Faster planning
Nucletron of the Netherlands previewed the latest version of its multi-modality treatment planning system – Oncentra v4.0. Slated for worldwide release in December, the software promises to improve plan accuracy and reduce typical radiotherapy planning times from hours to minutes.
"This is not just an incremental release, it is very substantial and results in some big speed gains," explained Tom Chadwick, Nucletron's field marketing manager for treatment planning. "Initial studies show that Oncentra v4.0 offers seven-fold faster calculations."
The enabler for this enhanced performance is Nucletron's incorporation of graphics processor unit (GPU)-based calculations for treatment planning. "We've added GPU processing to the workstations and seen a tremendous speed increase for collapsed-cone calculations," Chadwick told medicalphysicsweb. The collapsed-cone algorithm offers highly accurate treatment plan optimization, but is time consuming to use without access to high-speed computing resources such as GPUs.
Oncentra v4.0 features a new plan manager module that automates routine planning tasks and further speeds the planning process. It also includes an applicator-modelling feature for brachytherapy planning, which provides applicator and plan libraries, bar graphs and shielded applicators.
Ultrasound visualization
Elekta was highlighting the Clarity soft-tissue visualization platform, a new addition to the company's product portfolio, acquired with its recent purchase of Canadian vendor Resonant Medical. Clarity is a 3D ultrasound system designed for use in both the planning and treatment stages of radiation therapy.
The system can be employed in the CT suite to support planning by providing clear soft-tissue visualization. Clarity's ultrasound probe is calibrated to the same isocentre as the CT system, with a series of reflective markers used to track its position in space. This enables the volumetric ultrasound image to be automatically fused with the planning CT, providing additional information for contouring. As the patient is already in place for the CT, no extra appointment is needed, just 15-20 s for the ultrasound scanning.
Clarity is also used for patient alignment in the treatment room, requiring just 90 s for scanning and repositioning. The treatment couch position is tracked using the same system as the ultrasound probe, providing highly accurate alignment. According to Elekta's Rui Lopes (director of business development at Resonant), the system's ability to verify target position with zero exposure to ionizing radiation makes it particularly suited for use with breast-cancer patients.
"Because the system examines structures, it can monitor the evolution of the target over time, for example to track changes in the lumpectomy cavity, and see whether the treatment plan needs to be adjusted," Lopes told medicalphysicsweb. "It's an end-to-end imaging solution for radiotherapy."