Abstract: To overcome the difficulties inherent in conventional proton therapy systems, new techniques are described herein for synchronizing the application of proton radiation with the periodic movement of a target area. In an embodiment, a method is provided that combines multiple rescans of a spot scanning proton beam while monitoring the periodic motion of the target area, and aligning the applications of the proton beam with parameters of the periodic motion. For example, the direction(s) and frequency of the periodic motion may be monitored, and the timing, dose rate, and/or scanning direction and spot sequence of the beam can be adjusted to align with phases in the periodic motion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a rotational gantry designed to provide proton radiation therapy using a mono-energetic proton beam. The mono-energetic proton beam is transported by a beam line transport system having two or more bending magnets and a plurality of quadrupole and steerer magnets for directing and focusing the proton beam. Energy variation of the beam is performed directly before the beam reaches an isocenter of the gantry.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective monitoring of particle beams. In some embodiments, a system comprises a primary particle beam generator that generates a primary particle beam, and a monitoring component that monitors the primary particle beam. The monitoring component comprises: a reaction component that is impacted by the primary particle beam, wherein results of an impact include creation of secondary photons; a detection component that detects a characteristic of the secondary photons; and a primary particle beam characteristic determination component that determines a characteristic of the primary particle beam based upon the characteristic of the secondary photons. The characteristic of the primary particle beam can include a radiation dose measurement and dose rate. The reaction component can include a foil component. A resolution time of less than a nano second can be associated with detecting the secondary photon characteristic.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective monitoring of particle beams. In some embodiments, a system comprises a primary particle beam generator that generates a primary particle beam, and a monitoring component that monitors the primary particle beam. The monitoring component comprises: a reaction component that is impacted by the primary particle beam, wherein results of an impact include creation of secondary photons; a detection component that detects a characteristic of the secondary photons; and a primary particle beam characteristic determination component that determines a characteristic of the primary particle beam based upon the characteristic of the secondary photons. The characteristic of the primary particle beam can include a radiation dose measurement and dose rate. The reaction component can include a foil component. A resolution time of less than a nano second can be associated with detecting the secondary photon characteristic.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective monitoring of particle beams. In some embodiments, a system comprises a primary particle beam generator that generates a primary particle beam, and a monitoring component that monitors the primary particle beam. The monitoring component comprises: a reaction component that is impacted by the primary particle beam, wherein results of an impact include creation of secondary photons; a detection component that detects a characteristic of the secondary photons; and a primary particle beam characteristic determination component that determines a characteristic of the primary particle beam based upon the characteristic of the secondary photons. The characteristic of the primary particle beam can include a radiation dose measurement and dose rate. The reaction component can include a foil component. A resolution time of less than a nano second can be associated with detecting the secondary photon characteristic.

Abstract: Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective monitoring of particle beams. In some embodiments, a system comprises a primary particle beam generator that generates a primary particle beam, and a monitoring component that monitors the primary particle beam. The monitoring component comprises: a reaction component that is impacted by the primary particle beam, wherein results of an impact include creation of secondary photons; a detection component that detects a characteristic of the secondary photons; and a primary particle beam characteristic determination component that determines a characteristic of the primary particle beam based upon the characteristic of the secondary photons. The characteristic of the primary particle beam can include a radiation dose measurement and dose rate. The reaction component can include a foil component. A resolution time of less than a nano second can be associated with detecting the secondary photon characteristic.

Abstract: To overcome the difficulties inherent in conventional proton therapy systems, new techniques are described herein for synchronizing the application of proton radiation with the periodic movement of a target area. In an embodiment, a method is provided that combines multiple rescans of a spot scanning proton beam while monitoring the periodic motion of the target area, and aligning the applications of the proton beam with parameters of the periodic motion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently performing daily maintenance or quality assurance on proton therapy systems. Specifically, a system is provided which includes a solid-state phantom, a plurality of ionization chambers disposed within the solid-state phantom, and a measuring device coupled to the plurality of ionization chambers and operable to perform radiation measurements of proton beams received within the plurality of ionization chambers. Measurements of proton beams received in the ionization chambers may be used to derive the dose at the ionization chambers and be subsequently compared to pre-generated target data (e.g., data corresponding to proper treatment according to a radiation therapy treatment plan). If the data obtained through the maintenance procedure does not conform to the target data, the proton beam generator may be further calibrated.

Abstract: To overcome the difficulties inherent in conventional proton therapy systems, new techniques are described herein for synchronizing the application of proton radiation with the periodic movement of a target area. In an embodiment, a method is provided that combines multiple rescans of a spot scanning proton beam while monitoring the periodic motion of the target area, and aligning the applications of the proton beam with parameters of the periodic motion.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently performing daily maintenance or quality assurance on proton therapy systems. Specifically, a system is provided which includes a solid-state phantom, a plurality of ionization chambers disposed within the solid-state phantom, and a measuring device coupled to the plurality of ionization chambers and operable to perform radiation measurements of proton beams received within the plurality of ionization chambers. Measurements of proton beams received in the ionization chambers may be used to derive the dose at the ionization chambers and be subsequently compared to pre-generated target data (e.g., data corresponding to proper treatment according to a radiation therapy treatment plan). If the data obtained through the maintenance procedure does not conform to the target data, the proton beam generator may be further calibrated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently performing daily maintenance or quality assurance on proton therapy systems. Specifically, a system is provided which includes a solid-state phantom, a plurality of ionization chambers disposed within the solid-state phantom, and a measuring device coupled to the plurality of ionization chambers and operable to perform radiation measurements of proton beams received within the plurality of ionization chambers. Measurements of proton beams received in the ionization chambers may be used to derive the dose at the ionization chambers and be subsequently compared to pre-generated target data (e.g., data corresponding to proper treatment according to a radiation therapy treatment plan). If the data obtained through the maintenance procedure does not conform to the target data, the proton beam generator may be further calibrated.

Abstract: To overcome the difficulties inherent in conventional proton therapy systems, new techniques are described herein for synchronizing the application of proton radiation with the periodic movement of a target area. In an embodiment, a method is provided that combines multiple rescans of a spot scanning proton beam while monitoring the periodic motion of the target area, and aligning the applications of the proton beam with parameters of the periodic motion.

Abstract: A method for determining parameters of a beam. As a part of the disclosed method, a beam is received at an image detection array where charges are generated and collected, at a plurality of pixels. Values associated with at least one of a plurality of parameters of the beam are determined by integrating information supplied from each of the pixels. Feedback is generated that presents the values.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently performing daily maintenance or quality assurance on proton therapy systems. Specifically, a system is provided which includes a solid-state phantom, a plurality of ionization chambers disposed within the solid-state phantom, and a measuring device coupled to the plurality of ionization chambers and operable to perform radiation measurements of proton beams received within the plurality of ionization chambers. Measurements of proton beams received in the ionization chambers may be used to derive the dose at the ionization chambers and be subsequently compared to pre-generated target data (e.g., data corresponding to proper treatment according to a radiation therapy treatment plan). If the data obtained through the maintenance procedure does not conform to the target data, the proton beam generator may be further calibrated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an irradiation device for irradiating an irradiation object with heavy charged particles at an irradiation station, comprising a particle accelerator for providing a particle beam and a swivelling device for swivelling the particle beam impinging on the irradiation object, wherein the swivelling device comprises a carrier pivotable about an axis. In accordance with the invention, the irradiation device is characterized in that the particle accelerator is mounted on the pivotable carrier.

Abstract: A method for determining parameters of a beam is disclosed. As a part of a disclosed method, a beam is received at an image detection array where charges are generated and collected, at a plurality of pixels. Values associated with at least one of a plurality of parameters of the beam are determined by integrating information supplied from each of the pixels. Feedback is generated that represents the values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an irradiation device for irradiating an irradiation object with heavy charged particles at an irradiation station, comprising a particle accelerator for providing a particle beam and a swivelling device for swivelling the particle beam impinging on the irradiation object, wherein the swivelling device comprises a carrier pivotable about an axis. In accordance with the invention, the irradiation device is characterized in that the particle accelerator is mounted on the pivotable carrier.