Patent ID: 7734010
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for use in radiation treatment, the method comprising: modifying a set of variables to reduce a cost function, the set of variables defining apertures for a plurality of segments including at least first and second segments respectively corresponding to different first and second angles of rotation of a collimator about a beam direction; and computing the cost function based at least in part upon a volume dose distribution computed for the set of variables; comprising computing the volume dose distribution by, for at least one of the segments, identifying one or more beamlets defined by a fluence grid, wherein the one or more beamlets is partially obstructed by a structure defining the aperture and scaling contributions of the one or more beamlets to the computed volumetric dose distribution by a factor proportional to an area of the beamlet that is unobstructed relative to a total area of the beamlet.