RADIATION SYSTEMS WITH MINIMAL OR NO SHIELDING REQUIREMENT ON BUILDING
Granted: June 19, 2014
Application Number:
20140171725
A radiation system includes: a first support; a first structure rotatably coupled to the first support so that the first structure is rotatable about a first axis relative to the first support; a second structure rotatably coupled to the first structure so that the second structure is rotatable about a second axis that forms a non-zero angle relative to the first structure; and a first radiation source connected to the second structure; wherein the first structure and the second…
Charged Particle Accelerator Systems including Beam Dose and Energy Compensation and Methods Therefor
Granted: June 5, 2014
Application Number:
20140152197
A method of operating an acceleration system comprises injecting charged particles into an RF accelerator, providing RF power to the accelerator, and accelerating the injected charged particles. The accelerated charged particles may impact a target to generate radiation. The RF power is based, at least in part, on past performance of the system, to compensate, at least partially, for dose and/or energy instability. A controller may provide a compensated control voltage (“CCV”) to an…
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Identifying Objects of Interest in a High-Energy Image
Granted: May 15, 2014
Application Number:
20140133718
A control circuit having access to at least one high-energy image of a scene assesses that image to identify candidate obfuscaters as well as candidate obfuscated objects. This control circuit then processes information regarding the candidate objects to identify objects of interest. By one approach these objects of interest are deemed “of interest” as a function of their being obfuscated in a particular context. By one approach these teachings will accommodate identifying objects as…
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME TRACKING OF BONY STRUCTURES
Granted: May 1, 2014
Application Number:
20140121527
A method for measuring skin thickness. The method includes at a first 3D point on an outer surface of a patient, exposing the first point to near infrared (NIR) energy from an NIR source. The method includes measuring reflected energy emanating near the first 3D point, or beam incident point. The method includes determining a pattern of the reflected energy based on a distance from a center of the reflected energy, wherein the center is approximated by the first 3D point. The method…
NIR IMAGE-GUIDED TARGETING
Granted: May 1, 2014
Application Number:
20140121494
A method for targeting. The method includes determining skin characteristics in a region of a patient. An in-treatment optical scan is performed on a region of a patient, wherein the in-treatment optical scan comprises a near infrared (NIR) energy source. A plurality of detected signals is detected from the optical scan. The skin characteristics are filtered out from the plurality of detected signals. Skeletal anatomy positioning associated with the region is determined from the…
INDIRECT X-RAY IMAGER HAVING SEMI-TRANSPARENT LAYERS
Granted: May 1, 2014
Application Number:
20140117245
An indirect x-ray imager including one or more semi-transparent layers that reduce lateral spreading of light produced by the scintillator layer. The semi-transparent layers may be one or more layers above and/or below the scintillator, which the light generated by the scintillator goes through prior to being received by an array of photosensors. The semi-transparent layers may have a light transparency that is proportional to the pixel pitch of the photosensor, and/or proportional to a…
MULTI LEVEL MULTILEAF COLLIMATORS
Granted: April 24, 2014
Application Number:
20140112453
A multilevel MLC includes a first set and a second set of a plurality of pairs of beam blocking leaves arranged adjacent one another. Leaves of each pair in the first set are disposed in an opposed relationship and longitudinally movable relative to each other in a first direction. Leaves of each pair in the second set are disposed in an opposed relationship and longitudinally movable relative to each other in a second direction generally parallel to the first direction. The first and…
MULTI-ENERGY X-RAY IMAGING
Granted: April 24, 2014
Application Number:
20140110594
An imaging method includes obtaining a first image data for a subset of a target region, the subset of the target region having a first metallic object, obtaining a second image data for the target region, and using the first and second image data to determine a composite image. A imaging system includes a first detector configured to provide a first projection data using a first radiation having high energy, and a second detector configured to provide a second projection data using a…
SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE OF RADIATION THERAPY
Granted: April 17, 2014
Application Number:
20140105355
Systems, devices, and methods for quality assurance for verification of radiation dose delivery in arc-based radiation therapy devices using a 3D gamma evaluation method.
FINNED ANODE
Granted: April 17, 2014
Application Number:
20140105366
Finned anode. In one example embodiment, an anode suitable for use in an x-ray tube includes a hub, a front side, and a target surface disposed on the front side. The hub is configured to attach to a bearing assembly and the front side substantially faces the bearing assembly. The anode further includes a rear side substantially opposite the front side, as well as two or more annular anode fins extending from the rear side. The annular anode fins are positioned radially outward from the…
DYNAMIC/ADAPTIVE TREATMENT PLANNING FOR RADIATION THERAPY
Granted: April 3, 2014
Application Number:
20140093049
A facility for facilitating custom radiation treatment planning is described. During a distinguished radiation treatment session for a patient, the facility collects data indicating positioning of a predefined treatment site of the patient relative to a target treatment location throughout the distinguished radiation treatment session. The facility associates the collected positioning data with data describing one or more other aspects of the distinguished radiation treatment session.…
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Using Imaging Information to Identify a Spectrum
Granted: April 3, 2014
Application Number:
20140090491
A control circuit operably couples to a non-invasive imaging system that utilizes a particular corresponding effective spectrum and receives imaging information as pertains to an object being imaged. The control circuit uses that information to identify the particular corresponding spectrum for the corresponding source of radiation by, at least in part, evaluating candidate spectra as a function, at least in part, of physical likelihood (for example, by identifying a spectrum that is…
RADIATION SYSTEM WITH ROTATING PATIENT SUPPORT
Granted: March 13, 2014
Application Number:
20140072109
A patient support system includes a patient support having a surface for supporting a patient and a longitudinal axis, and a positioner coupled to the patient support for positioning the patient support, wherein the positioner is configured to move the patient support along a path that has an arc, circular, or zig-zag shape, and wherein the path lies within a plane that forms an angle with the surface of the patient support.
TARGETING METHOD FOR MICROBEAM RADIOSURGERY
Granted: March 6, 2014
Application Number:
20140061511
A method of performing microbeam radiosurgery on a patient whereby opposing portions of target tissue within a patient are exposed to a flux of high energy quanta via microbeam envelopes. The microbeam envelopes are applied in multiple non-parallel orientations such that the exposed portions of the target tissue define a substantially closed volume. The tissue remaining inside is thereby denied blood flow and dies.
COMPOSITE X-RAY TRANSMISSIVE WINDOWS
Granted: February 27, 2014
Application Number:
20140056413
Composite x-ray transmissive windows. In one example embodiment, an x-ray transmissive window is configured to be positioned in an outer housing of an x-ray device. The x-ray transmissive window includes a composite material.
LOCALIZATION OF A TARGET USING IN VIVO MARKERS
Granted: February 20, 2014
Application Number:
20140051992
An apparatus and method of localization of a target using in vivo markers is described. The method may include adjusting a position of a target volume within the body relative to a treatment beam using the in vivo markers.
INTERNALLY MOUNTED COLLIMATORS FOR STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY AND STEREOTACTIC RADIOTHERAPY
Granted: February 20, 2014
Application Number:
20140048727
A beam filter positioning device includes a first and a second axes operable to move a body supporting one or more collimators, one or more photon flattening filters, one or more electron foils, and field light mirror etc. The collimators may be configured to collimate radiation to define a treatment beam suitable for radiosurgery. A controller is programmed to control the servo motor of the first and second axes to accurately position the beam filters. Radiation apparatuses and systems…
PATIENT POSITIONING AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Granted: February 6, 2014
Application Number:
20140034061
A patient support system includes a first section and a second section which can be removably coupled to the first section. The first section is configured for attachment to a positioning system, thereby providing an interface between the removable second section and the positioning system. A combined support surface is formed when the second section is coupled to the first section.
PATIENT POSITIONING AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Granted: February 6, 2014
Application Number:
20140033432
A patient positioning system employs an arm having a first portion and a second portion which is telescopic relative to the first portion. A first positioning device may be coupled to the first portion of the arm providing support for the arm. The first positioning device is rotatable on a first axis, allowing the arm to rotate with the first positioning device. The second positioning device is coupled to the second portion of the arm and movable with the second portion of the arm…
CIRCUITRY AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING IMAGE ARRAY DATA WITH SEPARATE ADDRESSING AND DYNAMIC CLAMPING OF PIXELS TO ALLOW FOR FASTER PIXEL DATA READOUT AND FULL REMOVAL OF PIXEL CHARGES
Granted: January 16, 2014
Application Number:
20140014814
Circuitry and method for collecting image array data in which pixels are addressed and dynamically clamped separately. In accordance with one embodiment, pixels are addressed and clamped during different time intervals, thereby allowing faster pixel data readout while still allowing sufficient time to remove all pixel charges.
