Real-time dose calculation and visualization for the proton therapy of ocular tumours

A new real-time dose calculation and visualization was developed as part of the new 3D treatment planning tool OCTOPUS for proton therapy of ocular ru mours within a national research project together with the Hahn-Meitner Ins titut Berlin. The implementation resolves the common separation between par ameter definition, dose calculation and evaluation and allows a direct exam ination of the Expected dose distribution while adjusting the treatment par ameters. The new tool allows the therapist to move the desired dose distrib ution under visual control in 3D to the appropriate place. The Visualizatio n of the resulting dose distribution as a 3D surface model, on any 2D slice or on the surface of specified ocular structures is done automatically whe n adapting parameters during the planning process. Tn addition, approximate dose volume histograms may be calculated with little extra time. The dose distribution is calculated and visualized in 200 ms with an accuracy of 6% for the 3D isodose surfaces and 8% for other objects. This paper discusses the advantages and limitations of this new approach.