Volumetric deformation model for motion compensation in radiotherapy

Abstract

A new system is described that can track tumors moving due to respiratory motion, enabling specific and more effective irradiation of the tumor. This spares healthy tissue, and allows for higher doses to treat the tumor. To reach this goal a 3D motion picture of the lung of the specific patient has to be computed before treatment, because of the need to infer the respiratory state. This is done in a 4D registration step, matching 2D radiographs with the computed synthetic 3D scans. Morphing methods to calculate the deformation of the lung are described and evaluated. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2004.