Abstract: A proton cyclotron is provided for dedicated use in head, neck and eye cancers, tumors or other medical conditions including pediatric and other cancers or medical conditions. The method of using a proton cyclotron for treating a tumor, cancer or medical condition of a patient includes positioning the patient on a support platform, such as on a patient table or in a robotic chair, and irradiating the tumor, cancer or other medical condition using a proton particle beam from the cyclotron for a predetermined time sufficient to treat the tumor, cancer or medical condition, wherein the proton particle beam produced by the cyclotron has an energy in a range of 70 MeV to 150 MeV and has a beam current in an amount suitable for radiation therapy, as can include a variable range of beam current for the radiation therapy.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the use of a proton/deuteron cyclotron for materials analysis and other industrial applications are provided. The methods, apparatuses and uses include positioning a target material for irradiation on a sample holder, focusing a hydrogen ion beam or a deuteron ion beam, such as a negative hydrogen ion or negative deuteron ion beam, from the cyclotron to the target material, irradiating the target material to induce a (d,*) or a (p,*) reaction thereby producing a radiation emission, and detecting the radiation emission using a detector, wherein the particle beam produced by the cyclotron has an energy in a range of from and including 1 MeV to 3 MeV and has a beam current in a range of from and including 5 pA to 100 nA.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use of a proton beam or a negative hydrogen ion beam cyclotron for production of a flux of a neutron beam and its use in investigation of material analysis is provided. The methods, apparatuses and uses include positioning a target material for irradiation on a sample holder, focusing a proton ion beam or a negative hydrogen ion beam from the cyclotron to the target material; irradiating the target material to induce a proton-neutron reaction thereby producing a flux of a neutron beam; transmitting the flux of the neutron beam through a neutron spectrum modulator, focusing the flux of the neutron beam to a sample material thereby producing a radiation emission; and detecting the radiation emission using a detector.

Abstract: A urethral catheter and its method of use to identify a patient's urethral anatomic course for the precise placement of a treatment element into the patient's prostate are provided. An echo-opaque urethral catheter including an echogenic material and a radio-opaque material in at least an image portion thereof is introduced into a urethra until its echogenic and radio-opaque image portion is generally aligned with a treatment site of the prostate. An image probe positioned relative to the treatment site is activated to obtain a real time image of the prostate and urethra by ultrasound or X-ray imaging. The echo-opaque urethral catheter includes an elongated flexible catheter, at least the image portion of which, is coated with, incorporates within or is enclosed by the echogenic and radio-opaque materials that enhance ultrasound and radio visualization.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods used to locate target areas within a patient for repeat therapeutic treatments. In the invention, fiduciary markers made of metal or metal alloys are placed within a patient near or at a target site as reference coordinates for particular body locations on the patient. Repeat treatments may then be given to the patient over a period of time based on the coordinates given by the fiduciary markers. The fiduciary markers are specially shaped or put into strand to improve marker attachment and prevent marker migration.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods used to locate target areas within a patient for repeat therapeutic treatments. In the invention, fiduciary markers made of metal or metal alloys are placed within a patient near or at a target site as reference coordinates for particular body locations on the patient. Repeat treatments may then be given to the patient over a period of time based on the coordinates given by the fiduciary markers. The fiduciary markers are specially shaped or put into strand to improve marker attachment and prevent marker migration.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods used to locate target areas within a patient for repeat therapeutic treatments. In the invention, fiduciary markers made of metal or metal alloys are placed within a patient near or at a target site as reference coordinates for particular body locations on the patient. Repeat treatments may then be given to the patient over a period of time based on the coordinates given by the fiduciary markers. The fiduciary markers are specially shaped or put into strand to improve marker attachment and prevent marker migration.

Abstract: A pellet for a radioactive seed, suitable for use in certain medical radiological treatments, including a metallic X-ray detectable marker rod such as tungsten coated with a radioactive-absorbing material, such as a polyamino acid, in a binder wherein a radioactive material is absorbed. Such pellets are encapsulated in a material such as titanium to form an effectively sealed radioactive seed which is useful in certain medical radiological treatments.

Abstract: A pellet for a radioactive seed, suitable for use in certain medical radiological treatments, comprising a metallic X-ray detectable marker rod such as tungsten coated with a radioactive-absorbing material such as carbon in a binder wherein a radioactive material is absorbed. Such pellets are encapsulated in a material such as titanium to form an effectively sealed radioactive seed which is useful in certain medical radiological treatments.

Abstract: A flexible sealed radioactive film for medical treatments comprising a radioactive material on or in a flexible substantially two-dimensional film and sealed in a substantially two-dimensional envelope. A number of flexible sealed radioactive film units can be provided in the form of a perforated strip wherein any number of flexible sealed film units can be easily removed from the perforated strip and applied to the site of treatment. The flexible sealed radioactive film can be easily applied to irregular contours to provide radiation treatment for diseased tissue and the like. Methods of making the flexible sealed radioactive film are also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage and transport container for radioactive medical materials comprising a stainless steel shell with a central stainless steel well opening downwardly from the top of the container with a multiplicity of small diameter, generally U-shaped stainless steel tubes, one end of each such tube extending out of each side of the stainless steel shell, the bottom of the U-portion of each tube passing under the central well. Where the container is substantially cylindrical, the well and stainless steel tubes may extend substantially through the length of the shell. The wells of the containers are stoppered or sealed with a plug of radiation shielding material. A novel handle structure for such containers comprises a vertical shaft connected to the container by a short open sleeve attached near the top of one side of the container so that the shaft may move upwardly and downwardly in the sleeve and rotate therein.

Abstract: A capsule for encapsulating radioactive material for radiation treatment comprising two or more interfitting sleeves, wherein each sleeve comprises a closed bottom portion having a circumferential wall extending therefrom, and an open end located opposite the bottom portion. The sleeves are constructed to fit over one another to thereby establish an effectively sealed capsule structure.

Abstract: A storage and transport container for radioactive medical materials comprising a stainless steel shell with a central stainless steel well opening downwardly from the top of the container with a multiplicity of small diameter, generally U-shaped stainless steel tubes, one end of each such tube extending out of each side of the stainless steel shell, the bottom of the U-portion of each tube passing under the central well. Where the container is substantially cylindrical, the well and stainless steel tubes may extend substantially through the length of the shell. The wells of the containers are stoppered or sealed with a plug of radiation shielding material. A novel handle structure for such containers comprises a vertical shaft connected to the container by a short open sleeve attached near the top of one side of the container so that the shaft may move upwardly and downwardly in the sleeve and rotate therein.

Abstract: A non-metallic catheter button body having a variety of geometric shapes, having integrally secured therewith a metallic marker element, to anchor a catheter or surgical tube in the body with less pain to the patient while providing an X-ray visible marker, which button substantially reduces loss of the patient's skin from scattered electrons resulting from a bombardment by radiation from radioactive material. The non-metallic button body may further include an integral non-metallic stem portion to facilitate the crimping of the stem, anchoring of tubes in the body, and insertion of ribbons of radioactive material therein.