IP Library Granted Patent US 8,130,907
Granted Patent B2
US 8,130,907 · App. 12/558,489 · Granted Mar 6, 2012

Controlling X-ray imaging based on target motion

Assignee: Accuray Incorporated
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,130,907
App. No.
12/558,489
Granted
Mar 6, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image guided treatment is performed to treat a target. To perform the image guided treatment, measurement data indicative of target motion is acquired. A timing of one or more x-ray images is determined based on the measurement data. Treatment may be performed on the target using the position of the target.

Claims (63)

1. An imaging method, implemented by a computing system programmed to perform the following, comprising:

acquiring measurement data indicative of a target motion, wherein the measurement data includes a prior x-ray image;

determining, using the computing system, a timing of one or more x-ray images based on the target motion;

computing a time to completion of a radiation treatment beam;

comparing an age of the prior x-ray image to the time to completion; and

when the age of the prior x-ray image will exceed an image age threshold before the time to completion, acquiring a new x-ray image before delivering the radiation treatment beam.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

comparing the prior x-ray image to another image to track the target motion; and

visually presenting the target motion via a display.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measurement data includes at least one of ultrasound measurement data or external imaging data of a patient.

4. An imaging method, implemented by a computing system programmed to perform the following, comprising:

acquiring measurement data indicative of a target motion, wherein the measurement data includes a prior x-ray image;

determining, using the computing system, a timing of one or more x-ray images based on the target motion;

assigning an image age threshold based on the target motion; and

establishing an x-ray imaging frequency based on the image age threshold.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

increasing the x-ray imaging frequency when the target motion is above a threshold.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

decreasing the x-ray imaging frequency when the target motion is below a threshold.

7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

dividing a radiation treatment beam into a plurality of radiation treatment beams, wherein completing delivery of the radiation treatment beam extends beyond the image age threshold.

8. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

combining a plurality of radiation treatment beams into a single radiation treatment beam, wherein delivery of the single radiation treatment beam is complete at or before the image age threshold.

9. An imaging method, implemented by a computing system programmed to perform the following, comprising:

acquiring measurement data indicative of a target motion, wherein the measurement data includes a prior x-ray image;

determining, using the computing system, a timing of one or more x-ray images based on the target motion;

prior to treatment of a patient, determining a treatment plan that includes a plurality of radiation treatment beams;

receiving selection of an initial image age threshold;

determining that completing delivery of at least one radiation treatment beam extends beyond the initial image age threshold; and

modifying the treatment plan by splitting the at least one radiation treatment beam into two or more radiation treatment beams, wherein delivery of each of the two or more radiation treatment beams will complete at or before the initial image age threshold.

10. A treatment system, comprising:

an imaging apparatus including an x-ray source to generate one or more x-ray images;

a motion detecting apparatus to acquire measurement data indicative of a target motion; and

a processing device coupled with the imaging apparatus and the motion detecting apparatus, wherein the processing device is configured to:

determine a timing of the one or more x-ray images based on the target motion:

compute a time to completion of a radiation treatment beam;

compare an age of the prior x-ray image to the time to completion; and

when the age of the prior x-ray image will exceed an image age threshold before the time to completion, acquiring a new x-ray image before delivering the radiation treatment beam.

11. The treatment system of claim 10 , further comprising: a display;

wherein the processing device is further configured to compare the prior x-ray image to another image to track the target motion, and to visually present the target motion via the display.

12. The treatment system of claim 10 , wherein the motion detecting apparatus is an optical tracking system, and wherein the measurement data is generated by at least one of optical tracking of markers disposed on a patient or optical tracking of a surface of the patient.

13. The treatment system of claim 10 , wherein the motion detecting apparatus includes a laser range finder, and wherein the measurement data represents a distance between a surface of the patient and the laser range finder.

14. A treatment system, comprising:

an imaging apparatus including an x-ray source to generate one or more x-ray images;

a motion detecting apparatus to acquire measurement data indicative of a target motion; and

a processing device coupled with the imaging apparatus and the motion detecting apparatus, wherein the processing device is configured to:

determine a timing of the one or more x-ray images based on the target motion;

assign an image age threshold based on the target motion; and

establish an x-ray imaging frequency based on the image age threshold.

15. The treatment system of claim 14 , wherein the processing device is further configured to increase the x-ray imaging frequency when the target motion is above a threshold.

16. The treatment system of claim 14 , wherein the processing device is further configured to decrease the x-ray imaging frequency when the target motion is below a threshold.

17. The treatment system of claim 14 , wherein the processing device is further configured to divide a radiation treatment beam into a plurality of radiation treatment beams, wherein completing delivery of the radiation treatment beam extends beyond the image age threshold.

18. The treatment system of claim 14 , wherein the processing device is further configured to combine a plurality of radiation treatment beams into a single radiation treatment beam, wherein delivery of the single radiation treatment beam is complete at or before the image age threshold.

19. The treatment system of claim 14 , wherein the motion detecting apparatus is an ultrasound imaging apparatus, and wherein the measurement data is ultrasound measurement data.

20. A treatment system, comprising:

an imaging apparatus including an x-ray source to generate one or more x-ray images;

a motion detecting apparatus to acquire measurement data indicative of a target motion; and

a processing device coupled with the imaging apparatus and the motion detecting apparatus, wherein the processing device is configured to:

determine a timing of the one or more x-ray images based on the target motion;

prior to treatment of a patient, determine a treatment plan that includes a plurality of radiation treatment beams;

receive selection of an initial image age threshold;

determine that completing delivery of at least one radiation treatment beam extends beyond the initial image age threshold; and

modify the treatment plan by splitting the at least one radiation treatment beam into two or more radiation treatment beams, wherein delivery of each of the two or more radiation treatment beams is completed at or before the initial image age threshold.

Assignments (11)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2025
From: ACCURAY INCORPORATED
To: ACCURAY LLC
Reel/Frame 072421/0584 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2025
From: FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
To: ACCURAY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 071638/0034 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2021
From: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST (AS SUCCESSOR BY ASSIGNMENT FROM MIDCAP FUNDING X TRUST, AS SUCCESSOR BY ASSIGNMENT FROM MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST, AS SUCCESSOR BY ASSIGNMENT FROM MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST)
To: ACCURAY INCORPORATED; TOMOTHERAPY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 056318/0559 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2021
From: MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST
To: ACCURAY INCORPORATED; TOMOTHERAPY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 056318/0751 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2021
From: ACCURAY INCORPORATED; TOMOTHERAPY INCORPORATED
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056247/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Mar 1, 2019
From: MIDCAP FUNDING X TRUST (AS SUCCESSOR BY ASSIGNMENT FROM MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST, AS SUCCESSOR BY ASSIGNMENT FROM MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST), AS EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST, AS SUCCESSOR TO EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048481/0804 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2017
From: ACCURAY INCORPORATED; TOMOTHERAPY INCORPORATED
To: MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST
Reel/Frame 044910/0685 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 15, 2017
From: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ACCURAY INCORPORATED; TOMOTHERAPY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 042821/0580 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 15, 2017
From: ACCURAY INCORPORATED; TOMOTHERAPY INCORPORATED
To: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST (AS SUCCESSOR BY ASSIGNMENT FROM MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST)
Reel/Frame 042826/0358 →
ASSIGNMENT FOR SECURITY - PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: ACCURAY INCORPORATED; TOMOTHERAPY INCORPORATED
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037513/0170 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2009
From: MAURER, CALVIN R., JR.; SAYEH, SOHAIL; CORE, MATTHEW A.
To: ACCURAY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 023405/0760 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61096722 · Sep 12, 2008
Related Publication 20100067660A1 · Mar 18, 2010