Patent ID: 7573978
Filing Date: 2009-08-11
Classification: A61N,G21K

Abstract:
1. A method of delivering intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using variable feathering field splitting for intensity modulated fields of large size, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an intensity matrix for the treatment of a patient, said intensity matrix having a plurality of rows and columns for spanning a prescribed radiation field including a prescribed field width; (b) comparing said prescribed width to a maximum field width provided by a radiation treatment system; (c) splitting said intensity matrix into a plurality of spatially overlapping intensity submatrices when said prescribed width exceeds said maximum field width, wherein said splitting comprises variably feathering said intensity matrix, and (d) providing radiotherapy to said patient using a leaf sequencing method applied to a beam-shaping device to generate said submatrices.