Method and Apparatus to Provide Corrections for a Radiation-Therapy Beam
Granted: July 8, 2010
Application Number:
20100171964
Information is provided regarding a block's sectional contour in a particular plane as corresponds to a radiation-therapy beam. For a point at which block effects are to be assessed, a point is projected onto a plane of the block and a plurality of straight lines is then formed. Each line has a particular relationship with respect to the projected point (such as having each such line intersect all others at the projected point). Intersections amongst these straight lines and the contour…
EYEWEAR FOR PATIENT PROMPTING
Granted: June 24, 2010
Application Number:
20100158198
An apparatus for prompting a patient includes a structure configured to be mounted to a patient support, a screen coupled to the structure, and a projector located at a distance away from the screen. A method of prompting a patient that is being supported on a patient support includes adjusting a position of a screen relative to a projector, the screen having a surface, placing the screen in front of the patient such that the patient can see the surface, and providing an image on the…
Rapid Matching of Noisy Spectra or Other Signal Patterns
Granted: June 24, 2010
Application Number:
20100158385
A method for use in an object scanning process includes obtaining a reference spectrum that includes a plurality of reference peaks, and comparing the reference spectrum with an input spectrum that has a plurality of input peaks, wherein a number of the reference peaks is less than eight. A method for use in an object scanning process includes obtaining a reference spectrum that includes a plurality of reference peaks, comparing one of the reference peaks with a plurality of input peaks…
REAL TIME TREATMENT PARAMETER ALGORITHM FOR MOVING TARGETS
Granted: June 17, 2010
Application Number:
20100150309
A method of determining a treatment parameter, includes determining an accumulated dose at a target region that undergoes motion, determining an accumulated dose at a critical region, and determining the treatment parameter based on the determined accumulated dose at the target region and the determined accumulated dose at the critical region, wherein the act of determining the treatment parameter is performed during a treatment session. A method of determining a treatment parameter,…
Structure and Procedure for X-Ray CT Guided Cancer Treatment
Granted: May 27, 2010
Application Number:
20100128839
A radiation apparatus includes a first radiation source configured to generate radiation suitable for therapeutic treatment, and a structure for supporting a body. The structure comprises a curved surface adapted to receive a body portion to be treated during a therapeutic treatment.
MULTI-ENERGY X-RAY SOURCE
Granted: May 6, 2010
Application Number:
20100111388
An apparatus for use in a radiation procedure includes a radiation filter having a first portion and a second portion, the first and the second portions forming a layer for filtering radiation impinging thereon, wherein the first portion is made from a first material having a first x-ray filtering characteristic, and the second portion is made from a second material having a second x-ray filtering characteristic. An apparatus for use in a radiation procedure includes a first target…
Methods and Systems for Treating Cancer Using External Beam Radiation
Granted: April 29, 2010
Application Number:
20100102244
A radiation system employs magnetic field to move particle beams and radiation sources. The radiation system includes a source operable to produce a particle beam, a scanning magnet operable to scan the particle beam, and a target configured to be impinged by at least a portion of the scanned particle beam to produce radiation.
Methods and Systems for Treating Breast Cancer Using External Beam Radiation
Granted: April 22, 2010
Application Number:
20100098214
A radiation apparatus includes a radiation source movable in translational and/or rotational degrees of freedom, and a structure adapted to support a body. The structure is provided with an opening to allow a portion of the body passing through to be exposed to at least a portion of the therapeutic radiation while in use.
X-Ray Target With High Strength Bond
Granted: April 1, 2010
Application Number:
20100080358
In one example, an x-ray target comprises a substrate, a target core, and a target track. The substrate and target core are attached together utilizing a carbide layer and a braze layer.
Methods, Systems, and Computer-Program Products to Correct Degradation in Tomographic Images Caused by Extraneous Radiation
Granted: April 1, 2010
Application Number:
20100080337
Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer program products that generate estimates of errors caused by extraneous radiation in tomographic systems, such as cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) systems, fluoroscopic tomography systems, radiographic tomography systems, laminar tomography imaging systems, and the like. In one group of inventions, spatial errors are estimated from projection data collected where a known spatial perturbation has been introduced into radiation intensity…
Cathode Assembly With Integral Tabs
Granted: April 1, 2010
Application Number:
20100079053
A cathode shield comprising a shield body and tabs for defining a focal spot length. The tabs can be integral with the shield body and spaced a distance apart from each other. The tabs can at least partially define the focal spot length of an electron source associated with a cathode shield. The cathode shield can further comprise means for positioning the cathode shield relative to a component in a cathode assembly.
APPARATUS OF PHOTOCONDUCTOR CRYSTAL GROWTH
Granted: March 25, 2010
Application Number:
20100072382
An image acquisition device comprises a photoconductor, a substrate including a detector array, and an interlayer between the photoconductor and the substrate, wherein the interlayer is formed of molecules having a first ligand and a second ligand.
X-Ray Tube Window
Granted: March 25, 2010
Application Number:
20100074411
In one example embodiment, an x-ray transmissive window includes an inner surface and an outer surface. An x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray system defines a beam path area on the inner surface of the window and a beam path area on the outer surface of the window. The inner surface is arranged for contact with cooling fluid of the x-ray system and is configured to prevent bubbles present in the cooling fluid from accumulating on the inner surface in the beam path area of the inner surface.…
Device for Reducing Peak Field an Accelerator System
Granted: March 18, 2010
Application Number:
20100066256
An apparatus for regulating power in an accelerator system includes a directional coupler for sensing a power reflected from an accelerator towards a power source, and a power modulator for reducing an output of the power source based on the sensed power. A method for regulating power in an accelerator system includes sensing a power reflected from an accelerator towards a power source, and reducing an output of the power source based on the sensed power.
Sequential Stereo Imaging for Estimating Trajectory and Monitoring Target Position
Granted: March 18, 2010
Application Number:
20100067739
A method for determining a position of a target includes obtaining a first image of the target, obtaining a second image of the target, wherein the first and the second images have different image planes and are generated at different times, processing the first and second images to determine whether the target in the first image corresponds spatially with the target in the second image, and determining the position of the target based on a result of the act of processing. Systems and…
Systems and Methods for Tracking and Targeting Object in a Patient Using Imaging Techniques
Granted: March 18, 2010
Application Number:
20100069742
A method for use in a medical procedure includes obtaining a contrast-enhanced image of a portion of a patient, the portion of the patient having an object, obtaining a non-contrast-enhanced image of the portion, wherein the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image are created at different times, and determining a position of the object using the contrast-enhanced image and the non-contrast-enhanced image. A method for use in a medical procedure includes obtaining a…
Apparatus and Method to Facilitate Adapting a Radiation Treatment Plan
Granted: March 11, 2010
Application Number:
20100061510
An existing radiation treatment plan is accessed for a given patient as well as first information (such as automatically generated updated information) regarding at least one physical characteristic as corresponds to the radiation treatment of this patient. One then initiates, prior to receiving second information (such as user input) regarding the first information, an automatic adaptation process to adapt the treatment plan to accommodate the first information. Upon later receiving…
Video-Based Breathing Monitoring Without Fiducial Tracking
Granted: March 11, 2010
Application Number:
20100061596
A method of determining a similarity with a portion of a physiological motion, includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, and correlating the determined level of similarity between the first and second images with a portion of the physiological motion. A computer product having a set of instructions, an execution of which causes a method of determining a similarity with a…
Systems and methods for determining a state of a patient
Granted: March 11, 2010
Application Number:
20100063419
A method of monitoring a patient includes obtaining a first image of an object, obtaining a second image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and second images, obtaining a third image of the object, determining a level of similarity between the first and third images, analyzing a time series of values that includes the determined level of similarity between the first and second images and the determined level of similarity between the first and third…
Radiation Treatment Trajectory and Planning Methods
Granted: March 4, 2010
Application Number:
20100051824
A radiation system includes a radiation source, and a patient support for supporting a patient, the patient support located adjacent to the radiation source such that the radiation source can deliver radiation towards the patient while the patient is supported on the patient support, wherein the patient support and the radiation source are positionable at least partially around a same spatial region. A system for use to determine a treatment plan includes a user interface for allowing a…
