Abstract: Described is an image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) apparatus comprising a medical imaging device and a radiation source, wherein the radiation source is provided on a gantry which surrounds the medical imaging device. The apparatus further comprises ducting for directing cool air from a source of cool air to a gap between the gantry and the medical imaging device.

Abstract: Described is an image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) apparatus comprising a medical imaging device and a radiation source, wherein the radiation source is provided on a gantry which surrounds the medical imaging device. The apparatus further comprises ducting for directing cool air from a source of cool air to a gap between the gantry and the medical imaging device.

Abstract: The leaves of a multi-leaf collimator can be driven more easily and hence more quickly if they are supported on a ball-race instead of in a sliding groove. A recirculating path is preferred, in which the rolling elements of the ball-race support the leaf over part of their path and then return to a start of the path. In addition, the rolling elements could be driven by a drive screw in order to drive the leaf.

Abstract: An IGRT apparatus comprising a medical imaging device (1) integrated with a linear accelerator (3, 4), the linear accelerator (3, 4) configured for emitting a radiation beam which is shaped by a beam shaper (8, 17), wherein the position of the beam shaper (8, 17) is adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is a treatment position and the second position is a non-treatment position and wherein the IGRT apparatus comprises a gantry (2) and wherein the first position is within the gantry (2) and the second position is removed from the gantry (2).

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus includes a radiation source and a ring shaped gantry. The gantry includes a static ring component and a dynamic ring component upon which the radiation source is mounted, the dynamic ring component is rotatable about its center and is provided in multiple arcuate parts that can be assembled together to form the dynamic ring component.

Abstract: An IGRT apparatus comprising a medical imaging device (1) integrated with a linear accelerator (3, 4), the linear accelerator (3, 4) configured for emitting a radiation beam which is shaped by a beam shaper (8, 17), wherein the position of the beam shaper (8, 17) is adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is a treatment position and the second position is a non-treatment position and wherein the IGRT apparatus comprises a gantry (2) and wherein the first position is within the gantry (2) and the second position is removed from the gantry (2).

Abstract: An IGRT apparatus includes a medical imaging device integrated with a linear accelerator, the linear accelerator is configured for emitting a radiation beam, which is shaped by a beam shaper, and a gantry. The position of the beam shaper is adjustable between a first position and a second position; the first position is a treatment position and the second position is a non-treatment position and the first position is within the gantry and the second position is removed from the gantry.

Abstract: An IGRT apparatus includes a medical imaging device integrated with a linear accelerator, the linear accelerator is configured for emitting a radiation beam, which is shaped by a beam shaper, and a gantry. The position of the beam shaper is adjustable between a first position and a second position; the first position is a treatment position and the second position is a non-treatment position and the first position is within the gantry and the second position is removed from the gantry.

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus includes a radiation source and a ring shaped gantry. The gantry includes a static ring component and a dynamic ring component upon which the radiation source is mounted, the dynamic ring component is rotatable about its center and is provided in multiple arcuate parts that can be assembled together to form the dynamic ring component.

Abstract: The primary collimator for a radiotherapy apparatus can be made up of several layers, each comprising several apertures, and each layer being moveable so as to select a specific aperture to build up the primary collimator shape. In this way, the shape of the primary collimator can be tailored and/or the beam filters incorporated into the primary collimator assembly. This saves space in the radiation head whilst also allowing filters to be easily interchanged.

Abstract: The leaves of a multi-leaf collimator can be driven more easily and hence more quickly if they are supported on a ball-race instead of in a sliding groove. A recirculating path is preferred, in which the rolling elements of the ball-race support the leaf over part of their path and then return to a start of the path. In addition, the rolling elements could be driven by a drive screw in order to drive the leaf.

Abstract: The primary collimator for a radiotherapy apparatus can be made up of several layers, each comprising several apertures, and each layer being moveable so as to select a specific aperture to build up the primary collimator shape. In this way, the shape of the primary collimator can be tailored and/or the beam filters incorporated into the primary collimator assembly. This saves space in the radiation head whilst also allowing filters to be easily interchanged.

Abstract: A radiotherapy apparatus comprises a means for producing a beam of radiation directed along a beam axis and having a width in first and second directions transverse to the beam axis, a multi-leaf collimator for selectively limiting the width of the beam in at least the first direction, a block collimator for selectively limiting the width of the beam in at least the second direction, the block collimator comprising a diaphragm moveable into and out of the beam and having a thickness in the direction of the beam axis that varies. The diaphragm can have a front edge of greater thickness than at least one region behind the front edge. It can also have a spine region extending from a rear part thereof towards the front edge that is greater thickness than at least one region displaced laterally with respect thereto. Together, these can cover the areas that will not be fully shadowed by a dynamically moving MLC.

Abstract: A radiotherapy apparatus comprises a means for producing a beam of radiation directed along a beam axis and having a width in first and second directions transverse to the beam axis, a multi-leaf collimator for selectively limiting the width of the beam in at least the first direction, a block collimator for selectively limiting the width of the beam in at least the second direction, the block collimator comprising a diaphragm moveable into and out of the beam and having a thickness in the direction of the beam axis that varies. The diaphragm can have a front edge of greater thickness than at least one region behind the front edge. It can also have a spine region extending from a rear part thereof towards the front edge that is greater thickness than at least one region displaced laterally with respect thereto. Together, these can cover the areas that will not be fully shadowed by a dynamically moving MLC.

Abstract: A multi-leaf collimator comprises an elongate leaf moveable in a longitudinal direction, and having an associated toothed rack driven by a pinion, wherein the rack is carried on an elongate actuator section, having a transversely extending link section, the leaf being connected to the link section and thereby being spaced from the actuator section.

Abstract: A mount for a radiotherapy apparatus may include a cylindrical bearing surface to allow the mount to be supported in a rotateable manner, a housing extending from the bearing surface and having an extent in a direction along an axis of the cylindrical bearing surface, the mount having an axial through-hole which encompasses the axis of the cylindrical bearing surface, the housing having at least one opening communicating with the through-hole and extending in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylindrical bearing surface.

Abstract: A mount for a radiotherapy apparatus comprises a cylindrical bearing surface to allow the mount to be supported in a rotatable manner, a housing extending from the bearing surface and having an extent in a direction along an axis of the cylindrical bearing surface, the mount having an axial through-hole which encompasses the axis of the cylinder, the housing having at least one opening communicating with the through-hole and extending in a direction transverse to the axis of the cylinder. This mount can be used as the basis for a number of different radiotherapy systems.

Abstract: A multi-leaf collimator comprises an elongate leaf moveable in a longitudinal direction, and having an associated toothed rack driven by a pinion, wherein the rack is carried on an elongate actuator section, having a transversely extending link section, the leaf being connected to the link section and thereby being spaced from the actuator section. The pinion can thus be mounted on a shaft which is disposed transversely to the leaves of the array, and which passes between those leaves and their respective actuators. Some leaves can be driven via pinions mounted on shafts passing over the array, and other leaves can be driven via pinions mounted on shafts passing within the gaps between leaves and actuators. This means that twice the number of drive shafts can be fitted into the same length of array, thus either shortening the array or permitting more leaves and hence greater resolution. The drive mechanism can also be made as a separate unit.