Abstract: Disclosed herein are radiation therapy systems and methods. These radiation therapy systems and methods are used for emission-guided radiation therapy, where gamma rays from markers or tracers that are localized to patient tumor regions are detected and used to direct radiation to the tumor. The radiation therapy systems described herein comprise a gantry comprising a rotatable ring coupled to a stationary frame via a rotating mechanism such that the rotatable ring rotates up to about 70 RPM, a radiation source (e.g., MV X-ray source) mounted on the rotatable ring, and one or more PET detectors mounted on the rotatable ring.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the acquisition of positron emission (or PET) data in the presence of ionizing radiation that causes afterglow of PET detectors. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a coincidence trigger threshold of the PET detectors during a therapy session. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a gain factor used in positron emission data acquisition (e.g., a gain factor used to multiply and/or shift the output(s) of a PET detector(s)) during a therapy session. In some variations, a method for acquiring positron emission data during a radiation therapy session comprises suspending communication between the PET detectors and a signal processor of a controller for a predetermined period of time after a radiation pulse has been emitted by the linac.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods for imaging and radiotherapy procedures. Generally, a radiotherapy system may include a radiotransparent patient platform, a radiation source coupled to a multi-leaf collimator, and a detector facing the collimator. The radiation source may be configured to emit a first beam through the collimator to provide treatment to a patient on the patient platform. A controller may be configured to control the radiotherapy system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the acquisition of positron emission (or PET) data in the presence of ionizing radiation that causes afterglow of PET detectors. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a coincidence trigger threshold of the PET detectors during a therapy session. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a gain factor used in positron emission data acquisition (e.g., a gain factor used to multiply and/or shift the output(s) of a PET detector(s)) during a therapy session. In some variations, a method for acquiring positron emission data during a radiation therapy session comprises suspending communication between the PET detectors and a signal processor of a controller for a predetermined period of time after a radiation pulse has been emitted by the linac.

Abstract: This application relates to methods for delivering radiation to a positron-emitting target within a subject under continuous PET guidance. Instead of directing radiation at a collinear path along each detected positron line-of-response (LOR), the methods generally include detecting a pattern of LORs that intersect the target. In response to the pattern, radiation may be delivered along paths that are not necessarily collinear to any of the LORs. Methods for further modifying radiation delivery as well as the detected LOR population are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to radiology and radiotherapy and particularly, but not exclusively, to apparatuses, methods, and systems for multi-axis medical imaging of patients in vertical and horizontal positions with single or dual energy acquisition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the acquisition of positron emission (or PET) data in the presence of ionizing radiation that causes afterglow of PET detectors. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a coincidence trigger threshold of the PET detectors during a therapy session. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a gain factor used in positron emission data acquisition (e.g., a gain factor used to multiply and/or shift the output(s) of a PET detector(s)) during a therapy session. In some variations, a method for acquiring positron emission data during a radiation therapy session comprises suspending communication between the PET detectors and a signal processor of a controller for a predetermined period of time after a radiation pulse has been emitted by the linac.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for rapidly delivering high doses of radiation, also known as, flash dose radiotherapy or flash radiotherapy. One variation of a system for flash radiotherapy has a plurality of therapeutic radiation sources on a support structure (e.g., a gantry or arm) and configured to toward a patient target region, and a controller in communication with all of the therapeutic radiation sources. The controller is configured to activate the plurality of therapeutic radiation sources simultaneously so that the patient target region rapidly receives a high dose of radiation, e.g. the entire prescribed dose of radiation. In some variations, a flash radiotherapy system has a pulsed, high-power source that may be used to generate an X-ray pulse that delivers a dose having a dose rate from about 7.5 Gy/s to about 70 Gy/s. Flash radiotherapy systems may also include one or more imaging systems mounted on the support structure.

Abstract: This application relates to methods for delivering radiation to a positron-emitting target within a subject under continuous PET guidance. Instead of directing radiation at a collinear path along each detected positron line-of-response (LOR), the methods generally include detecting a pattern of LORs that intersect the target. In response to the pattern, radiation may be delivered along paths that are not necessarily collinear to any of the LORs. Methods for further modifying radiation delivery as well as the detected LOR population are also described.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods for imaging and radiotherapy procedures. Generally, a radiotherapy system may include a radiotransparent patient platform, a radiation source coupled to a multi-leaf collimator, and a detector facing the collimator. The radiation source may be configured to emit a first beam through the collimator to provide treatment to a patient on the patient platform. A controller may be configured to control the radiotherapy system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the acquisition of positron emission (or PET) data in the presence of ionizing radiation that causes afterglow of PET detectors. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a coincidence trigger threshold of the PET detectors during a therapy session. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a gain factor used in positron emission data acquisition (e.g., a gain factor used to multiply and/or shift the output(s) of a PET detector(s)) during a therapy session. In some variations, a method for acquiring positron emission data during a radiation therapy session comprises suspending communication between the PET detectors and a signal processor of a controller for a predetermined period of time after a radiation pulse has been emitted by the linac.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are radiation therapy systems and methods. These radiation therapy systems and methods are used for emission-guided radiation therapy, where gamma rays from markers or tracers that are localized to patient tumor regions are detected and used to direct radiation to the tumor. The radiation therapy systems described herein comprise a gantry comprising a rotatable ring coupled to a stationary frame via a rotating mechanism such that the rotatable ring rotates up to about 70 RPM, a radiation source (e.g., MV X-ray source) mounted on the rotatable ring, and one or more PET detectors mounted on the rotatable ring.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods for imaging and radiotherapy procedures. Generally, a radiotherapy system may include a radiotransparent patient platform, a radiation source coupled to a multi-leaf collimator, and a detector facing the collimator. The radiation source may be configured to emit a first beam through the collimator to provide treatment to a patient on the patient platform. A controller may be configured to control the radiotherapy system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices for the acquisition of positron emission (or PET) data in the presence of ionizing radiation that causes afterglow of PET detectors. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a coincidence trigger threshold of the PET detectors during a therapy session. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting a gain factor used in positron emission data acquisition (e.g., a gain factor used to multiply and/or shift the output(s) of a PET detector(s)) during a therapy session. In some variations, a method for acquiring positron emission data during a radiation therapy session comprises suspending communication between the PET detectors and a signal processor of a controller for a predetermined period of time after a radiation pulse has been emitted by the linac.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods for imaging and radiotherapy procedures. Generally, a radiotherapy system may include a radiotransparent patient platform, a radiation source coupled to a multi-leaf collimator, and a detector facing the collimator. The radiation source may be configured to emit a first beam through the collimator to provide treatment to a patient on the patient platform. A controller may be configured to control the radiotherapy system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are radiation therapy systems and methods. These radiation therapy systems and methods are used for emission-guided radiation therapy, where gamma rays from markers or tracers that are localized to patient tumor regions are detected and used to direct radiation to the tumor. The radiation therapy systems described herein comprise a gantry comprising a rotatable ring coupled to a stationary frame via a rotating mechanism such that the rotatable ring rotates up to about 70 RPM, a radiation source (e.g., MV X-ray source) mounted on the rotatable ring, and one or more PET detectors mounted on the rotatable ring.

Abstract: This application relates to methods for delivering radiation to a positron-emitting target within a subject under continuous PET guidance. Instead of directing radiation at a collinear path along each detected positron line-of-response (LOR), the methods generally include detecting a pattern of LORs that intersect the target. In response to the pattern, radiation may be delivered along paths that are not necessarily collinear to any of the LORs. Methods for further modifying radiation delivery as well as the detected LOR population are also described.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to an aircraft that includes a support frame, at least one gas compartment, and multiple propulsion units. The gas compartment(s) can be coupled to the support frame and configured to contain a gas having a gas density less than the density of atmospheric air surrounding the aircraft during operation. Similarly stated, the gas-filled gas compartment(s) can produce a gas lifting force on the support frame. The propulsion units can each be configured to selectively produce a propulsive force with a thrust vector with a non-zero component along a vertical axis of the support frame. The maximum gross weight of the aircraft can be greater than either the gas lifting force of the maximum vertical propulsion force and less than the sum of the gas lifting force and the maximum vertical propulsion force.

Abstract: Described here are systems, devices, and methods for imaging and radiotherapy procedures. Generally, a radiotherapy system may include a radiotransparent patient platform, a radiation source coupled to a multi-leaf collimator, and a detector facing the collimator. The radiation source may be configured to emit a first beam through the collimator to provide treatment to a patient on the patient platform. A controller may be configured to control the radiotherapy system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are radiation therapy systems and methods. These radiation therapy systems and methods are used for emission-guided radiation therapy, where gamma rays from markers or tracers that are localized to patient tumor regions are detected and used to direct radiation to the tumor. The radiation therapy systems described herein comprise a gantry comprising a rotatable ring coupled to a stationary frame via a rotating mechanism such that the rotatable ring rotates up to about 70 RPM, a radiation source (e.g., MV X-ray source) mounted on the rotatable ring, and one or more PET detectors mounted on the rotatable ring.