System and method of calculating dose uncertainty

• US 8,913,716 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2013
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomoTherapy Incorporated (Accuray Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: TomoTherapy Incorporated (Accuray Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sobering, Geoff, Schnarr, Eric, Ruchala, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, HOON K
• Application Number:
  US13/739,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20130121469A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 378 64- 65
• US Class Current: 378/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1031 using a specific method of dose optimization
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A dose calculation tool operable to generate a variance map that represents a dose uncertainty. The variance map illustrates on a point-by-point basis where high uncertainty in the dose may exist and where low uncertainty in the dose may exist. The dose uncertainty is a result of an error in one or more data parameters related to a delivery parameter or a computational parameter.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a delivery error in a radiation delivery device, the method comprising using a computer to carry out the steps of:

generating a treatment plan for a patient, the treatment plan including an intended fluence;

delivering radiation to the patient according to the treatment plan;

acquiring output fluence information from the radiation delivery device after delivery of the treatment plan;

comparing the output fluence information and the intended fluence to determine a fluence variance; and

applying a dose calculation algorithm to the fluence variance to generate a dose variance map.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluence variance is based on feedback from the radiation delivery device over the course of a plurality of treatments.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising modifying the treatment plan based on the fluence variance.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a new treatment plan based on the fluence variance.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting a different radiation delivery device to deliver the treatment plan based on the fluence variance.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising modifying the treatment plan based on anticipated changes to the radiation delivery device.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying the dose variance map.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the dose variance map represents an uncertainty indication in the dose to be delivered to the patient, the uncertainty indication related to a data parameter of the radiation delivery device.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the data parameter includes a combination of multiple single data parameters.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the data parameter is fluence.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the data parameter is linac output.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the data parameter is leaf timing.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the data parameter is jaw position.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein the data parameter is couch position.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein the data parameter is gantry position.