Abstract: Radiation beam alignment for a LINAC including (1) for each beam alignment parameter value of a set: (a) with a beam alignment parameter of a LINAC set to the beam alignment parameter value, using a gantry to generate a radiation beam; (b) using an imaging device to acquire a radiation transmission image indicative of a radiation field of the radiation beam after passing by a radiation opaque marker; (c) determining a location of a beam axis of the radiation beam and a center of a shadow of the marker based on the radiation transmission image; and (d) determining a target-to-beam-axis distance between the location of the beam axis and the center of the shadow of the radiation opaque marker; and (2) determining an optimum beam alignment parameter value based on the beam alignment parameter values and the target-to-beam-axis distances determined with the LINAC set to the beam alignment parameter values.

Abstract: A system to determine the isocenter of a LINAC includes apparatus and processes. One embodiment does this by determining the axis of rotation for the collimator, the gantry, and may include the couch. In another embodiment only determining the axis of the rotation of the collimator is required. The system and apparatus enable the tracking of the translation-rotation of mechanical components attached to the LINAC to compute the axis of rotation of gantry, collimator and couch. Based on the data collected related to these axes the LINAC isocenter is determined. The primary apparatus utilized in the system includes a single emitter module, a signal receiver module, and a positioning module. The system also includes an isocenter target module and a gravity module to determine a gravity vector relative to the signal receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a radiation beam using a linear accelerator (LINAC). Optimal beam alignment parameters may be determined and stored for each of N gantry angles. The beam alignment parameters may adjust a current supplied to one or more bending magnets of the LINAC and, thus, change an angle and direction of the radiation beam. An optimum beam alignment parameter for a gantry angle may be determined by adjusting the beam alignment parameter until a center of a radiation field of the radiation beam in a radiation transmission image is at a center of shadow of a radiation opaque marker, which may be placed at a radiation isocenter. The beam alignment parameters stored for the N gantry angles may be used to adjust the beam steering current as the gantry is rotated through any arbitrary gantry angle.

Abstract: Radiation beam alignment for a LINAC including (1) for each beam alignment parameter value of a set: (a) with a beam alignment parameter of a LINAC set to the beam alignment parameter value, using a gantry to generate a radiation beam; (b) using an imaging device to acquire a radiation transmission image indicative of a radiation field of the radiation beam after passing by a radiation opaque marker; (c) determining a location of a beam axis of the radiation beam and a center of a shadow of the marker based on the radiation transmission image; and (d) determining a target-to-beam-axis distance between the location of the beam axis and the center of the shadow of the radiation opaque marker; and (2) determining an optimum beam alignment parameter value based on the beam alignment parameter values and the target-to-beam-axis distances determined with the LINAC set to the beam alignment parameter values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a radiation isocenter of a linear accelerator (LINAC). Determining the radiation isocenter may include determining a set of three-dimensional (3D) radiation beam axes of the LINAC from two-dimensional (2D) radiation transmission images. The radiation isocenter may be determined based on at least the set of 3D radiation beam axes. Determining the set of 3D radiation beam axes may including constructing a 3D radiation beam axis based on a determined location of a beam axis of a radiation beam generated with a gantry of the LINAC at an angle relative to a reference gantry angle, a determined center of a shadow of a radiation opaque marker in the radiation field of the radiation beam, and the gantry angle.

Abstract: A system to determine the isocenter of a LINAC includes apparatus and processes to determine the axis of rotation for the collimator, the gantry and the patient couch. The system and apparatus enable the tracking of the translation-rotation of mechanical components attached to the LINAC to compute the axis of rotation of Gantry, Collimator and Table. Based on the data collected related to these axis's the LINAC isocenter is determined. The apparatus utilized in the system includes a single emitter module, a signal receiver module, a positioning module. The system also includes a isocenter target module and a gravity module to determine a gravity vector for the LINAC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a radiation beam using a linear accelerator (LINAC). Optimal beam alignment parameters may be determined and stored for each of N gantry angles. The beam alignment parameters may adjust a current supplied to one or more bending magnets of the LINAC and, thus, change an angle and direction of the radiation beam. An optimum beam alignment parameter for a gantry angle may be determined by adjusting the beam alignment parameter until a center of a radiation field of the radiation beam in a radiation transmission image is at a center of shadow of a radiation opaque marker, which may be placed at a radiation isocenter. The beam alignment parameters stored for the N gantry angles may be used to adjust the beam steering current as the gantry is rotated through any arbitrary gantry angle.

Abstract: A system to determine the isocenter of a LINAC includes apparatus and processes to determine the axis of rotation for the collimator, the gantry and the patient couch. The system and apparatus enable the tracking of the translation-rotation of mechanical components attached to the LINAC to compute the axis of rotation of Gantry, Collimator and Table. Based on the data collected related to these axis's the LINAC isocenter is determined. The apparatus utilized in the system includes a single emitter module, a signal receiver module, a positioning module.

Abstract: A system to determine the isocenter of a LINAC includes apparatus and processes. One embodiment does this by determining the axis of rotation for the collimator, the gantry, and may include the couch. In another embodiment only determining the axis of the rotation of the collimator is required. The system and apparatus enable the tracking of the translation-rotation of mechanical components attached to the LINAC to compute the axis of rotation of gantry, collimator and couch. Based on the data collected related to these axes the LINAC isocenter is determined. The primary apparatus utilized in the system includes a single emitter module, a signal receiver module, and a positioning module. The system also includes an isocenter target module and a gravity module to determine a gravity vector relative to the signal receiver.

Abstract: A device and method to be used in the calibration process for a linear accelerator (LINAC). The optical water surface detector device allows the accurate determine of the height of the water surface in a tank. The device housing includes a light source and a light receiver. The housing can also include a circuit board. The device is mounted on an arm attached to a vertical position mechanism mounted within the tank. The light source within the device is controlled by a main control unit which also receives signals from the receiver and determines the amount of light striking the receiver. The control unit also controls the position of the vertical position mechanism and thus the arm on which the device is mounted.

Abstract: A device and method to be used in the calibration process for a linear accelerator (LINAC). The optical water surface detector device allows the accurate determine of the height of the water surface in a tank. The device housing includes a light source and a light receiver. The housing can also include a circuit board. The device is mounted on an arm attached to a vertical position mechanism mounted within the tank. The light source within the device is controlled by a main control unit which also receives signals from the receiver and determines the amount of light striking the receiver. The control unit also controls the position of the vertical position mechanism and thus the arm on which the device is mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting small field circular collimators when connected to a linear accelerator machine (LINAC). Each small field circular collimator is provided with some uniquely identifying trait depending upon its size. The adaptor of LINAC includes sensors to detect the uniquely identifying trait of the small field circular collimator. The information from the sensor about the small field circular collimator is conveyed to the LINAC to verify that the collimator is properly installed and the correct size collimator is being used.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for the restraint of patients on a treatment table. More specifically, the invention is designed to provide lateral side pressure on a patient in the abdomen, thorax, and hip areas during a radiation treatment. The main components of the device are paddle(s) and at least one crossbar assembly. The paddles are coupled to a crossbar assembly, which is positioned on a treatment table under the body cushion in which the patient is positioned. The paddles can be moved laterally along the crossbar such that they put lateral pressure on the cushion and the patient.

Abstract: A shoulder immobilization apparatus/device which allows simultaneous immobilization of shoulders in both anterior/posterior directions as well as superior/inferior direction using shoulder straps (belts). The straps are attached to a base board. The base board is configured to be used in conjunction with standard components including: treatment couch, head support boards, head support, thermoplastic masks, and indexing bars. The device uses only low attenuation components in the treatment area. The use of nonconductive materials makes the device suitable for use with MRI machines.

Abstract: An articulating device to position the head and spine during imaging and treatment of a patient. The device provides mechanism to lock a patient's head using a posterior head support, and anterior face mask or a nose depressor. The device is attached to a patient couch and allows for controlled movement of the head while monitoring and capturing position to provide for returning to the same position in future imaging or treatment. The device includes pitch, roll and translation mechanisms including adjustment controls as well as sensors to capture a patient's position. The device includes sensors which can feed into a controller for automated to remote control of the movement mechanisms if motors or hydraulic controllers are used.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting small field circular collimators when connected to a linear accelerator machine (LINAC). Each small field circular collimator is provided with some uniquely identifying trait depending upon its size. The adaptor of LINAC includes sensors to detect the uniquely identifying trait of the small field circular collimator. The information from the sensor about the small field circular collimator is conveyed to the LINAC to verify that the collimator is properly installed and the correct size collimator is being used.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for the restraint of patients on a treatment table. More specifically, the invention is designed to provide lateral side pressure on a patient in the abdomen, thorax, and hip areas during a radiation treatment. The main components of the device are paddle(s) and at least one crossbar assembly. The paddles are coupled to a crossbar assembly, which is positioned on a treatment table under the body cushion in which the patient is positioned. The paddles can be moved laterally along the crossbar such that they put lateral pressure on the cushion and the patient.

Abstract: A patient support system for medical treatments is disclosed having an attached table section, an exchangeable table section and a fastener for the sections, the fastener including a sleeve, a rod and a cam-lock mechanism. The system also includes an easily operated and precisely located clamp for mounting accessory devices to the top of the table sections. The sections include peripheral channels and ridges which are used by the clamp to make a tight engagement. The channels also are used to form a coordinate number scale so that the patient, clamp and accessory devices may be consistently located time after time for multiple periodic treatments.

Abstract: A patient support system for medical treatments is disclosed having an attached table section, an exchangeable table section and a fastener for the sections, the fastener including a sleeve, a rod and a cam-lock mechanism. The system also includes an easily operated and precisely located clamp for mounting accessory devices to the top of the table sections. The sections include peripheral channels and ridges which are used by the clamp to make a tight engagement. The channels also are used to form a coordinate number scale so that the patient, clamp and accessory devices may be consistently located time after time for multiple periodic treatments.