Method for calculating head scatter phase space for radiation treatment using a multi-leaf collimator with dynamic jaws
Granted: October 2, 2012
Patent Number:
8280003
A method is proposed for accurate and efficient modeling of head scatter phase space for treatments with dynamic jaws. Specifically, the method enables the efficient calculation of the head scatter phase space in case of a dynamic treatment where jaws and MLC leaves move during the delivery. In one embodiment, the invention can be used to calculate the head scatter contribution during final dose calculation of dynamic treatments. This novel method also enables an accurate calculation of…
Gated radiation procedure using packages
Granted: October 2, 2012
Patent Number:
8278633
A method of delivering radiation in a session includes delivering radiation towards a patient using a radiation system, wherein the radiation is delivered based at least in part on a physiological phase or a position of the patient, after the radiation is delivered, changing a configuration of the radiation system, wherein the act of changing the configuration is performed independent of at least one motion of the patient, and delivering additional radiation towards the patient after the…
Dual energy radiation scanning of objects
Granted: September 11, 2012
Patent Number:
8263938
In one embodiment, a method of examining an object is disclosed comprising scanning an object at first and second radiation energies, detecting radiation at the first and second energies, and calculating a function of the radiation detected at the first and second energies. The function may be calculated for corresponding portions of the object. It is determined whether the object at least potentially comprises high atomic number material having an atomic number greater than a…
X-ray tube rotating anode
Granted: August 21, 2012
Patent Number:
8249219
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.
Integrated radiation therapy systems and methods for treating a target in a patient
Granted: August 14, 2012
Patent Number:
8244330
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…
Treatment plan optimization method for radiotherapy
Granted: August 7, 2012
Patent Number:
8238520
Systems and methods for providing radiosurgery treatment to a patient by combining methods from both traditional radiosurgery and radiotherapy are disclosed. A dose sufficient to kill tissue is applied to a target area while a steep drop off, or gradient, is provided at the border between the target area and adjacent areas so that other portions of the brain or nearby structures or organs are not damaged. The treatment plan is optimized by using both measures known in the art along with…
Filter changing assembly for filtering a radiation beam
Granted: August 7, 2012
Patent Number:
8238522
A filter changing assembly that can be used in, for example, a radiology system includes shape filters that can used to shape a radiation beam and that can be moved back-and-forth, for example. The filter changing assembly also includes beam hardening filters that can be used to change the energy spectrum of the radiation beam, and that also can be moved back-and-forth, for example. The filter changing assembly includes a control system that can be used to select at least one of the…
Systems and methods for real-time tracking of targets in radiation therapy and other medical applications
Granted: August 7, 2012
Patent Number:
8239005
Systems and methods for tracking targets in real time for radiation therapy and other applications. In one embodiment, a method includes collecting position information of a marker implanted within a patient at a site relative to the target at a time tn, and providing an objective output indicative of the location of the target based on the position information collected at time tn. The objective output is provided to a memory device, user interface, and/or radiation delivery machine…
Corrosion barrier layer for photoconductive X-ray imagers
Granted: July 31, 2012
Patent Number:
8232531
Improved corrosion resistance for direct X-ray imaging detectors is obtained by providing a pixelated, electrically conductive barrier layer between the X-ray sensitive material and the pixel electrodes. Each barrier layer can cover part or all of its corresponding pixel electrode. In cases where pixel electrodes makes contact to underlying circuitry through vertical vias, it is preferred for the barrier layers to cover the via sections of the pixel electrodes. The barrier layers for…
Radiation scanning and disabling of hazardous targets in containers
Granted: July 17, 2012
Patent Number:
8223918
In one example, a method of examining a container is disclosed comprising detecting a potential threat within contents of a container using radiation scanning and disabling the potential threat with radiation. In another example, a method of examining a container is disclosed comprising scanning at least a portion of the container with a first radiation beam, detecting radiation interacting with contents of the container, identifying a potential threat contained based, at least in part,…
Method and apparatus to facilitate reconstructing an image using fan-beam data
Granted: July 10, 2012
Patent Number:
8218720
One provides (101) fan-beam data via a translate-rotate computed tomography acquisition process and then reconstructs (102) an image from this data without resampling any pixel positions other than to optionally resample pixel positions to compensate for non-uniform translation intervals. These embodiments also provide for reconstructing this image from this data without interpolating any pixel positions other than to optionally interpolate pixel positions as again may be useful to…
Systems and methods for calibrating alignment devices
Granted: June 12, 2012
Patent Number:
8198579
A calibration device includes a structure, and a target object that is moveably coupled to the structure, the target object being a physical target towards which an alignment device can be aimed. A calibration device includes a block having a first opening, and a target object that is viewable through the first opening. A method of calibrating an alignment device includes determining a target position associated with a machine, placing a target object at the target position, and…
Compact, interleaved radiation sources
Granted: June 12, 2012
Patent Number:
8198587
Compact, dual energy radiation scanning systems are described comprising two particle beam accelerators, each configured to accelerate charged particles to different energies, positioned parallel to a direction of movement of an object to be inspected. The accelerator may be positioned perpendicular to a plane of the conveying system, instead. Bend magnet systems bend each charged particle beam toward a respective target. Alternatively, a single dual energy accelerator capable of…
Methods of scatter correction of x-ray projection data 2
Granted: June 12, 2012
Patent Number:
8199873
A system and method for forming an adjusted estimate of scattered radiation in a radiographic projection of a target object, which incorporates scattered radiation from objects adjacent to the target object, such as a patient table. A piercing point equalization method is disclosed, and a refinement of analytical kernel methods which utilizes hybrid kernels is also disclosed.
Methods of scatter correction of x-ray projection data 1
Granted: June 12, 2012
Patent Number:
8199879
A system and method for forming an adjusted estimate of scattered radiation in a radiographic projection of a target object, which incorporates scattered radiation from objects adjacent to the target object, such as a patient table. A piercing point equalization method is disclosed, and a refinement of analytical kernel methods which utilizes hybrid kernels is also disclosed.
Reducing variation in radiation therapy treatment planning
Granted: June 12, 2012
Patent Number:
8199990
A method and apparatus are disclosed that reduces variation in radiation therapy treatment planning among plurality of users within the same or different geographic locations. The system includes a method and an apparatus that provide users with the knowledge information and utilizing the knowledge information to contour target volumes for radiation treatment planning. The mode of operation includes utilizing a stand-alone workstation or a server computer connected to the plurality of…
Patient visual instruction techniques for synchronizing breathing with a medical procedure
Granted: June 12, 2012
Patent Number:
8200315
A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a result of an activity being performed by the patient and a first target result to be achieved by the activity. A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a time and a target result to be achieved by an activity. A method of prompting a patient includes informing a patient a relationship between a position of a portion of the patient and a first target position…
Methods, systems, and computer-program products to correct degradation in tomographic images caused by extraneous radiation
Granted: June 5, 2012
Patent Number:
8194821
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…
Interlaced multi-energy radiation sources
Granted: May 22, 2012
Patent Number:
8183801
Multi-energy radiation sources comprising charged particle accelerators driven by power generators providing different RF powers to the accelerator, capable of interlaced operation, are disclosed. Automatic frequency control techniques are provided to match the frequency of RF power provided to the accelerator with the accelerator resonance frequency. In one example where the power generator is a mechanically tunable magnetron, an automatic frequency controller is provided to match the…
Method and apparatus to facilitate using multiple radiation-detection views to differentiate one material from another
Granted: May 22, 2012
Patent Number:
8184769
At least three radiation-detection views are used to facilitate identifying material as comprises an object being assessed along a beam path relative to that object. This comprises developing a first radiation-detection view (101) as corresponds to the material along the beam path, a second radiation-detection view (102) as corresponds to the material along substantially the beam path, and at least a third radiation-detection view (103) as corresponds to the material along substantially…
