Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2019-2025
Title: Innovations in Radiotherapy: The Contributions of Alasdair Syme
Introduction
Alasdair Syme is a prominent inventor based in Halifax, Canada, known for his significant contributions to the field of radiotherapy. With a total of five patents to his name, Syme has developed innovative systems and methods that enhance the planning and delivery of radiation treatments.
Latest Patents
One of Syme's latest patents is titled "Systems and methods for planning, controlling and/or delivering radiotherapy and radiosurgery using combined optimization of dynamic axes (CODA)." This invention focuses on methods and systems for radiation treatment planning and delivery that utilize a CODA cube. The cost values in the CODA cube are instrumental in optimizing couch, collimator, and gantry angles simultaneously. The trajectories generated using the CODA cube demonstrate significant advantages over conventional Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). Notably, a statistically significant reduction in maximum radiation doses to organs at risk (OAR) was observed, with CODA plans resulting in a 20.6% decrease in maximum radiation dose to OARs (p<0.01). Additionally, the maximum radiation dose to the brainstem was reduced by an average of 2.63 Gy (p=0.031). The mean reduction in total monitor units (MU) was 8.6% (p=0.156), and there was a mean decrease of 3.9% in non-target brain tissue receiving 12 Gy or higher when compared to standard VMAT methods (n=7).
Another notable patent is "Coordinated radiotherapy for plural targets." This invention presents a radiation treatment planning system and method for generating plans to treat multiple target volumes, each associated with a prescribed dose. Importantly, it does not require the delivery of radiation to every target volume from every beam direction. By allowing certain target volumes to be omitted for some control points, the system facilitates the generation of treatment plans that minimize radiation exposure to non-target tissues. The method employs simulated annealing using an objective function to determine parameters such as the number of control points for which a target volume is not targeted.
Career Highlights
Syme's work at Dalhousie University has positioned him as a leader in the field of radiotherapy innovation. His research focuses on improving treatment efficacy while reducing side effects for patients undergoing radiation therapy.
Collaborations