Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A control circuit optimizes a radiation treatment plan for a patient treatment volume using an automatically iterating optimization process that optimizes as a function, at least in part, of predetermined cost functions, wherein at least one of the cost functions favors apertures for the multi-leaf collimation system having local curvature that deviates only minimally from a reference curvature. By one approach the control circuit determines the reference curvature as a function, at least in part, of at least one of setting the reference curvature to a static minimal local curvature, a shape of a projective mapping of the treatment volume onto an isocenter plane, and/or a fluence map associated with an amount of radiation to be administered to the treatment volume from a particular direction. By one approach the control circuit dynamically determines when to employ one or more such cost functions.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim