Abstract: Described herein are multi-leaf collimators that comprise leaf drive mechanisms. The leaf drive mechanisms can be used in binary multi-leaf collimators used in emission-guided radiation therapy. One variation of a multi-leaf collimator comprises a pneumatics-based leaf drive mechanism. Another variation of a multi-leaf collimator comprises a spring-based leaf drive mechanism having a spring resonator.

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 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 herein are multi-leaf collimators that comprise leaf drive mechanisms. The leaf drive mechanisms can be used in binary multi-leaf collimators used in emission-guided radiation therapy. One variation of a multi-leaf collimator comprises a pneumatics-based leaf drive mechanism. Another variation of a multi-leaf collimator comprises a spring-based leaf drive mechanism having a spring resonator.

Abstract: A movable gantry for delivery of a particle beam using beam scanning technique contains an inlet section for an accelerated particle beam having quadrupole magnets, first and second bending sections having dipole and quadrupole magnets for beam correction, a transfer section having quadrupole magnets for beam correction and a degrader and a last beam bending section having separate and/or combined dipole/quadrupole/higher order multipole magnets forming an achromatic section. All the magnets of the achromatic last bending section are located downstream of the degrader. Any dispersion in this achromatic last bending section is suppressed. A scanning section having two separate or one combined fast deflection magnets that deflect the beam at the iso-center in a direction perpendicular to the beam direction to perform lateral scanning is provided. A beam nozzle section is provided and has a beam nozzle.

Abstract: A movable gantry for delivery of a particle beam using beam scanning technique contains an inlet section for an accelerated particle beam having quadrupole magnets, first and second bending sections having dipole and quadrupole magnets for beam correction, a transfer section having quadrupole magnets for beam correction and a degrader and a last beam bending section having separate and/or combined dipole/quadrupole/higher order multipole magnets forming an achromatic section. All the magnets of the achromatic last bending section are located downstream of the degrader. Any dispersion in this achromatic last bending section is suppressed. A scanning section having two separate or one combined fast deflection magnets that deflect the beam at the iso-center in a direction perpendicular to the beam direction to perform lateral scanning is provided. A beam nozzle section is provided and has a beam nozzle.

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 herein are multi-leaf collimators that comprise leaf drive mechanisms. The leaf drive mechanisms can be used in binary multi-leaf collimators used in emission-guided radiation therapy. One variation of a multi-leaf collimator comprises a pneumatics-based leaf drive mechanism. Another variation of a multi-leaf collimator comprises a spring-based leaf drive mechanism having a spring resonator.

Abstract: A system and a method improve a quality of beam delivery in proton therapy by pencil beam scanning of a predeterminable volume within a patient that minimizes beam position errors. The system has a proton source generating a proton beam, a number of proton beam bending/focusing units, a beam nozzle having an outlet for the proton beam to penetrate the predetermined volume, a beam bending magnet, and a couple of sweeper magnets to sweep the proton beam in both lateral directions. A position-sensitive detector is aligned with the nozzle to control the position of the proton beam and control logic controls the position and the energy of the proton beam and has a beam steering data set. A correction logic is aligned with the control logic for correcting beam position errors by comparing an expected beam position with the actual beam position detected and generates beam position correction data.

Abstract: A system and a method improve a quality of beam delivery in proton therapy by pencil beam scanning of a predeterminable volume within a patient that minimizes beam position errors. The system has a proton source generating a proton beam, a number of proton beam bending/focusing units, a beam nozzle having an outlet for the proton beam to penetrate the predetermined volume, a beam bending magnet, and a couple of sweeper magnets to sweep the proton beam in both lateral directions. A position-sensitive detector is aligned with the nozzle to control the position of the proton beam and control logic controls the position and the energy of the proton beam and has a beam steering data set. A correction logic is aligned with the control logic for correcting beam position errors by comparing an expected beam position with the actual beam position detected and generates beam position correction data.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure allow an administrator of a portable electronic device (e.g., a parent, employer) through a web application to register a portable electronic device and then set a minimum speed at which the portable device 100 becomes limited (for example, limiting calling and/or texting). In some implementations, the administrator also can set locations or geographical areas where and dates and times when the portable electronic device will be limited (“TextLimit Zones”). In some implementations, the administrator can set a maximum speed at which the administrator (or another designated recipient) will receive an alert message 105 when the portable electronic device exceeds that speed. In some implementations, the administrator can specify one or more telephone numbers (“Go Through Numbers”) that the portable electronic device can still communicate with when the portable electronic device is limited due to the setting established by the administrator.

Abstract: An intelligent assist method and apparatus are disclosed. The intelligent assist method includes imparting a manual force to a suspended object, determining an angle at which the suspended object is manually forced, generating motorized power to move the object in accordance with the angle at which the suspended object is forced, and inputting a signal to continue the motorized power and enable the object to continue moving on accordance with the angle at which the suspended object is manually forced.

Abstract: A configuration system for an intelligent assist system is provided. The intelligent assist system includes a module, and a computational node on the module. The configuration system includes a host computer system capable of executing a stored program. The host computer system is in communication with the computational node via a communication link. The system also includes a graphical user interface enabling a user to manipulate objects related to the module or the computational node, and a plurality of visual indicators corresponding to a status of the module, the computational node, or the communication link.

Abstract: A configuration system for an intelligent assist system is provided. The intelligent assist system includes a module, and a computational node on the module. The configuration system includes a host computer system capable of executing a stored program. The host computer system is in communication with the computational node via a communication link. The system also includes a graphical user interface enabling a user to manipulate objects related to the module or the computational node, and a plurality of visual indicators corresponding to a status of the module, the computational node, or the communication link.

Abstract: An intelligent assist system having a modular architecture, coordinated by electronic communication links between the modules, is provided. Motion modules provide an assist upon actuation, and are in communication with computational nodes. Communication links between at least two of the computational nodes carry information between the nodes that actuate a motion module.

Abstract: An intelligent assist system having a modular architecture, coordinated by electronic communication links between the modules is provided. A multi-function hub for use in the assist system includes a physical interface for providing mechanical support within the assist system. The hub can implement controlled functions. Furthermore, the hub can include an input/output (“I/O”) interface for communication to computational nodes.

Abstract: An intelligent assist system having a modular architecture, coordinated by electronic communication links between the modules. Modules for motion, computation, interface, and programming are disclosed in exemplary embodiments.

Abstract: An intelligent assist method and apparatus are disclosed. The intelligent assist method includes imparting a manual force to a suspended object, determining an angle at which the suspended object is manually forced, generating motorized power to move the object in accordance with the angle at which the suspended object is forced, and inputting a signal to continue the motorized power and enable the object to continue moving on accordance with the angle at which the suspended object is manually forced.

Abstract: An intelligent assist system having a modular architecture, coordinated by electronic communication links between the modules, is provided. Motion modules provide an assist upon actuation, and are in communication with computational nodes. Communication links between at least two of the computational nodes carry information between the nodes that actuate a motion module.

Abstract: An intelligent assist system having a modular architecture, coordinated by electronic communication links between the modules is provided. A multi-function hub for use in the assist system includes a physical interface for providing mechanical support within the assist system. The hub can implement controlled functions. Furthermore, the hub can include an input/output (“I/O”) interface for communication to computational nodes.