System and method for patient-specific motion management for treatment

A processor-implemented method for assisting a selection of motion management technique for use with a treatment machine having an energy source, comprising:

• obtaining a motion trace of a target in a patient to be treated and/or motion data of a fiducial;
• determining, using a motion management processor of an apparatus, motion management data based at least in part on at least a portion of the motion trace of the target and/or at least a portion of the motion data of the fiducial, wherein the motion management data indicates desirability and/or undesirability of one or more motion management option(s);
• and
• outputting the motion management data for assisting the selection of the motion management technique for use with the treatment machine;
• wherein the apparatus comprises a synchronous motion detector, a visibility detector, a distance analyzer, or a combination of the foregoing, coupled upstream with respect to the motion management processor to provide information to the motion management processor.

An apparatus for assisting a selection of motion management technique for use with a treatment machine having an energy source, the apparatus comprising:

• one or more input for obtaining a motion trace of a target in a patient to be treated, and/or for obtaining motion data of a fiducial;
• and
• a motion management processor configured to determine motion management data based at least in part on at least a portion of the motion trace of the target and/or at least a portion of the motion data of the fiducial, wherein the motion management data indicates desirability and/or undesirability of one or more motion management option(s);
• wherein the motion management processor is also configured to output the motion management data for assisting the selection of the motion management technique for use with the treatment machine;
• wherein the fiducial comprises a surrogate inside the patient or a marker coupled to the patient, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:
• a distance analyzer configured to determine whether a distance between the target and a critical organ is more than a first threshold;
• a target motion analyzer configured to determine whether a motion of the target is more than a prescribed amount, wherein the motion is due at least in part to a breathing of the patient, the breathing having an inhale phase and an exhale phase;
• a surrogate motion analyzer configured to determine whether a motion of the fiducial is more than a prescribed amount;
• a synchronous motion detector configured to determine if the fiducial moves synchronously with the target;
• and
• a visibility detector configured to determine whether the motion of the fiducial is visible from an imaging direction.

A processor-implemented method for assisting a selection of motion management technique for use with a treatment machine having an energy source, comprising:

• obtaining a motion trace of a target in a patient to be treated and/or motion data of a fiducial;
• determining, using a motion management processor, motion management data based at least in part on at least a portion of the motion trace of the target and/or at least a portion of the motion data of the fiducial, wherein the motion management data indicates desirability and/or undesirability of one or more motion management option(s);
• and
• outputting the motion management data for assisting the selection of the motion management technique for use with the treatment machine;
• wherein the fiducial comprises a surrogate inside the patient or a marker coupled to the patient, and wherein the method further comprises:
• determining, by a distance analyzer, whether a distance between the target and a critical organ is more than a first threshold;
• determining, by a target motion analyzer, whether a motion of the target is more than a prescribed amount, wherein the motion is due at least in part to a breathing of the patient, the breathing having an inhale phase and an exhale phase;
• determining, by a surrogate motion analyzer, whether a motion of the fiducial is more than a prescribed amount;
• determining, by a synchronous motion detector, if the fiducial moves synchronously with the target;
• and
• determining, by a visibility detector, whether the motion of the fiducial is visible from an imaging direction.