Methods and apparatus for the planning and delivery of radiation treatments

A method for planning delivery of radiation dose to a target region within a subject, the method comprising:

• iteratively optimizing, by a processor, a simulated dose distribution relative to a set of one or more optimization goals comprising a desired dose distribution in the subject over a first plurality of control points located on a trajectory, the trajectory comprising relative movement between a treatment radiation source and the subject;
• reaching one or more initial termination conditions, and after reaching the one or more initial termination conditions:
• specifying, by the processor, a second plurality of control points along the trajectory, the second plurality of control points comprising a larger number control points than the first plurality of control points;
• and
• iteratively optimizing, by the processor, a simulated dose distribution relative to the set of one or more optimization goals over the second plurality of control points to thereby determine a radiation delivery plan;
• the radiation delivery plan capable of causing a radiation delivery apparatus to deliver radiation in accordance with the radiation delivery plan.