Brachytherapy system for prostate cancer treatment with computer implemented systems and processes to facilitate pre-operative planning and post-operative evaluations

• US 6,360,116 B1
• Filed: 02/26/1999
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Jackson, Theodore Ronald Jr., Markush, J. Peter, Snell, John Wingate, Katz, William Thang, Spetz, Kevin Stewart
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/258,280
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/411, 600/427, 600/439, 600/440, 601/2, 601/15, 607/2, 607/100, 607/101, 607/102, 424/94.4
• US Class Current: 600/427
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1074 Details of the control system, e.g. user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1027 Interstitial radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/103 Treatment planning systems

Abstract

A system for assisting a user in preparing a brachytherapy pre-operative plan and post-operative evaluation for prostate cancer is disclosed. Image scans are loaded into the system. A user places a matrix on the image scans and outlines the contours the anatomical structures in the image scans. The user then places seeds on the various image scans in a well known manner to treat the prostate cancer. The system provides for real-time isodose calculations as the user edits the pre-operative plan. The user may also view a three-dimensional view of the isodose levels on the anatomical structure, as well as the surface of a given isodose level.

Claims

1. In a computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, where the computer receives two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional treatment area and the computer system comprises a display for graphically displaying the two-dimensional images, and a processor for calculating dose throughout a volume and resulting user-selected isodose lines, a method comprising the steps of:

designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

automatically calculating dose and the resulting isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

displaying the isodose lines on the display.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose and user-selected isodose lines comprises the step of using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose comprises using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution, wherein a first array is used to calculate dose within a predetermined distance from a source and a second array is used to calculate dose at distances beyond the predetermined distance.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose comprises using a plurality of dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution, wherein the squared distances are represented as fixed-point numbers to speed indexing.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

manipulating at least one of the two-dimensional images; and

automatically recalculating isodose lines resulting from the manipulated two-dimensional images.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of manipulating comprises at least one of the group of deleting radiation sources from designated locations, moving radiation sources from designated locations, and identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the two-dimensional images are in sequence, the method further comprising the steps of:

(a) presenting one two-dimensional image in a working window; and

(b) presenting a plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows; and

wherein the step of designating locations further comprises designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources on a two-dimensional image in the working window.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of changing the presentation of one two-dimensional image in a thumbnail window to a presentation in the working window.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of displaying the isodose lines further comprises displaying isodose lines on the plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows resulting from designated locations of the plurality of radiation sources on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing preliminary information, wherein preliminary information comprises patient information, radiation source information, and template information, and

the step of automatically calculating isodose lines further comprises automatically calculating isodose lines in response to the preliminary information.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

configuring a dose matrix on a selected area of a two-dimensional image;

identifying an anatomical structure in the three-dimensional area;

selecting the anatomical structure; and

dynamically and automatically reconfiguring the dose matrix on the selected anatomical structure;

wherein the step of displaying further comprises displaying the DVH/CVA of the selected anatomical structure.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose and user-selected isodose lines comprises the step of using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution.

13. A computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, the system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of two-dimensional images corresponding to a three-dimensional treatment area;

means for designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources on the two-dimensional images;

means for automatically calculating dose throughout a volume and resulting user-selected isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

means for displaying the isodose lines.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the calculating means automatically calculates dose and user-selected isodose lines using a plurality of dose-versus-squared distance arrays, array having a predetermined resolution.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein the calculating means automatically calculates dose using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution, wherein a first array is used to calculate dose within a predetermined distance from a source and a second array is used to calculate dose at distances beyond the predetermined distance.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose comprises using a plurality of dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution, wherein the squared distances are represented as fixed-point numbers to speed indexing.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein:

means for manipulating at least one of the two-dimensional images; and

the calculating means automatically recalculates dose and user-selected isodose lines resulting from the manipulated two-dimensional images.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein manipulating a two-dimensional image comprises at least one of the group of deleting radiation sources from a designated location, moving radiation sources from designated locations, and identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the two-dimensional images are in sequence, the system further comprising:

(a) means for presenting one two-dimensional image in a working window; and

(b) means for presenting a plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows; and

wherein designating locations further comprises designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising means for changing the presentation of one two-dimensional image in a thumbnail window to a presentation in the working window.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein displaying the isodose lines further comprises displaying isodose lines on the plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at designated locations on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

22. The system according to claim 13, further comprising means for providing preliminary information, wherein preliminary information comprises patient information, radiation source information, and template information, and

wherein automatically calculating dose and the resulting user-selected isodose lines further comprises automatically calculating isodose lines in response to preliminary information.

23. The system according to claim 13, further comprising:

means for configuring a dose matrix on a selected area of a two-dimensional image;

means for identifying an anatomical structure in the three-dimensional area;

means for selecting the anatomical structure; and

means for dynamically and automatically reconfiguring the dose matrix on the selected anatomical structure;

wherein displaying further comprises displaying the DVH/CVA of the selected anatomical structure.

24. The system according to claim 13, wherein automatically calculating dose and user-selected isodose lines comprises the step of using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution.

25. In a computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, where the computer receives two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional treatment area and the computer system comprises a display for graphically displaying the two-dimensional images, and a processor for calculating isodose lines, a method comprising the steps of:

providing preliminary information, wherein preliminary information comprises a study type;

presenting to a user a graphical user interface to create an interstitial radiation therapy treatment plan, where the graphical user interface guides a user through a plurality of steps relating to the plan and where certain steps are displayed or disabled based on previous choices made by the user.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the study type is an ultrasound based study, and further comprising the steps of:

identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images;

designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

displaying the isodose lines on the display.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of registering a template on the two-dimensional images.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein displaying the isodose lines on the display further comprises:

displaying the isodose lines on the two-dimensional images;

displaying a three-dimensional image based on the identified anatomical structures, designated locations of radiation sources, and three-dimensional isodose surfaces; and

displaying a dose histogram.

29. The method according to claim 25, wherein the study type is an digitizer based study, and further comprising the steps of:

designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

displaying the isodose lines on the display.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein displaying the isodose lines on the display further comprises:

displaying the isodose lines on the two-dimensional images;

displaying a three-dimensional image of an anatomical structure, designated locations of radiation sources, and three-dimensional isodose surfaces; and

displaying a dose histogram.

31. The method according to claim 25, wherein preliminary information further comprises patient information, radiation source information, and template information.

32. The method according to claim 25, wherein the graphical user interface further provides tabs to guide a user through various steps relating to the plan, and the tabs are grayed out based on previous choices made by the user.

33. In a computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, where the computer receives two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional treatment area and the computer system comprises a display for graphically displaying the two-dimensional images, and a processor for calculating isodose lines, a method comprising the steps of:

providing preliminary information, wherein preliminary information comprises a study type;

presenting to a user a graphical user interface to create an interstitial radiation therapy treatment evaluation, where the graphical user interface guides a user through a plurality of steps relating to the evaluation and where certain steps are displayed or disabled based on previous choices made by the user.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein preliminary information further comprises patient information, and radiation source information.

35. The method according to claim 33, wherein the graphical user interface further provides tabs to guide a user through various steps relating to the evaluation, and the tabs are grayed out based on previous choices made by the user.

36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the study type is CT file based study, and further comprising the steps of:

identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images;

identifying the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

displaying the isodose lines on the display.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein displaying the isodose lines on the display further comprises:

displaying the isodose lines on the two-dimensional images;

displaying a three-dimensional image based on the identified anatomical structures, designated locations of radiation sources, and three-dimensional isodose surfaces; and

displaying a dose histogram.

38. The method according to claim 33, wherein the study type is digitizer based, further comprising the steps of:

displaying the isodose lines on the two-dimensional images;

displaying a three-dimensional image of an anatomical structure, designated locations of radiation sources, and three-dimensional isodose surfaces; and

displaying a dose histogram.

39. A computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, the system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional treatment area;

means for providing preliminary information, wherein the preliminary information comprises a study type; and

means for presenting to a user a graphical user interface to create an interstitial radiation therapy treatment plan, where the graphical user interface guides a user through a plurality of steps relating to the plan and where certain steps are displayed or disabled based on previous choices made by the user.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein the study type is an ultrasound based study, and further comprising:

means for identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images;

means for designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

means for calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

means for displaying the isodose lines on the display.

41. The system according to claim 40, further comprising means for registering a template on the two-dimensional images.

42. The system according to claim 40, wherein displaying the isodose lines further comprises:

displaying the isodose lines on the two-dimensional images;

displaying a three-dimensional image based on the identified anatomical structures, designated locations of radiation sources, and three-dimensional isodose surfaces; and

displaying a dose histogram.

43. The system according to claim 39, wherein the study type is an digitizer based study, and further comprising:

means for designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

means for calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

means for displaying the isodose lines.

44. The system according to claim 43, wherein displaying the isodose lines further displaying the isodose lines on the two-dimensional images;

displaying a three-dimensional image of an anatomical structure, designated locations of radiation sources, and three-dimensional isodose surfaces; and

displaying a dose histogram.

45. The system according to claim 39, wherein preliminary information further comprises patient information, radiation source information, and template information.

46. The system according to claim 39, wherein the graphical user interface further provides tabs to guide a user through various steps relating to the plan, and the tabs are grayed out based on previous choices made by the user.

47. A computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, the system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional treatment area;

means for providing preliminary information, wherein the preliminary information comprises a study type; and

means for presenting to a user a graphical user interface to create an interstitial radiation therapy treatment evaluation, where the graphical user interface guides a user through a plurality of steps relating to the evaluation and where certain steps are displayed or disabled based on previous choices made by the user.

48. The system according to claim 47, wherein preliminary information further comprises patient information, and radiation source information.

49. The system according to claim 47, wherein the graphical user interface further provides tabs to guide a user through various steps relating to the evaluation, and the tabs are grayed out based on previous choices made by the user.

50. The system according to claim 47, wherein the study type is a CT file based study, and further comprising:

means for identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images;

means for identifying the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

means for calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

means for displaying the isodose lines on the display.

51. The system according to claim 50, wherein displaying the isodose lines on the display further comprises:

displaying the isodose lines on the two-dimensional images;

displaying a three-dimensional image of the identified anatomical structures, designated locations of radiation sources, and three-dimensional isodose surfaces; and

displaying a dose histogram.

52. The system according to claim 47, wherein the study type is digitizer based study, further comprising:

means for displaying the isodose lines on the two-dimensional images;

means for displaying a three-dimensional image of an anatomical structure, designated locations of radiation sources, and three-dimensional isodose surfaces; and

means for displaying a dose histogram.

53. In a computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, where the computer receives a sequence of two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional treatment area, and the computer system comprises a display for graphically displaying the two-dimensional images, and a processor for calculating isodose lines, a method comprising the steps of:

presenting one two-dimensional image in a working window;

presenting a plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows;

designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

displaying the isodose lines on the display.

54. The method according to claim 53, further comprising the step of changing the presentation of one two-dimensional image in a thumbnail window to a presentation in the working window.

55. The method according to claim 53, wherein the step of displaying the isodose lines further comprises displaying isodose lines on the plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows based on designated locations on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

56. The method according to claim 53, further comprising the steps of:

manipulating at least one the two-dimensional images; and

recalculating isodose lines resulting from the manipulated two-dimensional images.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein the step of manipulating may comprise at least one of the group of deleting radiation sources from designated locations, moving radiation sources from designated locations, and identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images.

58. The method according to claim 53, wherein the step of presenting a plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows further comprises presenting the sequence of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows, thereby presenting the three-dimensional treatment area.

59. The method according to claim 53, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose user-selected isodose lines comprises the step of using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution.

60. The method according to claim 53, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose comprises using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution, wherein a first array is used to calculate dose within a predetermined distance from a source and a second array is used to calculate dose at distances beyond the predetermined distance.

61. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of providing preliminary information, wherein preliminary information comprises patient information, radiation source information, and template information, and

the step of calculating isodose lines further comprises calculating isodose lines in response to the preliminary information.

62. A computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, the system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of two-dimensional images corresponding to a three dimensional treatment area, wherein the two-dimensional images are in sequence;

means for manipulating the two-dimensional images, wherein manipulating comprises;

(a) designating one two-dimensional image to be presented in a working window;

(b) designating a plurality of two-dimensional images to be presented in thumbnail windows; and

(c) designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional area;

means for calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

means for displaying the isodose lines.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the manipulating further comprises changing the presentation of one two-dimensional image in a thumbnail window to a presentation in a working window.

64. The system according to claim 62, wherein displaying isodose lines further comprises displaying isodose lines on the plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows based on designated locations on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

65. The system according to claim 62, wherein presenting a plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows further comprises presenting all of the two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows, thereby presenting the entire three-dimensional treatment area.

66. The method according to claim 62, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose user-selected isodose lines comprises the step of using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution.

67. The method according to claim 62, wherein the step of automatically calculating dose comprises using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution, wherein a first array is used to calculate dose within a predetermined distance from a source and a second array is used to calculate dose at distances beyond the predetermined distance.

68. The system according to claim 62, further comprising:

means for recalculating isodose lines resulting from the manipulated two-dimensional images.

69. The system according to claim 68, wherein manipulating further comprises at least one of the group of deleting radiation sources from designated locations, moving radiation sources from designated locations, and identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images.

70. The method of claim 62, further comprising means for providing preliminary information, wherein preliminary information comprises patient information, radiation source information, and template information, and

wherein calculating isodose lines further comprises calculating isodose lines in response to the preliminary information.

71. In a computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, where the computer receives two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional treatment area and the computer system comprises a display for graphically displaying the two-dimensional images, and a processor for calculating dose throughout a volume and resulting user-selected isodose lines, a method comprising the steps of:

configuring a dose matrix on a selected volume of the three-dimensional area;

identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images;

designating the location of plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional area;

dynamically and automatically reconfiguring the dose matrix extent and resolution in the three-dimensional area to cover anatomical structures and sources;

calculating dose and resulting isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations using the dose matrix;

calculating a DVH/CVA resulting from the plurality of radiation sources using the dynamically and automatically reconfigured dose matrix; and

displaying the isodose lines on the display.

72. The method according to claim 71, further comprising the steps of:

selecting an identified anatomical structure; and

wherein the step of reconfiguring the dose matrix further comprises reconfiguring the dose matrix on the selected anatomical structure; and

the step of displaying further comprises displaying the DVH/CVA of the selected anatomical structure.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the step of calculating dose and user-selected isodose lines comprises the step of using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution.

74. The method according to claim 71, wherein the step of calculating dose comprises using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution, wherein a first array is used to calculate dose within a predetermined distance from a source and a second array is used to calculate dose at distances beyond the predetermined distance.

75. The method according to claim 71, further comprising the steps of:

calculating the dose and resulting isodose lines after reconfiguring the dose matrix.

76. The method according to claim 71, further comprising the steps of:

manipulating at least one of the two-dimensional images; and

recalculating dose and the resulting isodose lines after manipulating the two-dimensional images.

77. The method according to claim 76, wherein the step of manipulating comprises at least one of the group of deleting radiation sources from designated locations, moving radiation sources from designated locations, and identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images.

78. The method according to claim 71, wherein the two-dimensional images are in sequence, the method further comprising the steps of:

(a) presenting one two-dimensional image in a working window; and

(b) presenting a plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows; and

wherein the step of designating locations further comprises designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

79. The method according to claim 78, further comprising the step of changing the presentation of one two-dimensional image in a thumbnail window to a presentation in the working window.

80. The method according to claim 78, wherein the step of displaying the isodose lines further comprises displaying isodose lines on the plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at designated locations on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

81. The method according to claim 71, further comprising the step of providing preliminary information, wherein preliminary information comprises patient information, radiation source information, and template information, and

the step of automatically calculating dose and the resulting isodose lines further comprises automatically calculating the dose and resulting isodose lines in response to the preliminary information.

82. A computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, the system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of two-dimensional images corresponding to a three-dimensional treatment area;

means for configuring a dose matrix on a selected volume of the three-dimensional area;

means for identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images;

means for designating the location of plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional area;

means for dynamically and automatically reconfiguring the dose matrix extent and resolution in the three-dimensional area to cover anatomical structures and sources;

means for calculating dose and resulting isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations using the dose matrix;

means for calculating a DVH/CVA resulting from the plurality of radiation sources using the dynamically and automatically reconfigured dose matrix; and

means for displaying the isodose lines.

83. The system according to claim 82, further comprising the steps of:

means for selecting an identified anatomical structure; and

wherein reconfiguring the dose matrix further comprises reconfiguring the dose matrix on the selected anatomical structure; and

displaying further comprises displaying the DVH/CVA of the selected anatomical structure.

84. The system according to claim 82, wherein calculating dose and user-selected isodose lines comprises using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution.

85. The system according to claim 82, wherein calculating dose comprises using a plurality of precomputed dose-versus-squared distance arrays, each array having a predetermined resolution, wherein a first array is used to calculate dose within a predetermined distance from a source and a second array is used to calculate dose at distances beyond the predetermined distance.

86. The system according to claim 82, wherein calculating the dose and resulting isodose lines occurs after reconfiguration of the dose matrix.

87. The system according to claim 82, further comprising:

means for manipulating at least one of the two-dimensional images; and

means for recalculating dose and resulting isodose lines after manipulating the two-dimensional images.

88. The system according to claim 87, wherein manipulating comprises at least one of the group of deleting radiation sources from designated locations, moving radiation sources from designated locations, and identifying anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images.

89. The system according to claim 82, wherein the two-dimensional images are in sequence,

the system further comprising:

means for presenting one two-dimensional image in a working window; and

means for presenting a plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows;

wherein designating locations further comprises designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

90. The method according to claim 89, further comprising means for changing the presentation of one two-dimensional image in a thumbnail window to a presentation in the working window.

91. The method according to claim 89, wherein displaying the isodose lines further comprises displaying isodose lines on the plurality of two-dimensional images in thumbnail windows resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at designated locations on the two-dimensional image in the working window.

92. The method according to claim 82, further comprising means for providing preliminary information, wherein preliminary information comprises patient information, radiation source information, and template information, and

wherein calculating dose and resulting isodose lines further comprises calculating dose and resulting isodose lines in response to the preliminary information.

93. In a computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, where the computer receives two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional treatment area and the computer system comprises a display for graphically displaying the two-dimensional images, and a processor for calculating isodose lines, a method comprising the steps of:

designating anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images;

designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

constructing a three-dimensional image of at least one anatomical structure'"'"'s surface based on designated anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images; and

displaying the anatomical three-dimensional image.

94. The method according to claim 93, wherein the step of displaying results further comprises color-coding the surface of the anatomical structure to graphically depict the dosage received by the surface of the anatomical structure, wherein the color of the surface indicates the dosage received at that portion of the surface.

95. The method according to claim 93, wherein the step of displaying further comprises:

designating an isodose level for which to display an isodose surface;

generating a three-dimensional image representing an isodose surface based on the designated isodose level; and

displaying the three-dimensional image.

96. A computer implemented system for assisting in an interstitial radiation therapy treatment, the system comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of two-dimensional images corresponding to a three-dimensional treatment area;

means for manipulating the two-dimensional images, wherein manipulating comprises;

(a) designating anatomical structures on the two-dimensional images; and

(b) designating the location of a plurality of radiation sources in the three-dimensional treatment area;

means for constructing at least one three-dimensional image representing an anatomical surface based on the designated anatomical structures in the two-dimensional images;

means for calculating isodose lines resulting from the plurality of radiation sources at the designated locations; and

means for displaying the anatomical three-dimensional image.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein displaying results further comprises displaying a color-code on the three-dimensional image of the anatomical structure to graphically depict the dosage received by the surface of the three-dimensional image, wherein the color of the surface indicates the dosage received at that portion of the surface.

98. The system of claim 96, wherein manipulating further comprises designating an isodose level to display an isodose surface, the system further comprising means for generating a three-dimensional image representing an isodose surface based on the designated isodose level;

and

means for displaying the three-dimensional image.