Method and apparatus for fast influence matrix generation
These teachings provide for quickly yet accurately forming an influence matrix by generating the influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation. The resultant influence matrix can then be utilized in an ordinary manner when optimizing a radiation treatment plan. By one approach, the foregoing comprises generating the influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation on a particle-by-particle basis. For example, for each particle, these teachings can provide for identifying a spot to which the particle belongs and then adding a dose deposited by the particle during transport to an influence matrix element that corresponds to a spot to which the particle belongs and a voxel to where the dose was deposited.
1. A method comprising:
by a control circuit:
generating an influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation by generating the influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation on a particle-by-particle basis by, for each of the particles:
identifying a spot to which the particle belongs; and
adding a dose deposited by the particle during transport to an influence matrix element that corresponds to a spot to which the particle belongs and a voxel where the dose was deposited;
optimizing a radiation treatment plan for proton therapy as a function of the influence matrix.
2. A method comprising:
by a control circuit:
generating an influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation by calculating the influence matrix together with calculation of an administered dose by multiplying deposited energy values by a precomputed inverse of a corresponding spot weight.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein calculating the influence matrix together with calculation of an administered dose further comprises adding a corresponding dose contribution to an influence matrix element that correlates to a corresponding spot and voxel.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein calculating the influence matrix together with calculation of an administered dose further comprises, when a current particle interacts with a secondary particle during transport, assigning a spot corresponding to the current particle to the secondary particle as well.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein calculating the influence matrix together with calculation of an administered dose further comprises, following transport, multiplying each nonzero influence matrix element by a precomputed inverse of a corresponding voxel mass.
6. An apparatus comprising:
a control circuit configured to:
generate an influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation by generating the influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation on a particle-by-particle basis by, for each of the particles:
identifying a spot to which the particle belongs; and
adding a dose deposited by the particle during transport to an influence matrix element that corresponds to a spot to which the particle belongs and a voxel where the dose was deposited;
optimize a radiation treatment plan for proton therapy as a function of the influence matrix.
7. An apparatus comprising:
a control circuit configured to:
generate an influence matrix via integration with a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation by calculating the influence matrix together with calculation of an administered dose by multiplying deposited energy values by a precomputed inverse of a corresponding spot weight.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to calculate the influence matrix together with calculation of an administered dose by adding a corresponding dose contribution to an influence matrix element that correlates to a corresponding spot and voxel.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to calculate the influence matrix together with calculation of an administered dose by, when a current particle interacts with a secondary particle during transport, assigning a spot corresponding to the current particle to the secondary particle as well.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to calculate the influence matrix together with calculation of an administered dose by, following transport, multiplying each nonzero influence matrix element by a precomputed inverse of a corresponding voxel mass.