Incorporation of a minicomputer as an intelligent terminal in a treatment planning system

A system interfacing the PC 12 minicomputer to an IBM 360 has been developed. This system has the input and output capabilities of a small dedicated computer and the ability to use a large fast computer to calculate dose distributions using sophisticated models. Data concerning fields, patient parameters, etc., are collected by the PC 12 using a Rho Theta device, several potentiometer controls, and a keyboard. Data are screened for errors, processed, compacted, and transmitted to the IBM 360 via either a 300 or 2,000 baud communications line. The large computer calculates dose distributions and other quantities and returns the information to the PC 12 in packed form where isodose contours are generated superimposed upon the patient's contour.