Abstract: A system and method for delivering microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) includes a computed tomography scanner (“CT”) configured to generate tomographic images of a subject, or patient, the scanner including an imaging apparatus, a gantry with an opening for positioning the patient therein, an axis of rotation around which the gantry rotates, and an x-ray source mounted to and rotatable with the gantry. The system includes a bed for patient positioning within the gantry opening and a multi-slit collimator removably mounted downstream of the x-ray source for delivering an array of microbeams of MRT to a targeted portion of the patient. Switching between MRT and CT is provided, and MRT modes of operation include a stationary mode, and continuous and step-wise rotational modes.

Abstract: A method for treating damaged peripheral nerves of a subject includes irradiating at least a portion of the damaged PNs with an array of x-ray microbeams having an in-beam dose sufficient to at least initiate demyelination, each of the microbeams being no greater than 0.7 mm in thickness, and separated for tissue sparing, e.g., by at least 0.05 mm, and optionally administering schwann cell progenitors (SCPs) to the irradiated portion to remyelination before or after irradiating. In-beam dose may be between about 30 to 200 Gy. The method may include irradiating using an x-ray tube of a CT scanner having a multi-aperture collimator mounted thereto and on/near the subject. The SCPs may be adult rat olfactory sphere cells or neural stem cells.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target includes positioning a multi-aperture collimator on the skin within a trajectory of orthovoltage x-rays directed at the target, thus generating an array of minibeams, each of width between 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. The skin is irradiated with the array. An effective beam of therapeutic radiation, which may be a solid beam, is delivered to the target at a predetermined tissue depth by merging adjacent orthovoltage x-ray minibeams sufficiently to form the effective beam. The effective beam may be formed proximal to the target. The depth at which the effective, preferably, solid, beam is formed is controlled by varying one or more of the spacing of the minibeams in the array, the minibeam width, the distance from the x-ray source to the collimator, and the x-ray source spot size. Planar minibeams can be arc-scanned while continuously modulating beam shape and intensity.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) includes a computed tomography scanner configured to generate tomographic images of a subject, or patient, which includes imaging apparatus, a gantry with an opening for positioning the patient therein, an axis of rotation around which the gantry rotates, and an x-ray source mounted to and rotatable with the gantry. The system includes a bed for patient positioning within the opening and a multi-slit collimator removably mounted downstream of the x-ray source for delivering an array of microbeams of MRT to a targeted portion of the patient. Switching between MRT and CT is provided, and MRT modes of operation include a stationary mode, and continuous and step-wise rotational modes.

Abstract: A method for treating damaged peripheral nerves of a subject includes irradiating at least a portion of the damaged PNs with an array of x-ray microbeams having an in-beam dose sufficient to at least initiate demyelination, each of the microbeams being no greater than 0.7 mm in thickness, and separated for tissue sparing, e.g., by at least 0.05 mm, and optionally administering schwann cell progenitors (SCPs) to the irradiated portion to remyelination before or after irradiating. In-beam dose may be between about 30 to 200 Gy. The method may include irradiating using an x-ray tube of a CT scanner having a multi-aperture collimator mounted thereto and on/near the subject. The SCPs may be adult rat olfactory sphere cells or neural stem cells.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target includes positioning a multi-aperture collimator on the skin within a trajectory of orthovoltage x-rays directed at the target, thus generating an array of minibeams, each of width between 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. The skin is irradiated with the array. An effective beam of therapeutic radiation, which may be a solid beam, is delivered to the target at a predetermined tissue depth by merging adjacent orthovoltage x-ray minibeams sufficiently to form the effective beam. The effective beam may be formed proximal to the target. The depth at which the effective, preferably, solid, beam is formed is controlled by varying one or more of the spacing of the minibeams in the array, the minibeam width, the distance from the x-ray source to the collimator, and the x-ray source spot size. Planar minibeams can be arc-scanned while continuously modulating beam shape and intensity.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target includes positioning a multi-aperture collimator on the skin within a trajectory of orthovoltage x-rays directed at the target, thus generating an array of minibeams, each of width between 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. The skin is irradiated with the array. An effective beam of therapeutic radiation, which may be a solid beam, is delivered to the target at a predetermined tissue depth by merging adjacent orthovoltage x-ray minibeams sufficiently to form the effective beam. The effective beam may be formed proximal to the target. The depth at which the effective, preferably, solid, beam is formed is controlled by varying one or more of the spacing of the minibeams in the array, the minibeam width, the distance from the x-ray source to the collimator, and the x-ray source spot size. Planar minibeams can be arc-scanned while continuously modulating beam shape and intensity.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating secure, privatized data stored on a first user device with a second user device requesting access thereto includes initiating a timed access gate for receiving verification of authenticating credentials from the second user device, after the first user credentials associated with the first user device are verified. If the second user device is verified within the predetermined period of time, an authentication handshake between the first user device and the second user device is completed. On completion of the handshake, a communication channel is opened for transmitting the first user's privatized data between the first user device and the second user device.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic light ion radiation to a target volume of a subject, wherein the target volume is located at a predetermined depth from the skin, includes irradiating a surface of the skin with an array of light ion minibeams comprising parallel, spatially distinct minibeams at the surface in an amount and spatially arranged and sized to maintain a tissue-sparing effect from the skin to a proximal side of the target volume, and to merge into a solid beam at a proximal side of the target volume. A gap between the parallel, spatially distinct minibeams at the surface and a species of light ions forming the minibeams are selected such that the array merges into a solid beam at a predetermined beam energy, and across all energies for Bragg-peak spreading, at a proximal side of the target volume.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic light ion radiation to a target volume of a subject, wherein the target volume is located at a predetermined depth from the skin, includes irradiating a surface of the skin with an array of light ion minibeams comprising parallel, spatially distinct minibeams at the surface in an amount and spatially arranged and sized to maintain a tissue-sparing effect from the skin to a proximal side of the target volume, and to merge into a solid beam at a proximal side of the target volume. A gap between the parallel, spatially distinct minibeams at the surface and a species of light ions forming the minibeams are selected such that the array merges into a solid beam at a predetermined beam energy, and across all energies for Bragg-peak spreading, at a proximal side of the target volume.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic radiation to a target includes positioning a multi-aperture collimator on the skin within a trajectory of orthovoltage x-rays directed at the target, thus generating an array of minibeams, each of width between 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. The skin is irradiated with the array. An effective beam of therapeutic radiation, which may be a solid beam, is delivered to the target at a predetermined tissue depth by merging adjacent orthovoltage x-ray minibeams sufficiently to form the effective beam. The effective beam may be formed proximal to the target. The depth at which the effective, preferably, solid, beam is formed is controlled by varying one or more of the spacing of the minibeams in the array, the minibeam width, the distance from the x-ray source to the collimator, and the x-ray source spot size. Planar minibeams can be arc-scanned while continuously modulating beam shape and intensity.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating secure, privatized data stored on a first user device with a second user device requesting access thereto includes initiating a timed access gate for receiving verification of authenticating credentials from the second user device, after the first user credentials associated with the first user device are verified. If the second user device is verified within the predetermined period of time, an authentication handshake between the first user device and the second user device is completed. On completion of the handshake, a communication channel is opened for transmitting the first user's privatized data between the first user device and the second user device.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic heavy ion radiation to a subject, wherein a therapeutic dose of heavy ions is delivered substantially only to a target volume within the subject by generating a broad field of radiation effect substantially only within the target volume, and wherein the broad field of radiation effect is not generated in non-targeted tissue. The method includes the step of irradiating the target volume with at least two arrays of heavy ion microbeams, wherein the at least two arrays each have at least two parallel, spatially distinct heavy ion microbeams. The two arrays of microbeams are interleaved substantially only within the target volume to form a substantially continuous broad beam of radiation substantially only within the target volume.

Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutic heavy ion radiation to a subject, wherein a therapeutic dose of heavy ions is delivered substantially only to a target volume within the subject by generating a broad field of radiation effect substantially only within the target volume, and wherein the broad field of radiation effect is not generated in non-targeted tissue. The method includes the step of irradiating the target volume with at least two arrays of heavy ion microbeams, wherein the at least two arrays each have at least two parallel, spatially distinct heavy ion microbeams. The two arrays of microbeams are interleaved substantially only within the target volume to form a substantially continuous broad beam of radiation substantially only within the target volume.

Abstract: A method of assisting recovery of an injury site of the central nervous system (CNS) or treating a disease includes providing a therapeutic dose of X-ray radiation to a target volume through an array of parallel microplanar beams. The dose to treat CNS injury temporarily removes regeneration inhibitors from the irradiated site. Substantially unirradiated cells surviving between beams migrate to the in-beam portion and assist recovery. The dose may be staggered in fractions over sessions using angle-variable intersecting microbeam arrays (AVIMA). Additional doses are administered by varying the orientation of the beams. The method is enhanced by injecting stem cells into the injury site. One array or the AVIMA method is applied to ablate selected cells in a target volume associated with disease for palliative or curative effect. Atrial fibrillation is treated by irradiating the atrial wall to destroy myocardial cells while continuously rotating the subject.

Abstract: A system and method for providing, managing, and accessing a multi-user secure portable database using secure memory cards is provided. The database has a secure portion for storing security keys and a non-secure portion for encrypted data files. Access to the encrypted data files is controlled by assigning access rights through an access control matrix to each encrypted data file according to a hierarchical structure of users. A user requesting access is identified in the hierarchy, associated with a key for allowing the requested access, and the requested access allowed to a file in accordance with the rights allocated through the access control matrix. A patient can selectively grant access to encrypted medical records on his card to a physician. Authentication of the owner/patient is preferably required. Other records required by emergency medical personnel are readable from the same card without requiring permission from the patient.

Abstract: A radiation delivery system generally includes either a synchrotron source or a support frame and a plurality of microbeam delivery devices supported on the support frame, both to deliver a beam in a hemispherical arrangement. Each of the microbeam delivery devices or synchrotron irradiation ports is adapted to deliver at least one microbeam of radiation along a microbeam delivery axis, wherein the microbeam delivery axes of the plurality of microbeam delivery devices cross within a common target volume.

Abstract: A radiation delivery system generally includes either a synchrotron source or a support frame and a plurality of microbeam delivery devices supported on the support frame, both to deliver a beam in a hemispherical arrangement. Each of the microbeam delivery devices or synchrotron irradiation ports is adapted to deliver at least one microbeam of radiation along a microbeam delivery axis, wherein the microbeam delivery axes of the plurality of microbeam delivery devices cross within a common target volume.

Abstract: A method of assisting recovery of an injury site of the central nervous system (CNS) or treating a disease includes providing a therapeutic dose of X-ray radiation to a target volume through an array of parallel microplanar beams. The dose to treat CNS injury temporarily removes regeneration inhibitors from the irradiated site. Substantially unirradiated cells surviving between beams migrate to the in-beam portion and assist recovery. The dose may be staggered in fractions over sessions using angle-variable intersecting microbeam arrays (AVIMA). Additional doses are administered by varying the orientation of the beams. The method is enhanced by injecting stem cells into the injury site. One array or the AVIMA method is applied to ablate selected cells in a target volume associated with disease for palliative or curative effect. Atrial fibrillation is treated by irradiating the atrial wall to destroy myocardial cells while continuously rotating the subject.

Abstract: A method of performing microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) includes delivering a dose only to selected tissue in a target volume (10) with continuous broad beam, first, by interleaving arrays of microplanar beams (30,36) only at the target (10). Administered contrast agents can supplement the effect by preferentially increasing the target dose relative to dose in normal tissue. A broad beam effect is alternatively created using non-interleaving microbeam array(s) with scattering agents administered to selected tissue that preferentially increase valley dose (69) within target to approximate broad beam. The methods of interleaving microbeams are also applied to treat diseases and conditions by ablating at least a portion of selected tissue, or by damaging blood-brain barrier for efficient drug and/or cell administration.