Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor of a patient, in a beam treatment center comprising a floor, with positively charged particles, comprising: (1) a synchrotron mounted to an elevated floor section above the floor of the beam treatment center; (2) a beam transport system, comprising: at least three fixed-position beam transport lines, where none of the synchrotron and the beam transport system penetrate through the floor of the beam treatment center; (3) the positively charged particles transported from the synchrotron, through the beam transport system, to a position above a patient positioning system during use; and (4) an optional repositionable nozzle system connected to a first, second, and third fixed-position beam transport line at a first, second, and third time, respectively, where the nozzle track forms an arc of a circle and the repositionable nozzle system moves along the nozzle track.

Abstract: The hammer has a head and a handle which extends from the head. The head has at least two surfaces that face towards the handle and that lie in a common first plane. At least a portion of the handle extends linearly and perpendicularly from the first plane to allow a user to draw a straight line which is perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor of a patient, in a beam treatment center comprising a floor, with positively charged particles, comprising: (1) a synchrotron mounted to an elevated floor section above the floor of the beam treatment center; (2) a beam transport system, comprising: at least three fixed-position beam transport lines, where none of the synchrotron and the beam transport system penetrate through the floor of the beam treatment center; (3) the positively charged particles transported from the synchrotron, through the beam transport system, to a position above a patient positioning system during use; and (4) an optional repositionable nozzle system connected to a first, second, and third fixed-position beam transport line at a first, second, and third time, respectively, where the nozzle track forms an arc of a circle and the repositionable nozzle system moves along the nozzle track.

Abstract: The mixing tool is for opening a container and for mixing a product contained in the container. The tool includes a mixing device which is shaped to mix the product contained in the container. A shank extends along a length from the mixing device to an end face. A channel is formed into the end face for receiving an edge of a lid of the container to allow the tool to be used to pry the lid off of the container.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor of a patient, in a beam treatment center comprising a floor, with positively charged particles, comprising: (1) a synchrotron mounted to an elevated floor section above the floor of the beam treatment center; (2) a beam transport system, comprising: at least three fixed-position beam transport lines, where none of the synchrotron and the beam transport system penetrate through the floor of the beam treatment center; (3) the positively charged particles transported from the synchrotron, through the beam transport system, to a position above a patient positioning system during use; and (4) an optional repositionable nozzle system connected to a first, second, and third fixed-position beam transport line at a first, second, and third time, respectively, where the nozzle track forms an arc of a circle and the repositionable nozzle system moves along the nozzle track.

Abstract: The multi-tool assembly includes a housing which is made of two pieces that are joined together with a screw. The housing extends between opposite longitudinal ends and has opposite lateral sides which extend between the longitudinal ends. The assembly also includes a blade which extends out of one of the longitudinal ends of the housing. At least one spirit level is attached with the housing and is oriented either perpendicular or parallel to at least one of the lateral sides. The blade allows a person to use the multi-tool assembly as a utility knife, and the orientation of the lateral side in parallel with or perpendicular to the spirit level allows a user to use the multi-tool assembly as a torpedo level.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging a tumor of a patient using one or more imaging systems positionable about the tumor and treating the tumor using positively charged particles, such as: (1) using a rotatable gantry support to support and rotate a section of a positively charged particle beam transport line about a rotation axis and a tumor of a patient; (2) using a rotatable and optionally extendable secondary support to support, circumferentially position, and laterally position a primary and optional secondary imaging system about the tumor; (3) image the tumor using the primary and optional secondary imaging system as a function of rotation and/or translation of the secondary support; and (4) treat, optionally concurrently with imaging, the tumor using the positively charged particles as a function of circumferential position of the section of the charged particle beam about the tumor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging a tumor of a patient using one or more imaging systems positionable about the tumor and treating the tumor using positively charged particles, such as a process of: (1) rotating a gantry support and/or gantry, connected to at least a portion of a beam transport system configured to pass a charged particle treatment beam, circumferentially about the patient and a gantry rotation axis; (2) translating a translatable imaging system past the patient on a path parallel to an axis perpendicular to the gantry rotation axis; (3) imaging the tumor using the translatable imaging system; and (4) treating the tumor using the rotatable treatment beam.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for patient specific control of charged particles in a charged particle beam path using one or more trays inserted into the charged particle beam path, such as at the exit port of a gantry nozzle in close proximity to a tumor of a patient. Each tray holds an insert, such as a patient specific insert for controlling the energy, focus depth, and/or shape of the charged particle beam. Examples of inserts include a range shifter, a compensator, an aperture, a ridge filter, and a blank. Trays in a tray assembly are optionally retracted into an output nozzle of a charged particle cancer treatment system. Optionally and preferably, each tray communicates a held and positioned insert to a main controller of the charged particle cancer therapy system.

Abstract: The invention comprises a segmented rolling floor apparatus and method of use thereof, such as for use in a charged particle cancer therapy system. The segmented rolling floor comprises a first spool and a second spool, attached to opposite ends of the rolling floor, which cooperatively wind and unwind the rolling floor. The segmented rolling floor circumferentially surrounds a nozzle system penetrating through an aperture in the segmented rolling floor, where the nozzle system is used to deliver charged particles, from an accelerator, to a tumor of a patient. The rolling floor and nozzle systems move at respective rates maintaining the nozzle system in the aperture allowing for a safe/walkable floor while allowing treatment of the tumor as a gantry rotates the nozzle system and delivers protons to the tumor from positions above and below the floor.

Abstract: The utility knife assembly includes a housing which extends in a longitudinal direction between opposite ends and presents an at least partially open interior. A blade with a sharp edge is fixed with the housing such that the blade extends through one of the longitudinal ends, and the blade is fixed with the housing in such a manner that it is non-movable relative to the housing. A blade protector is partially disposed in the open interior of the housing and is movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the housing between a retracted position and a covering position. In the retracted position, the sharp edge of the blade outside of the housing is exposed for cutting, and in the covering position, the sharp edge of the blade outside of the housing is covered by the blade protector.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging and treating a tumor of a patient using positively charged particles and X-rays. A mounting rail, supporting a scintillation detection system element and an X-ray detection system element, is alternatingly extended/retracted to position the required detection system element opposite a patient tumor position from an exit nozzle of a beam transport system connected to an accelerator of the positively charged particles, where the positively charged particles are alternatingly used to treat the tumor via irradiation. The mounting rail optionally rotates with rotation of the exit nozzle about the patient, such as with rotation of a support gantry.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for patient specific control of charged particles in a charged particle beam path using one or more trays inserted into the charged particle beam path, such as at the exit port of a gantry nozzle in close proximity to a tumor of a patient. Each tray holds an insert, such as a patient specific insert for controlling the energy, focus depth, and/or shape of the charged particle beam. Examples of inserts include a range shifter, a compensator, an aperture, a ridge filter, and a blank. Trays in a tray assembly are optionally retracted into an output nozzle of a charged particle cancer treatment system. Optionally and preferably, each tray communicates a held and positioned insert to a main controller of the charged particle cancer therapy system.

Abstract: An improved multi-tool assembly which includes a housing that extends between opposing first and second longitudinal ends is provided. The multi-tool assembly further includes a blade which is partially disposed within the housing and which projects out of the first longitudinal end of the housing. The housing has a slot which opens to the second longitudinal end of the housing and at least one tool engaging element disposed at least partially within the slot of releasably securing a tool in the slot at the second longitudinal end of the housing such that the tool projects out of the second longitudinal end of the housing.

Abstract: The invention comprises a patient specific tray insert removably inserted into a tray frame to form a beam control tray assembly, which is removably inserted into a slot of a tray receiver assembly proximate a gantry nozzle of a charged particle cancer treatment system. Optionally, multiple tray inserts, each used to control a different beam state parameter, are inserted into corresponding slots of the tray receiver assembly where the multiple inserts are used to control beam intensity, shape, focus, and/or energy. The beam control tray assembling includes an identifier, such as an electromechanical identifier, of the particular insert type, which is communicated to a main controller, such as via the tray receiver assembly along with slot position and/or patient information.