Images from CT, MRI, PET, and other medical instrumentation have become central to the radiotherapy process in the past two decades, thus requiring medical physicists, clinicians, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, and trainees to integrate and segment these images efficiently and accurately in a clinical environment. Image Processing in Radiation
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), one of the most important developments in radiation oncology in the past 25 years, involves technology to deliver radiation to tumors in the right location, quantity and time. Unavoidable irradiation of surrounding normal tissues is distributed so as to preserve their function. The achievements and future directions in the field are grouped in the three sections of the book, each suitable for supporting a teaching course. Part 1 contains topical reviews of the basic principles of IMRT, part 2 describes advanced techniques such as image-guided and biologically based approaches, and part 3 focuses on investigation of IMRT to improve outcome at various cancer sites.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art computational intelligence research and technologies in computer-assisted radiation therapy based on image engineering. It also traces major technical advancements and research findings in the field of image-based computer-assisted radiation therapy. In high-precision radiation therapies, novel approaches in image engineering including computer graphics, image processing, pattern recognition, and computational anatomy play important roles in improving the accuracy of radiation therapy and assisting decision making by radiation oncology professionals, such as radiation oncologists, radiation technologists, and medical physicists, in each phase of radiation therapy. All the topics presented in this book broaden understanding of the modern medical technologies and systems for image-based computer-assisted radiation therapy. Therefore this volume will greatly benefit not only radiation oncologists and radiologists but also radiation technologists, professors in medical physics or engineering, and engineers involved in the development of products to utilize this advanced therapy.
Computerized medical imaging and image analysis have been the central focus in diagnostic radiology. They provide revolutionalizing tools for the visualization of physiology as well as the understanding and quantitative measurement of physiological parameters. This book offers in-depth knowledge of medical imaging instrumentation and techniques as well as multidimensional image analysis and classification methods for research, education, and applications in computer-aided diagnostic radiology. Internationally renowned researchers and experts in their respective areas provide detailed descriptions of the basic foundation as well as the most recent developments in medical imaging, thus helping readers to understand theoretical and advanced concepts for important research and clinical applications.
- Summarizes the state of the art in the most relevant areas of medical physics and engineering applied to radiation oncology - Covers all relevant areas of the subject in detail, including 3D imaging and image processing, 3D treatment planning, modern treatment techniques, patient positioning, and aspects of verification and quality assurance - Conveys information in a readily understandable way that will appeal to professionals and students with a medical background as well as to newcomers to radiation oncology from the field of physics
Use the GPU Successfully in Your Radiotherapy Practice With its high processing power, cost-effectiveness, and easy deployment, access, and maintenance, the graphics processing unit (GPU) has increasingly been used to tackle problems in the medical physics field, ranging from computed tomography reconstruction to Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation. Graphics Processing Unit-Based High Performance Computing in Radiation Therapy collects state-of-the-art research on GPU computing and its applications to medical physics problems in radiation therapy. Tackle Problems in Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy The book first offers an introduction to the GPU technology and its current applications in radiotherapy. Most of the remaining chapters discuss a specific application of a GPU in a key radiotherapy problem. These chapters summarize advances and present technical details and insightful discussions on the use of GPU in addressing the problems. The book also examines two real systems developed with GPU as a core component to accomplish important clinical tasks in modern radiotherapy. Translate Research Developments to Clinical Practice Written by a team of international experts in radiation oncology, biomedical imaging, computing, and physics, this book gets clinical and research physicists, graduate students, and other scientists up to date on the latest in GPU computing for radiotherapy. It encourages you to bring this novel technology to routine clinical radiotherapy practice.
This cross-disciplinary book documents the key research challenges in the mathematical sciences and physics that could enable the economical development of novel biomedical imaging devices. It is hoped that the infusion of new insights from mathematical scientists and physicists will accelerate progress in imaging. Incorporating input from dozens of biomedical researchers who described what they perceived as key open problems of imaging that are amenable to attack by mathematical scientists and physicists, this book introduces the frontiers of biomedical imaging, especially the imaging of dynamic physiological functions, to the educated nonspecialist. Ten imaging modalities are covered, from the well-established (e.g., CAT scanning, MRI) to the more speculative (e.g., electrical and magnetic source imaging). For each modality, mathematics and physics research challenges are identified and a short list of suggested reading offered. Two additional chapters offer visions of the next generation of surgical and interventional techniques and of image processing. A final chapter provides an overview of mathematical issues that cut across the various modalities.
This pioneering book explores how machine learning and other AI techniques impact millions of cancer patients who benefit from ionizing radiation. It features contributions from global researchers and clinicians, focusing on the clinical applications of machine learning for medical physics. AI and machine learning have attracted much recent attention and are being increasingly adopted in medicine, with many clinical components and commercial software including aspects of machine learning integration. General principles and important techniques in machine learning are introduced, followed by discussion of clinical applications, particularly in radiomics, outcome prediction, registration and segmentation, treatment planning, quality assurance, image processing, and clinical decision-making. Finally, a futuristic look at the role of AI in radiation oncology is provided. This book brings medical physicists and radiation oncologists up to date with the most novel applications of machine learning to medical physics. Practitioners will appreciate the insightful discussions and detailed descriptions in each chapter. Its emphasis on clinical applications reaches a wide audience within the medical physics profession.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) is a true revolution in the field of radiation oncology. IGRT provides the unprecedented means of conforming does to the shape of the target tissues in 3-dimensions reducing the risk of complications thereby improving the quality of life of irradiated patients. Moreover, IGRT provides the means to deliver higher than conventional doses thus improving the chance of cure in these patients. Despite its established benefits, several barriers exist to the widespread clinical implementation of IGRT. In the past, great concerns existed regarding the large capital outlay needed for both software and hardware. This barrier is less relevant today given the increased reimbursements possible with IGRT. Today, the most significant barrier is education. IGRT is a fundamentally new approach to both treatment planning and delivery. Adoption of the IGRT approach entails new ways of thinking in regard to patient selection, treatment planning and quality assurance measures. Unfortunately, apart from a few University-based short courses, limited resources are available for the physician and physicist interested in learning IGRT.
Modern medical imaging and radiation therapy technologies are so complex and computer driven that it is difficult for physicians and technologists to know exactly what is happening at the point-of-care. Medical physicists responsible for filling this gap in knowledge must stay abreast of the latest advances at the intersection of medical imaging an
