ECG-CORRELATED RADIOTHERAPY
Granted: April 5, 2012
Application Number:
20120083645
A method of delivering radiation includes obtaining a first signal that represents a cardiac state of the subject, and generating a control signal using a processor to operate a component of a treatment radiation machine based at least in part on the first signal. A method of delivering radiation includes determining a cardiac state of the subject, and generating a control signal using a processor to operate a component of a treatment radiation machine based at least in part on the…
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Computed Tomography Scanning Using a Calibration Phantom
Granted: March 29, 2012
Application Number:
20120076259
These various embodiments serve to facilitate improving the accuracy of a computed tomography (CT) process. This can comprise operably coupling at least one calibration phantom to a CT scan table and then, during a CT scan of an object that is disposed on the scan table, also gathering calibration information using that calibration phantom(s). By one approach, this calibration phantom can comprise one or more annular-shaped members. When using a plurality of annular-shaped members, at…
INTEGRAL LIQUID-COOLANT PASSAGEWAYS IN AN X-RAY TUBE
Granted: March 29, 2012
Application Number:
20120076278
Integral liquid-coolant passageways in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube includes a can at least partially defining an evacuated enclosure, a cathode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure. The can has first integral liquid-coolant passageways formed therein. The can is configured to have a liquid coolant circulated through the first integral liquid-coolant passageways…
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH RESOLUTION RADIATION FIELD SHAPING
Granted: March 22, 2012
Application Number:
20120068087
A system and method are provided for a high resolution radiation treatment system which provide for projecting a field of radiation energy at targeted patient tissue. The system uses a multi-leaf collimator, which is positioned such that a significant clearance is provided between the multi-leaf collimator and the isocenter plane where the targeted tissue is located. The leaves of the multi-leaf collimator are designed to provide for high step resolution in the projected radiation energy…
X-RAY TARGET MANUFACTURED USING ELECTROFORMING PROCESS
Granted: March 8, 2012
Application Number:
20120057681
One or more components of an x-ray target assembly are manufactured using an electroforming process. The electroforming is carried out by providing an electroforming apparatus that includes an electrolyte, a metal anode, and an electrically conductive cathode. The cathode includes an intermediate x-ray target assembly upon which the metal is to be deposited and/or an electrically conductive mold for forming a component of an x-ray target assembly. The x-ray target component (e.g., a…
Method and Apparatus Regarding Iterative Processes as Pertain to Medical Imaging Information
Granted: March 1, 2012
Application Number:
20120051607
A medical-imaging digital-computing platform serves to access a plurality of data objects and to execute an iterative process with respect to these data objects. The data objects themselves each at least generally pertain to portions of the human anatomy and may comprise, for example, both a source data object and a target data object. The platform executes the iterative process to determine at least one of a labeling of a portion of one of the data objects and a geometric relationship…
DOSE CALCULATION METHOD FOR MULTIPLE FIELDS
Granted: March 1, 2012
Application Number:
20120051516
Systems and methods for developing a treatment plan for irradiating a treatment volume within a patient are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, control points used to calculate a dose of radiation delivered to the treatment volume may be combined to result in a smaller number of control points. The smaller number of control points may allow more efficient calculation of dose distributions resulting in a treatment plan that can be delivered to the patient earlier or may…
Apparatus and Method Pertaining to Radiation-Treatment Planning Optimization
Granted: February 23, 2012
Application Number:
20120045035
A radiation-treatment planning apparatus accesses information regarding a treatment target and at least one operational parameter pertaining to a physical characteristic of a given radiation-treatment platform. The apparatus also accesses information regarding a candidate treatment plan using the given platform. The apparatus then optimizes the candidate treatment plan by permitting, temporarily, discontinuities of the at least one operational parameter as between adjacent ones of a…
MULTI LEVEL MULTILEAF COLLIMATORS
Granted: February 23, 2012
Application Number:
20120043482
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…
MULTILEAF COLLIMATORS WITH TRANSVERSE MOTION
Granted: February 23, 2012
Application Number:
20120043481
A collimation assembly includes a multileaf collimator and motion assembly. The multileaf collimator includes a support body and a plurality of pairs of beam blocking leaves supported by the support body. The beam blocking leaves are longitudinally movable in a first direction. The motion assembly includes an actuator and a guide assembly operable to move the support body and thereby allowing the plurality of pairs of beam blocking leaves to move in a second direction generally…
CATHODE ASSEMBLY FOR AN X-RAY TUBE
Granted: February 2, 2012
Application Number:
20120027182
A cathode assembly for an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, a cathode assembly includes a cathode head, a filament, and first and second focusing tabs. The cathode head defines a recess having first and second open ends, a slot within the recess, and first and second tab stops within the recess. The filament is positioned within the slot. The first focusing tab is positioned in the first open end of the recess abutting the first tab stop. The second focusing tab is positioned in the…
LIQUID METAL CONTAINMENT IN AN X-RAY TUBE
Granted: January 19, 2012
Application Number:
20120014509
Liquid metal containment in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube anode assembly includes a stationary shaft terminated by a head and an anode connected to an anode hub. The anode hub is at least partially surrounding the head of the stationary shaft. The anode hub defines a hub opening through which the stationary shaft extends. The anode hub is configured to contain a volume of a liquid metal and to rotate around the stationary shaft. The anode hub also defines a…
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Use of Jaws During Radiation Treatment
Granted: January 19, 2012
Application Number:
20120012763
These various embodiments are employed in conjunction with the use of both a multi-leaf collimator and jaws that are interposed between a source of radiation and a treatment target while sourcing radiation from the source of radiation towards the treatment target. Generally speaking, during some portion of the aforementioned treatment, these teachings provide for manipulating the jaws to more tightly constrain, in at least one dimension, a beam-shaping aperture as is formed by the…
X-RAY TUBE ROTATING ANODE
Granted: December 22, 2011
Application Number:
20110311028
An x-ray tube rotating anode. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube rotating anode includes a hub configured to attach to a bearing assembly, rings positioned radially outward from the hub, bridges connecting the rings together, annular ring fins each attached to one of the rings, a focal track positioned radially outward from the annular ring fins, and annular focal track fins attached to the focal track.
X-RAY TARGET AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
Granted: December 15, 2011
Application Number:
20110305324
In one example, an x-ray target comprises a target track, a substrate, and an optional backing. The target track includes a base material and a grain growth inhibitor to reduce or prevent microstructure grain growth in the base material. The target track can be included as part of an x-ray tube anode, either of a rotary form or a stationary form.
METHODS, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR INCREASING ACCURACY IN CONE-BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
Granted: December 8, 2011
Application Number:
20110299652
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-product programs for increasing accuracy in cone-beam computed tomography.
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Interlaced Amplitude Pulsing Using a Hard-Tube Type Pulse Generator
Granted: December 8, 2011
Application Number:
20110298299
These various embodiments serve to facilitate interlaced amplitude pulsing using a hard-tube type pulse generator having at least one energy-storage unit each comprising at least one energy-storing capacitor. Generally speaking, this comprises controlling an amount of energy withdrawn from the energy-storage unit and provided to an output load to form productive electric pulses by controlling at least one of: (1) energy replenishment; and (2) non-productive energy withdrawal of the…
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Developing Care Paths
Granted: November 17, 2011
Application Number:
20110282685
A control circuit develops, in parallel, a plurality of care paths for at least one corresponding patient. This can comprise, for these care paths, serially completing a plurality of corresponding care-path-development phases (using, for example, input information of choice). Then, pursuant to these teachings and before concluding development of at least one of these care paths (and upon determining a change to the aforementioned input information during the developing process),…
Method and Apparatus Pertaining to Rendering an Image to Convey Levels of Confidence with Respect to Materials Identification
Granted: November 17, 2011
Application Number:
20110280440
A control circuit accesses image information regarding an image of a target. This information comprises, at least in part, information regarding material content of the target. The control circuit also accesses confidence information regarding at least one degree of confidence as pertains to the target's material content. The control circuit uses this confidence information to facilitate rendering the image such that the rendered image integrally conveys information both about materials…
Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Generating a Treatment Plan for Irradiating a Patient's Treatment Volume
Granted: November 17, 2011
Application Number:
20110280373
One provides (101) a plurality of different treatment plans for a given patient, wherein at least one such plans is provided by using deformation information that is obtained by using historical information for persons other than the given patient regarding physical changes over time as correspond to at least one volume within the given patient and/or calculated information regarding physical changes as correspond to the at least one volume within the patient. Obtained data (102) as…
