X-ray tube bearing assembly
Granted: February 26, 2013
Patent Number:
8385505
In one example, an x-ray tube comprises an evacuated enclosure and a cathode disposed within the evacuated enclosure. An anode is also disposed within the evacuated enclosure opposite the cathode so as to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. A rotor sleeve is coupled to the anode, the rotor sleeve being responsive to applied electromagnetic fields such that a rotational motion is imparted to the anode. A magnetic assist bearing assembly rotatably supports the anode.
Treatment planning simulation and verification system
Granted: February 26, 2013
Patent Number:
8385502
A treatment planning, simulation, and verification system is described. According to one embodiment, a treatment plan and a fluoroscopy data image of a treatment volume are received and the treatment plan is automatically adjusted based on the movement of the fluoroscopy data image. According another embodiment, a system includes a treatment planning component to generate a treatment plan and a simulation component to simulate the execution of the treatment plan.
Electrically insulating X-ray shielding devices in an X-ray tube
Granted: February 19, 2013
Patent Number:
8379799
Electrically insulating x-ray shielding devices in an x-ray tube. In one example embodiment, an x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure, a cathode and an anode at least partially positioned within the evacuated enclosure, and an electrically insulating x-ray shielding device proximate to the evacuated enclosure. The electrically insulating x-ray shielding device includes an oxide or nitride material having an atomic number from 57 to 74.
Prone patient positioning devices and methods
Granted: February 12, 2013
Patent Number:
8374312
A radiotherapy couch top includes a cantilevered section adapted to support at least a portion of a prone patient's upper body. The cantilevered section may be provided with an opening configured to allow at least a portion of the body portion to extend into from above and to allow a radiation beam to pass through from below.
Apparatus and method to facilitate generating a treatment plan for irradiating a patient's treatment volume
Granted: January 29, 2013
Patent Number:
8363785
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…
Expanding multi-lumen applicator operating within a balloon
Granted: January 8, 2013
Patent Number:
8348825
A brachytherapy apparatus includes a distal support member and a proximal support member movable relative to the distal support member. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongate treatment members having distal first locations coupled to the distal support member, proximal second locations coupled to the proximal support member, and pathways between the proximal second locations and the distal first locations adapted to receive one or more radiation sources. Each of the treatment…
Methods and systems for treating cancer using external beam radiation
Granted: January 8, 2013
Patent Number:
8350226
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.
Integrated radiation therapy systems and methods for treating a target in a patient
Granted: December 25, 2012
Patent Number:
8340742
An integrated radiation therapy process comprises acquiring first objective target data related to a parameter of a target within a patient by periodically locating a marker positioned within the patient using a localization modality. This method continues with obtaining second objective target data related to the parameter of the target by periodically locating the marker. The first objective target data can be acquired in a first area that is apart from a second area which contains a…
Method and system for treating moving target
Granted: December 11, 2012
Patent Number:
8331532
A method and system for providing intensity modulated radiation therapy to a moving target is disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a treatment plan for providing radiotherapy using a multi-leaf collimator (“MLC”) comprises a plurality of sub-plans, each of which is optimized for a different phase of target movement. Movements of the treatment target are tracked in real time, and the choice of which sub-plan to implement is made in real time based on the…
Device for reducing peak field an accelerator system
Granted: December 11, 2012
Patent Number:
8330397
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.
Energy modulator for modulating an energy of a particle beam
Granted: December 11, 2012
Patent Number:
8330132
An energy modulator for use with a particle source that provides a beam of particles includes a first block moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the first block is at the second position, it is in a path of the beam, and a second block moveable relative to the first block, wherein the second block and the first block are offset from each other in a direction of the beam, wherein the first block has a first energy absorption characteristic, and the second…
Methods, systems, and computer-program products for estimating scattered radiation in radiographic projections
Granted: December 4, 2012
Patent Number:
8326011
Several related inventions for estimating scattered radiation in radiographic projections are disclosed. Several of the inventions use scatter kernels of various forms, including symmetric and asymmetric forms. The inventions may be used alone or in various combinations with one another. The resulting estimates of scattered radiation may be used to correct the projections, which can improve the results of tomographic reconstructions. Still other inventions of the present application…
Methods, apparatus, and computer-program products for increasing accuracy in cone-beam computed tomography
Granted: November 27, 2012
Patent Number:
8320518
Portions of the radiation source are obscured so that the radiation only passes through the specific areas of the patient related to the regions-of-interest to the doctor. Scattered radiation received by detector pixels that are obscured by direct-line of sight radiation are used to estimate the scattered radiation in the un-obscured portion, which can be used to increase the accuracy of the image taken through the un-obscured portion.
Multi-energy x-ray source
Granted: November 13, 2012
Patent Number:
8311185
A system for generating image data includes a voltage supply configured for applying a first voltage to generate radiation at a first energy level, and for applying a second voltage to generate radiation at a second energy level, an imager for generating a first set of image data based at least in part on the radiation at the first energy level, and for generating a second set of image data based at least in part on the radiation at the second energy level, and a processor for creating…
Methods for manufacturing packaged systems for implanting markers in a patient
Granted: October 30, 2012
Patent Number:
8297030
Packaged systems for implanting a marker in a patient and methods for manufacturing and using such systems. In one embodiment, a packaged system comprises an introducer having a cannula and a stylet configured to be received in the cannula, a marker in the cannula, and a package having a sterile compartment. The marker can have a casing configured to be implanted in a patient and a resonating circuit in the casing. The resonating circuit can comprise a coil configured to wirelessly…
Liquid metal containment in an x-ray tube
Granted: October 30, 2012
Patent Number:
8300770
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 optimizing a radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan
Granted: October 23, 2012
Patent Number:
8295436
Determine first information regarding physical-movement limitations pertaining to at least one multi-leaf collimator and also determine second information regarding movement of the treatment target with respect to the given patient. Then, while optimizing a radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan, constrain individually-planned leaf positions as a function, at least in part, of the first information, the second information, and planned positions of adjacent leaves. By one approach, the…
Dual energy radiation scanning of contents of an object based on contents type
Granted: October 16, 2012
Patent Number:
8290120
Methods for selecting and applying test criterion for use in the radiation analysis of contents of objects, based on whether the contents of the object, or contents of portions of the object, comprise inorganic or organic material, are described. In one example, the object is scanned by radiation and the contents type is determined based on preliminary test criterion adapted to distinguish between inorganic material and organic material, and detected radiation. At least one test…
Method and apparatus to facilitate treating a target portion of a patient's body with radiation
Granted: October 9, 2012
Patent Number:
8284897
One accesses information regarding the functionality of portions of the patient's body and then uses that information to optimize a radiation-treatment plan to treat a target portion of the patient's body while minimizing at least some collateral radiation-based damage to non-targeted functional portions of the patient's body. By one approach, the aforementioned information can comprise a functionality model as pertains to at least some portions of the patient's body. As one example in…
X-ray tube having a focal spot proximate the tube end
Granted: October 9, 2012
Patent Number:
8284899
An x-ray tube having a reduced spacing between the focal spot of an anode and an adjacent end wall of an evacuated enclosure is disclosed. This in turn positions the tube relatively closer to the chest wall of a patient during mammography procedures. In one embodiment, the x-ray tube comprises an evacuated enclosure having first and second ends interconnected by a cylindrical side wall. The evacuated enclosure includes a rotor assembly having a bearing assembly and a stem. An anode is…
