Pinnacle : KeyDependency

• KeyDependency is a list of event-action “dependencies” in the currently open plan
• Executes an action (AddAction) whenever a specified event occurs (KeyString)
  • Ex. Whenever a beam angle is changed, a script is called to rename it (need to verify this works)
• Consists of three parts – Name, KeyString and AddAction
• The dependency remains until it’s “destroyed” in a script or the plan is closed
• Each new KeyDependency is created by invoking CreateChild
• A script can be called, or a single line of code when the KeyString occurs
• Works only on software level changes
  • e.g. Can be set to execute when the software sees TrialList.Current.BeamList.Current.Name, but not something specific like TrialList.Current.BeamList.Current.Name = "New Name"
  • This can be really hit-or-miss as it doesn’t seem to work for anything associated with the IMRT Inverse Planning window.
• The technique can be utilized with the PinnacleInit file to automate checks and tasks based on user actions

Examples

• KeyDependency calling a script when an event occurs (in this case, another trial is selected)

KeyDependencyList.CreateChild = "";
KeyDependencyList.Last =
 {
     Name = “TempDependency”;
     KeyString = “TrialList.Current.Name”; 
     AddAction = “Script.ExecuteNow = SomeScriptName.Script”;//Calls your script
 };

• KeyDependency running a line of code when an event occurs

KeyDependencyList.CreateChild = "";
KeyDependencyList.Last =
 {
     Name = “TempDependency2”;
     KeyString = “TrialList.Current.Name”; 
    AddAction = “TrialList.Current.BeamList.Current.Name = TrialList.Current.Name”; //Beam name changed to match trial name
 };

• Like other variables, KeyDependencies must be destroyed manually in the script or they will persist until the plan is closed

KeyDependencyList.TempDependency.Destroy = “”;