Abstract: The invention comprises a method for generating a procedure for treating a tumor of a patient using positively charged particles, comprising the steps of: (1) providing a set of treatment goal specifications; (2) generating tomographic images of the tumor using a first set of groups of the positively charge particles delivered from a synchrotron; and (3) a computer implemented algorithm automatically generating a tumor radiation treatment plan, of the tumor using the positively charged particles, using the set of treatment goal specifications and the tomographic images. Optionally, the method automatically updates the radiation treatment plan upon: a detected movement of the tumor relative to surrounding patient constituents and/or upon detection of a previously unforeseen intervening object in a treatment beam path.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for treating a tumor of a patient with positively charged particles in a treatment room, comprising the steps of: (1) controlling a cancer therapy treatment system with a main controller, the main controller comprising hardware and software; (2) generating at least one image of the tumor using at least one imaging system controlled by the main controller; (3) using the at least one image and a software coded set of radiation treatment directives, the main controller auto-generating a radiation treatment plan; and (4) the main controller auto-delivering the positively charged particles, via a beam transport system and a nozzle system, from a synchrotron to the tumor according to the radiation treatment plan.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor, comprising the steps of: (1) a main controller sequentially delivering charged particles from a synchrotron along a first beam transport line, through a nozzle system, and to the tumor according to a current version of the radiation treatment plan; (2) concurrent with the step of delivering, generating an image of the tumor using an imaging system; (3) the main controller automatically generating an updated current version of the radiation treatment plan using the image, the updated current version of the radiation treatment plan becoming the current version of the radiation treatment plan; and (4) repeating the steps of: delivering grouped bunches of the charged particles, generating an image of the tumor, and automatically generating an updated current version of the radiation treatment plan while a medical doctor oversees an automated recurrence and implementation of the step of repeating.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor of a patient using positively charged particles, comprising the steps of: (1) providing an approved current version of a radiation treatment plan for treatment of the tumor using the positively charged particles; (2) implementing the current version of the radiation treatment plan using a cancer therapy system comprising a controller linked to a synchrotron; (3) upon identifying an object, using a set of fiducial indicators, in a treatment vector of the radiation treatment plan: generating a modified version of radiation treatment plan and receiving medical doctor approval of the modified version of the radiation treatment plan, the modified version of the radiation plan becoming the current version of the radiation treatment plan; and (4) repeating the steps of implementing and identifying until completion of treatment of the tumor using the positively charged particles.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for determining a radiation beam treatment path to a tumor, comprising the steps of: (1) delivering charged particles from an accelerator, along a first beam transport path, through an output nozzle, and along a treatment path to the tumor relative to a calibrated reference beam path from the output nozzle toward a patient position and (2) prior to the step of delivering, a main controller verifying an unobstructed linear path of the treatment path using a set of fiducial indicators positioned at least: on a first element physically affixed and co-movable with the output nozzle and on a moveable object in the treatment room. Optionally, voxels of the treatment beam path and potentially obstructing objects are defined in the treatment room using an axis system relative to the calibrated reference beam path and a reference beam point.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor with protons using multiple beamline positions not having an isocenter, including the steps of: (1) delivering the protons from a synchrotron along a redirectable beam transport path to yield a plurality of incident vectors, each of the plurality of incident vectors directed toward the treatment room and (2) redirecting the protons traveling along each of the plurality of incident vectors, with an output nozzle, to the tumor, where a first vector, of the plurality of incident vectors, comprises a first direction intersecting the tumor and where a second vector, of the plurality of incident vectors, comprises a second direction passing by the tumor without entering the tumor. The step of redirecting directs the protons traveling along the first and second incident vectors, respectively, to a first and second path intersecting a front and the back of the tumor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging a tumor with X-rays while, simultaneously or alternatingly, treating or imaging the tumor with positively charged particles. An X-ray imaging system, such as one or two sets of a cone beam X-ray source coupled to an X-ray detector, is rotatable about a first axis and a patient. The X-ray imaging system is positioned off axis a path of charged particles delivered through an exit port of a nozzle system from a synchrotron and does not block a path of the positively charged particles from the exit nozzle to the patient or an imaging path from the patient to a scintillation detector. Fiducial indicators are used to confirm an unobstructed path of the positively charged particles in a treatment room comprising many movable elements, such as the X-ray imaging system and a patient positioning system/couch.

Abstract: The invention comprises a multiplexed proton tomography imaging apparatus and method of use thereof. In one embodiment, a method for imaging a tumor of a patient comprises the steps of: (1) simultaneously detecting spatially resolved positively charged particle positions passing through each of a set of cross-section planes, where the cross-section planes are both prior to and posterior to the patient along a path of the positively charged particles; (2) determining a prior vector for each of the individual positively charged particles entering a patient using the detected positions; (3) determining a posterior vector for each of the individual positively charged particles exiting the patient using the detected positions; (4) generating a probable path of each positively charged particle through the patient; and (5) generating an image of the patient using the n probable proton paths and optionally a detected residual energy of each proton.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method of use thereof for using a single patient position during, optionally simultaneous, X-ray imaging and positively charged particle imaging, where imaging a tumor of a patient using X-rays and positively charged particles comprises the steps of: (1) generating an X-ray image using the X-rays directed from an X-ray source, through the patient, and to an X-ray detector, (2) generating a positively charged particle image: (a) using the positively charged particles directed from an exit nozzle, through the patient, through the X-ray detector, and to a scintillator, the scintillator emitting photons when struck by the positively charged particles and (b) generating the positively charged particle image of the tumor using a photon detector configured to detect the emitted photons, where the X-ray detector maintains a position between said the nozzle and the scintillator during the step of generating a positively charged particle image.

Abstract: The invention comprises an X-ray—positively charged particle double/dual exposure imaging apparatus and method of use thereof. Double exposure imaging of a tumor of a patient is performed using detector hardware responsive to both X-rays and positively charged particles. A near-simultaneous double exposure yields enhanced resolution due to the imaging rate versus patient movement, no requirement of a software overlay step of the X-ray based image and the positively charged particle based image, and enhancement of an X-ray image, the enhancement resultant from a differing physical interaction of the positively charged particles with the patient compared to interactions of X-rays and the patient. Further, resolution enhancements utilize individual particle tracking, as measured using detection screens, to determine a probable intra-patient path.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a refractory brick system comprising a chromia refractory brick for operation in the slagging environment of an air-cooled gasifier. The chromia refractory brick comprises a ceramically-bonded porous chromia refractory having a porosity greater than 9% and having carbon deposits residing within the pores. The brick may be further comprised of Al2O3. The air-cooled gasifier generates a liquefied slag in contact with the refractory brick and generally operates at temperatures between 1250° C. and 1575° C. and pressures between 300 psi to 1000 psi, with oxygen partial pressures generally between 10?4 and 10?10 atm. The refractory brick performs without substantial chromium carbide or chromium metal formation in the low oxygen partial pressure environment. The inclusion of carbon without chromium carbide formation provides for significant mitigation of slag penetration and significantly reduced refractory wear.

Abstract: A scintillation material is longitudinally packaged in a circumferentially surrounding sheath, where the sheath has a lower index of refraction than the scintillation material, to form a scintillation optic or scintillation fiber optic. The scintillation material yields secondary photons upon passage of a charged particle beam, such as a positively charged residual particle beam having transmitted through a sample. The internally generated secondary photons within the sheath are guided to a detector element by the difference in index of refraction. Multiple scintillation optics are assembled to form a two-dimensional scintillation array coupled to a two-dimensional detector array, such as for use in determination of state of the residual charged particle beam, determination of an exit point of the particle beam from the sample, path of the treatment beam, and/or tomographic imaging.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and method of use thereof for extracting ions from an ion source, such as for use in cancer treatment or tomographic imaging. The extraction apparatus uses a triode extraction system, with the ion source and/or first electrode held at a first potential; an extraction electrode held at a second potential; and a gating electrode, positioned between the ion source and the extraction electrode, oscillating and/or alternating between a first suppression potential proximate that of the ion source potential and a second extraction potential between the ion source potential and the extraction electrode potential. Optionally, the ion source comprises an electron cyclotron resonance ion source.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for controlling a charged particle beam shape and direction relative to a controlled and dynamically positioned patient and/or an imaging surface, such as a scintillation plate of a tomography system and/or a first two-dimensional imaging system coupled to a second two-dimensional imaging system. Multiple interlinked beam/patient/imaging control stations allow safe zone operation and clear interaction with the charged particle beam system and the patient. Both treatment and imaging are facilitated using automated sequences controlled with a work-flow control system.

Abstract: The invention comprises a positively charged particle based cancer therapy system integrated with at least one off-axis imaging system, where elements of the off-axis imaging system and the cancer therapy system are co-positioned/co-rotated with a gantry. The imaging apparatus optionally functions with a tomography system using the positively charged particles of the cancer therapy system for enhanced patient/tumor imaging at and/or prior to a time of treatment.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for using common injector, accelerator, beam transport, and/or imaging system elements for both imaging, such as tomographic imaging, and positively charged particle cancer therapy. For example, a common output nozzle of both a tomographic imaging system and the charged particle cancer therapy system is maintained on an opposite side of the patient from an imaging surface, such as a detection plate and/or a scintillation plate, where the imaging surface is used in tomographic imaging and/or during cancer treatment with the positively charged particles to confirm position and/or orientation of the tumor. Common beam state determination systems, such as charged particle position, direction, energy, and/or intensity determination systems are used to enhance both the imaging and cancer treatment system.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for redundantly determining the state of a charged particle beam, such as beam position, direction, energy, and/or intensity. For example, the charged particle beam state is determined: (1) in an extraction system from a synchrotron, (2) in a charged particle beam transport path, and/or (3) at or about a patient undergoing charged particle cancer therapy using one or more film layers designed to emit photons upon passage of a charged particle beam, which yields information on position and/or intensity of the charged particle beam. The emitted photons are used to calculate position, direction, and/or intensity of the treatment beam in imaging and/or during tumor treatment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of operating a slagging gasifier using a carbon feedstock having a relatively high V2O5 to SiO2 ratio, such as petcoke. The disclosure generates a combined chemical composition in the feed mixture having less than 25 wt. % SiO2, greater than 20 wt. % V2O5, and greater than 20 wt. % CaO. The method takes advantage of a novel recognition that increased levels of SiO2 tend to decrease dissolution of the V2O3 which forms under the reducing conditions of the gasifier, and utilizes the CaO additive to establish a chemical phase equilibria comprised of lower melting compounds. The method further provides for control based on the presence of Al2O3 and FeO, and provides for a total combined chemical composition of greater than about 5 wt. % MgO for use with refractory linings comprised of MgO based refractory brick.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising pramipexole and the use of such compositions to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As shown in FIG. 6B the mean +/?SEM serum 2,3-DHBA levels for the 12 ALS participants decreased significantly after pramipexole treatment.

Abstract: Formulations and methods of use thereof for restoring neuronal, muscular (cardiac and striated) and/or retinal tissue function in children and adults afflicted with chronic neurodegenerative diseases, such as neurodegenerative movement disorders and ataxias, seizure disorders, motor neuron diseases, and inflammatory demyelinating disorders, are described herein. Examples of disorders include Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The method involves administering a pharmaceutical composition containing an effective amount of a tetrahydrobenzathiazole, preferably a formulation consisting substantially of the R(+) enantiomer of pramipexole. R(+) pramipexole is generally administered in doses ranging from 0.1-300 mg/kg/daily, preferably 0.5-50 mg/kg/daily, and most preferably 1-10 mg/kg/daily for oral administration. Daily total doses administered orally are typically between 10 mg and 500 mg.