User tool for treatment planning of tumor treatment electric field
By combining MRI and CT images, using automatic registration and segmentation tools to generate a personalized transducer layout, the problem of lack of customized electric field plans for existing tumor treatment is solved, and more precise tumor treatment effects are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202480005141.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-06-21
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-08
AI Technical Summary
The existing tumor treatment electric field (TTFields) treatment plan lacks customization and cannot effectively target the specific anatomical structure and tissue characteristics of the individual subject, resulting in poor treatment results.
By using MRI and CT medical images, combined with automatic registration, overlap segmentation, split segmentation, clean segmentation and avoiding area tools, a personalized transducer layout is generated, precisely positioning the treatment area, taking into account tissue conductivity, and optimizing electric field application.
More precise application of tumor treatment electric field is achieved, the treatment effect is improved, and the targeting and safety of tumor areas are enhanced.
Smart Images

Figure CN120283261A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross - reference to related applications
[0002] This application claims the priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 750,190, filed on June 21, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 524,387, filed on June 30, 2023, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 524,470, filed on June 30, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art
[0003] Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are low - intensity alternating electric fields in the intermediate frequency range (e.g., 50 kHz to 1 MHz), which can be used to treat tumors as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,565,205. TTFields are non - invasively induced into the region of interest by transducers placed on a patient's body and applying an AC voltage between the transducers. Conventionally, a first pair of transducers and a second pair of transducers are placed on a subject's body. An AC voltage is applied between the first pair of transducers during a first time interval to generate an electric field having field lines extending generally in the anterior - posterior direction. Then, an AC voltage is applied between the second pair of transducers at the same frequency during a second time interval to generate an electric field having field lines extending generally in the left - right direction. Then, the system repeats this two - step sequence throughout the treatment. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0004] Figure 1 is a flowchart depicting a method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0005] Figures 2 to 4 is an example user interface of a computer - based application for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject.
[0006] Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting a method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0007] Figure 6 is an example user interface of a computer - based application for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject.
[0008] Figure 7 is a flowchart depicting a method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0009] Figure 8 is an example user interface of a computer-based application for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject.
[0010] Figure 9 is a flowchart depicting a method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0011] Figure 10 is an example user interface of a computer-based application for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject.
[0012] Figure 11 is a flowchart depicting a method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0013] Figure 12 depicts an example system for delivering TTFields to a subject's body according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0014] Figure 13 depicts an example placement of transducers on a subject's head according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0015] Figure 14 depicts an example apparatus for performing the disclosed methods according to one or more embodiments described herein. Detailed Description
[0016] This application describes exemplary user tools for treatment planning for administering TTFields to a subject.
[0017] Generally, one or more pairs of transducers are positioned on the subject's body and are used to alternately apply TTFields to the subject's body. Generally, it is preferred to have at least two pairs of transducers, which are arranged to target a specific location or structure (e.g., a tumor) within the subject. Thus, proper placement of the transducers is useful for treating the subject. Traditional treatment planning uses a series of measurements obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the subject to measure various aspects of the subject (e.g., the subject's head size, the location of the tumor, the size of the tumor, and / or the like, including their combinations and / or multiple composites). Using these measurements, a layout of the transducers is generated.
[0018] The inventors have now recognized a need for treatment planning that can provide a more customized layout for the application of TTFields to a subject.
[0019] The embodiments described herein provide planning of TTFields based on medical images such as MRI medical images and / or computed tomography (CT) medical images. The planning uses MRI medical images and / or CT medical images to generate one or more transducer layouts for the application of TTFields to a subject. It will be apparent from the present disclosure that one or more techniques for generating transducer layouts are provided. For example, one embodiment for generating a transducer layout uses an automatic matching tool to automatically register MRI medical images and CT medical images. Another embodiment for generating a transducer layout uses an overlap segmentation tool that automatically segments slices between two user-segmented slices. That is, the user manually segments two slices, and the overlap segmentation tool automatically segments slices between the two user-segmented slices. Another embodiment for generating a transducer layout uses a split segmentation tool to split a segmentation region. For example, after the user manually segments a slice, the split segmentation tool splits the segmentation region based on the gray values of the pixels in the medical image, such as using a gray slider. Another embodiment for generating a transducer layout uses a cleanup segmentation tool to improve the segmentation region. For example, after manually segmenting a slice, the cleanup segmentation tool can be used to smooth the edges of the segmentation region to remove oddly segmented islands and / or holes, and / or the like, including combinations and / or multiple composites thereof. Another embodiment for generating a transducer layout uses an avoidance region tool to identify regions on the subject where transducer arrays should be avoided during placement. It should be understood that the automatic matching tool, the overlap segmentation tool, the split segmentation tool, the cleanup segmentation tool, and / or the avoidance region tool can be used alone and / or in different combinations, and can be employed at different stages of the process for generating a transducer layout. In addition, one or more of these tools can be combined, such as the split segmentation tool and the cleanup segmentation tool.
[0020] The embodiments described herein also provide a practical application for generating a transducer layout for a user based on medical images. By using medical images such as MRI medical images and CT medical images, the tissue conductivity of the subject is taken into account when generating a transducer layout for treating the subject. By using tools (e.g., the automatic matching tool, the overlap segmentation tool, the split segmentation tool, the cleanup segmentation tool, and / or the avoidance region tool), the medical images can be used more effectively to generate a transducer layout for the application of TTFields to a subject. For example, these tools help to precisely locate the region of the subject to be treated (e.g., relative to the position of the focused electric field on the subject). These and other technical improvements can be achieved using one or more of the embodiments described herein.
[0021] Figure 1 is a flowchart depicting method 100 for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject. In this example, method 100 automatically registers an MRI medical image and a CT medical image. Method 100 can be implemented by any suitable system or device, such as Figure 12 system and / or Figure 14 device. Now refer to the example user interface of a computer-based application for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject as shown in Figures 2 to 4 to describe method 100; however, method 100 is not limited thereto. Although the order of operations is indicated in Figure 1 for illustrative purposes, the timing and sequencing of such operations can vary as appropriate without negating the purpose and advantages of the examples elaborated in the remainder of this disclosure.
[0022] At block 102, method 100 stores multiple medical images of the subject in a memory (e.g., Figure 12 memory 1226 of Figure 14 memory 1403 of Figure 2 and / or the like, including combinations and / or multiplicities thereof). These medical images can include, for example, MRI medical images and CT medical images, and these medical images include voxels. For example, Figure 2 shows a user interface of a computer-based application for generating a transducer layout. In
[0023] At block 104, method 100 presents user-selectable options on a display to automatically register the MRI medical image and the CT medical image together. For example, Figure 3 shows a user interface for performing automatic registration (e.g., automatic matching) via an automatic matching tool. Automatic matching involves automatically registering the MRI and CT medical images together.
[0024] At block 106, method 100 receives a selection of the user-selectable option to automatically register the MRI medical image and the CT medical image together. Refer to Figure 3, the user starts the automatic registration by selecting the "Auto Match" button 302, and then, after making any other selections, selects the "Done" button 304, at which point the automatic matching is performed.
[0025] At block 108, method 100 automatically registers the MRI medical image and the CT medical image together without the user manually registering the medical images, thereby obtaining the registered MRI and CT medical images. According to one embodiment, when the MRI medical image and the CT medical image are automatically registered together, the MRI medical image and the CT medical image are aligned and associated with each other. According to one embodiment, when the MRI medical image and the CT medical image are automatically registered together, the CT medical image is registered relative to the MRI medical image. However, in some cases, the user may also manually register some or all of the MRI and CT medical images. For example, method 100 may present one or more user-selectable icons on the display to manually register the MRI medical image and the CT medical image together, thereby obtaining the registered MRI and CT medical images. Registering the CT medical image to the MRI medical image can provide improved bone clarity, thereby improving the accuracy of the three-dimensional (3D) model of the subject. For example, Figure 4 An interface showing a 3D rendering 402 of the subject is depicted. That is, the 3D rendering 402 depicts a rendering of the outer surface of the patient's head. In some examples, the 3D rendering 402 may depict a transducer array placed on the outer surface of the patient's head. The typical structure appears on the "Structure" tab 404 and can be modified using the "Tools" tab 406.
[0026] According to one or more embodiments described herein, method 100 presents user-selectable icons on the display to selectively change the opacity between corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image, wherein the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image are superimposed on each other. For example, Figure 4 An opacity slider 408 for selectively changing the opacity between corresponding slices in the MRI and CT images is shown. According to one embodiment, the slider 408 may have a first end and a second end such that when the first end of the slider icon is selected, only the corresponding slice in the MRI medical image is displayed, and such that when the second end of the slider icon is selected, only the corresponding slice in the CT image is displayed.
[0027] As Figure 4As shown, method 100 can present user-selectable icons on a display to simultaneously display a front view 410, a side view 412, and a top view 414 of corresponding slices in an MRI medical image and a CT image, where the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image are superimposed on each other as shown. The front view 410, the side view 412, and / or the top view 414 can be manipulated by the user. For example, method 100 can present one or more user-selectable icons 420 on the display to selectively zoom in or out one or more of the front view 410, the side view 412, and / or the top view 414 of the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image, where the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image are superimposed on each other. Method 100 can also present one or more user-selectable icons 422 on the display to selectively display one of the front view 410, the side view 412, and / or the top view 414 of the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image, where the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image are superimposed on each other.
[0028] In some examples, the slices can be displayed before and after registration. For example, method 100 can display the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image before registration on the display, and can display the corresponding slices in the registered MRI medical image and the CT image on the display.
[0029] At block 110, method 100 generates a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on these registered MRI and CT medical images. For example, referring to Figure 4 , after performing the registration, the user can select the "Calculate Transducer Array Layout (TAL)" button 416 to calculate the transducer array layout or a plurality of transducer array layouts.
[0030] Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting a method 500 for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject. In this example, method 500 automatically performs slice segmentation. Method 500 can be implemented by any suitable system or device, such as Figure 12 's system and / or Figure 14 's device. Now refer to the example user interface of a computer-based application for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject as shown in Figure 6 to describe method 500; however, method 500 is not limited thereto. Although the order of operations is indicated in Figure 5 for illustrative purposes, the timing and sequencing of such operations can vary as appropriate without negating the purpose and advantages of the examples elaborated in the remainder of the present disclosure.
[0031] At block 502, method 500 presents a slice of the subject's medical images on a display. These medical images can include, for example, MRI medical images and CT medical images that are registered together using method 100. The slice includes corresponding slices of the MRI medical image and the CT image that are superimposed on each other, and the medical images include voxels.
[0032] At block 504, method 500 receives a first manual segmentation of a first slice of these medical images. For example, a user selects the first slice on these medical images. For example, Figure 6 A user interface for automatically segmenting these medical images is shown. In this example, the user can select the "Tools" tab 602 to start outlining a structure. Then, the user can select an active structure via the drop-down menu 604 to identify the type of structure to outline (e.g., resection cavity). As an option, the user can also select the active structure to be segmented by selecting the "Structure" tab 605. In the "Tools" tab 602, the user can then select the "Brush" 606 (or any other suitable tool) to perform the segmentation. Manual segmentation will be further discussed in conjunction with Figure 7 and Figure 8 Manual segmentation is further discussed below.
[0033] At block 506, method 500 receives a second manual segmentation of a second slice of these medical images. For example, a user selects the second slice on these medical images. The first slice and the second slice can be in the same orientation and can be separated by a plurality of slices in these medical images.
[0034] At block 508, method 500 presents user-selectable options on the display to automatically segment the medical images. According to one or more embodiments described herein, referring to Figure 6 , an interpolation tool 608 can be used to speed up the segmentation. For example, a structure can be segmented in the first slice (block 504), one or more subsequent slices can be skipped, and then the structure can be segmented again on the next slice after the skipped slices (block 506).
[0035] At block 510, method 500 receives a selection of the user-selectable option to automatically segment these medical images. For example, referring to Figure 6 , the user can select the interpolation tool 608 to apply the segmentation to the skipped slices, where the interpolation segmentation is performed based on the segmentation performed on the slices adjacent to the skipped slices. That is, the user can select the interpolation tool to initiate the automatic segmentation.
[0036] At block 512, method 500 automatically segments a plurality of slices between a first slice and a second slice based on a first manual segmentation and a second manual segmentation, thereby obtaining a segmented medical image. The automatically segmented slices can be segmented by interpolating between the manually segmented slices in these medical images. These automatically segmented slices in these medical images are located between the manually segmented slices (e.g., the first slice and the second slice) in these medical images, where these automatically segmented slices can be in the same orientation as these manually segmented slices, and where these automatically segmented slices can be automatically segmented based on these manually segmented slices. As an example, the number of automatically segmented slices between a pair of manually segmented slices is between 2 and 20. As another example, the number of automatically segmented slices between a pair of manually segmented slices is between 2 and 5. Other numbers of automatically segmented slices are possible.
[0037] In some embodiments, before automatic segmentation, any manually segmented slices can be cleaned using, for example, the method for cleaning slices described below with respect to Figure 7 In some embodiments, after automatic segmentation, the segmented slices can be cleaned using, for example, the method for cleaning slices described below with respect to Figure 7 described.
[0038] At block 514, method 500 generates a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on these segmented medical images. For example, referring to Figure 4 , after performing the automatic segmentation, the user can select the "Calculate TAL" button 416 to calculate the transducer array layout or a plurality of transducer array layouts.
[0039] Method 500 also supports manual segmentation in one or more embodiments, such as in blocks 504 and 506. For example, method 500 can present one or more user-selectable icons on a display to manually segment slices in these medical images, thereby obtaining the manually segmented slices in these medical images. The plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject can be further based on these manually segmented slices in these medical images.
[0040] Figure 7 is a flowchart depicting method 700 for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject. In this example, method 700 disassembles and cleans segments. Method 700 can be implemented by any suitable system or device, such as Figure 12 's system and / or Figure 14 's device. Now referring to as Figure 8An example user interface of a computer-based application for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject is used to describe method 700; however, method 700 is not limited thereto. Although the order of operations is indicated for illustrative purposes in Figure 7 the timing and sequencing of such operations may vary, where appropriate, without negating the purpose and advantages of the examples elaborated in the remainder of the present disclosure.
[0041] At block 702, method 700 presents a slice in a medical image of the subject on a display. These medical images are registered MRI medical images and CT medical images. The slice includes corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image that are superimposed on one another, and the medical images include voxels.
[0042] At block 704, method 700 receives a manual segmentation of the slice in these medical images to obtain a manually segmented slice. For example, Figure 8 the user interface of shows a plurality of user-selectable options 802 (e.g., user-selectable icons) for manually segmenting the slice, such as a user-selectable icon 804 for automatically filling an area (e.g., a "polygon brush" option), a user-selectable icon 806 for selecting an area without automatic filling (e.g., a "brush" option), a user-selectable icon 808 for erasing a segmentation (e.g., an "erase" option), a user-selectable icon 810 for assigning a tissue type (e.g., an "assign" option), a user-selectable icon 812 for expanding the boundary of an area (e.g., an "expand and margin" option), and / or the like, including combinations and / or multiple composites thereof.
[0043] At block 706, method 700 presents user-selectable options on the display for automatically cleaning the manually segmented slice. For example, Figure 8 the user-selectable options 802 of may include a user-selectable icon 814 for automatically cleaning the slice.
[0044] At block 708, method 700 receives a selection of the user-selectable icon 814 to automatically clean the manually segmented slice.
[0045] At block 710, method 700 automatically cleans the manually segmented slice to obtain the cleaned manually segmented slice in these medical images. For example, the manually segmented slice is automatically cleaned by splitting the segmented region of the manually segmented slice into a first part and a second part based on gray values. The first part is identified as normal tissue and the second part is identified as abnormal tissue. The abnormal tissue can include, for example, tumors, necrotic tissue, previous surgical areas, and / or the like, including combinations and / or multiple composites thereof. As an example, the segmented region is split based on a threshold adjusted by a user-selectable slider of gray values (e.g., a gray slider). In some embodiments, a user-adjustable icon (e.g., a slider, a knob, or a field with menu-selectable values of gray values) can be presented on a display to identify the threshold of these gray values, where the gray values on the first side of the threshold are designated in the first part, and where the gray values on the second side of the threshold are designated in the second part. According to one or more embodiments described herein, the manually segmented slice can be automatically cleaned by, for example: smoothing one or more edges of the segmented region of the manually segmented slice; removing one or more discontinuous segmented regions outside the larger segmented region of the manually segmented slice; removing one or more non-segmented regions within the segmented region of the manually segmented slice; and / or the like, including combinations and / or multiple composites thereof.
[0046] At block 712, method 700 generates a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on the cleaned manually segmented slice in these medical images. For example, referring to Figure 4 , after performing the cleaning, the user can select the "Calculate Transducer Array Layout (TAL)" button 416 to calculate the transducer array layout or a plurality of transducer array layouts.
[0047] Figure 9 is a flowchart depicting method 900 for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject. In this example, method 900 identifies regions to avoid placing replacement transducer arrays. Method 900 can be implemented by any suitable system or device, such as Figure 12 's system and / or Figure 14 's device. Now refer to the example user interface of a computer-based application for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject as shown in Figure 10 to describe method 900; however, method 900 is not limited thereto. Although the order of operations is indicated in Figure 9 for illustrative purposes, the timing and sequencing of such operations can vary as appropriate without negating the purpose and advantages of the examples elaborated in the remainder of this disclosure.
[0048] At block 902, method 900 presents a user-rotatable three-dimensional external view of the subject on a display. The three-dimensional external view of the subject is associated with a 3D model of the subject. The 3D model of the subject may be based on MRI medical images and CT medical images registered together as described herein, or based on only MRI medical images, or based on only CT medical images. The 3D model includes voxels assigned tissue types and associated conductivities. Figure 10 A user interface is shown that displays several views of the subject (two internal views and an external view as 3D rendering 1002). According to one or more embodiments described herein, a three-dimensional conductivity map is part of the 3D model. The three-dimensional conductivity map may depict the conductivity of the subject's body tissue.
[0049] At block 904, method 900 presents user-selectable options on the display to identify one or more avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject. The avoidance regions may identify regions on the subject where at least a portion of a replacement transducer array is to be avoided. For example, in Figure 10 an avoidance region tool 1004 may be used to identify one or more avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject (e.g., 3D rendering 1002).
[0050] At block 906, method 900 receives an identification of one or more avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject, thereby obtaining one or more identified avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject. According to one or more embodiments described herein, method 900 presents at least one identified avoidance region on the three-dimensional external view of the subject on the display. For example, in Figure 10 after selecting the avoidance region tool 1004, the user may move the cursor, and the user may select a region of the 3D rendering 1002 of the subject to locate an avoidance region. One or more regions of the 3D rendering 1002 of the subject may be selected as avoidance regions. To facilitate the selection of one or more avoidance regions, the 3D rendering 1002 of the subject may be rotated and / or scaled. To remove an avoidance region, the remove avoidance region tool 1006 may be selected, and the user may move the cursor to a previously identified avoidance region in order to identify and remove the avoidance region from the 3D rendering 1002. For example, in Figure 10In [the figure], three avoidance regions 1006, 1008, and 1010 are shown as three substantially circular regions on a 3D rendering 1002 of the subject. According to one or more embodiments described herein, method 900 presents on a display at least one of a user-selectable icon 1012 for adjusting the size of an avoidance region (as shown by window 1014) or a user-selectable icon for selecting the shape of an avoidance region. For example, the size of the avoidance region can be adjusted between approximately 1 mm and approximately 15 mm, although other sizes are possible. As an example, the shape of the avoidance region is approximately circular, although other shapes are possible. According to one or more embodiments described herein, method 900 can present on the display a user-selectable icon to receive the shape of at least one avoidance region manually drawn by the user.
[0051] At block 908, method 900 generates a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on one or more identified avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject. For example, referring to Figure 4 , after performing automatic segmentation, the user can select the "Calculate TAL" button 416 to calculate the transducer array layout or a plurality of transducer array layouts. According to one or more embodiments described herein, method 900 also presents on the display a first dose of a tumor treatment electric field delivered to the subject by a first transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts, such that the first transducer layout avoids all the identified avoidance regions. According to one or more embodiments described herein, method 900 also presents on the display a second dose of a tumor treatment electric field delivered to the subject by a second transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts, such that the second transducer layout lies on at least one of the identified avoidance regions.
[0052] In various embodiments, the transducer layout can take different forms. For example, a first transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts avoids the identified avoidance regions. In this example, the first transducer layout includes one or more electrode elements arranged such that none of the electrode elements lies on any of the identified avoidance regions. As another example, a first transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts avoids the identified avoidance regions. In this example, the first transducer layout includes an adhesive portion for attaching the first transducer layout to the subject, the adhesive portion arranged such that no part of the adhesive portion lies on any of the identified avoidance regions.
[0053] Figure 11 is a flowchart depicting a method 1100 for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject. Method 1100 can be implemented by any suitable system or device, such asFigure 12 systems and / or Figure 14 devices. Although the order of operations is indicated in Figure 11 for illustrative purposes, the timing and sequencing of such operations can vary, where appropriate, without negating the purpose and advantages of the examples elaborated in the remainder of this disclosure.
[0054] At block 1102, method 1100 presents user-selectable icons on a display to automatically register MRI medical images and CT medical images together, thereby obtaining registered MRI and CT medical images. As an example, Figure 3 the user-selectable automatic matching button 302 in the Figure 1 user interface of
[0055] is available for a user to select to initiate automatic registration. Figure 8 Figure 100 illustrates a method for automatically registering MRI medical images and CT medical images as described herein. Figure 7 At block 1104, method 1100 presents user-selectable icons on a display to automatically clean segmented slices, thereby obtaining cleaned segmented slices in the medical image. As an example, Figure 8 the user-selectable icon 814 in the Figure 7 user interface of
[0056] is available for a user to select to initiate automatic cleaning of slices in the medical image. Figure 6 Figure 700 illustrates a method for splitting and cleaning segments as described herein. As an example, at block 1106, slices can be automatically cleaned after manual segmentation or after automatic segmentation. Figure 5 Figure 500 illustrates a method for automatically performing slice segmentation as described herein.
[0057] At block 1108, method 1100 presents user-selectable icons on a display to identify one or more regions on a three-dimensional external view of the subject to avoid at least a portion of a displacement transducer array, thereby obtaining one or more identified avoidance regions. As an example, Figure 10 the avoidance region tool 1004 in the Figure 9 user interface of
[0058] At block 1110, method 1100 presents user-selectable icons on a display to generate a plurality of transducer layouts for applying tumor treatment electric fields to the subject, based on the registered MRI and CT medical images, the cleaned segmented slices, the segmented slices, and the one or more identified avoidance regions. As an example, Figure 4 the "Calculate TAL" button 416 in Figure 4 is available for the user to select to generate a plurality of transducer layouts for applying tumor treatment electric fields to the subject, based on the registered MRI and CT medical images, the cleaned segmented slices, the segmented slices, and the one or more identified avoidance regions.
[0059] Figure 12 Example device 1200 for applying an alternating electric field (e.g., TTFields) to a subject's body is depicted. The system can be used to treat a target region of the subject's body with an alternating electric field. In one example, the target region can be in the subject's brain, and the alternating electric field can be delivered to the subject's body via two pairs of transducer arrays located on the head of the subject's body (such as, for example, in Figure 13 Figure 13 , which has four transducers 1300). In another example, the target region can be in the subject's torso, and the alternating electric field can be delivered to the subject's body via two pairs of transducer arrays located on at least one of the subject's body's chest, abdomen, or one or both thighs. Other transducer array placements on the subject's body are possible.
[0060] Example device 1200 depicts an example system having four transducers (or "transducer arrays") 1200A to 1200D. Each transducer 1200A to 1200D can include substantially flat electrode elements 1202A to 1202D located on substrates 1204A to 1204D and electrically and physically connected (e.g., by conductive wires 1206A to 1206D). Substrates 1204A to 1204D can include, for example, cloth, foam, flexible plastic, and / or conductive medical gel. Two transducers (e.g., 1200A and 1200D) can be a first pair of transducers configured to apply an alternating electric field to the target region of the subject's body. The other two transducers (e.g., 1200B and 1200C) can be a second pair of transducers configured to similarly apply an alternating electric field to the target region.
[0061] Transducers 1200A to 1200D may be coupled to an AC voltage generator 1220, and the system may further include a controller 1210 that is communicatively coupled to the AC voltage generator 1220. The controller 1210 may include a computer having one or more processors 1224 and a memory 1226 accessible by the one or more processors. The memory 1226 may store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, control the AC voltage generator 1220 to induce an alternating electric field between pairs of transducers 1200A to 1200D according to one or more voltage waveforms and / or cause the computer to perform one or more of the methods disclosed herein. The controller 1210 may monitor operations performed by the AC voltage generator 1220 (e.g., via the processor 1224). One or more sensors 1228 may be coupled to the controller 1210 for providing measurements or other information to the controller.
[0062] The electrode elements 1202A to 1202D may be capacitively coupled. In one example, the electrode elements 1202A to 1202D are ceramic electrode elements that are coupled to each other via conductive wires 1206A to 1206D. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to their surfaces, these ceramic electrode elements may be circular or non-circular. In other embodiments, the electrode elements are not capacitively coupled and there is no dielectric material (such as a ceramic or high-dielectric polymer layer) associated with these electrode elements.
[0063] The structure of the transducers 1200A to 1200D may take various forms. The transducers may be fixed to the subject's body or attached to or incorporated into clothing covering the subject's body. The transducers may include suitable materials for attaching the transducers to the subject's body. For example, these suitable materials may include cloth, foam, flexible plastic, and / or conductive medical gel. The transducers may be conductive or non-conductive.
[0064] The transducers may include any desired number of electrode elements. These electrode elements may use various shapes, sizes, and materials. Any structure, as long as they can: (a) deliver TTFields to the subject's body, and (b) be positioned at the locations specified herein, may be used to implement the transducers (or electric field generating devices) for use with embodiments of the present invention. In certain embodiments, at least one electrode element of the first transducer, second transducer, third transducer, or fourth transducer may include at least one ceramic disk adapted to generate an alternating electric field. In non-limiting embodiments, at least one electrode element of the first transducer, second transducer, third transducer, or fourth transducer includes a polymer film adapted to generate an alternating field.
[0065] Figure 14Depicts an example computer device for use in the embodiments herein. As an example, device 1400 may be a computer that implements certain inventive techniques disclosed herein, such as generating a transducer layout for delivering TTFields to a subject. For example, Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 , Figure 9 and / or Figure 11 The boxes of may be executed by a computer, such as device 1400. As an example, device 1400 may be a controller device for applying an alternating electric field with a modulated electric field (e.g., TTFields) for the embodiments herein. Device 1400 may be used as Figure 2 Controller 1210 of. Device 1400 may include one or more processors 1402, a memory 1403, one or more input devices, and one or more output devices 1405.
[0066] In one example, based on input 1401, one or more processors 2502 may generate control signals to control a voltage generator to implement the embodiments of the present disclosure. In one example, input 1401 is a user input. In another example, input 1401 may come from another computer communicating with device 1400. Input 1401 may be received in conjunction with one or more input devices (not shown) of device 1400.
[0067] Memory 1403 may be accessible by one or more processors 1402 (e.g., via a link) such that one or more processors 1402 can read information from the memory 1403 and write information to the memory. Memory 1403 may store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 1402, implement one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0068] One or more output devices 1405 may provide the status of the operation of the present invention, such as transducer array selection, voltage being generated, and other operation information. Output device 1405 may provide visualization data according to certain embodiments of the present invention.
[0069] Device 1400 may be a device for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the device including: one or more processors (such as one or more processors 1402); and a memory (such as memory 1403), the memory being accessible by the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to perform one or more of the methods described herein.
[0070] The memory 1403 may be a non-transitory processor-readable medium having a set of instructions thereon for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, where the instructions, when executed by a processor (such as processor 1402), cause the processor to perform one or more of the methods described herein.
[0071] Exemplary embodiment
[0072] The present invention includes the following additional exemplary embodiments ("embodiments").
[0073] Embodiment 1: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: presenting, on a display, one or more user-selectable icons to display a slice in a medical image of the subject, where the medical image is a set of registered MRI medical images and CT medical images, where the slice includes corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image that are superimposed on each other, and where the medical image includes voxels; presenting, on the display, one or more user-selectable icons to manually segment the slice in the medical image to obtain a manually segmented slice in the medical image; presenting, on the display, user-selectable icons to automatically clean the manually segmented slice to obtain a cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image; and presenting, on the display, user-selectable icons to generate, based on the cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image, a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject.
[0074] Embodiment 2: The computer-implemented method according to Embodiment 1, where the manually segmented slice is automatically cleaned by splitting a segmented region of the manually segmented slice into a first part and a second part based on gray values, where the first part is identified as normal tissue and the second part is identified as abnormal tissue.
[0075] Embodiment 3: The computer-implemented method according to Embodiment 2, where the segmented region is split based on a threshold adjusted by a user-selectable slider of gray values.
[0076] Embodiment 3A: The computer-implemented method according to Embodiment 2, where the abnormal tissue includes at least one of a tumor, necrotic tissue, or a previous surgical area.
[0077] Example 4: The computer-implemented method according to Example 1, wherein the manually segmented slice is automatically cleaned by one or more of the following ways: smoothing one or more edges of the segmented region of the manually segmented slice; removing one or more discontinuous segmented regions outside the larger segmented region of the manually segmented slice; or removing one or more non-segmented regions within the segmented region of the manually segmented slice.
[0078] Example 5: The computer-implemented method according to Example 1, wherein the one or more user-selectable icons for manually segmenting the slice include: a user-selectable icon for automatically filling a region; a user-selectable icon for selecting the region without automatic filling; a user-selectable icon for erasing a segmentation; a user-selectable icon for assigning a tissue type; or a user-selectable icon for expanding the boundary of the region.
[0079] Example 6: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: presenting a slice in a medical image of the subject on a display, wherein the medical image is a registered MRI medical image and a CT medical image, wherein the slice comprises corresponding slices of the MRI medical image and the CT image superimposed on each other, and wherein the medical image comprises voxels; receiving a manual segmentation of the slice in the medical image to obtain a manually segmented slice; presenting user-selectable options on the display to automatically clean the manually segmented slice; receiving a selection of the user-selectable options to automatically clean the manually segmented slice; automatically cleaning the manually segmented slice to obtain a cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image; and generating a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on the cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image.
[0080] Example 6A: The computer-implemented method according to Example 6, the method further comprising: presenting user-adjustable icons on the display to identify a threshold of the gray scale value, wherein gray scale values on a first side of the threshold are designated as in the first part, and wherein gray scale values on a second side of the threshold are designated as in the second part.
[0081] Example 7: The computer-implemented method according to Example 6, wherein the manually segmented slices are automatically cleaned by one or more of the following: splitting the segmented regions of the manually segmented slices into normal tissue regions and abnormal tissue regions; smoothing one or more edges of the segmented regions of the manually segmented slices; removing one or more discontinuous segmented regions outside the larger segmented regions of the manually segmented slices; or removing one or more non-segmented regions within the segmented regions of the manually segmented slices.
[0082] Example 8: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: presenting a user-selectable list of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) medical images of the subject on a display, the MRI medical images including voxels; presenting a user-selectable list of computed tomography (CT) medical images of the subject on the display, the CT medical images including voxels; presenting user-selectable icons on the display to automatically register the MRI medical images and the CT medical images together to obtain registered MRI and CT medical images; and presenting user-selectable icons on the display to generate a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on the registered MRI and CT medical images.
[0083] Example 9: The computer-implemented method according to Example 8, wherein when the MRI medical images and the CT medical images are automatically registered together, the MRI medical images and the CT medical images are aligned and associated with each other.
[0084] Example 9A: The computer-implemented method according to Example 8, wherein when the MRI medical images and the CT medical images are automatically registered together, the CT medical images are registered relative to the MRI medical images.
[0085] Example 10: The computer-implemented method according to Example 8, the method further comprising: presenting user-selectable icons on the display to selectively change the opacity between corresponding slices in the MRI medical images and the CT images, wherein the corresponding slices in the MRI medical images and the CT images are superimposed on each other.
[0086] Example 11: The computer-implemented method according to Example 10, wherein the user-selectable icon for selectively changing the opacity is a slider icon having a first end and a second end, wherein when the first end of the slider icon is selected, only the corresponding slice in the MRI medical image is displayed, and wherein when the second end of the slider icon is selected, only the corresponding slice in the CT image is displayed.
[0087] Example 12: The computer-implemented method according to Example 8, the method further comprising: presenting on the display a user-selectable icon to simultaneously display a front view, a side view, and a top view of corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image, wherein the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image are superimposed on each other.
[0088] Example 13: The computer-implemented method according to Example 8, the method further comprising: presenting on the display a user-selectable icon to selectively magnify or reduce one or more of the front view, the side view, and / or the top view of corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image, wherein the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image are superimposed on each other; and presenting on the display one or more user-selectable icons to selectively display one of the front view, the side view, and / or the top view of corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image, wherein the corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image are superimposed on each other.
[0089] Example 14: The computer-implemented method according to Example 8, the method further comprising: presenting on the display one or more user-selectable icons to manually register the MRI medical image and the CT medical image together to obtain a registered MRI and CT medical image.
[0090] Example 14A: The computer-implemented method according to Example 8, wherein a user-selectable list of the MRI medical image and a user-selectable list of the CT medical image are simultaneously presented on the display.
[0091] Example 15: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: storing in a memory a plurality of medical images of the subject, the medical images including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) medical images and computed tomography (CT) medical images, the medical images including voxels; presenting on a display user-selectable options to automatically register the MRI medical images and the CT medical images together; receiving a selection of the user-selectable options to automatically register the MRI medical images and the CT medical images together; automatically registering the MRI medical images and the CT medical images together without the user manually registering the medical images, thereby obtaining registered MRI and CT medical images; and generating, based on the registered MRI and CT medical images, a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject.
[0092] Example 16: The computer-implemented method according to Example 15, wherein automatically registering the MRI medical images and the CT medical images together comprises aligning and associating the MRI medical images and the CT medical images together.
[0093] Example 16A: The computer-implemented method according to Example 15, the method further comprising: displaying on the display corresponding slices of the MRI medical image and the CT image before registration; and displaying on the display corresponding slices of the registered MRI medical image and the CT image.
[0094] Example 17: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: presenting on a display one or more user-selectable icons to display slices in the medical images of the subject, wherein the medical images are registered MRI medical images and CT medical images, wherein the slices include corresponding slices of the MRI medical image and the CT image superimposed on each other, wherein the medical images include voxels; presenting on the display user-selectable icons to automatically segment a plurality of slices in the medical images, thereby obtaining automatically segmented slices in the medical images; and presenting on the display user-selectable icons to generate, based on the automatically segmented slices in the medical images, a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject.
[0095] Example 18: The computer-implemented method according to Example 17, wherein the automatically segmented slices are automatically segmented by interpolating between manually segmented slices in the medical images.
[0096] Example 19: The computer-implemented method according to Example 17, wherein the automatically segmented slice in the medical image is located between the manually segmented slices in the medical image, wherein the automatically segmented slice is in the same orientation as the manually segmented slice, and wherein the automatically segmented slice is automatically segmented based on the manually segmented slice.
[0097] Example 19A: The computer-implemented method according to Example 19, wherein the number of automatically segmented slices between a pair of manually segmented slices is between 2 and 20.
[0098] Example 19B: The computer-implemented method according to Example 19, wherein the number of automatically segmented slices between a pair of manually segmented slices is between 2 and 5.
[0099] Example 20: The computer-implemented method according to Example 17, the method further comprising: presenting on the display one or more user-selectable icons to manually segment a slice in the medical image, thereby obtaining a manually segmented slice in the medical image, wherein the plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject are further based on the manually segmented slice in the medical image.
[0100] Example 21: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: presenting on a display a slice in a medical image of the subject, wherein the medical image is a registered MRI medical image and a CT medical image, wherein the slice comprises corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT image superimposed on each other, and wherein the medical image comprises voxels; receiving a first manual segmentation of a first slice in the medical image; receiving a second manual segmentation of a second slice in the medical image, wherein the first slice and the second slice are in the same orientation and are separated by a plurality of slices in the medical image; presenting on the display user-selectable options to automatically segment the medical image; receiving a selection of the user-selectable options to automatically segment the medical image; automatically segmenting the plurality of slices between the first slice and the second slice based on the first manual segmentation and the second manual segmentation, thereby obtaining a segmented medical image; and generating, based on the segmented medical image, a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject.
[0101] Example 22: The computer-implemented method according to Example 21, wherein the plurality of slices are automatically segmented by interpolating between the first slice and the second slice.
[0102] Example 23: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: presenting on a display a user-rotatable three-dimensional external view of the subject, wherein the three-dimensional external view of the subject is associated with a three-dimensional model of the subject, wherein the three-dimensional model of the subject is based on MRI medical images and CT medical images registered together, wherein the three-dimensional model comprises voxels assigned tissue types and associated conductivities; presenting on the display user-selectable icons to identify one or more avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject, thereby obtaining one or more identified avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject, wherein the avoidance regions identify regions on the subject where at least a portion of a replacement transducer array is to be avoided; and presenting on the display user-selectable icons to generate a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on the one or more identified avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject.
[0103] Example 24: The computer-implemented method according to Example 23, the method further comprising: presenting on the display at least one identified avoidance region on the three-dimensional external view of the subject.
[0104] Example 25: The computer-implemented method according to Example 23, the method further comprising: presenting on the display at least one of a user-selectable icon for adjusting the size of an avoidance region or a user-selectable icon for selecting the shape of an avoidance region.
[0105] Example 25A: The computer-implemented method according to Example 25, wherein the size of the avoidance region is adjustable between about 1 mm and about 15 mm.
[0106] Example 25B: The computer-implemented method according to Example 23, wherein the shape of at least one avoidance region is approximately circular.
[0107] Example 26: The computer-implemented method according to Example 23, the method further comprising: presenting on the display a user-selectable icon to receive the shape of at least one avoidance region manually drawn by the user.
[0108] Example 27: The computer-implemented method according to Example 23, the method further comprising: presenting on the display: a first dose of a tumor treatment electric field delivered to the subject for a first transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts, wherein the first transducer layout avoids all the identified avoidance regions; and a second dose of a tumor treatment electric field delivered to the subject for a second transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts, wherein the second transducer layout is located on at least one of the identified avoidance regions.
[0109] Example 28: The computer-implemented method according to Example 23, wherein a first transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts avoids the identified avoidance regions, wherein the first transducer layout includes one or more electrode elements, and wherein none of the electrode elements is located on any of the identified avoidance regions.
[0110] Example 29: The computer-implemented method according to Example 23, wherein a first transducer layout among the plurality of transducer layouts avoids the identified avoidance regions, wherein the first transducer layout includes an adhesive portion for attaching the first transducer layout to the subject, and wherein no portion of the adhesive portion is located on any of the identified avoidance regions.
[0111] Example 30: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: presenting on a display a user-rotatable three-dimensional external view of the subject, wherein the three-dimensional external view of the subject is associated with a three-dimensional model of the subject, wherein the three-dimensional model of the subject is based on MRI medical images and CT medical images registered together, and wherein the three-dimensional model includes voxels assigned tissue types and associated conductivities; receiving identification of one or more avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject to obtain one or more identified avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject, wherein the avoidance regions identify regions on the subject where at least a portion of a replacement transducer array is to be avoided; and generating a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on the one or more identified avoidance regions on the three-dimensional external view of the subject.
[0112] Example 31: The computer-implemented method according to Example 30, the method further comprising: for at least one avoidance region, adjusting at least one of the size or shape of the at least one avoidance region.
[0113] Example 32: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering tumor treatment electric fields to a subject, the method comprising: presenting user-selectable icons on a display to automatically register an MRI medical image and a CT medical image together, thereby obtaining registered MRI and CT medical images; presenting user-selectable icons on the display to automatically clean segmented slices, thereby obtaining cleaned segmented slices in the medical image; presenting user-selectable icons on the display to automatically segment a plurality of slices, thereby obtaining segmented slices in the medical image; presenting user-selectable icons on the display to identify one or more regions on a three-dimensional external view of the subject to avoid placing at least a portion of a transducer array, thereby obtaining one or more identified avoidance regions; and presenting user-selectable icons on the display to generate a plurality of transducer layouts for applying tumor treatment electric fields to the subject based on the registered MRI and CT medical images, the cleaned segmented slices, the segmented slices, and the one or more identified avoidance regions.
[0114] Example 33: A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering tumor treatment electric fields to a subject, the method comprising: receiving a selection of a user-selectable option to automatically register an MRI medical image and a CT medical image together; automatically registering the MRI medical image and the CT medical image together without manual user registration of the medical images, thereby obtaining registered medical images; receiving a manual segmentation of a plurality of slices in the registered medical images, thereby obtaining manually segmented slices; receiving a selection of a user-selectable option to automatically clean the manually segmented slices; automatically cleaning the manually segmented slices, thereby obtaining cleaned manually segmented slices in the registered medical images; receiving a selection of a user-selectable option to automatically segment a plurality of slices in the registered medical images, the plurality of slices being between a first manually segmented slice and a second manually segmented slice; automatically segmenting the plurality of slices in the registered medical images, thereby obtaining automatically segmented slices in the medical image; receiving an identification of a plurality of regions on a three-dimensional external view of the subject to avoid placing at least a portion of a transducer array, thereby obtaining identified avoidance regions; and generating a plurality of transducer layouts for applying tumor treatment electric fields to the subject based on the registered medical images, the manually segmented slices, the cleaned manually segmented slices, the automatically segmented slices, and the identified avoidance regions.
[0115] Example 34: An apparatus for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering tumor treatment electric fields to a subject, the apparatus comprising: one or more processors; and a memory accessible by the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform one or more of the methods according to Example 1, 6, 8, 15, 17, 21, 23, 30, 32, or 33, wherein the apparatus further comprises the display.
[0116] Example 35: A non-transitory processor-readable medium having a set of instructions thereon for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering tumor treatment electric fields to a subject, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform one or more of the methods according to Example 1, 6, 8, 15, 17, 21, 23, 30, 32, or 33.
[0117] Optionally, for each embodiment described herein, the voltage generating assembly supplies an electrical signal having an alternating current waveform to the transducer, the electrical signal having a frequency range of from about 50 kHz to 1 MHz and being suitable for delivering TTFields treatment to the body of the subject.
[0118] Unless otherwise stated herein or clearly inconsistent with the context, the embodiments illustrated under any heading or in any part of the present disclosure may be combined with the embodiments illustrated under the same or any other heading or other part of the present disclosure. By way of example and not limitation, an embodiment described in dependent claim format for a given embodiment (e.g., a given embodiment described in independent claim format) may be combined with other embodiments (described in independent claim format or dependent claim format).
[0119] Various modifications, variations, and alterations may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but rather have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: Presenting on a display one or more user-selectable icons to display a slice in a medical image of the subject, wherein the medical image is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) medical image and a computed tomography (CT) medical image that are registered together, wherein the slice includes corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT medical image that are superimposed on each other, and wherein the medical image includes voxels; Presenting on the display one or more user-selectable icons to manually segment the slice in the medical image, thereby obtaining a manually segmented slice in the medical image; Presenting on the display user-selectable icons to automatically clean the manually segmented slice, thereby obtaining a cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image; And Presenting on the display user-selectable icons to generate, based on the cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image, a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the manually segmented slice is automatically cleaned by splitting a segmented region of the manually segmented slice into a first part and a second part based on gray values, wherein the first part is identified as normal tissue and the second part is identified as abnormal tissue.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the segmented region is split based on a threshold adjusted by a user-selectable slider of gray values.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the manually segmented slice is automatically cleaned by one or more of the following: Smoothing one or more edges of a segmented region of the manually segmented slice; Removing one or more discontinuous segmented regions outside a larger segmented region of the manually segmented slice; or Removing one or more non-segmented regions within a segmented region of the manually segmented slice.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the manually segmented slice is automatically cleaned by: Removing one or more discontinuous segmented regions outside a larger segmented region of the manually segmented slice; and Removing one or more non-segmented regions within a segmented region of the manually segmented slice.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the manually segmented slice is further automatically cleaned by: Splitting a segmented region of the manually segmented slice into a first part and a second part based on gray values, wherein the first part is identified as normal tissue and the second part is identified as abnormal tissue.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more user-selectable icons for manually segmenting the slice include: A user-selectable icon for automatically filling a region; A user-selectable icon for selecting the region without automatic filling; A user-selectable icon for erasing a segmentation; A user-selectable icon for assigning a tissue type; or A user-selectable icon for expanding a boundary of the region.
8. A non-transitory processor-readable medium having a set of instructions thereon for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to claim 1.
9. An apparatus for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the apparatus comprising: One or more processors; A display; And a memory accessible by the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform the following method: Presenting on the display one or more user-selectable icons to display slices in a medical image of the subject, wherein the medical image is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) medical image and a computed tomography (CT) medical image registered together, wherein the slices include corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT medical image superimposed on each other, and wherein the medical image includes voxels; Presenting on the display one or more user-selectable icons to manually segment the slices in the medical image to obtain a manually segmented slice in the medical image; Presenting on the display user-selectable icons to automatically clean the manually segmented slice to obtain a cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image; And Presenting on the display user-selectable icons to generate a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on the cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image.
10. A computer-implemented method for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the method comprising: Presenting on a display slices in a medical image of the subject, wherein the medical image is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) medical image and a computed tomography (CT) medical image registered together, wherein the slices include corresponding slices in the MRI medical image and the CT medical image superimposed on each other, and wherein the medical image includes voxels; Receiving a manual segmentation of the slices in the medical image to obtain a manually segmented slice; Presenting on the display user-selectable options to automatically clean the manually segmented slice; Receiving a selection of the user-selectable options to automatically clean the manually segmented slice; Automatically cleaning the manually segmented slice to obtain a cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image; and Generating a plurality of transducer layouts for applying a tumor treatment electric field to the subject based on the cleaned manually segmented slice in the medical image.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the manually segmented slice is automatically cleaned by splitting a segmented region of the manually segmented slice into a first part and a second part based on gray values, wherein the first part is identified as normal tissue and the second part is identified as abnormal tissue.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: User-adjustable icons are presented on the display to identify the threshold of the grayscale value, where grayscale values on the first side of the threshold are designated for the first portion, and grayscale values on the second side of the threshold are designated for the second portion.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the manually segmented slice is automatically cleaned by one or more of the following: Dividing the segmented region of the manually segmented slice into a normal tissue region and an abnormal tissue region; Smoothing one or more edges of the segmented region of the manually segmented slice; Removing one or more discontinuous segmented regions outside the larger segmented region of the manually segmented slice; Or Removing one or more non-segmented regions within the segmented region of the manually segmented slice.
14. A non-transitory processor-readable medium having a set of instructions thereon for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to claim 10.
15. An apparatus for generating at least one transducer layout for delivering a tumor treatment electric field to a subject, the apparatus comprising: One or more processors; And a memory accessible by the one or more processors and storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to perform the method according to claim 10, wherein the device further includes the display.
Citation Information
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Treating a tumor or the like with electric fields at different orientations
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