Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying the location at least one treatment channel from a group of a plurality of treatment channels as wells as a system for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body. According to the invention the identifying method being characterized by the steps of A selecting at least one of said plurality of treatment channels; B reconstructing the actual location of said selected treatment channel relative to said animal body; and C comparing said reconstructed location said pre-planned plurality of locations. Furthermore the system according to the invention is characterized in that identifying means are present for identifying the location of at least one treatment channel from said group of said plurality of inserted treatment channels and comparing said identified location with one or more of said pre-planned locations present in said treatment plan.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for performing brachytherapy treatment of tumor tissue in a human or animal body comprising an intracavitary component and at least one guiding unit, said at least one guiding unit exhibiting a longitudinal axis and being connectable to said intracavitary component, and wherein said at least one guiding unit is provided with coupling means for coupling at least one interstitial needle-assembly for delivering treatment to said tumor tissue. The assembly has coupling/uncoupling means arranged to allow a displacement of said at least one interstitial needle-assembly in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis and to prevent a displacement of said at least one interstitial needle-assembly in a direction parallel to or a pre-defined angle to said longitudinal axis.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base for accommodating a control unit for controlling an X-ray applicator and a power supply for supplying power to the X-ray applicator. The mobile X-ray unit may further include an articulated arm associated with the base and coupled to the X-ray applicator. The X-ray applicator may have an X-ray tube configured to emit an X-ray beam through an exit window to irradiate an object. The mobile X-ray unit may further include a dosimetry system adapted for real time dosimetry.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body is disclosed. The medical apparatus may include a plurality of treatment channels configured to be positioned adjacent a body tissue and a plurality of delivery channels coupled to a corresponding number of treatment channels. The medical apparatus may also include a plurality of source channels configured to receive one or more energy sources, a tracking channel configured to receive a tracking element, and a connecting element configured to connect each delivery channel with either one of the plurality of sources channels or the tracking channel.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base having a control unit and a power supply. The mobile X-ray unit may further include an articulated arm associated with the base. The articulated arm may be coupled to an X-ray applicator having an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube may include a target for generating an X-ray beam, a collimator for shaping the X-ray beam, and an exit surface through which the X-ray beam is configured to exit the X-ray tube. The mobile X-ray unit may have at least one light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the X-ray beam emitted from the exit surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base and an arm associated with the base. The arm may be configured to support an X-ray applicator having an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube may be configured to generate an X-ray beam. The X-ray applicator may include an exit surface through which the X-ray beam passes in use. The X-ray unit may further include an applicator cap for covering at least the exit surface of the X-ray applicator.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base for accommodating a control unit configured to control an X-ray applicator and a power supply configured to supply power to the X-ray applicator. The mobile X-ray unit may further include an articulated arm associated with the base. The arm may be configured to support the X-ray applicator. The X-ray applicator may have an X-ray tube for emitting an X-ray beam for irradiating an object. The mobile X-ray unit may further include a phantom-based dosimetry system configured to perform a dosimetry check of the X-ray beam.

Abstract: A miniature X-ray source device for effecting radiation therapy at least comprising a vacuum tube containing a cathode and an anode spaced apart at some distance from each other; emitting means for emitting free electrons from the cathode; electric field generating means for applying during use a high-voltage electric field between the cathode and the anode for accelerating the emitted free electrons towards the anode, as well as an exit window for X-ray radiation being generating at the anode. The present invention provides an improved miniature X-ray source device, that can also properly be used in treating skin cancer and which is easy to handle. The anode is provided with a flat X-ray emitting surface. In particular, the cathode exhibits a concave shaped surface having a center part surrounded by an upright circumferential edge, wherein the center part of the concave shaped surface is provided with an electron emitting material.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base for accommodating a control unit, a power supply, and a cooler. The mobile X-ray unit further including an articulated arm associated with the base and coupled to an X-ray applicator. The X-ray applicator including an X-ray tube having an anode for generating an acceleration field and a target element for generating an X-ray beam, wherein a longitudinal axis of the anode is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body is disclosed. The medical apparatus may include a plurality of treatment channels configured to be positioned adjacent a body tissue and a plurality of delivery channels coupled to a corresponding number of treatment channels. The medical apparatus may also include a plurality of source channels configured to receive one or more energy sources, a tracking channel configured to receive a tracking element, and a connecting element configured to connect each delivery channel with either one of the plurality of sources channels or the tracking channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying the location at least one treatment channel from a group of a plurality of treatment channels as wells as a system for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body. According to the invention the identifying method being characterized by the steps of A selecting at least one of said plurality of treatment channels; B reconstructing the actual location of said selected treatment channel relative to said animal body; and C comparing said reconstructed location said pre-planned plurality of locations. Furthermore the system according to the invention is characterized in that identifying means are present for identifying the location of at least one treatment channel from said group of said plurality of inserted treatment channels and comparing said identified location with one or more of said pre-planned locations present in said treatment plan.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for effecting radiation treatment on a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body comprising: a group of n hollow treatment channels being inserted at one or more pre-planned positions in said pre-selected anatomical portion; a group of m delivery channels to be connected to a corresponding number m from said group of n hollow treatment channels with m being 2 or more and n being 1 or more; identifying means for identifying which one of said m delivery channels is being connected with which one of said n hollow treatment channels, said identifying means comprising a tracking element accommodated in a tracking channel, said tracking element being intended to be displaced from said tracking channel through each of said interconnected m delivery channels and m treatment channels; storage means for storing k energy emitting sources in a corresponding source-channel, with k?m; delivery means for temporarily inserting said k energy emitting sources from their source-chan

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a surgical tool relative to a target volume inside an animal body according to a pre-plan. The method includes the steps of i) obtaining a plurality of two-dimensional images of said target volume using an imaging device, each 2D-image being represented by an image data slice I(x,y,z); ii) reconstructing from said plurality of image data slices I(x,y,z) a three-dimensional image of said target volume using a transformation device, said 3D-image being represented by a volumetric image data array V(x,y,z); iii) displaying said three-dimensional image of said target volume to an user using a display.

Abstract: A real time radiation treatment planning system for use in effecting radiation therapy of a pre-selected anatomical portion of an animal body. A processor is provided with a three-dimensional imaging algorithm and a three-dimensional image segmentation algorithm for at least the specific organs within the anatomical portion and the needles. The processor converts the image data into a three-dimensional image of the anatomical portion using at least one single or multi-objective anatomy based genetic optimization algorithm. The processor determines in real time the optimal number and position of the hollow needles, the position of the energy emitting source within each hollow needle and the dwell times of the energy emitting source at each position. For post planning purposes, the processor determines, based on three-dimensional image information in real time, the real needle positions and the dwell times of the energy emitting source for each position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for radiation treatment of proliferative tissue surrounding a cavity in an animal body comprising a radiation delivering means for placing at least one energy emitting source at a desired position within the cavity for performing radiation treatment. The device includes at least one permanent implant element for placement in the body cavity that is made from a non-deformable material and has an outer surface around which the inner surface of the body cavity will adapt or conform itself. The invention aims to provide a device and method for radiation treatment of proliferative tissue surrounding a cavity in an animal body, wherein the radiation treatment is performed in a far more accurate and reproducible manner and wherein the device causes far less discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: A method for calculating the radiation dose distribution for a radiation treatment system for the purpose of radiation therapy of an animal body, wherein the radiation beam of the radiation treatment system exhibits a specific beam field size and shape at different depths as well as to a device for calculating the radiation dose distribution for a radiation treatment system for the purpose of radiation therapy of an animal body, wherein the radiation beam of the radiation treatment system exhibits a specific beam field size and shape at different depths. The method is characterized by the steps of i) determining at least one beam quality index being representative for the radiation beam being used, and ii) calculating the radiation dose distribution in the specific beam field using parameterized dose deposition kernels based on the at least one beam quality index.

Abstract: A device senses the presence of the distal end of a source wire in a reference position within a guidance channel of an afterloading apparatus for positioning an energy emitting source at a desired position within an animal body for radiation therapy treatment. The source wire is driven from the reference position through a guidance channel and a catheter tube. A sensing device detects the presence of the distal end of the wire. The sensing device has a pivotal lever element mounted near the guidance channel. The lever element is in a first position, when the distal end of the source wire is not present in its reference position and the lever element is in a second position, when the distal end is present in its reference position. The presence of the distal end and the energy emitting source can be sensed at several important operational positions.

Abstract: A device for effecting radiation treatment of benign or malign prostate hyperplasia. The device includes a catheter probe having an elongated body with a circumferential surface which is inserted within the urethra towards the prostate. The elongated body has a longitudinal bore extending towards at least one outlet opening present in the circumferential surface near the proximal end. A catheter tube is inserted with a proximal sharp end through the longitudinal bore of the elongated body, with an outlet opening and through the urethral wall towards a desired location within the prostate. A pre-planned amount of radiation is delivered via the catheter tube at a location within the prostate for effecting the radiation treatment. The urethral insertion probe allows a quick and accurate positioning of the catheter probe and the catheter tube relative to the prostate without discomforting the patient. The catheter probe is movably accommodated within the urethral probe.

Abstract: A template-assembly for effecting radiation treatment within an animal body by implanting one or more hollow needles at a desired location within the animal body includes a template frame being mountable to a stepping device of a radiation treatment device. The template frame has a needle guiding component having a plurality of guiding apertures for guiding the one or more hollow implant needles towards the desired location within the animal body. The template-assembly has a needle fixation component for fixating one or more of the implanted needles relative to the animal body, wherein the needle fixation component can be sutured to the skin of the animal body.

Abstract: A device for radiation treatment of proliferative tissue surrounding a cavity in an animal body includes at least a first inflatable chamber having a wall for placement in the cavity, a supportive probe having an elongated body with a distal end connected with the first inflatable chamber and a proximal end remaining outside the cavity, a device for inflating and deflating the first chamber, and a radiation delivering device for placing at least one energy emitting source within the cavity for performing said radiation treatment. It is possible to temporarily position a solid energy emitting source in a reproducible manner at different locations within the inflated chamber, such that subsequent identical radiation treatment sessions can be performed, whereas the comfort of the patient is maxim and an out hospitalization treatment is possible.