Abstract: A method performed by a medical device, includes: providing a permanent magnetic field by a permanent magnet; operating an electromagnet to provide a first electromagnetic field with a first electromagnetic field value; and operating the electromagnet to provide a second electromagnetic field with a second electromagnetic field value; wherein the first electromagnetic field and the permanent magnetic field forms a first total magnetic field with a first total magnetic field value, and wherein the second electromagnetic field and the permanent magnetic field forms a second total magnetic field with a second total magnetic field value; wherein the first total magnetic is formed when an electric field in an accelerator or an energy level of a particle beam has a first value, and wherein the second total magnetic field is formed when the electric field in the accelerator or the energy level of the particle beam has a second value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an ion chamber and a valve assembly. The ion chamber may include a housing enclosing a gas and one or more electrodes. The valve assembly is coupled to the ion chamber allowing control of replacement of the gas within the housing.

Abstract: A radiation dose rate monitor system includes an emitting electrode configured to be impinged by radiation radiation; a collecting electrode configured to form an electrical circuit with said emitting electrode, a current measurement device configured to measure a current through said emitting and collecting electrodes indicative of a dose of said radiation radiation, and a chamber enclosing a gas. Emission of secondary electrons from the emitting electrode provides a majority of the current.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an ion chamber and a valve assembly. The ion chamber may include a housing enclosing a gas and one or more electrodes. The valve assembly is coupled to the ion chamber allowing control of replacement of the gas within the housing.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods enable efficient and effective radiation treatment planning and treatment, including accurate and convenient transmission of the radiation towards a tissue target. In one embodiment, a radiation system includes a particle source, a bremsstrahlung target, and a pinhole collimator. The particle source is configured to produce a particle beam (e.g., an electron beam, etc.). The bremsstrahlung target is configured to receive the particle beam and generate a photon radiation beam. The received particle beam and generated photon radiation beam can correspond to an inflected image. The inflected image can be associated with a tumor/tissue target. The pinhole collimator is configured to receive the photon radiation beam in a pattern that corresponds to the inflected image, invert the photon radiation beam pattern, and forward the results towards a tissue target.

Abstract: A radiotherapy dose rate monitor system includes an emitting electrode configured to be impinged by radiotherapy radiation; a collecting electrode configured to form an electrical circuit with said emitting electrode, a current measurement device configured to measure a current through said emitting and collecting electrodes indicative of a dose of said radiotherapy radiation, and a chamber enclosing a gas. Emission of secondary electrons from the emitting electrode provides a majority of the current.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective generation and delivery of radiation. In one embodiment, an accelerator system includes a particle source, an acceleration portion, a high intensity target, and a target location control component. The particle source is configured to generate charged particles. The acceleration portion is configured to accelerate the charged particles. The high intensity target is configured to generate Bremsstrahlung radiation in response to impact by the charged particles. The target location control component configured to change the location of charged particle impacts on the high intensity target. In one exemplary implementation the change of location of charged particle impact is based on thermal diffusion and said location of charged particle impacts is moved at a rate greater than a rate of diffusion of detrimental heat impacts on the high intensity target.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective generation and delivery of radiation. In one embodiment, a radiation generation component includes a high intensity target that produces Bremsstrahlung radiation in response to impacts by charged particles, wherein the high intensity target is configured with operating limitations based primarily on catastrophic failure mechanisms rather than fatigue failure mechanisms. The high intensity target is configured to be compatible with a loading system of a radiation generation system. The high intensity target can have a catastrophic failure strain percentage in the range of 0.5 to 4.0 percent. The catastrophic failure mechanisms can include at least one selected from the group comprising ultimate tensile strength, fracture strain, and melting point. The high intensity target can have a product life in a low cycle fatigue regime range. The high intensity target can comprise a material with a melting temperature in the range of 800 C to 3,700 C.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective generation and delivery of radiation. In one embodiment, a radiation system includes a patient station, wherein the patient station includes a plurality of accelerator systems, and a microwave generation system configured to generate microwaves for the plurality of accelerators. The plurality of accelerators can be configured to provide substantially simultaneous multiple radiation beams from the plurality of accelerators. In one exemplary implementation, the microwave generation system includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) sources, wherein respective ones of the plurality of RF sources generate separate microwave signals for corresponding respective ones of the plurality of accelerator systems, and a plurality of modulators, wherein respective ones of the plurality of modulators modulate generation of the separate microwave signals by the respective ones of the plurality of RF sources.

Abstract: A radiotherapy dose rate monitor system includes an emitting electrode configured to be impinged by radiotherapy radiation; a collecting electrode configured to form an electrical circuit with said emitting electrode, a current measurement device configured to measure a current through said emitting and collecting electrodes indicative of a dose of said radiotherapy radiation, and a chamber enclosing a gas. Emission of secondary electrons from the emitting electrode provides a majority of the current.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an ion chamber and a valve assembly. The ion chamber may include a housing enclosing a gas and one or more electrodes. The valve assembly is coupled to the ion chamber allowing control of replacement of the gas within the housing.

Abstract: A method performed by a medical device, includes: providing a permanent magnetic field by a permanent magnet; operating an electromagnet to provide a first electromagnetic field with a first electromagnetic field value; and operating the electromagnet to provide a second electromagnetic field with a second electromagnetic field value; wherein the first electromagnetic field and the permanent magnetic field forms a first total magnetic field with a first total magnetic field value, and wherein the second electromagnetic field and the permanent magnetic field forms a second total magnetic field with a second total magnetic field value; wherein the first total magnetic is formed when an electric field in an accelerator or an energy level of a particle beam has a first value, and wherein the second total magnetic field is formed when the electric field in the accelerator or the energy level of the particle beam has a second value.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a beam deflector having an electromagnet configured to provide a first magnetic field for deflecting a particle beam; and a current control configured to adjust a current of the electromagnet in correspondence with an energy level associated with an accelerator. A treatment planning method includes: defining control points in a treatment plan; setting up energy switching in one or more of the control points; and performing treatment optimization on the treatment plan based at least in part on the energy switching that is set up in the one or more of the control points. The medical apparatus also includes an energy adjuster configured to adjust the treatment energy so that the treatment energy has a first energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle, and a second energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a beam deflector having an electromagnet configured to provide a first magnetic field for deflecting a particle beam; and a current control configured to adjust a current of the electromagnet in correspondence with an energy level associated with an accelerator. A treatment planning method includes: defining control points in a treatment plan; setting up energy switching in one or more of the control points; and performing treatment optimization on the treatment plan based at least in part on the energy switching that is set up in the one or more of the control points. The medical apparatus also includes an energy adjuster configured to adjust the treatment energy so that the treatment energy has a first energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle, and a second energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle.

Abstract: Accelerated charged particles are provided by inductive amplification of particle energy in connection with a deflagration-mode plasma discharge. The deflagration mode discharge tends to increase particle energy relative to other operating modes. Inductive amplification of particle energy further increases output particle velocity. Inductive amplification can occur by formation of a current loop in the plasma discharge, and/or by a sudden increase in inductance due to collapse of the current distribution of the plasma discharge. Applications include particle therapy and production of radio-isotopes.

Abstract: Accelerated charged particles are provided by inductive amplification of particle energy in connection with a deflagration-mode plasma discharge. The deflagration mode discharge tends to increase particle energy relative to other operating modes. Inductive amplification of particle energy further increases output particle velocity. Inductive amplification can occur by formation of a current loop in the plasma discharge, and/or by a sudden increase in inductance due to collapse of the current distribution of the plasma discharge. Applications include particle therapy and production of radio-isotopes.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a duct having a fluid outlet for fluid propelled through the duct and a container positions a substance for diffusion into the fluid through an opening. A movable valve selectively places the opening in fluid communication with the fluid in the duct and seals the opening to prevent introduction of the substance into the fluid. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the apparatus is a blow dryer in which a heating element disposed in the duct heats air flowing therethrough. The substance can be a fragrance or a conditioner introduced into the air stream. According to other aspects of the invention, the container is interchangeable with containers containing other substances, such as different fragrances, and is completely sealed when the blow dryer is not in use. In another embodiment, a container attached to the duct ejects the substance in a spray external of the duct proximate to the duct outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a duct having a fluid outlet for fluid propelled through the duct and a container positions a substance for diffusion into the fluid through an opening. A movable valve selectively places the opening in fluid communication with the fluid in the duct and seals the opening to prevent introduction of the substance into the fluid. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the apparatus is a blow dryer in which a heating element disposed in the duct heats air flowing therethrough. The substance can be a fragrance or a conditioner introduced into the air stream. According to other aspects of the invention, the container is interchangeable with containers containing other substances, such as different fragrances, and is completely sealed when the blow dryer is not in use. In another embodiment, a container attached to the duct ejects the substance in a spray external of the duct proximate to the duct outlet.