Identify the submissions as one of the following:

• Proffered submission
• Young Investigator Symposium
• Junior Investigator submission
• John S. Laughlin – Science Council Research Symposium
• Innovations in Medical Physics Education Symposium

J.R. Cameron - J.R. Cunningham Young Investigator Symposium

Each year the AAPM conducts a Young Investigators' Symposium (YIS) competition at the Annual Meeting. This year the Young Investigators Symposium will be held jointly between the AAPM and the COMP. Young Investigators, as defined below, are encouraged to submit abstracts for the competition. The 10 highest scoring Young Investigator submissions as determined by the abstract reviewers will be selected for presentation in a special symposium in honor of University of Wisconsin Professor Emeritus John R. Cameron, Ph.D., and University of Toronto Professor Emeritus John R. Cunningham, Ph.D.

A panel of judges will score the oral presentations according to criteria that include scientific merit, originality, and organization/presentation of the material. Awardees will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Monday night during the Annual Meeting.

If you wish to submit an abstract for the Young Investigator Symposium competition, you must identify the abstract as such. All instructions above apply to Young Investigator (YI) submissions with the exception of the Support Document, which is REQUIRED and must not exceed 4 pages (or 1 MB) in length.

Young Investigators are not eligible for the John S. Laughlin Science Council Research Symposium.

All abstracts submitted to the YIS Competition that are NOT selected for the competition, will be considered for oral, short oral, or poster presentation.

A Young Investigator is defined as a current graduate student at the time of abstract submission.

FINALISTS will be required to submit a letter of eligibility from the presenting author's thesis advisor identifying the institution. The letters are not to be submitted until the FINALISTS are identified in April, at which time the Finalists will be contacted with further instructions. Contact Laurie Hayden at AAPM HQ with any questions regarding the Young Investigator Competition.

Only one submission from each Young Investigator can be submitted for consideration for the Young Investigator Award competition. (Note, however, the Oral Presentation Policy above).

NOTE: The winner of the Young Investigator Award Competition is not allowed to participate in the Young Investigator Award Competitions of future AAPM Annual Meetings.

Jack Fowler Junior Investigator Submissions

An award for junior investigators has been established in honor of Dr. Jack Fowler, Emeritus Professor of Human Oncology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin.

Junior Investigators, as defined below, are encouraged to submit abstracts for the competition. The top scoring Junior Investigator submission determined by abstract reviewers will be selected and announced at the Awards Ceremony during the Annual Meeting.

If you wish to submit an abstract for the Junior Investigator competition, you must identify the abstract as such.

All instructions given above apply to Junior Investigator (JI) submissions with the exception of the Support Document, which is REQUIRED for JI submissions and must not exceed 4 pages (or 1 MB) in length.

Junior Investigators are eligible for the John S. Laughlin Science Council Research Symposium.

All abstracts submitted to the JI Competition that are NOT selected as the winner, will be considered for oral or standard poster presentation.

A Junior Investigator is defined as one of the following. (The junior investigator must be an APPROVED member of the AAPM at the time of abstract submission):

• Current medical physics resident, OR
• Current postdoctoral fellow, OR
• Staff/faculty member who is within 4 years of having obtained a graduate degree (at the time of abstract submission).

The AWARDEE will be required to submit a letter of eligibility from a Full Member of the AAPM at the junior investigator's sponsoring institution. The letter is not to be submitted until the Awardee is identified in April. Contact Laurie Hayden at AAPM HQ with any questions regarding the Junior Investigator Competition.

Only one submission from each Junior Investigator can be submitted for consideration for the Junior Investigator competition. (Note, however, the Oral Presentation Policy above).

John S. Laughlin - Science Council Research Symposium

A topic of particular relevance in medical physics research will be identified each year, with proffered submissions on that topic considered for inclusion in a scientific symposium entitled the John S. Laughlin Science Council Research Symposium. Abstracts selected for the Symposium will be highlighted in the scientific program and given an extended presentation length.

The topic selected for the 2011 Symposium is: Science and Engineering for Patient Safety in Therapy and Diagnostic Medical Physics

The 2011 Laughlin Symposium will focus on cutting-edge methods or devices designed to enhance, quantify, and/or monitor the safe use of radiation in diagnostic and therapeutic medicine, with emphasis on innovative science and engineering for patient safety. The timeliness of such work is evident in sensational coverage in the lay press reporting of accidents involving radiation in both the diagnostic and radiation therapy sectors. As a forum for high-quality, innovative scientific research, the symposium seeks abstract submissions on topics that go beyond basic quality control standards in radiation safety and identify new avenues for assuring patient safety.

Proffered submission: Authors interested in being considered for the Symposium MUST:

• Select the submission type: Science Council Research Symposium
• Select the subject category: Joint: Science and Engineering for Patient Safety in Therapy and Diagnostic Medical Physics
• Select Oral presentation mode
• Submit a Support Document not to exceed 4 pages in length.

Innovations in Medical Physics Education Symposium

The Education Council of the AAPM is sponsoring a symposium to honor and publicize innovations in Medical Physics Education. AAPM members are invited to submit a one page description of innovative medical physics educational activities for radiology residents, radiation oncology residents, medical physicists, technologists or others. The abstract can be scientific research, novel teaching strategies – team teaching or adult learning efforts, novel educational materials – lectures, websites, or other innovations.

The top six submissions will be invited to present their abstracts at the symposium during the annual meeting in Vancouver, BC. Each speaker will be allocated 15 minutes. The top abstract will be presented a plaque.

Proffered submission: Authors interested in being considered for the Symposium MUST:

• Select the submission type: Innovations in Medical Physics Education Symposium
• Select the subject category: Innovations in Medical Physics Education
• Select Oral presentation mode
• Submit support documentation not to exceed 2 pages in length.

All abstracts submitted to the Innovations in Medical Physics Education Symposium that are NOT selected for the symposium, will be considered for standard poster presentation.

Enter the title of the abstract to be submitted.

• Use sentence case when entering title.
• To enter superscript text put the following tags around the text to be superscripted: ^text
• To enter subscript text put the following tags around the text to be subscripted: _text

Select the Subject Category which best pertains to your Abstract. Category Definitions are available here.

Rules regarding Requested Presentation Mode for Abstracts:

• Authors should request either Oral or Poster presentation mode.
• Final presentation mode assignments will be made by the Program Committee.
• Submissions requesting Oral Presentation may be assigned as ANY of the following:
  • Oral presentation
  • Short Oral presentation
  • Poster presentation
• Any submission may be rejected based on the reviews by at least 3 referees.

Presentation Modes Defined:

Oral Presentation:

• This category entails a short presentation followed by a question/discussion period. NOTE: Single LCD projection will be the ONLY presentation method available.
• Details will be provided in abstract acceptance notification.
• Abstracts will be published in Medical Physics

Short Oral Presentation:

• Short oral sessions will consist of short presentations of approximately 5 minutes in length.
• Presentations will consist of a concise introduction, materials & methods, results, and conclusion.
• Sessions with moderators in a manner similar to standard oral sessions.
• Abstracts will be published in Medical Physics

Poster Presentation:

• Posters must be displayed for the entire meeting.
• The poster display will consist of a (4' x 4') poster. The Poster display may be a presentation of twelve 8.5 x 11" pages posted in the space provided.
• Pushpins will be provided, but authors may wish to use Velcro strips for mounting poster elements. (Use the hooked side of the Velcro strips on the back of your poster).
• Abstracts will be published in Medical Physics.

NOTE: The individual names of contributing authors MUST appear on all posted presentations.

On the Abstract Submission Status screen, you will be prompted to add any contributing author(s) to your submission.

To Add Author(s):

• Select the link to 'add an Author' and search for an individual's last name.
• A list of potential authors will be generated if the 'last name' is in the system.
• Select the correct contributing author for the submission and indicate if 'presenting' or 'author'.
• Continue process until all contributing authors have been added.
• Each submission is allowed only ONE presenting author.
• Corresponding authors are NOT automatically added to the submission as a contributing author. If the corresponding author is a contributing author, you MUST add the individual at this point.

If a Contributing Author is NOT currently in the System:

• Once you have searched for the last name and it does not appear on the generated author list, select 'enter a new author' and proceed through the process of creating a new record for the individual.
• By entering a unique email, each author will have access to the abstract submission content, but ONLY the corresponding author may edit the content.
• Use proper capitalization when entering a new author.
• Check your entry as you go as the system does not correct spelling or grammar.

Helpful Hints:

• Add your 'presenting author' first. You can later use the arrow buttons at left of names to change order, once all authors have been added.
• Finally, arrange the author names in the order they are to appear when published in the "Program By-Line" and "Calendar of Events By-Line." ANY AND ALL CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS MUST BE ADDED IN THIS SECTION OF THE PROCESS IN ORDER TO GENERATE THE CORRECT 'BY-LINES'. (see Steps 7 and 8).

Back on the Submission Status Page:

• The system will have generated a list of contributing authors added to your submission.
• If any contributing author's names are missing, go back and add the individuals.
• If the order of names is NOT correct, go back and use the arrow buttons to rearrange.
• The presenting author's name will be denoted with an asterisk.
• Any time you add/remove/reorder author names or reassign the presenting author, the system will change the content listed in Steps 6, 7, and 8 so it is IMPORTANT you review the content with each change made.

On the Abstract Submission Status screen, you will be prompted to view the 'Program By-Line' (Authors/Institutions) generated by the system. It is IMPERATIVE that the Program By-Line be VIEWED and EDITED as instructed.

What the System Generates:

• For a single author, the system will list author's name (first initial, last name), institution, city, and state.
• If multiple authors have been entered, the system will list ALL author names (first initials, last names) in the order of entry, followed by the first author's institution, city, and state, then the second author's institution, city, and state, etc.

To Edit the By-Line:

If all authors are from the SAME INSTITUTION:

• The final/correct By-line should list ALL AUTHOR names (first initials, last names) followed by ONE listing of the institution, city, and state.
• YOU MUST REMOVE all additional listings of institution, city, and state in order for the byline to be correct.
• YOU MUST SELECT the check box 'All authors are from the same institution' in order to proceed back to your status page or you will be forced to add super/sub-script coding, that is not necessary.
• Do not include "USA" or zip codes. Do not include departmental information.
• Do not abbreviate institution names.
  
  --Use the following format when all authors are from the same institution:
  
  T Webster*, M Warden, L Salliman, A Geyser, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY
  (NOTE: The Presenting Author's name will be denoted with an asterisk.)

If authors are from MULTIPLE INSTITUTIONS:

• The final/correct By-line should list ALL AUTHOR names (first initials, last names) followed by EACH AUTHOR'S institution, city, and state.
• YOU MUST ADD 'super/sub-script coding' (¹; ², etc) in order to correlate the correct Author with the correct institution, city, state.
• Do not include "USA" or zip codes. Do not include departmental information.
• Do not abbreviate institution names.
  
  --Use the following format to add the required 'super/sub-script coding' when Authors are from multiple institutions:
  
  Note that this code:
  
  T Webster*¹, M Warden¹, L Salliman², A Sullivan³, (1) Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY, (2) University of Maryland, College Park, MD (3) UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
  
  --Produces this output:
  
  T Webster*¹ , M Warden¹ , L Salliman² , A Sullivan³ , (1) Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY, (2) University of Maryland, College Park, MD, (3) UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Use of Reset Button:

• Anytime you make changes to the Author List, the system will require that the By-line be reviewed again. The system will display the former By-line, before changes were made.
• If you want to system to regenerate the By-line with the new authors/changes, hit the RESET BUTTON and make appropriate edits as listed above.
• The RESET BUTTON will always clear and reset to the most current author information.
• The 'Program By-Line' is EXACTLY what will be published in Medical Physics with the Abstract:
  
  
  

The corresponding author must indicate if the submission is to be considered for the John S. Laughlin Science Council Research Symposium.

• If YES, the submission subject category MUST be: Joint: Science and Engineering for Patient Safety in Therapy and Diagnostic Medical Physics

The corresponding author must agree to and select the following "Verification of Contributing Authors" statement button in the submission process:

"By checking this box, I verify that each author to be listed on the submitted abstract has contributed to the content of the abstract and consented to the submission of the said abstract."

To avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest, Authors of scientific presentations must disclose the names of any companies or organizations who have provided the Author with any financial support for the research being presented and whose products and/or services are the subject matter of the presentation. Such disclosure is to be made via the field entitled "Funding Sources, Disclosures, and Conflicts of Interest." Information is to be entered once per abstract and should cover all sources of funding pertaining to the research and financial disclosures and conflicts of interest pertaining to any author listed on the abstract.

This policy is not intended to discourage such support or restrict the dissemination of the research as it is recognized that much scientific research is supported by organizations that have a commercial interest in the results of the research. The intent of this policy is to permit the members of the audience to form their own judgments about the research with the full disclosure of the facts.

You will be prompted to acknowledge if any company or organization whose products/services are the subject matter of your abstract has provided you with any financial support for your research.

If your abstract submission is accepted for Oral, Short Oral, or Poster presentation, the authors must include an acknowledgment of funding sources, financial disclosures, and conflicts of interest within their presentations slides and/or poster.

The corresponding author must agree to and select the following "AAPM Participation Agreement" statement button in the submission process:

"By checking this box I verify that each author listed on the abstract has agreed to participate in this educational activity. It is understood that each presentation will be constructively evaluated in areas of presentation quality, achievement of educational objectives, and utility/usefulness of content. The evaluation will be confidential and communicated only to the contributing authors upon request.

I further verify that any potential conflict of interest(s), as set forth in the preceding statement, has been listed in the abstract and will be disclosed during the presentation."

The corresponding author must agree to and select the following "Distribution of Abstract and Presented Materials Agreement" statement button in the submission process:

"By checking this box, I verify that I have obtained permission from each author listed on my abstract allowing me to distribute the abstract at the AAPM meeting, via the AAPM website, or via any other publication that may result from this meeting.

Under this constraint, I verify that all contributing authors will obtain or have obtained permission for the use of any copyrighted materials that may be presented at the AAPM Annual Meeting for educational purposes from the appropriate copyright owner(s) and publisher(s).

Non-copyrighted materials obtained from sources such as colleagues or the web will be attributed accurately. Where possible, prior permission for its use will be obtained."

Corresponding Author Contact Information is entered on this screen. If you are an AAPM member, first log into the AAPM website. The following required fields will automatically be completed for you. The following fields are required:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Phone
• E-mail
• Street Address
• City/State/Zip
• Country

All Contributing Authors may access an Abstract by using their personal Username and Password. BUT only the Corresponding Author has the ability to modify any of the Abstract information, including withdrawing the abstract or re-submitting a revised Support Document.

You will be given the opportunity to withdraw the submission at this point.

If you choose to do so, this record will be deleted from the system. You would need to return to your private Abstract Homepage in order to 'create a new submission.'

• Review the Sample Abstract before preparing your submission.
• The Abstract text MUST be structured as follows:
  • Purpose:
  • Methods:
  • Results:
  • Conclusion:

**Any abstract that does NOT conform with this structured format will be REJECTED.**

• Abstracts must not exceed 300 words.
• Enter Abstract text directly in the designated field on the website. If you Copy/Paste from word processing software, be sure to proofread integrity of the text. Symbols and equations are not supported.
• DO NOT include Title, Author names/institutions, graphs, figures, tables, images or multimedia elements. Titles and Author information is entered elsewhere in the system and will be merged with the abstract file later in the process.

Once Steps 1 - 14 have been completed, the system will allow you to advance to the next screen to upload your Support Document.

Note: The Support Document should include a statement of Innovation/Impact to help identify the most exciting and interesting submissions.

• A Support Document is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, but optional, for regular submission and is limited to 2 pages.
• A Support Document is REQUIRED for Young Investigator Competition submissions and limited to 4 pages.
• A Support Document is REQUIRED for Junior Investigator Competition submissions and limited to 4 pages.
• A Support Document is REQUIRED for John S. Laughlin Science Council Research Symposium submissions and limited to 4 pages.
• Preferred format is illustrated in the Sample Support Document.
• The Support Document may be submitted as Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, ASCII Text format, or a PDF file and may contain graphs, figures, tables and images.
• The Support Document should include the title and may include text, symbols, equations, figures, images, tables, and references.
• In support of our blind review policy, there is to be no author information in the Support Document nor any information identifying the authors or affiliation.
• The Support Document must be uploaded to our server by clicking the "Upload Support Document" icon that will appear on your status page once you have provided all the required information.
• If submitting a PDF file, you must check the "pdf" box on the upload page.
• If not submitting a PDF file, the documents must be in Microsoft Word, Corel WordPerfect, or ASCII Text format. The recommended format, to ensure the highest level of compatibility, is Microsoft Word (97 or 2000).
• For best results, Mac WordPerfect users should save documents as MS Word 4, 5, or 6 prior to submission.

Special Note to WordPerfect 8 and higher users! Corel WordPerfect 8 and higher includes two equation editors. The WordPerfect 5.1-7 Equation Editor must be used when creating equations. To use the WordPerfect 5.1-7 Equation Editor, click Tools / Settings / Environment / Graphics / WordPerfect 5.1-7 Equation Editor.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS:

For submission types where PowerPoint is accepted, ensure that the file does not exceed 2 pages (4 pages for Young and Junior Investigators) or it will automatically be rejected. Alternatively, create a PDF from your Support Document and submit the PDF.

This shows the status of the documents.

• By looking at this, the author should be able to see if the system has received the Support Document.
• If the information was received without any problems, there will be a link to the Adobe Acrobat PDF file that was created.
• Click on the "View Support Doc" buttons to view the document and ensure there were no errors introduced in conversion.

NOTE: If you previously submitted a document and would like to resubmit it for any reason, you may press the "Delete Support Doc" button. This will 1) notify the system that the document will be resubmitted and 2) all references to previously submitted documents will be removed. After resetting a document, resubmit the new document through the same web-based upload process.

You will only have the option to reset a submitted document if it has been received as noted above.

Please be completely sure that you wish to resubmit a document before following this procedure.

Category	Sub-Category (if Applicable)	Description
Innovations in Medical Physics
		Submit a description of innovative medical physics educational activities for radiology residents, radiation oncology residents, medical physicists, technologists or others. The projects can be scientific research, novel teaching strategies – team teaching or adult learning efforts, novel educational materials – lectures, websites, or other innovations.

Category	Sub-Category (if Applicable)	Description
CAD
	New Technology and Techniques	Topics in computer-aided diagnosis, including new methodologies as applied to mammography, chest, CT and other modalities.
	Clinical Applications	Clinical application and/or evaluation of novel CAD technology and techniques.
Computed Tomography
	Reconstruction Techniques	Topics in all aspects of CT reconstruction, including cone-beam CT reconstruction, new reconstruction techniques, methods for fast reconstruction, correction of image artifacts, etc.
	Multi-Detector CT	Topics related to the design and performance of multi-detector CT imaging technology (e.g., 64-slice CT scanners), including detector design, system evaluation, imaging performance, and dosimetry.
	Cone-Beam CT (IMAGING)	For abstracts with primary focus in diagnostic imaging applications. Topics related to cone-beam CT, including the use of flat-panel detectors for cone-beam CT. Research related specifically to cone-beam CT reconstruction may be submitted in this subcategory or in "Reconstruction Techniques," above.
	Cone-Beam CT (JOINT)	For abstracts with primary focus in guidance of treatment delivery (e.g., localization in IGRT) or treatment planning. Topics related to cone-beam CT, including the use of flat-panel detectors for cone-beam CT. Research related specifically to cone-beam CT reconstruction may be submitted in this subcategory or in "Reconstruction Techniques," above.
	Dual-Energy and Spectral CT	Topics related to dual energy CT and spectral CT technology and methods.
	Clinical Applications	Clinical application of novel computed tomography technology and techniques.
Display and pacs
	Display Technology and Evaluation	Techniques for display of image data, including display performance evaluation, new display technologies, 2D and 3D displays, and related topics.
Dosimetry, Radiation Protection, and Quality Control (Imaging)
	Quality Control	Technology and techniques for imaging quality assurance, including topics related to the practice of diagnostic medical physics and radiology quality assurance (TQM, etc.). Included in this subcategory are topics of accreditation and regulatory interest, such as the ACR, FDA, etc.
	Imaging Dosimetry and Radiation Protection	All topics in the area of radiation protection, including shielding, safety, and dosimetry as related to medical imaging, including internal and external radiation sources. Special attention will be paid to submissions on new protection or dosimetry approaches. Abstracts concerning a given modality but focusing on dosimetric aspects (e.g., imaging dose in CT or PET) should be submitted under this category.
Fluoroscopy
	Fluoroscopy (IMAGING)	For abstracts with primary focus in diagnostic or interventional radiology applications. Topics related to real-time fluoroscopy, including digital techniques, imaging system design and characterization, new methods of performance characterization, and clinical studies.
	Fluoroscopy (JOINT)	For abstracts with primary focus in application to radiation treatment delivery (e.g., IGRT) or motion management applications (e.g., therapy planning).
Image Registration, Fusion, Segmentation, and Visualization
	Image Registration and Fusion (IMAGING)	For abstracts with primary focus in diagnostic imaging applications. Techniques for registration and/or fusion of image data, including any combination of (2D, 3D, and/or 4D) imaging modalities, deformable modeling, and related topics.
	Image Registration and Fusion (JOINT)	For abstracts with primary focus in treatment planning and guidance (e.g., IGRT). Techniques for registration and/or fusion of image data, including any combination of (2D, 3D, and/or 4D) imaging modalities, deformable modeling, and related topics.
	Image Segmentation (IMAGING)	For abstracts with primary focus in diagnostic imaging applications. Topics in all areas of medical image processing including new methodologies, image or feature enhancement, tissue segmentation, and clinical evaluation, as applied to any medical imaging modality.
	Image Segmentation (JOINT)	For abstracts with primary focus in treatment planning and guidance (e.g., IGRT). Topics in all areas of medical image processing including new methodologies, image or feature enhancement, tissue segmentation, and clinical evaluation, as applied to any medical imaging modality.
	Image Visualization (IMAGING)	For abstracts with primary focus in diagnostic imaging applications. Techniques for rendering and display of medical image data.
	Image Visualization (JOINT)	For abstracts with primary focus in treatment planning and guidance (e.g., IGRT). Techniques for rendering and display of medical image data.
image science
	Imaging Performance: Measurement and Modeling	Topics of fundamental image science and imaging physics, including measurement and mathematical modeling of detector performance, imaging system evaluation, linear systems analysis, new evaluation techniques, performance metrology, etc. Topics specific to a given modality may be submitted in this category or that of the modality, at the authors' discretion.
	Observer Performance: Measurement and Modeling	Topics related to model and human observer performance, including experimental and theoretical analysis of observer performance (ROC, LROC, FROC, 2AFC, MAFC, etc.) and analytical models of human or machine visual systems.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
	New Technology and Techniques (IMAGING)	All aspects of diagnostic MRI, MRS and MRA, including image acquisition, reconstruction, new technologies, and clinical studies. Unless specifically related to MR, abstracts concerning image processing, display, CAD, etc. should be submitted under respective categories, below.
	New Technology and Techniques (JOINT)	Abstracts related to the development or application of MRI, MRS, and/or MRA in radiation therapy planning and/or delivery.
mammography
	New Technology and Techniques	All aspects of breast imaging including digital x-ray mammography, tomosynthesis, CT, MRI, ultrasound, radioisotope imaging, optical and multi-Modality. Topics include novel detectors and their evaluation, instrumentation, system evaluation, and new techniques in mammography. Abstracts concerning image processing, display, CAD, etc. should be submitted under respective categories, below.
	Clinical Applications	Clinical application and/or evaluation of novel breast imaging technologies and techniques.
Multi-Modality Imaging
	CT + Nuclear Medicine	Imaging techniques combining CT and nuclear medicine (e.g., PET) techniques. Abstracts concerning image fusion may be submitted in this categories related to image registration / fusion. Abstracts concerning display, CAD, etc. should be submitted under respective categories, below.
	MR + Nuclear Medicine	Imaging techniques combining MR and nuclear medicine (e.g., PET) techniques. Abstracts concerning image fusion may be submitted in this categories related to image registration / fusion. Abstracts concerning display, CAD, etc. should be submitted under respective categories, below.
	X-Ray + Ultrasound	Imaging techniques combining x-ray and ultrasound techniques. Abstracts concerning image fusion may be submitted in this categories related to image registration / fusion. Abstracts concerning display, CAD, etc. should be submitted under respective categories, below.
	Other	Imaging techniques combining two or more modalities other than CT + Nuclear Medicine or X-ray + Ultrasound.
non-conventional Imaging
		All modalities with application in medical imaging not covered in other categories, including infrared imaging, impedance imaging, thermoacoustic imaging, MEG, and other topics.
nuclear medicine
	New Technology and Techniques	All aspects of Nuclear Medicine, including SPECT and PET, imaging system design, image acquisition, reconstruction, tracers, and clinical studies. Abstracts concerning image fusion of nuclear medicine images should be submitted in the Visualization and Image Fusion category. Those concerning image processing, display, CAD, etc. should be submitted under their respective categories.
Optical and other Novel imaging
		All aspects of optical imaging, including optical coherence tomography, microscopy, detectors, lasers, image acquisition, reconstruction, and clinical studies. Abstracts specific to small animal imaging by optical methods may be submitted in this category or the Small Animal Imaging category. Other novel imaging techniques include electrical impedance imaging, microwave imaging, biomagnetic imaging, and other "cutting edge" imaging technologies.
radiography
	New Technology and Clinical Applications	Topics related to x-ray radiography, including DR and CR, detector design and characterization, image acquisition techniques, tomosynthesis, and system design. They also include issues related to image acquisition and formation, e.g. scattered radiation, glare, etc. Abstracts concerning image processing, display, CAD, etc. should be submitted under respective categories, below.
Small Animal Imaging
		Abstracts related to preclinical imaging of small animals in biomedical research, including any imaging modality (e.g., CT, MR, PET, etc.).
Ultrasound
	New Technology and Clinical Applications	Authors are directed to submit abstracts related to Ultrasound Imaging under the ULTRASOUND (SPECIAL CONFERENCE) track detailed above. All aspects of ultrasound imaging system design, image acquisition, reconstruction, and clinical applications.
Vascular, Endovascular, and Cardiac Imaging
	New Technology and Clinical Applications	Topics related to vascular, endovascular, and cardiac x-ray imaging. Abstracts on other modalities, including ultrasound, MRI, PET, etc., should be submitted in their respective categories.

Category	Sub-Category (if Applicable)	Description
John S. Laughlin / Science Council Research Symposium: Science and Engineering for Patient Safety in Therapy and Diagnostic Medical Physics
		The 2011 Laughlin Symposium will focus on cutting-edge methods or devices designed to enhance, quantify, and/or monitor the safe use of radiation in diagnostic and therapeutic medicine, with emphasis on innovative science and engineering for patient safety. The timeliness of such work is evident in sensational coverage in the lay press reporting of accidents involving radiation in both the diagnostic and radiation therapy sectors. As a forum for high-quality, innovative scientific research, the symposium seeks abstract submissions on topics that go beyond basic quality control standards in radiation safety and identify new avenues for assuring patient safety. NOTE: Those wishing to be considered for the John S. Laughlin Science Council Research Symposium MUST submit abstracts to this category only. Proffered submission: Authors interested in being considered for the Symposium MUST: Select the submission type: Science Council Research Symposium Select the subject category: Joint: Imaging-Therapy/Science and Engineering for Patient Safety in Therapy and Diagnostic Medical Physics Select Oral presentation mode Submit supporting documentation not to exceed 4 pages in length (up to 1 MB file size). Junior Investigator Competition participants who also wish to be considered for the Science Council Research Symposium should consider the following: JI Competition participants are eligible to be considered for the Symposium. To be considered for the Symposium, authors MUST select the Joint: Imaging-Therapy /Science and Engineering for Patient Safety in Therapy and Diagnostic Medical Physics category during submission. To be considered for the Symposium, authors MUST signoff on the John S. Laughlin SC Research Symposium - Participation Acknowledgement during the submission process. Young Investigator Competition participants: Are NOT eligible to be considered for the Science Council Research Symposium. May select Joint: Imaging-Therapy / Science and Engineering for Patient Safety in Therapy and Diagnostic Medical Physics subject category during submission. All abstracts submitted to the John S. Laughlin Science Council Research Symposium that are NOT selected for the symposium, will be considered for oral or standard poster presentation. Young Investigators who wish to participate in the Young Investigator Competition may submit to this category, but will not be considered for the Symposium. Junior Investigators who wish to participate in the Junior Investigator Competition may submit to this category and will be considered for the Symposium.
Computed Tomography
	Cone-Beam CT	For abstracts with primary focus in guidance of radiation treatment delivery (e.g., localization in IGRT) or treatment planning. Topics related to cone-beam CT, including the use of flat-panel detectors for cone-beam CT.
Fluoroscopy
		For abstracts with primary focus in application to radiation treatment delivery (e.g., IGRT) or motion management application (e.g., therapy planning). Topics related to real-time fluoroscopy, including digital techniques, imaging system design and characterization, new methods of performance characterization, and clinical studies.
Image Registration, Fusion, Segmentation, and Visualization
	Image Registration and Fusion	For abstracts with primary focus in treatment planning and guidance (e.g., IGRT). Techniques for registration and/or fusion of image data, including any combination of (2D, 3D, and/or 4D) imaging modalities, deformable modeling, and related topics.
	Image Segmentation	For abstracts with primary focus in treatment planning and guidance (e.g., IGRT). Topics in all areas of medical image processing including new methodologies, image or feature enhancement, tissue segmentation, and clinical evaluation, as applied to any medical imaging modality.
	Image Visualization	For abstracts with primary focus in treatment planning and guidance (e.g., IGRT). Techniques for rendering and display of medical image data.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
	New Technology and Techniques (JOINT)	Abstracts related to the development or application of MRI, MRS, and/or MRA in radiation therapy planning and/or delivery.
Outcome modeling
	Imaging for Therapy Assessment (JOINT)	Abstracts related to image-based measurement or modeling of normal and tumor tissue response / treatment efficacy.
Patient Simulation Imaging for Planning
		Imaging for patient simulation: initial treatment planning, mid-treatment intervention and followup assessment of therapy. Includes all imaging modalities, CT, MR, PET, etc.
	Non-moving Targets	Imaging for planning, non-4D imaging of "rigid" targets, e.g. brain, head/neck, spine, GU/GYN.
	Moving Targets	Imaging for planning, 4D imaging of "moving" targets, including 4D imaging for tumors in the thorax, liver, and other GI/abdominal sites.
	Cone-Beam CT
	Others
	Contouring and Organ Segmentation and Assessment of Margins	Definition of contours for tumors and normal tissues, including novel methods for segmentation using deformable image registration and other tools. Definition of margins for Planning.
	Anatomical Imaging	Use of imaging to define contours for tumors and normal tissues based on anatomical features, e.g. conventional CT and MR imaging.
	Functional and Molecular Imaging	Use of imaging to define contours for tumors and normal tissues based on functional and molecular features, e.g. dynamic contrast-enhanced MR or CT, functional PET.
	Image Segmentation	Use of imaging to define contours for tumors and normal tissues based on image segmentation.
	Image Registration/Fusion	(Image registration for intra- and inter-modality imaging, e.g. CT-to-CT, CT-to-CBCT, CT-to-MR, including rigid and deformable techniques. Not including novel methods for tumor and normal organ segmentation.
	Image Visualization	Image Visualization for planning.
Treatment Delivery - Immobilization and Localization
		Includes all aspects of immobilization and localization.
	Patient Immobilization and Localization	Techniques for immobilizing and localizing the patient during treatment delivery.
	Immobilization Techniques	Specific devices/techniques used for patient immobilization.
	Tomographic Localization	Cone-beam CT (CBCT) artifact reduction, CBCT HU correction, limited projection techniques, MVCT, etc.
	Non-tomographic Localization	Management of patient motion during delivery using gating approaches and tumor tracking technologies.
	Motion Management (Adaptive Delivery)	Management of patient motion during delivery using adaptive techniques, such as daily, on-line correction, on-line adaptive replanning and treatment.
	Motion Management (Gating/Tracking)	Management of patient motion during delivery using gating approaches and tumor tracking technologies.
Targeted radionuclide therapies

Category	Sub-Category (if Applicable)	Description
Patient Simulation Imaging for Planning (JOINT)
		Imaging for patient simulation: initial treatment planning, mid-treatment intervention and followup assessment of therapy. Includes all imaging modalities, CT, MR, PET, etc.
	Non-moving Targets	Imaging for planning, non-4D imaging of "rigid" targets, e.g. brain, head/neck, spine, GU/GYN.
	Cone-Beam CT
	Others
	Moving Targets	Imaging for planning, 4D imaging of "moving" targets, including 4D imaging for tumors in the thorax, liver, and other GI/abdominal sites.
	Contouring and Organ Segmentation and Assessment of Margins	Definition of contours for tumors and normal tissues, including novel methods for segmentation using deformable image registration and other tools. Definition of margins for Planning.
	Anatomical Imaging	Use of imaging to define contours for tumors and normal tissues based on anatomical features, e.g. conventional CT and MR imaging.
	Functional and Molecular Imaging	Use of imaging to define contours for tumors and normal tissues based on functional and molecular features, e.g. dynamic contrast-enhanced MR or CT, functional PET.
	Image Segmentation	Use of imaging to define contours for tumors and normal tissues based on image segmentation.
	Image Registration/Fusion	(Image registration for intra- and inter-modality imaging, e.g. CT-to-CT, CT-to-CBCT, CT-to-MR, including rigid and deformable techniques. Not including novel methods for tumor and normal organ segmentation.
	Image Visualization	Image Visualization for planning.
Treatment Planning
		Includes all aspects of treatment planning for external beam therapy (EBT), stereotactic radiosurgery and body radiotherapy (SRS and SBRT) and brachytherapy.
	3D Planning Including Adaptive Approaches	3D-CRT planning for all sites including off-line adaptive planning and replanning.
	External Beam Therapy (EBT)	3D-CRT planning for all sites including off-line adaptive planning and replanning for EBT.
	SRS/SBRT	3D-CRT planning for all sites including off-line adaptive planning and replanning for SRS/SBRT.
	Brachytherapy	3D-CRT planning for brachytherapy including LDR and HDR applications.
	Intensity Modulated Planning Including Adaptive Approaches	IMRT planning for all sites including off-line adaptive planning and reoptimization.
	External Beam Therapy (EBT)	IMRT planning for all sites including off-line adaptive planning and replanning for EBT.
	SRS/SBRT	IMRT planning for all sites including off-line adaptive planning and replanning for SRS/SBRT.
	Brachytherapy	IMRT planning for brachytherapy including LDR and HDR applications.
	Optimization Techniques	Optimization techniques and algorithms for treatment planning for EBT, SRS/SBRT and Brachytherapy.
	Biological Modeling	Use of biological models and dose indices in treatment planning, e.g. EUD.
	Dose Calculations - All Modalities	Dose calculation algorithms for treatment planning, all sites.
	Monte Carlo Techniques	Monte Carlo-based dose calculation for linac simulation and treatment planning.
	Non-Monte Carlo Techniques	Other, non-Monte Carlo-based dose calculation algorithms for linac simulation and treatment planning for EBT and brachytherapy.
Treatment Delivery and Verification
		Includes all aspects of treatment delivery and related verification.
	Patient Immobilization and Localization (JOINT)	Techniques for immobilizing and localizing the patient during treatment delivery.
	Immobilization Techniques	Specific devices/techniques used for patient immobilization.
	Tomographic Localization	Cone-beam CT (CBCT) artifact reduction, CBCT HU correction, limited projection techniques, MVCT, etc.
	Non-tomographic Localization	Management of patient motion during delivery using gating approaches and tumor tracking technologies.
	Motion Management (Adaptive Delivery)	Management of patient motion during delivery using adaptive techniques, such as daily, on-line correction, on-line adaptive replanning and treatment.
	Motion Management (Gating/Tracking)	Management of patient motion during delivery using gating approaches and tumor tracking technologies.
	3D Delivery Techniques	3D-CRT delivery techniques and related verification measurements.
	Photons	3D-CRT delivery techniques and related verification methods for photons.
	Electrons	3D-CRT delivery techniques and related verification methods for electrons.
	Protons	3D-CRT delivery techniques and related verification methods for protons.
	Other Charged Particles	3D-CRT delivery techniques and related verification methods for other charged particles, e.g. Carbon ions.
	Intensity Modulated Delivery Techniques	IMRT delivery techniques and related verification measurements.
	Photons	IMRT delivery techniques and related verification methods for photons.
	Electrons	IMRT delivery techniques and related verification methods for electrons.
	Protons	IMRT delivery techniques and related verification methods for protons.
	Brachytherapy	Includes all aspects of brachytherapy delivery and verification.
	HDR Techniques	Includes all aspects of brachytherapy delivery and verification for HDR applications.
	LDR Techniques	Includes all aspects of brachytherapy delivery and verification for LDR applications.
	SRS and SBRT	Includes all aspects of SRS/SBRT delivery and verification.
Patient Safety and Quality Assurance (QA) Procedures
		Includes all aspects of patient safety and quality assurance.
	Devices and Detectors for Measurements	Devices and detectors used for QA measurements.
	Off-line	Devices and detectors used for off-line measurements, e.g. daily and monthly QA tools, and patient-specific QA devices.
	On-line	Devices and detectors used for on-line measurements.
	Calculation Tools	Calculation tools for QA.
	Safety Procedures	Safety procedures for patient safety and QA.
Outcome Modeling
		Includes all aspects of patient outcomes modeling.
	Imaging for Therapy Assessment (JOINT)	Abstracts related to image-based measurement or modeling of normal and tumor tissue response / treatment efficacy.
	Late Effects	Outcomes modeling based on late effects.
	Early Effects	Outcomes modeling based on early effects.
Basic Radiobiology
		Includes all aspects of basic radiobiological experiments and modeling.
Informatics
		Includes all aspects of informatics in imaging and radiotherapy.
Small Animal Studies
Radiation Protection and Shielding
		Includes all aspects of radiation protection and shielding.
targeted radionuclide therapies

Category	Sub-Category (if Applicable)	Description
Ultrasound Imaging
	Guidance of Interventions	Image guided surgery, noninvasive ablation, radiation therapy, biopsy, homeostasis, vascular and joint puncture, neural  stimulation, sterilization, use of image registration for guidance.
	Advanced Systems and Components, Evaluations and Safety	Systems, transducers and scan heads, beamforming, advances in 3D imaging and display, portable systems and world health.  System performance evaluation, image quality, quality control, modeling effect on clinical studies, health impact, cost of not performing study/developing systems, bioeffects.
	Signal/Image Processing & Display Algorithms	Speckle reduction, aberration correction, wave migration, super resolution, CAD, image registration, modeling
	Quantitative Imaging & Measures	Scatterer size and density, speed of sound, attenuation and nonlinearity parameters, impedance, temperature, permeability, bone stability, tissue/lesion volumes, fundamental physics and chemistry, and tissue/fluid motion--Doppler, speckle tracking, small vessel and volume flow, strain & elastic modulus, shear wave velocity, pulsatility, current source, slip boundaries
	Contrast and Interventional Agents (US & Photoacoustic)	Targeted or acoustically selected agents, their medical and research uses and trials thereof
	Small Animal Imaging	Systems and applications
	Breast and Other Applications	Breast Imaging, other applications, 20 MHz to terahertz imaging, other US/multimodality imaging, research support.
	Photoacoustic Imaging	Technology, Algorithms, Applications, Sources – lasers, diodes.  Sensors – optical, piezoelectric. Systems – imaging and measurement.  Safety; Advanced image reconstruction, limited apertures, spectral analysis, signal processing, quantification; Small animal, microscopy, functional and molecular imaging. Medical - intravascular, breast, skin, endoscopic, arthritis, ophthalmic, prostate, treatment monitoring & assessment
Therapeutic Ultrasound advances
	High-Intenstiy Therapetic Ultrasound Devices
	HIFU	Topics related to High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology, including MR and ultrasound guided systems.
	Other HITU Devices	Topics related to other High-Intensity Therapeutic Ultrasound (HITU) devices and technology: includes percutaneous, intraluminal,catheter-based, endocavity, laparoscopic, endoscopic, and external devices; treatment of cancer and non-oncological tissues; standalone or combined with image guidance.
	Advanced and Novel Delivery Systems
	Thermal Therapy	Therapeutic ultrasound applied to hyperthermia and thermal ablation for cancer therapy; non-oncological interventions including treatment of benign disease, hemostasis, nerve block, tissue remodeling & cosmesis.
	Non-thermal Therapies	Topics for generating non-thermal mediated treatments with ultrasound, such as using acoustic processes such as cavitation, radiation force, and acoustic drug activation and delivery; includes wound/bone healing, control of tissue development, tissue regeneration, blood/brain barrier disruption, & drug delivery
	Small Animal Systems	Topics related to small animal systems and tumor models for investigating therapetic ultrasound
	Novel Approaches	Novel approaches for delivery or control of treatment; new treatment strategies
	Commercial Systems	Description of system performance and capabilities of commercial systems from a scientific perspective.
Image Guidance and Assessment of Ultrasound Therapies
	MR Techniques	Topics related to MRI for treatment guidance, monitoring, and assessment of treatment delivery including: MR techniques for temperature monitoring, treatment verification or setup using MR ARFI, diffusion wieghted techniques, & contrast enhanced imaging, novel pulse sequences, and motion compensation.
	US Techniques	Topics related to ultrasound imaging for treatment guidance, monitoring, and assessment of treatment delivery including: temperature monitoring,change in backscatter, tissue changes during therapy, CEUS, Doppler, elastography and shear wave imaging for thermal lesion assessment or evidence of tissue modification.
	CT, X-ray, Fluoroscopy and Other Techniques	Topics related to guiding and monitoring ultrasound therapies using CT ,fluoroscopy techniques, IR and optical approaches.
Treatment Planning & Modeling for Ultrasound Therapeutic Intervention
	Treatment Planning & Optimization	Topics related to acoustic and biothermal treatment planning, optimization based approaches applied to minimizing treatment duration, improving localization, thermal dose, drug delivery, and ultrasound therapy delivery
	Modeling and Control	Topics related to biothermal and acoustic model development, pharmacokinetic drug delivery models, thermal dose and thermal damage models. Methods of temperature and other types of feedback control of treatment.
Bubble Based Ultrasound Therapies
	Bubbles for Therapy	Topics and techniques related to bubbles for therapy enhancement and localization, including mechanisms and ability to control, possible tissue protection or preferential targeting, non-thermal therapies.
Drug Delivery, Activation and Enhancement
	Nanoparticles & Therapeutic Agents	Topics related to nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and biological agents that are activated or localized/released by therapeutic ultrasound; acoustic or thermal mediated processes; chemotherapy, gene therapy, and immunotherapy
Ultrasound Therapy Program and HIFU/HITU Standards
	Quality Assurance & Standards	Topics and techniques for the development of quality assurance measurement tools and procedures for safety and quality control of ultrasound therapetic devices.
	Ultrasound Therapy Program	Topics and elements in support of development of an ultrasound therapy program, including FDA regulations, NIH support, and reimbursement issues.
Biological & Physiological Effects of Therapeutic Ultrasound
	Bioeffects	All aspects of biological and physiological effects of therapetic ultrasound as modified or altered in various treatment regimens as a means to improve therapy delivery; includes radiosensitization and chemosensitization, permeability and extravasation, opening of the blood brain barrier, immune response, increase oxygenation, temporary nerve block, and tissue remodeling.
Clinical Ultrasound Therapy
	Clinical Implementation and Studies	All aspects of clinical implementation of Pilot and Phase I/II/III studies of ultrasound therapy systems. Examples include treatment of uterine fibroids, palliative treatment for bone tumors, localized prostate cancer, renal tumors, esophageal cancer, brain neoplasms; includes initial feasibility and performance data; alone or combined with radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Category	Sub-Category (if Applicable)	Description
Other Physics and Biomedical Engineering
		Abstracts pertaining to topics of medical physics or biomedical engineering not covered in the Imaging, Therapy, Joint, and Ultrasound tracks detailed above. Examples include development or clinical application of new biophysics research, prosthetic devices, tissue engineering techniques, general medical devices, surgical robotics, etc.