Abstract: A mechanical interface assembly that includes an adjustable element having first and second states such that in the first state, the adjustable element is radially compliant, and in the second state, the adjustable element is substantially non-radially compliant. The adjustable element also includes a mating element configured to interface with a mating component. The mechanical interface assembly further includes an adjustment element configured to interface with the adjustable element such that a first position of the adjustment element corresponds to the first state of the adjustable element, and a second position of the adjustment element corresponds to the second state of the adjustable element.

Abstract: In one example, a radiation source comprises a housing and an acceleration chamber within the housing, with a peak acceleration energy greater than the lowest neutron production threshold of tantalum. A source of charged particles is supported by the housing to emit charged particles into the acceleration chamber. A target is supported by the housing downstream of the acceleration chamber. The target consists essentially of at least one isotope having a neutron production threshold greater than the peak acceleration energy. No neutrons are therefore generated. The source may also comprise a collimator, target shielding, and/or housing shielding comprising at least one isotope having a neutron production threshold greater than the peak acceleration energy, reducing or eliminating neutron generation as compared to the prior art, as well. Systems comprising the source, methods of operation of the source, and methods of manufacture of the source are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with an accelerator includes a circulator having a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port, wherein the first port is configured to couple to a power generator, and the third port is configured to couple to an accelerator, a first phase shifter coupled to the second port, and a second phase shifter coupled to the fourth port. A method of regulating power to and from an accelerator includes providing power using a power generator, varying a magnitude of the power before the power is delivered to the accelerator, receiving a reflected power from the accelerator, and varying the phase of the reflected power from the accelerator. A method of regulating reflected power from an accelerator includes receiving a reflected power from an accelerator, varying the phase of the reflected power, and varying a magnitude of the reflected power.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of obtaining an expanded population of mammalian ex vivo cells and/or for treating a mammalian subject by (a) administering to a subject an effective amount of an agent that confers a growth disadvantage to at least a subset of endogenous cells at the site of engraftment; (b) administering to the subject an effective amount of a mitogenic stimulus for the ex vivo cells; and (c) administering the ex vivo cells to the subject, wherein the ex vivo cells engraft at the site and proliferate to a greater extent than the subset of endogenous cells, to repopulate at least a portion of the engraftment site with the ex vivo cells. The repopulated cells can be harvested for further use or be left at the engraftment site of a subject to be treated. The invention also provides methods of treating brain injury in a subject by engrafting ex vivo cells at the site of injury.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional volume data set is rendered into a resulting image by acquiring image data and filtering the image data to provide filtered image data comprising substantially only image data contributing to the resulting image prior to applying at least one of a group including an interpolation calculation, a classification calculation, an illumination calculation, and a gradient calculation. Such a process can be performed by having a filter circuit operatively coupled to an image data memory buffer circuit to filter image data received from the image data memory buffer circuit to provide substantially only samples that contribute to the resulting image. Portions of the image rendering process including a classification calculation, an interpolation calculation, and filtering of the image data may be performed in least in part, in parallel.

Abstract: A detector array is disposed relative to a radiation source such that radiation from the radiation source over a predetermined time period is substantially similar across the detector array. The detector array includes radiation detectors operatively coupled to detector electronics. The radiation filter material is disposed at least partially between the radiation source and the detector array such that different portions of the detector array are exposed to radiation from the radiation source through either different radiation filter material thicknesses or different radiation filter material compositions during the predetermined time period. So configured, information regarding the radiation such as beam quality information for radiation pulses is collected and used to confirm the quality of the radiation source or to adjust data collected by the radiation system.

Abstract: A method of imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using X-ray cone beam computed tomography or cone beam digital tomography comprises the step of introducing an effective amount of a contrast agent to the uncompressed region of interest. A system for imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) or cone beam digital tomography (CBDT) comprises an X-ray source transmitting an X-ray to the uncompressed region of interest, an image acquisition system acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional projection images data for a CBCT or CBDT data set with at least one of the projection images acquired in 35 milliseconds or less, and a processor generating a three-dimensional computed tomography image data set resolving voxels with dimensions of 0.4 mm or less in at least two orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for excess signal compensation in an imaging system is described. In one particular embodiment, the invention provides for non-linear background, offset (due to time dependent dark current) and/or lag (including constant, linear and non-linear terms, due to image persistence) corrections of large area, flat panel imaging sensors.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of examining contents of an object is disclosed comprising conducting a first examination of an object, checking for the presence of delayed neutrons if the first examination indicates that suspect material is present, and determining whether the object contains nuclear material based, at least in part, on the check. The first examination may comprise a manual examination and scanning of the object to form an image, for example. The first examination may also comprise scanning of the object at two different radiation energies, calculating a function of the energy detected at the two radiation energies, and determining whether the object at least potentially contains suspect material based, at least in part, on the comparison. Systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A treatment planning, simulation, and verification system is described. According to one embodiment, a treatment plan and a fluoroscopy data image of a treatment volume are received and the treatment plan is automatically adjusted based on the movement of the fluoroscopy data image. According to another embodiment, a system includes a treatment planning component to generate a treatment plan and a simulation component to simulate the execution of the treatment plan.

Abstract: An improved particle beam treatment system optionally includes exchangeable particle beam nozzles. These particle beam nozzles may be automatically moved from a storage location to a particle beam path or between particle beam paths for use in medical applications. Movement may be achieved using a conveyance, gantry, rail system, or the like. The improved particle beam treatment system optionally also includes more than two alternative particle beam paths. These alternative particle beam paths may be directed to a patient from a variety of different angles and in different planes.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring breathing movement of a subject is disclosed. A method and system for detecting and predictably estimating regular cycles of breathing movements is disclosed. Another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to detect and report irregularity of breathing activity of an infant, such as cessation and non-periodicity, which suggests a likelihood of SIDS.

Abstract: An improved particle beam treatment system optionally includes exchangeable particle beam nozzles. These particle beam nozzles may be automatically moved from a storage location to a particle beam path or between particle beam paths for use in medical applications. Movement may be achieved using a conveyance, gantry, rail system, or the like. The improved particle beam treatment system optionally also includes more than two alternative particle beam paths. These alternative particle beam paths may be directed to a patient from a variety of different angles and in different planes.

Abstract: An improved particle beam treatment system optionally includes exchangeable particle beam nozzles. These particle beam nozzles may be automatically moved from a storage location to a particle beam path or between particle beam paths for use in medical applications. Movement may be achieved using a conveyance, gantry, rail system, or the like. The improved particle beam treatment system optionally also includes more than two alternative particle beam paths. These alternative particle beam paths may be directed to a patient from a variety of different angles and in different planes.

Abstract: A device for generating a particle beam includes a particle source, and a structure having a first section and a second section, the first section coupled to the particle source, the first section having a first power input, and the second section having a second power input, wherein the first section is configured to produce a particle beam having a first energy E1, and the second section is configured to increase or decrease the first energy E1 by an amount E2, the absolute value of E2 being less than E1.

Abstract: A method for generating an electron beam includes prescribing a location, and generating an envelope of electrons, the envelope having a waist, wherein the generating is performed such that the waist of the envelope is at or adjacent to the prescribed location. A device for generating an electron beam includes a gun source for generating electrons, and a plurality of electromagnetic cavities coupled in series to form a body, the electromagnetic cavities configured to accelerate at least some of the electrons to create a beam of electrons at an energy level having a value between 5 MeV and 20 MeV, the beam of electrons having a cross sectional dimension that is 0.02 ? (or 2 mm) or less.

Abstract: Devices and methods for implementing selective, or asymmetric, attenuation of an x-ray beam. In one example, a filter is provided that is substantially in the form of a wedge where some portions of the filter are thicker, and thus provide greater attenuation, than other, thinner portions of the filter. The filter is situated between the target surface of the anode and the x-ray subject so that x-rays generated by the target pass through the filter before reaching the x-ray subject. Specifically, the filter is oriented so that the thicker portion of the filter receives the higher intensity portion of the x-ray beam, while the thinner portion of the filter receives the relatively lower intensity portion of the x-ray beam. Thus, the gain profile of the x-ray beam is flattened so that the intensity, or flux, of the x-ray beam is relatively uniform throughout a substantial portion of the beam profile.

Abstract: Vehicles for use in radiation scanning systems to inspect objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle has a supporting portion and a radiation source is movably supported by the supporting portion. The source may be moved along the supporting portion to scan an object. The supporting portion may comprise an expandable portion. The vehicle may comprise a truck and an expandable trailer releasably coupled to the truck. The trailer may comprise telescoping rails. In another embodiment, a vehicle with a supporting portion, which may be an expandable portion, movably supports a detector. Vehicles of the first and second embodiments may be driven to an inspection site, where they may be rapidly deployed on opposite sides of an object to be scanned.

Abstract: A multi-leaf collimator includes a number of independently adjustable leaves. Adjacent leaves overlap to prevent an incident beam of radiation from passing through a gap between them. The overlapping portions of the leaves are made of a first material, while the non-overlapping portions of the leaves are made of a second, different material.

Abstract: A method of imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using X-ray cone beam computed tomography or cone beam digital tomography comprises the step of introducing an effective amount of a contrast agent to the uncompressed region of interest. A system for imaging a patient's uncompressed region of interest using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) or cone beam digital tomography (CBDT) comprises an X-ray source transmitting an X-ray to the uncompressed region of interest, an image acquisition system acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional projection images data for a CBCT or CBDT data set with at least one of the projection images acquired in 35 milliseconds or less, and a processor generating a three-dimensional computed tomography image data set resolving voxels with dimensions of 0.4 mm or less in at least two orthogonal directions.