IMPT Plan Optimization via Internal Organ Deformation Modeling

The patent applies preliminary action by generating deformation vector fields and warped images before dose calculation to predict and compensate for internal organ movement and deformation. This pre-processing step creates corrected anatomical representations that account for anticipated organ changes, allowing the optimization to proactively address these uncertainties rather than reacting to them during treatment delivery.

The patent introduces deformation vector fields and warped images as intermediary elements between the original anatomical data and the dose calculation. These intermediaries transform the raw imaging data into corrected representations that incorporate predicted organ movement, serving as a bridge that translates anatomical uncertainty into a format usable for robust optimization without requiring direct real-time organ tracking.

The patent segments the complexity management by separating the handling of different uncertainty types into distinct computational modules: setup error modeling, range uncertainty modeling, and internal organ deformation modeling. Each module processes specific aspects independently, allowing the system to manage complex calculations through modular organization rather than monolithic processing.

The patent applies partial action by selectively applying deformation corrections only to regions containing internal organs that exhibit significant movement or deformation, rather than uniformly processing the entire anatomical volume. This targeted approach reduces unnecessary computational effort while maintaining dose accuracy in critical areas where organ movement affects treatment outcomes.