A 3-D Map for Radiation Therapy
by Mark Derewicz
(filed under: internal med.)
Edward Chaney and Stephen Pizer had an idea back in the 1990s to use CT scans and MRIs to create three-dimensional anatomical maps of tumors and surrounding organs. Today that idea is on the verge of helping oncologists plan and deliver radiation therapy.
Normally, an oncologist takes a CT scan of a patient’s prostate, for instance, and uses a computer to manually draw contours around the prostate. Together, the contours form a 3-D rendering of the patient’s prostate and nearby organs. But this process, called segmentation, is costly and time-consuming. So Chaney and Pizer worked with Sarang Joshi, now at the University of Utah, to create a method that automatically segments 3-D renderings of anatomical objects from CTs and MRIs.
Chaney’s group wrote algorithms to create mathematical representations of organs in the pelvic area. From these representations they can quickly extract 3-D shapes of organs such as the prostate and bladder. It’s more efficient and less expensive, Chaney says.
The renderings also accurately model the spatial relationships among organs, creating a map of the scanned area. “It’s a critical navigational aid that helps physicians keep a radiation beam focused on the tumor while avoiding body parts that could be harmed by radiation,” Chaney says.
Chaney, Pizer, and Joshi started Morphormics, a UNC spin-off, and worked with UNC’s Office of Technology Development to secure several patents. In fall 2008 the National Cancer Institute awarded Morphormics $2 million, which Chaney says is a big step toward getting his technology into hospitals to help patients. The company also partnered with Accuray, a major manufacturer of radiotherapy equipment.
Edward Chaney is a professor of radiation oncology and biomedical engineering in the School of Medicine. Stephen Pizer is Kenan Professor in the departments of computer science and radiation oncology. The Office of Technology Development (OTD) is the only UNC office authorized to execute license agreements with companies. For information on reporting inventions, contact OTD at 919-966-3929.
For more on medical imaging breakthroughs, see our cover story, “Let’s Get Visual.”
