Abstract: Brachytherapy treatment of a patient's lung tissue following resection is effected using a balloon applicator which is inserted, normally through the same opening used for the surgery, through the chest wall and into the cavity. The lung and chest openings are closed around the applicator and generally sealed around the applicator. A suction port is provided, in a suction circuit of the applicator, to withdraw fluid from the pleural cavity, at intervals as needed, to assure that the lung can be inflated. Different embodiments of suction circuits are disclosed. A bronchial applicator and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Brachytherapy treatment of a patient's lung tissue following resection is effected using a balloon applicator which is inserted, normally through the same opening used for the surgery, through the chest wall and into the cavity. The lung and chest openings are closed around the applicator and generally sealed around the applicator. A suction port is provided, in a suction circuit of the applicator, to withdraw fluid from the pleural cavity, at intervals as needed, to assure that the lung can be inflated. Different embodiments of suction circuits are disclosed. A bronchial applicator and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an optimized radiation beam arrangement for applying radiation to a tumor target volume while minimizing radiation of a structure volume in a patient, comprising: using a computer to computationally obtain a proposed radiation beam arrangement; using the computer to computationally change the proposed radiation beam arrangement iteratively, incorporating a cost function at each iteration to approach correspondence of a CDVH associated with the proposed radiation beam arrangement to a CDVH associated with a pre-determined desired dose prescription; comparing the dose distribution to a prescribed dose for the tumor volume and surrounding tissue structures, and increasing or decreasing radiation beam intensity if the change of the proposed beam arrangement leads to a greater correspondence to the desired dose prescription to obtain an optimized radiation beam arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying the position of a target to be treated by a radiation therapy device may include an ultrasound probe used to generate ultrasound images of the target; a position sensing system for indicating the position of the ultrasound probe with respect to the radiation therapy device, whereby the location of the target with respect to the radiation therapy device is known; and the ultrasound image of the target may be aligned with radiation treatment data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining an optimized radiation beam arrangement for applying radiation to a tumor target volume while minimizing radiation of a structure volume in a patient, which uses an iterative cost function based on a comparison of desired partial volume data, which may be represented by cumulative dose volume histograms and proposed partial volume data, which may be represented by cumulative dose volume histograms for target tumors and tissue structures for delivery of the optimized radiation beam arrangement to the patient by a conformal radiation therapy apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conformal radiation therapy, with a radiation beam having a predetermined, constant beam intensity, treats the entire tumor volume of a patient's tumor, and the beam intensity of the radiation beam is spatially modulated across the tumor, by separating the radiation into an array of at least 3.times.3 treatment beam segments and independently modulating the beam intensity of the plurality of radiation beam segments. The independent modulation of the beam intensities may be accomplished by selectively and independently filling, or removing, a flowable, radiation blocking material from a compartment associated with each radiation beam segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a patient upon a treatment table of a linear accelerator includes a camera secured to the gantry of the linear accelerator and a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted with respect to the patient which are viewed by the camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conformal radiation therapy, with a radiation beam having a pre-determined, constant beam intensity, treats the entire tumor volume of a patient's tumor, and the beam intensity of the radiation beam is spatially modulated across the tumor, by separating the radiation into a plurality of treatment beam segments and independently modulating the beam intensity of the plurality of radiation beam segments. The independent modulation of the beam intensities may be accomplished by selectively and independently filling, or removing, a flowable, radiation blocking material from a compartment associated with each radiation beam segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying the position of a lesion in a patient's body compares the location of the lesion in CT slices with the position of the lesion in ultrasound images taken while the patient lays on the treatment table of a linear accelerator.

Abstract: A tissue compensation system and method for making a tissue compensator utilizes a plurality of elongate rods, one end of which contact the treatment surface on the patient, and the other end of which contact and deform a flexible membrane containing a quantity of a material substantially equivalent to tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A tissue compensation system and method for making a tissue compensator utilizes a plurality of elongate rods, one end of which contact the treatment surface on the patient, and the other end of which contact and deform a flexible membrane containing a quantity of a material substantially equivalent to tissue of the patient.

Abstract: A noninvasive head fixation method and apparatus uses a flexible and compressible bladder which contacts and is deformed to conform to the shape of the patient's nasion in order to immobilize the patient's head during a medical procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing stereotactic surgery upon a target within a skull establishes a first, predetermined geometric relationship between a skull mount fixture mounted on the skull and a scanning table surface upon which the skull is supported; and that geometric relationship is duplicated by a displacement bar mounted upon the skull mount fixture.

Abstract: A system for stereotactic-guided radiation therapy, method of stereotactic-guided radiation therapy, and a collimator useful in treating a patient with stereotactic-guided radiation therapy includes a variable length pathway for the beam of radiation, the pathway having associated therewith a material substantially equivalent to the tissue of the patient, whereby the radiation beam always travels through the same distance of actual tissue and tissue equivalent material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing stereotactic surgery upon a target within a skull establishes a first, predetermined geometric relationship between a positioning fixture mounted on the skull and a scanning table surface upon which the skull is supported; and that geometric relationship is duplicated in a phantom fixture. An arc device permits entry into the skull by a medical instrument from a plurality of locations upon the skull.

Abstract: A flexible, radiolucent support arm for use with medical instruments in surgical procedures can have its geometric configuration and orientation readily altered by the surgeon, and the support arm for a medical instrument, such as a brain retractor blade, can also be used to provide application of a fluid suctioning force to the operative site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing stereotactic surgery upon a target within a skull establishes a first, predetermined geometric relationship between a positioning fixture mounted on the skull and a scanning table surface upon which the skull is supported; and that geometric relationship is duplicated in a phantom fixture.

Abstract: The pump comprises two separate pumping units, one each for the systemic and pulmonary circulation systems. Each pumping unit has an outer housing enclosing a cylindrical pumping chamber. Two radially extending vanes are contained within each chamber and divide the chamber into two separate subchambers, the relative size of which varies as the vanes rotate through the pumping cycle. Pumping action is achieved when one of the vanes is held stationary while the other vane rotates. This causes one subchamber to decrease in size. This subchamber is disposed over an outlet port and the blood is forced out of that subchamber. The other subchamber is increasing in size and is disposed over an inlet port. Blood enters this inlet chamber both in a passive manner and through the suction caused by the increasing size of the subchamber. A sensor is positioned near the inlet port and measures the volume of blood entering through this port.