

9. The proton therapy system according to claim 1, wherein... The characteristics of the proton therapy field include at least the number and spacing of energy layers used to process the target volume, and The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to enable the proton therapy system: It is determined that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time. In response to determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time, adjust at least one of the number of energy layers or the dot pitch, and An adjusted post-processing plan is generated based on at least one of the adjusted number of energy layers or the point spacing.

10. The proton therapy system of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust at least one of the number of energy layers or the dot pitch by at least one of: (i) removing an energy layer from the number of energy layers or (ii) increasing the dot pitch.

11. The proton therapy system according to claim 1, wherein... The characteristics of the proton therapy field include the number of energy layers used to treat the target volume, and The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to enable the proton therapy system: It is determined that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time. In response to determining that the processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time, the number of energy layers is adjusted, and A first adjusted post-processing plan is generated based on the adjusted number of energy layers.

12. The proton therapy system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust the number of energy layers by removing energy layers from the number of energy layers.

13. The proton therapy system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: Calculate the first adjusted post-processing delivery time of the first adjusted post-processing plan; Determine whether the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time; In response to determining that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is less than or equal to the threshold maximum processing delivery time, the first adjusted post-processing plan for processing the target volume is output.

14. The proton therapy system according to claim 13, further comprising: A radiation therapy machine configured to perform the treatment based on the first adjusted post-processing plan.

15. The proton therapy system according to claim 13, wherein... The proton therapy field characteristics also include the point spacing for processing the target volume, and The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to enable the proton therapy system: It is determined that the first adjusted processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time. In response to determining that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time, the point spacing is adjusted, and A second post-processing plan is generated based on the adjusted point spacing.

16. The proton therapy system according to claim 11, wherein... The proton therapy field characteristics also include the point spacing for processing the target volume, and The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to enable the proton therapy system: Calculate the first adjusted post-processing delivery time of the first adjusted post-processing plan. It is determined that the first adjusted processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time. In response to determining that the first adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time, the point spacing is adjusted, and A second post-processing plan is generated based on the adjusted point spacing.

17. The proton therapy system of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to adjust the dot pitch by increasing the dot pitch.

18. The proton therapy system of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: Calculate the second adjusted post-processing delivery time of the second adjusted post-processing plan. Determine whether the second adjusted processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time, and The second adjusted post-processing plan for processing the target volume is selectively output based on whether the second adjusted post-processing delivery time is greater than the threshold maximum processing delivery time.

19. The proton therapy system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the proton therapy system to: In response to determining that the second adjusted post-processing delivery time is less than or equal to the threshold maximum processing delivery time, the second adjusted post-processing plan for processing the target volume is output.

20. The proton therapy system according to claim 19, further comprising: A radiation therapy machine configured to perform the treatment based on the second adjusted post-treatment plan.

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