Abstract: A variable rotating capacitor or RotCo 5 that can be connected via a transmission line 3 to the dee 2 of a synchrocyclotron 1 so as to adjust a resonant frequency of the synchrocyclotron as a function of time and which comprises a cylindrical rotor 10 and a cylindrical stator 20 that are coaxial with the Z axis. The rotor comprises a plurality of circumferentially-distributed rotor electrodes 11 extending parallel to its rotation axis Z. The stator comprises a plurality of circumferentially-distributed stator electrodes 21 extending parallel to the rotation axis Z. Each stator electrode 21 consists of a single metal plate and all said plates are distributed over one and the same stator circumference 25. This makes it possible for the RF currents in the electrodes to be better distributed and thus reduces the local overheating. The present invention also relates to a synchrocyclotron comprising such a RotCo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particle therapy system that comprises a spot scanning system to irradiate with a particle beam a plurality of spots in a layer of a target with prescribed spot doses for each spot of the layer. The therapy system is further adapted to perform multiple paintings of the layer and to deliver partial spot doses to selected spots of the layer during each painting time so that each spot of the layer will have received its prescribed dose after completion of the multiple paintings. The therapy system further comprises means for setting the partial spot doses and the number of times that a spot will be selected for irradiation in the course of the multiple paintings to such values that any spot of the layer will never have to be irradiated with a partial dose which would fall below a minimum dose deliverable by the system, and this whatever the number chosen for the number of layer paintings. The invention also relates to a corresponding irradiation method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particle therapy apparatus used for radiation therapy. More particularly, this invention relates to a compact isocentric gantry for delivering particle beams perpendicularly to a rotation axis of the gantry. The gantry comprises three dipole magnets. The angle of the last dipole magnet is smaller than 90° and a most preferred bending angle for this last dipole magnet is 60°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particle therapy apparatus used for radiation therapy. More particularly, this invention relates to a compact isocentric gantry for delivering particle beams perpendicularly to a rotation axis of the gantry. The gantry comprises three dipole magnets. The angle of the last dipole magnet is smaller than 90° and a most preferred bending angle for this last dipole magnet is 60°.

Abstract: A variable rotating capacitor or RotCo 5 that can be connected via a transmission line 3 to the dee 2 of a synchrocyclotron 1 so as to adjust a resonant frequency of the synchrocyclotron as a function of time and which comprises a cylindrical rotor 10 and a cylindrical stator 20 that are coaxial with the Z axis. The rotor comprises a plurality of circumferentially-distributed rotor electrodes 11 extending parallel to its rotation axis Z. The stator comprises a plurality of circumferentially-distributed stator electrodes 21 extending parallel to the rotation axis Z. Each stator electrode 21 consists of a single metal plate and all said plates are distributed over one and the same stator circumference 25. This makes it possible for the RF currents in the electrodes to be better distributed and thus reduces the local overheating. The present invention also relates to a synchrocyclotron comprising such a RotCo.

Abstract: A charged particle irradiation device (10) and method for irradiating a target volume (50), adapted for receiving a treatment plan (70) defining a series of prescribed irradiation points (140) having each a prescribed dose to be delivered is provided. The device includes an irradiation unit (40) having at least one scanning magnet (100; 110), and at least one beam position monitor (130) installed in between the said scanning magnet (100; 110) and said target volume (50) is provided. A controller (80) comprises means for calculating for any said prescribed irradiation point corresponding nominal magnetic settings of the scanning magnet such that a beam (90) is pointing to said prescribed irradiation point when corresponding magnetic settings are applied, and means for calculating corresponding expected position at said beam position monitor (130) according to said first correction.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an irradiation cell for producing a radioisotope of interest through the irradiation of a target material by a particle beam, comprising a metallic insert forming a cavity designed to house the target material and to be closed by an irradiation window, wherein said metallic insert comprises at least two separate metallic parts of different materials, being composed of at least a first part comprising said cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a patient positioning imaging device for positioning a patient in a hadron therapy device provided with a rotatable gantry (20). The patient positioning imaging device comprises a rotatable structure (10) provided with an extensible arm or foldable pivoting arm (12) arranged for connecting an imaging beam source (121) and an extensible structure or foldable pivoting structure (14) arranged for carrying an imaging beam receiver (141). The rotatable structure (10) is arranged for taking CBCT shots of the patient while the patient is located in an offset position with respect to an isocentre of the hadron therapy device, said offset position being in the direction of a rotational axis of the rotatable gantry (20). The rotatable structure (10) is arranged for being rotated while the rotatable gantry (20) remains fixed, and while the extensible or pivoting arm (12) and the extensible or pivoting structure (14) are in extended or unfolded position.

Abstract: A dc accelerator system able to accelerate high currents of proton beams at high energies is provided. The accelerator system includes a dc high-voltage, high-current power supply, an evacuated ion accelerating tube, a proton ion source, a dipole analyzing magnet and a vacuum pump located in the high-voltage terminal. The high-current, high-energy dc proton beam can be directed to a number of targets depending on the applications such as boron neutron capture therapy BNCT applications, NRA applications, and silicon cleaving.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a patient positioning imaging device for positioning a patient in a hadron therapy device provided with a rotatable gantry (20). The patient positioning imaging device comprises a rotatable structure (10) provided with an extensible arm or foldable pivoting arm (12) arranged for connecting an imaging beam source (121) and an extensible structure or foldable pivoting structure (14) arranged for carrying an imaging beam receiver (141). The rotatable structure (10) is arranged for taking CBCT shots of the patient while the patient is located in an offset position with respect to an isocentre of the hadron therapy device, said offset position being in the direction of a rotational axis of the rotatable gantry (20). The rotatable structure (10) is arranged for being rotated while the rotatable gantry (20) remains fixed, and while the extensible or pivoting arm (12) and the extensible or pivoting structure (14) are in extended or unfolded position.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and a system for automatically allocating a particle beam to one of a plurality of treatment rooms. Upon receiving a request from one of the beam users, the system checks whether the beam is available and may automatically allocate the beam to the requesting room. Otherwise, the request may be put on a waiting list of pending requests, in a position which depends on the priority level (and arrival lime) coupled to said request.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus for irradiating products conveyed on a pallet, comprising a beam source (3) for producing a radiation beam, a shielding wall (4) encompassing an irradiation chamber (2) and a revolving cylindrical door (6) having a recess (8) for holding said pallet, for bringing said pallet in and out of the irradiation chamber (2) wherein said high-energy radiation beam is directed towards a lateral side of said revolving door (6), for irradiating said pallet in said recess (8), or brought before said recess (8). The present invention is also related to a process wherein a product pallet is brought into an irradiation chamber (2) through a revolving cylindrical door (6) having a recess (8), and irradiated while in said recess (8) or in front of said recess (8).