Target structure tracking based on phase-contrast and/or dark-field image data for radiation therapy

A computer system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the following:
• obtain projection image data that is generated using an imaging source to emit an imaging beam towards a patient and a detector to image a target structure within the patient during a treatment phase of radiation therapy;
• based on the projection image data, generate at least one of (a) phase-contrast image data associated with the target structure and (b) dark-field image data associated with the target structure;
• and
• determine position data associated with the target structure by processing at least one of the following:
• (a) the phase-contrast image data, (b) the dark-field image data and (c) derived image data that is generated based on the phase-contrast image data or the dark-field image data, thereby tracking the target structure during the treatment phase of the radiation therapy.

A radiation therapy system, comprising:

• a grating-based imaging system that includes an imaging source, a detector and multiple gratings that are positioned between the imaging source and the detector;
• and
• a computer system to perform the following:
• obtain, from the grating-based imaging system, projection image data that is generated using the imaging source to emit an imaging beam towards the multiple gratings and the detector to image a target structure within the patient during a treatment phase of radiation therapy;
• based on the projection image data, generate at least one of (a) phase-contrast image data associated with the target structure and (b) dark-field image data associated with the target structure;
• and
• determine two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) position data associated with the target structure by processing at least one of the following:
• (a) the phase-contrast image data, (b) the dark-field image data and (c) derived image data that is generated based on the phase-contrast image data or the dark-field image data, thereby tracking the target structure during the treatment phase of the radiation therapy.