Hybrid ImaGing framework in Hadrontherapy for Adaptive Radiation Therapy (HIGH ART)

• Applicants: Dr.-Ing. Chiara Gianoli, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Katia Parodi
• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 372393016

This renewal proposal of the ongoing project “Hybrid Imaging framework for Hadron Adaptive Radiation Therapy” (HIGH ART) aims at paving the way to innovative schemes of image guidance in ion beam therapy based on the concept of hybrid ion and X-ray imaging. The work relies on powerful simulation and reconstruction platforms accommodating different detector configurations, inspired by realistic imaging prototypes, and different ion species delivered in pencil beam scanning including proton, helium and carbon ions. These platforms have been provided with state-of-the-art imaging methodologies for tomographic image reconstruction, specifically devised for different detector configurations in the ongoing project. The combination of radiographic ion imaging with the treatment planning X-ray image has been successfully investigated for treatment plan optimization and adaptation (i.e., optimization and adaptation of the treatment planning X-ray image) based on conventional optimization algorithms. In this renewal proposal, the concept of hybrid ion and X-ray imaging is extended to in-room X-ray imaging, thus going beyond the state-of-the-art of imaging methodologies for tomographic image reconstruction as well as unconventional treatment plan optimization based on machine learning.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants