Abstract: A radiation therapy system delivers radiation treatment over a 360-degree arc and performs a prepended imaging process, in a single pass, via an extended rotation gantry. While rotating the gantry in one direction about a bore of the radiation system, the radiation system generates multiple images of a target volume disposed in the bore using an imaging X-ray source mounted on the gantry. Then while continuing to rotate the gantry in the same direction, the radiation system delivers a treatment beam to the target volume using a treatment-delivering X-ray source mounted on the gantry, where the treatment beam is delivered from some or all of a 360-degree arc about the bore. Thus, the prepended imaging process and the delivery of radiation are performed in a single-pass of the gantry about a target volume, eliminating the need for a return stroke of the gantry for completion.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective generation and delivery of radiation. A radiation generation system can comprise: a particle beam gun, a high energy dissipation anode target (HEDAT); and a liquid anode control component. In some embodiments, the particle beam gun generates an electron beam. The HEDAT includes a solid anode portion (HEDAT-SAP) and a liquid anode portion (HEDAT-LAP) that are configured to receive the electron beam, absorb energy from the electron beam, generate a radiation beam, and dissipate heat. The radiation beam can include photons that can have radiation characteristics (e.g., X-ray wavelength, ionizing capability, etc.). The liquid anode control component can control a liquid anode flow to the HEDAT. The HEDAT-SAP and HEDAT-LAP can cooperatively operate in radiation generation and their configuration can be selected based upon contribution of respective HEDAT-SAP and the HEDAT-LAP characteristics to radiation generation.

Abstract: A method of generating an image synthesis process is disclosed, where the image synthesis process improves image quality of degraded volumetric images. In the method, a machine learning process is trained in a supervised learning framework as the image synthesis process. In the supervised learning process, a lower-quality partial-data reconstruction of a target volume is employed as an input object in the supervised learning process and a higher-quality full data reconstruction of the target volume is employed as an expected output. The full data reconstruction is generated based on a first set of projection images of the three-dimensional volume and the partial-data reconstruction is generated based on a second set of projection images of the three-dimensional volume, where the second set of projection images includes projection images that have less image information and/or are of a lower image quality than the first set of projection images.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first scintillator layer; an array of detector elements, wherein the array of detector elements comprises a first detector element; a second scintillator layer configured to receive radiation after the radiation has passed through the first scintillator layer and the array of detector elements, wherein the array of detector elements is located between the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer; a first electrode located closer to the first scintillator than the second scintillator; and a second electrode situated between the second scintillator and the first detector element; the first detector element configured to generate a first electrical signal in response to light from the first scintillator layer, and to generate a second electrical signal in response to light from the second scintillator layer; the second electrode configured to allow the light from the second scintillator layer to reach the first detector element.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first scintillator layer; an array of detector elements, wherein the array of detector elements comprises a first detector element; a second scintillator layer, wherein the array of detector elements is located between the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer; and a first neutral density filter located between the first scintillator layer and the first detector element and/or a second neutral density filter located between the second scintillator layer and the first detector element; wherein the first detector element is configured to generate a first electrical signal in response to light from the first scintillator layer, and to generate a second electrical signal in response to light from the second scintillator layer.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first scintillator layer; an array of detector elements, wherein the array of detector elements comprises a first detector element; a second scintillator layer, wherein the array of detector elements is located between the first scintillator layer and the second scintillator layer; and a first neutral density filter located between the first scintillator layer and the first detector element and/or a second neutral density filter located between the second scintillator layer and the first detector element; wherein the first detector element is configured to generate a first electrical signal in response to light from the first scintillator layer, and to generate a second electrical signal in response to light from the second scintillator layer.

Abstract: A radiation system includes a radiation source providing therapeutic radiation, a first gantry supporting a second gantry carrying the radiation source. The first gantry is rotatable about a first axis passing through an isocenter, thereby allowing the radiation source to aim therapeutic radiation at a target volume from a plurality of locations in a first plane. The second gantry carrying the radiation source is rotatable about a second axis passing through the isocenter non-parallel with the first axis, thereby allowing the radiation source to aim therapeutic radiation at the target volume from a plurality of locations in a second plane non-coplanar with the first plane.

Abstract: One example method for estimating scatter associated with a target object may include acquiring a set of original projection data that includes primary radiation and scattered radiation at one or more selected projection angles associated with the target object, generating a first set of estimated scatter data from the set of original projection data, generating reconstructed image data by performing a first pass reconstruction using the first set of estimated scatter data, and generating a set of reference scatter data associated with the target based on the reconstructed image data. The example method may also include generating a set of reference primary plus scatter data associated with the target object based on the reconstructed image data, generating a second set of estimated scatter data associated with the target object based on the set of reference primary plus scatter data, and generating perturbation data associated with the target object.

Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process to estimate scattered radiation contained in x-ray projections for computed tomography (CT) reconstruction is provided. The process may construct an object model based on a plurality of projection images generated by CT scanning of an object using an x-ray radiation source and a detector panel. The process may construct a virtual radiation source based on the x-ray radiation source, and a virtual detector panel based on the detector panel. The process may perform a simulated CT scanning of the object model by simulating macroscopic behavior of particles being emitted from the virtual radiation source, passing through the object model, and being detected by the virtual detector panel. And the process may generate a simulated scatter image based on a first subset of particles scattered during the simulated CT scanning of the object model.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a radiation therapy method can include loading a planning image of a target in a human. In addition, the position of the target can be monitored. A computation can be made of an occurrence of substantial alignment between the position of the target and the target of the planning image. Furthermore, after the computing, a beam of radiation is triggered to deliver a dosage to the target in a short period of time (e.g., less than a second).

Abstract: In various embodiments, a radiation therapy method can include loading a planning image of a target in a human. In addition, the position of the target can be monitored. A computation can be made of an occurrence of substantial alignment between the position of the target and the target of the planning image. Furthermore, after the computing, a beam of radiation is triggered to deliver a dosage to the target in a short period of time (e.g., less than a second).

Abstract: Radiation treatment planning includes determining a number of beams to be directed into a target, determining directions (e.g., gantry angles) for the beams, and determining an energy level for each of the beams. The number of beams, the directions of the beams, and the energy levels are determined such that the beams do not overlap outside the target and the prescribed dose will be delivered across the entire target.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a radiation therapy method can include loading a planning image of a target in a human. In addition, the position of the target can be monitored. A computation can be made of an occurrence of substantial alignment between the position of the target and the target of the planning image. Furthermore, after the computing, a beam of radiation is triggered to deliver a dosage to the target in a short period of time (e.g., less than a second).

Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process to estimate scattered radiation contained in x-ray projections for computed tomography (CT) reconstruction is provided. The process may construct an object model based on a plurality of projection images generated by CT scanning of an object using an x-ray radiation source and a detector panel. The process may construct a virtual radiation source based on the x-ray radiation source, and a virtual detector panel based on the detector panel. The process may perform a simulated CT scanning of the object model by simulating macroscopic behavior of particles being emitted from the virtual radiation source, passing through the object model, and being detected by the virtual detector panel. And the process may generate a simulated scatter image based on a first subset of particles scattered during the simulated CT scanning of the object model.

Abstract: A radiation system includes a radiation source providing therapeutic radiation, a first gantry supporting a second gantry carrying the radiation source. The first gantry is rotatable about a first axis passing through an isocenter, thereby allowing the radiation source to aim therapeutic radiation at a target volume from a plurality of locations in a first plane. The second gantry carrying the radiation source is rotatable about a second axis passing through the isocenter non-parallel with the first axis, thereby allowing the radiation source to aim therapeutic radiation at the target volume from a plurality of locations in a second plane non-coplanar with the first plane.

Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for calculating patient-specific organ dose is presented. The process may include constructing a computed tomography (CT) volume based on CT images generated by a CT scanner. The process may include segmenting the CT volume into a plurality of organ regions, generating a material density map for the CT volume based on Hounsfield Unit (HU) values, and generating a dose distribution map for the CT volume based on the material density map by simulating particles emitting from the CT scanner and flowing through the CT volume. The process may further generate a dose value delivered to a specific organ region of the plurality of organ regions based on the dose distribution map.

Abstract: In a method of making pixelated scintillators, an amorphous scintillator material in a molten state is pressed into a plurality of cavities defined by a plurality of walls of a mesh array. The molten scintillator material in the plurality of cavities is cooled to form a pixelated scintillator array. An x-ray imager including a pixelated scintillator is also described.

Abstract: Reconstruction of projection images of a CBCT scan is performed by generating simulated projection data, comparing the simulated projection data to the projection images of the CBCT scan, determining a residual volume based on the comparison, and using the residual volume to determine an accurate reconstructed volume. The reconstructed volume can be used to segment a tumor (and potentially one or more organs) and align the tumor to a planning volume (e.g., from a CT scan) to identify changes, such as shape of the tumor and proximity of the tumor to an organ. These changes can be used to update a radiation therapy procedure, such as by altering a radiation treatment plan and fine-tuning a patient position.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for generating a charged particle beam comprising a magnetic element for controlling the profile of the beam in a predetermined plane. A cathode can be provided for emitting charged particles and an anode for accelerating the charged particles along an axis of travel. The present invention also pertains to a method for generating a particle beam that has a uniform profile in a predetermined plane comprising inducing emission of charged particles from an emitter, accelerating those particles along and toward an axis of beam travel, generating a magnetic field with a component aligned with the axis of beam travel but different in the predetermined plane than at the emitter, and modifying the beam profile.

Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for calculating patient-specific organ dose is presented. The process may include constructing a computed tomography (CT) volume based on CT images generated by a CT scanner. The process may include segmenting the CT volume into a plurality of organ regions, generating a material density map for the CT volume based on Hounsfield Unit (HU) values, and generating a dose distribution map for the CT volume based on the material density map by simulating particles emitting from the CT scanner and flowing through the CT volume. The process may further generate a dose value delivered to a specific organ region of the plurality of organ regions based on the dose distribution map.