Tissue compensator thickness visualization and modification tool for use in radiation treatment planning

Abstract

A system for visualizing and modifying the thickness of a compensator for radiation therapy in the context of a desired target and dose coverage thereof includes planar slice image generation module, a visualization unit and an adjustment module. The planar slice image generation module generates a series of planar slice images from a patient image data set disposed with one axis parallel to a radiation beam and one axis perpendicular to the radiation beam. The visualization unit graphically depicts a compensator thickness profile, a target of interest, and/or a dose representation on at least one of the series of planar slice images all in the same plane lying in a beam's longitudinal direction. The adjustment module receives user input of an adjustment of at least one compensator thickness value via a manipulation of the graphical depiction thereof.