Interactive and intuitive method to shape 3d dose distribution during optimization of imrt plans

Abstract

New techniques are described herein for providing a user-friendly interface for adjusting dose distribution values during optimization of a radiation application plan. In an embodiment, a graphical user interface is provided that provides an image of a target area for a radiation application, and a graphical overlay of a dose distribution disposed over the target area that visually represents the optimized dose distribution according to the input dose parameters. In one or more embodiments, the dose distribution may be automatically calculated from input parameters supplied by a user through the graphical user interface prior to optimization. A user (such as a clinician, radiation oncologist, or radiation therapy operator, etc.) is able to modify the visualization of the dose distribution volume during optimization via a user input device in conjunction with the graphical user interface and have the modification adjusted in real-time.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for deforming a volumetric dose based on user input, the method comprising:
 receiving an initial set of dose objectives;   calculating an optimal dose distribution based on the initial set of dose objectives;   generating a volumetric dose objective based on the optimal dose distribution;   causing a display of the volumetric dose distribution;   receiving a user input corresponding to a dose shaping operation; and   repeatedly updating the optimal dose distribution and volumetric dose objective in real-time while the user input is received.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the user input comprises a plurality of user actions received over a period of time, the plurality of user actions comprising at least a first user action corresponding to a beginning position in the display of the volumetric dose objective at a beginning time of the period of time, and a second user action corresponding to a current position in the display of the volumetric dose objective at a current time of the period of time. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the updating the optimal dose distribution and volumetric dose objective comprises repeatedly performing, in response to user actions received during the period of time:
 deforming the volumetric dose objective based on the beginning position through the current position of the second user action;   re-optimizing the initial set of dose objectives based on the initial set of dose objectives and the deformed volumetric dose objective;   calculating an updated optimized dose distribution based on the re-optimized set of dose objectives; and   replacing the previous optimal dose distribution with the updated optimized dose distribution.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the causing a display of the volumetric dose objective comprises causing a display of the volumetric dose objective interposed over a display of a target area. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the calculating an optimal dose distribution comprises calculating an optimal configuration for beam intensity and placement within a target subject to achieve the initial set of dose objectives. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the calculating an optimal dose distribution comprises adjusting dose values to conform spatial dose distribution to a target volume and maximizing a gradient of the dose distribution outside the target. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the user input comprises a drag operation of a user input device while maintaining actuation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the user input comprises an initiation and a termination by consecutive, separate actuations, free of maintaining an actuation. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a memory device configured to store a set of programmed instructions;   a user input device configured to receive a user supplied input;   a display device; and   a processor configured to execute the programmed instructions and further configured to:
 receive an initial set of dose objectives; 
 calculate an optimal dose distribution based on the initial set of dose objectives; 
 generate a volumetric dose objective based on the optimal dose distribution; 
 cause a display of the volumetric dose distribution; 
 receive a user input corresponding to a dose shaping operation; and 
 repeatedly update the optimal dose distribution and volumetric dose objective in real-time while the user input is received. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the user input comprises a plurality of user actions received over a period of time, the plurality of user actions comprising at least a first user action corresponding to a beginning position in the display of the volumetric dose objective at a beginning time of the period of time, and a second user action corresponding to a current position in the display of the volumetric dose objective at a current time of the period of time. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the updating the optimal dose distribution and volumetric dose objective comprises repeatedly to perform, in response to user actions received during the period of time:
 deform the volumetric dose objective based on the beginning position through the current position of the second user action;   re-optimize the initial set of dose objectives based on the initial set of dose objectives and the deformed volumetric dose objective;   calculate an updated optimized dose distribution based on the re-optimized set of dose objectives; and   replace the previous optimal dose distribution with the updated optimized dose distribution.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the cause a display of the volumetric dose objective comprises to cause a display of the volumetric dose objective interposed over a display of a target area. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the calculate an optimal dose distribution comprises to calculate an optimal configuration for beam intensity and placement within a target subject to achieve the initial set of dose objectives. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the calculate an optimal dose distribution comprises to adjust dose values to conform spatial dose distribution to a target volume and maximize a gradient of the dose distribution outside the target. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the user input comprises a drag operation of the user input device while maintaining actuation. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the user input comprises an initiation and a termination by consecutive, separate actuations, free of maintaining an actuation. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the user input device comprises at least one of:
 a mouse input device;   a finger;   a stylus;   a virtual reality display device configured to generate a virtual user interface;   an augmented reality display device configured to generate an augmented reality user interface; and   a keyboard.   
     
     
         19 . A method for deforming a volumetric dose based on user input, the method comprising:
 receiving an initial set of dose objectives via a graphical user interface or referenced from pre-stored data;   calculating an optimal dose distribution based on the initial set of dose objectives;   generating a volumetric dose objective based on the optimal dose distribution;   causing a display of the volumetric dose distribution interposed over a display of a target area;   receiving a user input corresponding to a dose shaping operation, wherein the user input comprises a plurality of user actions received over a period of time; and   repeatedly updating the optimal dose distribution and volumetric dose objective in real-time while the user input is received.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the pre-stored data comprising at least one of:
 a dose matrix;   a dose-volume histogram; and   radiation planning data.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the updating the optimal dose distribution and volumetric dose objective comprises repeatedly performing, in response to the plurality of user actions received during the period of time:
 deforming the volumetric dose objective based on a first user action and a second user action of the plurality of user actions;   re-optimizing the initial set of dose objectives based on the initial set of dose objectives and the deformed volumetric dose objective;   calculating an updated optimized dose distribution based on the re-optimized set of dose objectives; and   replacing the previous optimal dose distribution with the updated optimized dose distribution.