November 8, 2010 – Improved treatment planning software from IBA has algorithms to warn clinicians if radiation levels are too high in critical structures during radiation therapy. IBA showed its latest Compass Software advances during ASTRO 2010, Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 in San Diego.
With reduced staffing and increasing numbers of oncology patients, Compass helps smooth workflow by highlighting areas of concern on radiation therapy treatment plans. It uses CT or MR data sets rather than phantoms for planning to help increase dose accuracy. A new algorithm looks at the structures in the anatomy from the imaging scans and compensates for air, bone, fat and radiation sensitive organs.
The software shows error maps showing hot and cold spots of radiation dose. It also offers the Dose Volume Histogram view of the plan, which highlights areas of error if a dose exceeds an anticipated level. The system will also give a rapid pass or fail analysis for radiation dose for critical structures around the tumor to save staff time.
Software highlights include:
• Fast analysis of response difference (plan vs. delivered)
• Precise evaluation per field or for each segment/control point
• Reliable check even for small MLC errors
• Fast overview of all frames (planned vs. measured) on control point level
• Check references vs. planned consistency for small fluctuations
• Seamless measurement of the whole plan delivery
• Accurate analysis of rotational plans
• Individual check for each IMRT segment (step and shoot or dynamic)
• Precise measurement of gantry angle per frame
• Rapid response measurement with sampling rate up to 20 frames/sec
For more information: www.iba-dosimetry.com