Providing treatment plans for radiation therapy when delivery is interrupted - Patents.com

Abstract

A method for providing a treatment plan for radiation therapy when delivery is interrupted, performed by a treatment planning system, is provided, including the steps of detecting that delivery of a first treatment plan has been interrupted, obtaining an indication of partial dose delivery representing a portion of the first treatment plan delivered before the interruption, generating a second treatment plan in which the partial dose delivery forms input to the generation of the second treatment plan as a background dose, and optimizing the second treatment plan while considering multiple scenarios.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to the field of radiation therapy, and in particular to providing treatment plans for radiation therapy when delivery is interrupted. [Background technology]

[0002] In radiation therapy, a target volume is irradiated with one or several therapeutic beams. Various types of therapeutic beams can be used, such as photon, electron, and ion beams. The target volume can represent a cancer tumor. The therapeutic beam penetrates the tissue and delivers an absorbed dose that kills tumor cells.

[0003] During a radiation therapy session for a patient, the delivery of radiation therapy sometimes needs to be interrupted. This interruption can occur, for example, because the patient needs to go to the bathroom or for technical reasons. In the prior art, when the delivery of radiation therapy begins again, the system simply provides the remaining delivery.

[0004] However, when delivery begins again, the patient may have moved, or internal organs may have changed or deformed compared to before (eg, due to an empty bladder).

[0005] US 2018 / 160994 A1 (US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0160994) discloses a system and method for planning and executing automated multi-axis movements in a procedure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One purpose is to improve delivery of radiation therapy when delivery is interrupted.

[0007] In a first aspect, there is provided a method for providing a treatment plan for radiation therapy when delivery is interrupted, the method being performed by a treatment planning system, the method including the steps of detecting that delivery of a first treatment plan has been interrupted, obtaining an indication of partial dose delivery representing a portion of the first treatment plan delivered before the interruption, generating a second treatment plan in which the partial dose delivery forms input to the generation of the second treatment plan as a background dose, and optimizing the second treatment plan while considering multiple scenarios.

[0008] In the step of generating a second treatment plan, the first treatment plan is used in a dose reference objective function used to generate the second treatment plan.

[0009] The method may further include obtaining a future treatment plan, wherein in the generating step, a combination of the first treatment plan and the future treatment plan is used in a dose reference objective function used to generate a second treatment plan.

[0010] The multiple scenarios may involve different patient movements.

[0011] Multiple scenarios may include different respiratory phase orientations.

[0012] Multiple scenarios may involve localization of different organs.

[0013] The background dose may represent the radiation dose unrelated to the second treatment plan.

[0014] In a second aspect, there is provided a treatment planning system for providing a treatment plan for radiation therapy when delivery is interrupted, the treatment planning system including a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the treatment planning system to detect that delivery of a first treatment plan has been interrupted, obtain an indication of partial dose delivery representing a portion of the first treatment plan delivered before the interruption, create a second treatment plan in which the partial dose delivery forms input for creation of the second treatment plan as a background dose, and optimize the second treatment plan while considering multiple scenarios.

[0015] The instructions may include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the treatment planning system to use the first treatment plan in a dose reference objective function used to generate the second treatment plan.

[0016] The treatment planning system may further include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the treatment planning system to obtain a future treatment plan and use a combination of the first treatment plan and the future treatment plan in a dose reference objective function used to generate a second treatment plan.

[0017] The multiple scenarios may involve different patient movements.

[0018] Multiple scenarios may include different respiratory phase orientations.

[0019] The multiple scenarios may include localization of different organs, where localization of different organs is interpreted as different organ geometries (sizes, shapes, positions, etc.).

[0020] The background dose may represent the radiation dose unrelated to the second treatment plan.

[0021] In a third aspect, a computer program for providing a treatment plan for radiation therapy when delivery is interrupted is provided, the computer program including computer program code that, when executed on a treatment planning system, causes the treatment planning system to detect that delivery of a first treatment plan has been interrupted, obtain an indication of partial dose delivery representing a portion of the first treatment plan delivered before the interruption, generate a second treatment plan in which the partial dose delivery forms input to generation of the second treatment plan as a background dose, and optimize the second treatment plan while considering multiple scenarios.

[0022] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer program according to the third aspect and computer readable means storing the computer program.

[0023] In general, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the art unless expressly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / one / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be openly interpreted as representing at least one instance of an element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless expressly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0024] Aspects and embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an environment in which the embodiments presented herein may be applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the functional modules of the treatment planning system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]2 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for generating multiple potential treatment plans, the method being performed in the treatment planning system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating components of the treatment planning system of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an example of a computer program product that includes computer readable means. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments of the invention. These aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of all aspects of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout this description.

[0027] 1A-B are schematic diagrams illustrating an environment in which the embodiments presented herein may be applied. First, the embodiment of FIG. 1A will be described. A treatment planning system 1 determines a distribution of radiation for radiation therapy. This is in communication with a radiation delivery system 2 as treatment plans 12a, 12b. Based on the treatment plan, the radiation delivery system 2 creates a beam 7 to provide radiation to a target volume 3 of a patient while avoiding irradiating organs at risk 5.

[0028] The way in which the radiation delivery system 2 creates the beam and delivers the dose varies depending on the treatment modality (e.g., photon, electron, or ion), as is itself well known in the industry. However, the common objective is to deliver as close as possible to the prescribed dose to the target volume (i.e., tumor) 3 while minimizing the dose to organs at risk 5, such as the bladder, brain, and rectum, depending on where the tumor is located.

[0029] In the embodiment presented herein, the treatment planning system is configured to manage radiation therapy delivery in the event of a delivery interruption. This results in a series of treatment plans. Specifically, a first treatment plan 12a is provided to the radiation delivery system 2. The radiation delivery system 2 proceeds and begins generating radiation delivery. However, this delivery is interrupted, after which a delivery indication 14 is provided to the treatment planning system 1. The delivery indication 14 may be, for example, in the form of a log representing the radiation delivery to the patient in the delivery session prior to the interruption. The treatment planning system 1 then determines a second treatment plan 12b and provides it to the radiation delivery system 2.

[0030] Turning now to Figure 1B, only the differences compared to Figure 1A will be described. In this embodiment, there is a first treatment planning system 1a and a second treatment planning system 1b. In this embodiment, the first treatment planning system 1a determines a first (original) treatment plan 12a. The second treatment planning system 1b determines a second treatment plan 12b. To determine the second treatment plan 12b, the first treatment planning system 12a provides the first treatment plan 12a and, optionally, a future treatment plan 12c. The second treatment planning system 1b also obtains delivery indications 14 from the radiation delivery system 2.

[0031] 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing a treatment plan for radiation therapy when delivery is interrupted, the method being performed in a treatment planning system.

[0032] In a detect interruption step 40, the treatment planning system detects that delivery of the first treatment plan has been interrupted, which may be detected by information received from the radiation delivery system indicating that radiation delivery for the first treatment plan has been interrupted.

[0033] In obtain partial dose delivery indication step 42, the treatment planning system obtains a partial dose delivery indication representing the portion of the first treatment plan delivered before the interruption. This delivery indication may be in the form of, for example, a log from the radiation delivery system representing the radiation delivery to the patient in the delivery session before the interruption.

[0034] In an obtain any future treatment plan step 43, the treatment planning system obtains a future treatment plan. The future treatment plan may be, for example, a treatment plan for a future session of the same patient. This may be obtained from the treatment planning system or another system that stores future treatment plans. In generate second treatment plan step 44, the treatment planning system generates a second treatment plan in which the partial dose delivery forms input to the generation of the second treatment plan as background dose, which represents radiation dose independent of the second treatment plan.

[0035] Additionally, the first treatment plan may be used in a dose reference objective function that is used to generate the second treatment plan.

[0036] If step 43 is performed, a combination of the first treatment plan and the future treatment plan may be used in a dose reference objective function used to generate a second treatment plan. This combination may be calculated to provide the same biologically effective dose as the first treatment plan and the future treatment plan. In other words, the remaining radiation delivery from the interrupted session is included in the future session.

[0037] In an optimizing step 46, the treatment planning system optimizes the second treatment plan while considering multiple scenarios, which may include different patient movements, respiratory phase orientations, and / or different organ orientations. By considering multiple scenarios, the system optimizes the second treatment plan in a way that small changes in these factors do not have a significant effect on the delivery of radiation therapy. Robust Optimization is achieved, and the optimized plan can then be provided to the radiation delivery system.

[0038] If this method is not applied, the trivial solution of continuing with the remainder of the original treatment plan may result in dose overlaps and / or dose gaps, for example, due to patient displacement (movement) or movement or deformation of internal organs (e.g., an empty bladder). Using the embodiments presented herein, novel optimizations are made to deliver the remaining dose, resulting in more accurate and accurate treatment. Robust Accurate planning is achieved, significantly reducing the probability of significant dose overlap and / or dose gaps during subsequent delivery sessions.

[0039] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating components of the treatment planning system 1, 1a-b of FIGS. 1A-B. The processor 60 may be provided using any combination of one or more suitable central processing units (CPUs), multiprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), etc., capable of executing software instructions 67 stored in memory 64, and thus may be a computer program product. Alternatively, the processor 60 may be implemented using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The processor 60 may be configured to perform the method described with reference to FIG. 2 above.

[0040] Memory 64 may be any combination of random access memory (RAM) and / or read-only memory (ROM), and may include persistent storage, which may be, for example, any one or a combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory, or even remotely mounted memory.

[0041] A data memory 66 is also provided for reading and / or storing data during execution of the software instructions by the processor 60. The data memory 66 may be any combination of RAM and / or ROM.

[0042] The treatment planning system 1 further includes an I / O interface 62 for communicating with external and / or internal entities. Optionally, the I / O interface 62 also comprises a user interface.

[0043] Other components of the treatment planning system 1 have been omitted so as not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a computer program product 90 including computer-readable means. The computer-readable means may store a computer program 91, which may cause a processor to execute a method according to embodiments described herein. In this example, the computer program product is an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc), a DVD (digital versatile disc), or a Blu-ray disc. As explained above, the computer program product may also be embodied in the memory of a device such as computer program product 64 of FIG. 3. While computer program 91 is shown here schematically as a track on the described optical disc, the computer program may be stored in any manner suitable for a computer program product, such as removable solid-state memory, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive.

[0045] Aspects of the present disclosure have been described above primarily with reference to certain embodiments. However, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, other embodiments besides those disclosed above may equally fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. 1. A method for providing a treatment plan for radiation therapy in the event of interrupted delivery, the method being performed by a treatment planning system (1), comprising: detecting (40) that delivery of a first treatment plan (12a) has been interrupted by the treatment planning system; obtaining (42) a partial dose delivery indication (14) representative of a portion of a first treatment plan (12a) delivered by the treatment planning system prior to interruption; generating (44) a second treatment plan (12b) in which the treatment planning system delivers a partial dose that forms an input for generating the second treatment plan as a background dose; and (46) the treatment planning system performing a robust optimization of the second treatment plan while considering multiple scenarios; The method, wherein the multiple scenarios include one or more of different patient movements, different respiratory phase orientations, and different organ localizations.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of generating a second treatment plan, the first treatment plan is used in a dose reference objective function used to generate the second treatment plan.

3. The treatment planning system further includes the step (43) of obtaining a future treatment plan (12c); 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the generating step (44), a combination of the first treatment plan (12a) and the future treatment plan (12c) is used in a dose reference objective function used to generate the second treatment plan (12b).

4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the background dose represents a radiation dose unrelated to the second treatment plan.

5. 1. A treatment planning system (1) for providing a treatment plan for radiation therapy in the event of interrupted delivery, said treatment planning system (1) comprising: A processor (60); The treatment planning system (1), when executed by the processor, detecting that the delivery of the first treatment regimen (12a) has been interrupted; obtaining a partial dose delivery indication (14) representative of the portion of the first treatment plan (12a) delivered prior to interruption; creating a second treatment plan (12b) in which the delivery of the partial dose forms an input for the creation of the second treatment plan as a background dose; performing a robust optimization of the second treatment plan while considering multiple scenarios; a memory (64) storing instructions (67) for causing Including, The plurality of scenarios includes one or more of different patient movements, different respiratory phase orientations, and different organ orientations.

6. 6. The treatment planning system of claim 5, wherein the instructions (67) include instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the treatment planning system (1) to use the first treatment plan (12a) in a dose reference objective function used to generate a second treatment plan (12b).

7. When executed by the processor, the treatment planning system (1) Obtaining a future treatment plan (12c); Using a combination of the first treatment plan (12a) and the future treatment plan (12c) in a dose reference objective function that is used to generate a second treatment plan (12b).

6. The treatment planning system (1) of claim 5, further comprising instructions (67) for causing the

8. The treatment planning system (1) according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the background dose represents a radiation dose independent of the second treatment plan.

9. A computer program (67, 91) for providing a treatment plan for radiation therapy in the event of interrupted delivery, the computer program, when executed on a treatment planning system (1), causes the treatment planning system (1) to: detecting that the delivery of the first treatment regimen (12a) has been interrupted; obtaining a partial dose delivery indication (14) representative of the portion of the first treatment plan (12a) delivered prior to interruption; creating a second treatment plan (12b) in which the delivery of the partial dose forms an input for the creation of the second treatment plan as a background dose; performing a robust optimization of the second treatment plan while considering multiple scenarios; computer program code to cause the The plurality of scenarios include one or more of different patient movements, different respiratory phase orientations, and different organ localizations. Computer program (67, 91).

10. A computer program product (64, 90) comprising a computer program according to claim 9 and computer readable means for storing said computer program.

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