Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method of use thereof for determining a charged particle beam state after passage through a final beam modification insert and prior to entering a patient, such as in cancer treatment or tomographic imaging. The insert comprises a range shifter, a known energy absorber, a ridge filter, a focal length altering insert, an aperture defining element, a compensator, and/or a patient specific beam modifier. The monitoring element comprises one or more sheets, configured to emit photons upon passage therethrough of the charged particle beam, where the emitted photons are detected, tested, such as against a predetermined cancer treatment plan, and/or used to aid in three dimensional tomographic image generation.

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 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 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 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 an apparatus and method of use thereof for determining a charged particle beam state after passage through a final beam modification insert and prior to entering a patient, such as in cancer treatment or tomographic imaging. The insert comprises a range shifter, a known energy absorber, a ridge filter, a focal length altering insert, an aperture defining element, a compensator, and/or a patient specific beam modifier. The monitoring element comprises one or more sheets, configured to emit photons upon passage therethrough of the charged particle beam, where the emitted photons are detected, tested, such as against a predetermined cancer treatment plan, and/or used to aid in three dimensional tomographic image generation.

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.

Abstract: The multi-tool assembly includes a handle which extends in a first direction between opposite ands and which presents an interior with a pocket. A first blade with a flat edge is secured with one end of the handle for spreading a drywall joint compound. The multi-tool assembly further includes a utility knife blade for cutting drywall sheets and a blade holder which engages the utility knife blade.

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: One aspect of the present invention provides for a multi-tool assembly for use in drywall installation and repair. The multi-tool assembly includes a handle which extends in a first direction between opposite ends. A blade with a flat edge is secured with one end of the handle for spreading a drywall compound (also known as mud or putty) between adjacent drywall panels. A screwdriver bit is secured with an opposite end of the handle from the blade for fastening drywall panels. The screwdriver bit is disposed at an angle of between thirty and ninety degrees relative to the first direction to allow for increased torque on the screwdriver bit when fastening the drywall panels.

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.