Method, apparatus, and system for energy-resolved scatter imaging during radiation therapy

A system for performing real-time energy-resolved scatter imaging during radiation therapy image guidance upon a patient, the system comprising:

• a radiation source configured to deliver a radiation beam to a treatment region;
• a collimator comprising an opening, the collimator configured to allow a portion of scattered radiation from a treatment region irradiated with external x-ray photons in a patient to pass through the opening;
• a radiation detector configured to detect the portion of scattered radiation passing through the opening, the radiation detector providing a first signal when photon energy of the detected portion of scattered radiation is within a first energy range between about zero and about 100 keV and the radiation detector providing a second signal when photon energy of the scattered radiation is within a second energy range between about 100 keV and about 325 keV, and the radiation detector providing a third signal when photon energy of the scattered radiation is within a third energy range between about 325 keV and about 24 Mev wherein the first energy range is different from the second energy range and third energy range, and wherein the second energy range is different from the third energy range;
• and
• an image controller configured to receive the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal from the radiation detector, wherein:
• the image controller is configured to convert the first signal into a first image data set, the second signal into a second image data set, and the third signal into a third image data set, and
• the image controller is configured to perform an image operation on the first, second, and third image data sets to obtain an energy-resolved scatter image data set, and
• wherein the radiation detector is configured to determine photon energy of the detected portion of scattered radiation by measuring an amplitude of a detection spike corresponding to a photon in the detected portion of scattered radiation,
• wherein the energy-resolved scatter image data set is provided in real-time thereby guiding radiation therapy upon the patient.

A method for performing real-time energy-resolved scatter imaging during radiation therapy image guidance upon a patient, the method comprising:

• detecting, by a device comprising a radiation detector, a collimator in front of the radiation detector, and an image controller in communication with the radiation detector, a first signal, a second signal, and a third signal from a portion of scattered radiation from a treatment region in a patient region irradiated with external x-ray photons delivered from a radiation source to the treatment region in the patient, the first signal having a first photon energy in a first energy range between about zero and about 100 keV and the second signal having a second photon energy in a second energy range between about 100 keV and about 325 keV, and the third signal having a third photon energy in a third energy range between about 325 keV and about 24 Mev, the second energy range being different than the first and third energy range;
• measuring an amplitude of a detection spike corresponding to the first photon energy, the second photon energy, and a third photon energy;
• converting, by the device, the first signal into a first image data set, the second signal into a second image data set, and the third signal into a third image data set;
• processing, by the device, an image operation on the first, second, and third image data sets to obtain an energy-resolved scatter image data;
• and
• distinguishing, by the device in real-time, normal tissue from diseased tissue in the treatment region using the energy-resolved scatter image data.