Abstract: A dc accelerator system able to accelerate high currents of proton beams at high energies is provided. The accelerator system includes a dc high-voltage, high-current power supply, an evacuated ion accelerating tube, a proton ion source, a dipole analyzing magnet and a vacuum pump located in the high-voltage terminal. The high-current, high-energy dc proton beam can be directed to a number of targets depending on the applications such as boron neutron capture therapy BNCT applications, NRA applications, and silicon cleaving.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a water phantom for measuring and determining the dose distribution of radiation produced by a particle beam or photon radiation beam comprising: a water tank; means for varying the water level in said water tank; an acquisition detector positioned in a fixed position related to the water tank opposite to the beam, wherein said acquisition detector is a two dimensional detector comprising a plurality of sensors and capable of simultaneously measuring the dose in a plurality of points in an area. Subsequent measurements are performed varying each time the water level within the water tank, until the dose distribution in the entire volume of the water tank is obtained.

Abstract: The invention is related to the field of charged Hadron Therapy, i.e. radiation therapy using strongly interacting particles. More particularly, the invention relates to a detector and method for measuring the beam range of a charged hadron beam in a target object as well as the particle dose distribution in the target object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclotron capable or producing a first beam of accelerated charged particles defined by a first <<charge-over-mass>> ratio (q/m) or a second beam of accelerated charged particles defined by a second <<charge-over-mass>> ratio (q/m)? less than said first <<charge-over-mass>> ratio (q/m), said cyclotron comprising: an electromagnet comprising two poles, preferably an upper pole and a lower pole, positioned symmetrically relatively to a middle plane perpendicular to the central axis of the cyclotron and separated by a gap provided for circulation of the charged particles, each of said poles comprising several sectors positioned so as to have an alternation of areas with a narrow gap called <<hills>> and areas with a wide gap called <<valleys>>; a main induction coil for generating an essentially constant main induction field in the gap between said poles and a means for modifying the magnetic field profile according

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stripping member for stripping electrons off a negatively charged particle beam at the periphery of a cyclotron for extracting a particle beam out of said cyclotron, said stripping member comprising a first stripper foil adapted for being located at the periphery of said cyclotron so that said particle beam passes through said first stripper foil, characterized in that it comprises a second stripper foil adapted for being located side-by-side with the first foil at the periphery of said cyclotron at a more peripheral radius than said first stripper foil so that said negatively charged particle beam passes through said second stripper foil when said first stripper foil is damaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detector for measuring characteristics of an energetic particle beam generated by a radiation source, the detector including means to vary the incoming particle beam energy; a plurality of sensors arranged in parallel; and processing means capable of processing signals coming from said sensors in correlation with said energy variation.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for curing polymers and polymer composites with X-rays generated by the bremsstrahlung effect, using a high power, high energy electron beam. The process generates X-rays with sufficient throughput and penetration for commercial use. The present invention employs high power, high energy electron beams to create the X-rays. The beams are typically run at energies ranging from 1 MeV to 10 MeV, preferably from 3 MeV to 10 MeV, and more preferably from 5 MeV to 7 MeV. The beams typically have powers ranging from 30 kW or higher, preferably 80 kW or higher, more preferably 100 kW of higher, and ideally at least 200 kW. Suitable polymers and polymer composites include, but are not limited to, polymeric molding materials, fiber reinforced molding materials, reactive monomer impregnated wood, similar and dissimilar materials bonded through adhesives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circular particle accelerator capable of modulating the particle beam current exiting the circular particle accelerator. The circular particle accelerator includes: an ion source for generating the particle beam; Dee electrode and counter-Dee electrode separated from each other by gaps for accelerating the particle beam, the counter-Dee electrode being grounded; a generator capable of applying an alternating high voltage to the Dee electrode, so as it is possible to have an electric field between the gaps; means for measuring the current intensity of the particle beam exiting the circular particle accelerator. It also comprises a regulator capable of modulating the Dee electrodes voltage amplitude (VD) by comparing a given set point (I0) of the current intensity of the particle beam and the measured value of the current intensity (I?M) of the particle beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an irradiation unit for emitting a particle beam, a gantry including the irradiation unit, a squirrel cage structure located within and supported by the gantry, a frame arranged so as to be motionless, a moving floor including a plurality of elongated members forming a primary caterpillar, two moving floor guide units having a truncated circle shape, facing each other, attached to said squirrel cage structure and the motionless frame, respectively. Each of the two moving floor guide units includes at least a first rail, said the primary caterpillar being slidably arranged on the first rail. Each moving floor guide unit includes at least a second rail having a truncated circle shape and the moving floor includes at least one secondary caterpillar including elongated members flexibly connected to each other.

Abstract: A device is provided for positioning a target volume, such as a phantom or a patient, in a radiation therapy apparatus. The apparatus directs a radiation beam towards the target. The apparatus can include a target support whereon the target is immobilized, a two dimensional radiation detector fixed with fixations means in a known geometric relationship to the target support, the radiation detector being capable of detecting the position of intersection of the radiation beam with the detector, and correcting means for correcting the relative position of the beam and the target support, based on the detected intersection position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosimetry device for verification of quality of a radiation beam in standard and conformal radiation therapy, and for IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) applications. The device includes an active area comprising individual radiation detectors. The active area comprises a limited number of lines of radiation detectors, and a number of extra radiation detectors dedicated to the energy measurement of electrons or photons. It also comprises a build-up plate with energy degraders. The energy degraders are located upstream from the extra radiation detectors in the path of the radiation beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cyclotron including two internal ion sources for the production of the same particles. The second ion source can be used as a spare ion source which strongly increases the uptime and the reliability of the cyclotron and reduces the maintenance interventions. Advantageously, the cyclotron is further characterized by an optimized close geometry of the different elements within the central region of the cyclotron. The cyclotron of the invention may be further characterized by an adaptation and optimization of the shape of first and second internal ion source to avoid particle losses during the first turn of acceleration. The cyclotron may be further characterized by an adaptation and optimization of the shape of the counter-Dee electrode assembly and possibly the Dee-electrode assembly in order to improve the acceleration field in-between the gaps.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for synthesis of radiopharmaceutical products based on chemical reagents contained in bottles, said device comprising several reaction compartments, transfer means between said bottles and said reaction compartments as well as mechanical means acting on said transfer means and enabling to monitor and control mechanically the transfer of chemical reagents. The invention is characterized in that it comprises: a fixed module including at least the mechanical means; a removable and disposable module, essentially in the shape of a support, whereon are arranged the transfer means between said bottles and said reaction compartments, said removable and disposable module not including any mechanical means; and means for securing said removable and disposable module to said fixed module.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring and/or signalling errors of a radiation therapy apparatus during delivery of a radiation treatment to a target, the radiation therapy apparatus being configurable for a given radiation treatment by means of a beam shaping device. The method includes providing a radiation array detector between the beam shaping device and the target, capable of providing a measured detector response of the radiation treatment; determining a predicted detector response for successive times of the radiation treatment; measuring the measured detector response caused by the radiation beams for corresponding successive times of the radiation treatment; performing a comparison between the measured detector response and the corresponding predicted detector response; signalling in a short reaction time, an error when the comparison results in a difference which exceeds a given threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a water phantom for measuring and determining the dose distribution of radiation produced by a particle beam or photon radiation beam comprising: a water tank, the water tank having a lower base and side walls; supply means for supplying water to the water tank. The water tank comprises an intermediate base that forms, together with side walls and said lower base, a closed lower tank underneath said intermediate base and an upper tank above said intermediate base, the closed lower tank being connected to the supply means and allowing the flow of water toward said upper tank through a plurality of water admission passages defined in the intermediate base to provide an unturbulent water flow within said water tank 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for verification of the quality of a radiation beam in conformal radiation therapy, and in particular for IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) applications.

Abstract: A shielding (11) for reducing the amount of radiation passing through the shielding comprises a first part (111) and a second part (112), wherein the first part is arranged for being withdrawn from the second part and wherein said first and second parts comprise abutments. At least one pair of corresponding abutments of said first and second parts has a transverse section which is curvilinearly shaped along a portion of at least half of said transverse section.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an interstitial marker for localizing an organ, tumor or tumor bed within a mammalian body wherein said marker has a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous intervening length, at least a portion of the intervening length of said marker being visible under at least one imaging modality and having a flexibility such that said marker follows movements and changes of shape of said organ, tumor or tumor bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for quality management (5) in a mammography apparatus (10), said apparatus comprising an X-ray source capable of directing a X-ray beam, a breast immobilization means (16, 18), and an X-ray image sensor system (20), said X-ray image sensor system (20) comprising a central area for sensing an image of said breast, and a peripheral area not used for imaging said immobilized breast.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device and a method for producing a radioisotope of interest from a target fluid irradiated with a beam of accelerated charged particles, the device includes in a circulation circuit (17): an irradiation cell (1) having a metallic insert (2) able to form a cavity (8) designed to house the target fluid and closed by an irradiation window (7), the cavity (8) including at least one inlet (4) and at least one outlet (5); a pump (16) for circulating the target fluid inside the circulation circuit (17); an external heat exchanger (15); the pump (16) and the external heat exchanger (15) forming external cooling means of the target fluid; the device means for pressurizing (14) of the circulation circuit (17) and the external cooling means of the target fluid are arranged in such a way that the target fluid remains inside the cavity (8) essentially in the liquid state during the irradiation.