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- Radiation therapy (3)
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- Prostate cancer (2)
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- EPID (1)
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- Hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and delineation (1)
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- Image-guided radiotherapy (1)
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Articles 1 - 20 of 20
Full-Text Articles in Public Health
Development Of A Qa Plan For A 3.0t Cannon Galan Mr-Sim, Nathaniel D. Teague
Development Of A Qa Plan For A 3.0t Cannon Galan Mr-Sim, Nathaniel D. Teague
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: To develop and incorporate a QA (quality assurance) program for a Canon Galan 3 tesla MR Simulator for applications in radiation therapy.
Methods and materials: The QA program was centered around tests performed with three separate levels of frequency. The daily QA procedure consisted of scanning a vendor provided daily QA cube phantom that measures basic performance parameters. Additionally, a series of basic safety check were performed. The monthly QA procedure consisted of several tests, including scanning the ACR MRI large accreditation phantom and manually performing its corresponding image quality tests. Scanning the MagPhan RT for its detailed geometric …
A Deep Learning U-Net For Detecting And Segmenting Liver Tumors, Vidhya Cardozo
A Deep Learning U-Net For Detecting And Segmenting Liver Tumors, Vidhya Cardozo
Theses and Dissertations
Visualization of liver tumors on simulation CT scans is challenging even with contrast-enhancement, due to the sensitivity of the contrast enhancement to the timing of the CT acquisition. Image registration to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be helpful for delineation, but differences in patient position, liver shape and volume, and the lack of anatomical landmarks between the two image sets makes the task difficult. This study develops a U-Net based neural network for automated liver and tumor segmentation for purposes of radiotherapy treatment planning. Non-contrast simulation based abdominal CT axial scans of 52 patients with primary liver tumors were utilized. …
An Algorithm To Improve Deformable Image Registration Accuracy In Challenging Cases Of Locally-Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Christopher L. Guy
An Algorithm To Improve Deformable Image Registration Accuracy In Challenging Cases Of Locally-Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Christopher L. Guy
Theses and Dissertations
A common co-pathology of large lung tumors located near the central airways is collapse of portions of lung due to blockage of airflow by the tumor. Not only does the lung volume decrease as collapse occurs, but fluid from capillaries also fills the space no longer occupied by air, greatly altering tissue appearance. During radiotherapy, typically administered to the patient over multiple weeks, the tumor can dramatically shrink in response to the treatment, restoring airflow to the lung sections which were collapsed when therapy began. While return of normal lung function is a positive development, the change in anatomy presents …
Multi – Modality Molecular Imaging Of Adoptive Immune Cell Therapy In Breast Cancer, Fatma Youniss
Multi – Modality Molecular Imaging Of Adoptive Immune Cell Therapy In Breast Cancer, Fatma Youniss
Theses and Dissertations
Cancer treatment by adoptive immune cell therapy (AIT) is a form of immunotherapy that relies on the in vitro activation and/or expansion of immune cells. In this approach, immune cells, particularly CD8+ T lymphocytes, can potentially be harvested from a tumor-bearing patient, then activated and/or expanded in vitro in the presence of cytokines and other growth factors, and then transferred back into the same patient to induce tumor regression. AIT allows the in vitro generation and activation of T-lymphocytes away from the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, thereby providing optimum conditions for potent anti-tumor activity. The overall objective of this study is …
Multimodality Molecular Imaging Of [18f]-Fluorinated Carboplatin Derivative Encapsulated In [111in]-Labeled Liposome, Narottam Lamichhane
Multimodality Molecular Imaging Of [18f]-Fluorinated Carboplatin Derivative Encapsulated In [111in]-Labeled Liposome, Narottam Lamichhane
Theses and Dissertations
Platinum based chemotherapy is amongst the mainstream DNA-damaging agents used in clinical cancer therapy today. Agents such as cisplatin, carboplatin are clinically prescribed for the treatment of solid tumors either as single agents, in combination, or as part of multi-modality treatment strategy. Despite the potent anti-tumor activity of these drugs, overall effectiveness is still hampered by inadequate delivery and retention of drug in tumor and unwanted normal tissue toxicity, induced by non-selective accumulation of drug in normal cells and tissues. Utilizing molecular imaging and nanoparticle technologies, this thesis aims to contribute to better understanding of how to improve the profile …
Statistical Modeling Of Interfractional Tissue Deformation And Its Application In Radiation Therapy Planning, Douglas J. Vile
Statistical Modeling Of Interfractional Tissue Deformation And Its Application In Radiation Therapy Planning, Douglas J. Vile
Theses and Dissertations
In radiation therapy, interfraction organ motion introduces a level of geometric uncertainty into the planning process. Plans, which are typically based upon a single instance of anatomy, must be robust against daily anatomical variations. For this problem, a model of the magnitude, direction, and likelihood of deformation is useful. In this thesis, principal component analysis (PCA) is used to statistically model the 3D organ motion for 19 prostate cancer patients, each with 8-13 fractional computed tomography (CT) images. Deformable image registration and the resultant displacement vector fields (DVFs) are used to quantify the interfraction systematic and random motion. By applying …
Hybrid Pet/Mri Nanoparticle Development And Multi-Modal Imaging, David Hoffman
Hybrid Pet/Mri Nanoparticle Development And Multi-Modal Imaging, David Hoffman
Theses and Dissertations
The development of hybrid PET/MRI imaging systems needs to be paralleled with the development of a hybrid intrinsic PET/MRI probes. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a novel radio-superparamagnetic nanoparticle (r-SPNP) for hybrid PET/MRI imaging. This was achieved with the synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) that intrinsically incorporated 59Fe and manganese iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) that intrinsically incorporated 52Mn. Both [59Fe]-SPIONs and [52Mn]-MIONs were produced through thermal decomposition synthesis. The physiochemical characteristics of the r-SPNPs were assessed with TEM, DLS, and zeta-potential measurements, as well as in imaging phantom studies. The [59Fe]-SPIONs were evaluated …
Positron Emission Tomography For Pre-Clinical Sub-Volume Dose Escalation, Christopher Bass
Positron Emission Tomography For Pre-Clinical Sub-Volume Dose Escalation, Christopher Bass
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: This dissertation focuses on establishment of pre-clinical methods facilitating the use of PET imaging for selective sub-volume dose escalation. Specifically the problems addressed are 1.) The difficulties associated with comparing multiple PET images, 2.) The need for further validation of novel PET tracers before their implementation in dose escalation schema and 3.) The lack of concrete pre-clinical data supporting the use of PET images for guidance of selective sub-volume dose escalations. Methods and materials: In order to compare multiple PET images the confounding effects of mispositioning and anatomical change between imaging sessions needed to be alleviated. To mitigate the …
Principled Variance Reduction Techniques For Real Time Patient-Specific Monte Carlo Applications Within Brachytherapy And Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Andrew Sampson
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation describes the application of two principled variance reduction strategies to increase the efficiency for two applications within medical physics. The first, called correlated Monte Carlo (CMC) applies to patient-specific, permanent-seed brachytherapy (PSB) dose calculations. The second, called adjoint-biased forward Monte Carlo (ABFMC), is used to compute cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scatter projections. CMC was applied for two PSB cases: a clinical post-implant prostate, and a breast with a simulated lumpectomy cavity. CMC computes the dose difference between the highly correlated dose computing homogeneous and heterogeneous geometries. The particle transport in the heterogeneous geometry assumed a purely homogeneous environment, …
Time Dependent Cone-Beam Ct Reconstruction Via A Motion Model Optimized With Forward Iterative Projection Matching, David Staub
Time Dependent Cone-Beam Ct Reconstruction Via A Motion Model Optimized With Forward Iterative Projection Matching, David Staub
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this work is to present the development and validation of a novel method for reconstructing time-dependent, or 4D, cone-beam CT (4DCBCT) images. 4DCBCT can have a variety of applications in the radiotherapy of moving targets, such as lung tumors, including treatment planning, dose verification, and real time treatment adaptation. However, in its current incarnation it suffers from poor reconstruction quality and limited temporal resolution that may restrict its efficacy. Our algorithm remedies these issues by deforming a previously acquired high quality reference fan-beam CT (FBCT) to match the projection data in the 4DCBCT data-set, essentially creating a …
Automatic Block-Matching Registration To Improve Lung Tumor Localization During Image-Guided Radiotherapy, Scott Robertson
Automatic Block-Matching Registration To Improve Lung Tumor Localization During Image-Guided Radiotherapy, Scott Robertson
Theses and Dissertations
To improve relatively poor outcomes for locally-advanced lung cancer patients, many current efforts are dedicated to minimizing uncertainties in radiotherapy. This enables the isotoxic delivery of escalated tumor doses, leading to better local tumor control. The current dissertation specifically addresses inter-fractional uncertainties resulting from patient setup variability. An automatic block-matching registration (BMR) algorithm is implemented and evaluated for the purpose of directly localizing advanced-stage lung tumors during image-guided radiation therapy. In this algorithm, small image sub-volumes, termed “blocks”, are automatically identified on the tumor surface in an initial planning computed tomography (CT) image. Each block is independently and automatically registered …
A Study Of Coverage Optimized Planning Incorporating Models Of Geometric Uncertainties For Prostate Cancer, Huijun Xu
Theses and Dissertations
A fundamental challenge in the treatment planning process of multi-fractional external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the tradeoff between tumor control and normal tissue sparing in the presence of geometric uncertainties (GUs). To accommodate GUs, the conventional way is to use an empirical planning treatment volume (PTV) margin on the treatment target. However, it is difficult to determine a near-optimal PTV margin to ensure specified target coverage with as much normal tissue protection as achievable. Coverage optimized planning (COP) avoids this problem by optimizing dose in possible virtual treatment courses with GU models directly incorporated. A near-optimal dosimetric margin generated by …
Optimization Of Radiation Therapy In Time-Dependent Anatomy, W. Tyler Watkins
Optimization Of Radiation Therapy In Time-Dependent Anatomy, W. Tyler Watkins
Theses and Dissertations
The objective of this dissertation is to develop treatment planning techniques that have the potential to improve radiation therapy of time-dependent (4D) anatomy. Specifically, this study examines dose estimation, dose evaluation, and decision making in the context of optimizing lung cancer radiation therapy. Two methods of dose estimation are compared in patients with locally advanced and early stage lung cancer: dose computed on a single image (3D-dose) and deformably registered, accumulated dose (or 4D-dose). The results indicate that differences between 3D- and 4D- dose are not significant in organs at risk (OARs), however, 4D-dose to a moving lung cancer target …
Epid-Based Dose Verification For Adaptive Radiotherapy, Joseph Gardner
Epid-Based Dose Verification For Adaptive Radiotherapy, Joseph Gardner
Theses and Dissertations
Dose verification is a critical component of adaptive radiotherapy, as it provides a measurement of treatment delivery success. Based on the measured outcome, the plan may be adapted to account for differences between the planned dose and the delivered dose. Although placement of an EPID behind the patient during treatment allows for exit dosimetry which may be used to reconstruct the delivered patient dose via backprojection of the fluence, there have not been any studies examining the basic assumption of backprojection-based dose verification: that deviations between the expected and delivered exit fluences are totally caused by errors in the delivered …
Validation Of 3'-Deoxy-3'-[18f]-Fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography For Image-Guidance In Biologically Adaptive Radiotherapy, Marian Axente
Validation Of 3'-Deoxy-3'-[18f]-Fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography For Image-Guidance In Biologically Adaptive Radiotherapy, Marian Axente
Theses and Dissertations
Accelerated tumor cell repopulation during radiation therapy is one of the leading causes for low survival rates of head-and-neck cancer patients. The therapeutic effectiveness of radiotherapy could be improved by selectively targeting proliferating tumor subvolumes with higher doses of radiation. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 3´-deoxy-3´-[18F]-fluorothymidine (FLT) has shown great potential as a non-invasive approach to characterizing the proliferation status of tumors. This thesis focuses on histopathological validation of FLT PET imaging specifically for image-guidance applications in biologically adaptive radiotherapy. The lack of experimental data supporting the use of FLT PET imaging for radiotherapy guidance is addressed by developing …
A Quantitative Method For Reproducible Ionization Chamber Alignment To A Water Surface For External Beam Radiation Therapy Depth Dose Measurements, James Ververs
Theses and Dissertations
Ionization chambers (ICs) are the most commonly used detectors for radiation therapy dose measurements. Typical IC measurements use cylindrical ICs in a water phantom and therefore require initial IC alignment to the water surface. This alignment has long been ignored and only recently has a qualitative governing recommendation been made. This thesis describes a reproducible methodology for quantitative ionization chamber water surface alignment. Depth-ionization measurements are taken with twenty-eight IC designs under varying conditions including, but not limited to, changes in scan direction, speed, and resolution, radiation beam type, field size, energy, and electron contamination. Measurements are acquired using standard …
Statistical Image Reconstruction For Quantitative Computed Tomography, Joshua Evans
Statistical Image Reconstruction For Quantitative Computed Tomography, Joshua Evans
Theses and Dissertations
Statistical iterative reconstruction (SIR) algorithms for x-ray computed tomography (CT) have the potential to reconstruct images with less noise and systematic error than the conventional filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithm. More accurate reconstruction algorithms are important for reducing imaging dose and for a wide range of quantitative CT applications. The work presented herein investigates some potential advantages of one such statistically motivated algorithm called Alternating Minimization (AM). A simulation study is used to compare the tradeoff between noise and resolution in images reconstructed with the AM and FBP algorithms. The AM algorithm is employed with an edge-preserving penalty function, which is …
Radiation Therapy Treatment Plan Optimization Accounting For Random And Systematic Patient Setup Uncertainties, Joseph Moore
Radiation Therapy Treatment Plan Optimization Accounting For Random And Systematic Patient Setup Uncertainties, Joseph Moore
Theses and Dissertations
External-beam radiotherapy is one of the primary methods for treating cancer. Typically a radiotherapy treatment course consists of radiation delivered to the patient in multiple daily treatment fractions over 6-8 weeks. Each fraction requires the patient to be aligned with the image acquired before the treatment course used in treatment planning. Unfortunately, patient alignment is not perfect and results in residual errors in patient setup. The standard technique for dealing with errors in patient setup is to expand the volume of the target by some margin to ensure the target receives the planned dose in the presence of setup errors. …
Characterization Of A Blast Wave Device And Blast Wave Induced Traumatic Brain Injury In A Rat Model By Magnetic Resonance Imaging And Spectroscopy, Frank Corwin
Theses and Dissertations
Blast wave induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is a modality of injury that has come into prominence at the current time due to the large number of military and civilian personnel who have experienced the localized shock wave produced by explosive devices. The shock wave will travel concentrically outward from the explosive center, being absorbed and transmitted thru soft objects, such as tissue, and reflecting off stationary obstructions. Transmission and absorption in tissues can result in a number of physiological measureable injuries, the most common of which being what is frequently called “blast lung”. Blast lung involves the spalling effect …
Brachytherapy Seed And Applicator Localization Via Iterative Forward Projection Matching Algorithm Using Digital X-Ray Projections, Damodar Pokhrel
Brachytherapy Seed And Applicator Localization Via Iterative Forward Projection Matching Algorithm Using Digital X-Ray Projections, Damodar Pokhrel
Theses and Dissertations
Interstitial and intracavitary brachytherapy plays an essential role in management of several malignancies. However, the achievable accuracy of brachytherapy treatment for prostate and cervical cancer is limited due to the lack of intraoperative planning and adaptive replanning. A major problem in implementing TRUS-based intraoperative planning is an inability of TRUS to accurately localize individual seed poses (positions and orientations) relative to the prostate volume during or after the implantation. For the locally advanced cervical cancer patient, manual drawing of the source positions on orthogonal films can not localize the full 3D intracavitary brachytherapy (ICB) applicator geometry. A new iterative forward …