Abstract: Analysis of the production of 11C fragments mainly by projectile fragmentation of a stable monodirectional and monoenergetic primary 12C beam in different decelerating materials are presented and the optimal target choice have been identified to obtain the highest possible beam quality of decelerated 11C beam at arbitrary energies and therapeutic ranges. The optimal 11C-generating target is made of hydrogen preferably followed by a digitally variable decelerator of a hydrogen rich compound, such as polyethylene, to maximize the quality of the 11C beam.

Abstract: Analysis of the production of 11C fragments mainly by projectile fragmentation of a stable monodirectional and monoenergetic primary 12C beam in different decelerating materials are presented and the optimal target choice have been identity fled to obtain the highest possible beam quality of decelerated 11C beam at arbitrary energies and therapeutic ranges. The optimal 11C-generating target is made of hydrogen preferably followed by a digitally variable decelerator of a hydrogen rich compound, such as polyethylene, to maximize the quality of the 11C beam.

Abstract: A collimator (1) primarily adapted for usage in a narrow scanned pencil beam radiation therapy system (100) includes adjacent pairs (5) of collimator leaves (10, 20). An inner portion (12) of a collimator leaf (10) facing the opposite leaf (20) of a pair (5) is made of a first material having high linear radiation attenuation. The remaining, major portion (14) of the leaf (10) is made of a second material having a comparatively low density, weight and radiation attenuation. The collimator (1) provides effective penumbra trimming of a radiation beam (60), while simultaneously protecting healthy tissue around a tumor in an irradiated patient (80) from the radiation. The new design results in a significantly more compact, lighter and less expensive collimator (1) as compared to traditional collimators.

Abstract: A stereoscopic phase-contrast X-ray imaging system (1) comprises a stereoscopic radiation head (20) having at least one X-ray source (30, 31) providing a first (32) and second (33) X-ray beam in stereoscopic configuration onto an object (110). At least one detector (40, 41) detects the beams (32, 33) having passed through the object (110) and generates detection data. This data is processed by a phase-contrast stereoscopic reconstruction processor (60) to generate two 2D phase-contrast images (80, 82) of the object (110) collectively forming a stereoscopic image pair or stereo image providing high resolution 3D representation of the object (110).

Abstract: A collimator (1) primarily adapted for usage in a narrow scanned pencil beam radiation therapy system (100) includes adjacent pairs (5) of collimator leaves (10, 20). An inner portion (12) of a collimator leaf (10) facing the opposite leaf (20) of a pair (5) is made of a first material having high linear radiation attenuation. The remaining, major portion (14) of the leaf (10) is made of a second material having a comparatively low density, weight and radiation attenuation. The collimator (1) provides effective penumbra trimming of a radiation beam (60), while simultaneously protecting healthy tissue around a tumor in an irradiated patient (80) from the radiation. The new design results in a significantly more compact, lighter and less expensive collimator (1) as compared to traditional collimators.

Abstract: A stereoscopic phase-contrast X-ray imaging system (1) comprises a stereoscopic radiation head (20) having at least one X-ray source (30, 31) providing a first (32) and second (33) X-ray beam in stereoscopic configuration onto an object (110). At least one detector (40, 41) detects the beams (32, 33) having passed through the object (110) and generates detection data. This data is processed by a phase-contrast stereoscopic reconstruction processor (60) to generate two 2D phase-contrast images (80, 82) of the object (110) collectively forming a stereoscopic image pair or stereo image providing high resolution 3D representation of the object (110).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a radiation system (1) comprising an excentric gantry (100) arranged in connection with multiple treatment rooms (61-68) separated by radiation-shielding separating members (71-78). A movable rotation head (120) is connected to the gantry (100) and is able to move between, and direct a radiation beam (110) into, the treatment rooms (61-68). A simulator head (200-1 to 200-8) is preferably arranged together with the radiation system so it can be used in each respective treatment room (61-68). In such a case, while a first subject (40-1) is being irradiated in a first room (61), a treatment set-up procedure, including correct positioning of subjects (40-2 to 40-8) and irradiation simulation, can simultaneously take place for the other subjects (40-2 to 40-8) in the other treatment rooms (62 to 68).

Abstract: A radiation beam modulator for modulating a radiation beam in a radiation system, includes an array of multiple columns of a radiation modulating fluid or liquid and a height adjuster which adjusts the heights of the multiple fluid columns so that the adjusted columns collectively will form a target radiation modulating profile. In a first embodiment, the modulator includes a bundle of capillaries in which the modulating fluid is conveyed to form the columns. An antagonizing fluid is conveyed into an opposite end of the capillaries to lock the modulating fluid in position between adjustments. In a second embodiment, the modulator includes a bath of the modulating fluid, in which bars can be immersed and retracted to generate the target radiation modulating profile.

Abstract: A radiation beam modulator (1; 500; 600) that can be employed for modulating a radiation beam (60) in a radiation system. The modulator (1; 500; 600) comprises a bath (590; 690) containing a radiation attenuating fluid (520; 620) and multiple low radiation attenuating bars (570; 670) immersed in the fluid (520; 620) to form an array of multiple columns (525; 625). A height adjuster (530; 630) is arranged for adjusting a respective level of immersion of the bars (570; 670) in the fluid (520; 620) thereby to adjust the heights of the fluid columns (525; 625) such that the columns (525; 625) collectively form a radiation beam modulating profile.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a radiation system (1) comprising an eccentric gantry (100) arranged in connection with multiple treatment rooms (61-68) separated by radiation-shielding separating members (71-78). A movable rotation head (120) is connected to the gantry (100) and is able to move between, and direct a radiation beam (110) into, the treatment rooms (61-68). A simulator head (200-1 to 200-8) is preferably arranged together with the radiation system so it can be used in each respective treatment room (61-68). In such a case, while a first subject (40-1) is being irradiated in a first room (61), a treatment set-up procedure, including correct positioning of subjects (40-2 to 40-8) and irradiation simulation, can simultaneously take place for the other subjects (40-2 to 40-8) in the other treatment rooms (62 to 68).

Abstract: The present invention involves a radiation beam modulator (1; 100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) that can be employed for modulating a radiation beam (60) in a radiation system. The modulator (1; 100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) comprises an array of multiple columns (125; 225; 325; 425; 525; 625) of a radiation modulating fluid or liquid (120; 220; 320; 420) and a height adjuster (130; 230; 330; 430; 530; 630). This height adjuster (130; 230; 330; 430; 530; 630) adjusts the heights of the multiple fluid columns (125; 225; 325; 425; 525; 625) so that the adjusted columns (125; 225; 325; 425; 525; 625) collectively will form a target radiation modulating profile. In a first embodiment, the modulator (100; 200; 300; 400) includes a bundle of capillaries (150; 250; 350; 450) in which the modulating fluid (120; 220; 320; 420) is conveyed to form the columns (125; 225; 325, 425).

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layered radiation converter, a radiation detector comprising such a converter as well as a radiation-based imaging system using such a detector. Each converter layer (32) in the radiation converter is adapted for interaction with incident radiation to cause the emission of electrons into drift holes defined in the converter layer. The drift holes of one converter layer (32-1) are staggered with respect to the drift holes of another converter layer (32-2). By mutually shifting the converter layers such that the drift holes of two different layers are no longer well-aligned, but rather staggered with respect to each other, the effective conversion area will be increased, and the probability of incoming radiation passing through the stack without interaction with the converter layers will be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A radiation sensor device (20) for detection of radiation. A sensor device with an array of radiation sensitive elements (24) forming a sensor surface (26) is provided. The device comprises a number of circuit boards (21), each with a row of radiation sensitive elements, such as X-ray sensitive charge collectors, provided at the edge portion. The radiation sensitive elements are each connected to signal processing means (28), e.g. ASICs with amplifiers, outside the radiation field by a respective connection line (25) arranged on a main surface (22) of the circuit board. A number of circuit boards are arranged adjacent to each other with the main planes substantially perpendicular to the sensor surface. By using the circuit card depth the invention easily provides surfaces with a very large number of individually connected radiation sensitive elements, resulting in improved image resolution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation sensor device (20) for detection of radiation. A sensor device with an array of radiation sensitive elements (24) forming a sensor surface (26) is provided. The device comprises a number of circuit boards (21), each with a row of radiation sensitive elements, such as X-ray sensitive charge collectors, provided at the edge portion. The radiation sensitive elements are each connected to signal processing means (28), e.g. ASICs with amplifiers, outside the radiation field by a respective connection line (25) arranged on a main surface (22) of the circuit board. A number of circuit boards are arranged adjacent to each other with the main planes substantially perpendicular to the sensor surface. By using the circuit card depth the invention easily provides surfaces with a very large number of individually connected radiation sensitive elements, resulting in improved image resolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layered radiation converter, a radiation detector comprising such a converter as well as a radiation-based imaging system using such a detector. Each converter layer (32) in the radiation converter is adapted for interaction with incident radiation to cause the emission of electrons into drift holes defined in the converter layer. The drift holes of one converter layer (32-1) are staggered with respect to the drift holes of another converter layer (32-2). By mutually shifting the converter layers such that the drift holes of two different layers are no longer well-aligned, but rather staggered with respect to each other, the effective conversion area will be increased, and the probability of incoming radiation passing through the stack without interaction with the converter layers will be significantly reduced.

Abstract: Methods and systems for relating anatomical patient information between different medical machines in a radiation therapy or diagnostic process are disclosed. In connection with each machine a respective 2- or 3-dimensional representation of at least a portion of the patient is determined in relation to an overall common coordinate system associated with the patient. The anatomical patient information between the different medical machines are then related based on the 2- or 3-dimensional representations as common reference between the machines. This makes it possible to integrate and depict anatomical information obtained with different imaging techniques into the common coordinate system. Also methods and systems for accurate patient positioning are disclosed, whereby the 2- or 3-dimensional representation is compared to a reference representation. The patient is then positioned to minimize the deviation between the representations.

Abstract: A detector unit for detecting photons in the energy range 1 keV to 100 MeV, includes at least two converter layers adapted to interact with incident X-ray photons and to cause electrons to be emitted therefrom, at least one amplifier adapted to interact with the electrons emitted from the converters and adapted to produce a multiplicity of secondary electrons and photons representing a signal proportional to the incident fluence of X-ray photons, a connector connecting the detector to an electric field generator providing an electric drift field for secondary electrons in the detector, and a sensor device arranged to receive the signal and provide an input to electronic signal processor.

Abstract: A detector unit for detecting photons in the energy range 1 keV to 100 MeV, includes at least two converter layers adapted to interact with incident X-ray photons and to cause electrons to be emitted therefrom, at least one amplifier adapted to interact with the electrons emitted from the converters and adapted to produce a multiplicity of secondary electrons and photons representing a signal proportional to the incident fluence of X-ray photons, a connector connecting the detector to an electric field generator providing an electric drift field for secondary electrons in the detector, and a sensor device arranged to receive the signal and provide an input to electronic signal processor.

Abstract: A multi leaf collimator for a radiation beam the particles of which is selected from the group consisting of high energy photons, electrons, protons and heavy ions which are emitted from a small effective radiation source. The collimator comprises low hight, elongated, curved, in cross section wedge-shaped leaves arranged side by side in opposed pairs. The configuration is such that the parts of the surfaces intersecting the irradation field will always be directed generally towards the radiation source. A protective casing surrounding a frame on which the collimator is mounted can be filled with helium gas to optimize the collimator for use with electron and photon beams in the energy range from 1 up to 50 MeV. The individual settings of the leaves are supervised by a TV-camera which also can be used to set the leaves in predetermined positions.

Abstract: A neutron collimator with an adjustable irradiation field for an effective neutron radiation source includes a protective radiation casing; a frame surrounded by the casing; a plurality of individual carrier arms mounted on the frame; a plurality of pairs of opposite elongated wedge-shaped slabs arranged side by side such that respective ones of the opposite wedge-shaped slabs form a fan-shaped configuration which converges toward an apex at the neutron radiation source, each wedge-shaped slab being mounted for rotational and translational movement on a respective carrier arm such that the wedge-shaped slabs of each pair are mounted for motion towards and away from each other along a path which intersects the irradiation field for the neutron radiation source and such that the inner side surface of each wedge-shaped slab is always directed generally towards the neutron radiation source; and at least one bearing provided between each wedge-shaped slab and the respective carrier arm on which it is movably mount