Leaf sequencing method and system
First Claim
1. A method of delivering radiation treatment using multi-leaf collimation, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a radiation fluence map which supplies a desired intensity profile;
(b) converting said fluence map into a preliminary leaf sequence, wherein said preliminary leaf sequence minimizes machine on-time and is generated without any leaf movement constraints;
(c) imposing at least one leaf movement constraint on said preliminary leaf sequence, and (d) applying at least one constraint elimination algorithm, said algorithm adjusting said preliminary leaf sequence to minimize violations of said constraint while providing said fluence map and said minimized on-time.
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Abstract
A method of delivering radiation treatment using multi-leaf collimation includes the step of providing a radiation fluence map which includes an intensity profile. The fluence map is converted into a preliminary leaf sequence, wherein the preliminary leaf sequence minimizes machine on-time and is generated without leaf movement constraints. The leaf movement constraint is imposed on the preliminary leaf sequence. At least one constraint elimination algorithm is then applied, the algorithm adjusting the preliminary leaf sequence to minimize violations of the constraint while providing the desired fluence map and minimized radiation on-time. The method can be applied to SMLC and DLMC systems, and can include adjustment for the tongue-and-groove effect.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of delivering radiation treatment using multi-leaf collimation, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a radiation fluence map which supplies a desired intensity profile;
(b) converting said fluence map into a preliminary leaf sequence, wherein said preliminary leaf sequence minimizes machine on-time and is generated without any leaf movement constraints;
(c) imposing at least one leaf movement constraint on said preliminary leaf sequence, and (d) applying at least one constraint elimination algorithm, said algorithm adjusting said preliminary leaf sequence to minimize violations of said constraint while providing said fluence map and said minimized on-time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of reducing tongue-and-groove underdose during radiation treatment using multi-leaf collimation, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a radiation fluence map which supplies a desired intensity profile;
(b) converting said fluence map into a preliminary leaf sequence, wherein said preliminary leaf sequence minimizes a minimum on-time and is generated without any leaf movement constraints;
(c) modifying at least one leaf pair in said preliminary leaf sequence to form a modified leaf sequence, wherein said modifying step comprises identifying and adjusting positions of leaves in said preliminary leaf sequence which violate a tongue-and-groove constraint;
(d) modifying at least one leaf pair in said modified leaf sequence to produce a further modified leaf sequence, said further modified leaf sequence providing said intensity profile;
(e) examining said further modified leaf sequence for violations of said tongue-and-groove constraint, and (f) iteratively repeating said steps (c) and (d) if at least one violation of said tongue-and-groove constraint is identified in step (e) using said further modified leaf sequence as said preliminary leaf sequence.
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8. A system for delivering radiation treatment using multi-leaf collimation, comprising:
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a radiation source for generating a radiation beam;
a multi-leaf collimator having a plurality of leafs for shaping said radiation beam;
structure for generating a preliminary leaf sequence from a fluence map, wherein said preliminary leaf sequence minimizes machine on-time and is generated without any leaf movement constraints;
structure for imposing at least one leaf movement constraint on said preliminary leaf sequence, and structure for applying at least one constraint elimination algorithm, said algorithm adjusting said preliminary leaf sequence to minimize violations of said constraint while providing said fluence map and said minimized on-time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification