Abstract: Particle therapy systems and methods for treating patients are provided. In one implementation, a particle therapy system may include an interaction chamber for containing a target and an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate a pulsed electromagnetic radiation beam of at least about 100 terawatts and at a repetition rate of at least about 20 Hz. The particle therapy system may further include optics configured to direct the pulsed electromagnetic radiation beam along a path towards a target in the interaction chamber. The particle therapy system may further include an actuator configured to cause relative movement between the target and the electromagnetic radiation beam at a speed associated with the repetition rate of the electromagnetic radiation source, to thereby vary a location of interaction of the pulsed electromagnetic radiation beam on a surface of the target and thereby cause a resultant emission from the target of at least about 3×106 charged particles per pulse.

Abstract: Systems for directing a pulsed beam of charged particles include an ion source configured to produce a pulsed ion beam that includes at least one ion bunch. Such systems include an electromagnet for producing an electromagnetic field through which the pulsed ion beam travels, and an automated switch that selectively activates the electromagnet. A source of radiation triggers the automated switch, and at least one processor is configured to activate the electromagnet as the ion bunch traverses the electromagnetic field. Such systems may be useful, for example, for filtering a pulsed ion beam to select ions falling within a desired energy range and/or for providing pulsed ion radiation at desired times.

Abstract: Systems for directing a pulsed beam of charged particles include an ion source configured to produce a pulsed ion beam that includes at least one ion bunch. Such systems include an electromagnet for producing an electromagnetic field through which the pulsed ion beam travels, and an automated switch that selectively activates the electromagnet. A source of radiation triggers the automated switch, and at least one processor is configured to activate the electromagnet as the ion bunch traverses the electromagnetic field. Such systems may be useful, for example, for filtering a pulsed ion beam to select ions falling within a desired energy range and/or for providing pulsed ion radiation at desired times.

Abstract: A system for treating a target volume with ions includes an ion source configured to provide an ion beam for use in scanning the target volume in a first direction and in a second direction; a movable platform for supporting a patient; a motor for moving the platform relative to the ion beam; and at least one processor configured to cause rastering of the target volume by: scanning the ion beam across the target volume in a first direction; and controlling the motor to move a patient on the movable platform in a second direction.

Abstract: An actuator delivers mechanical vibrations to the body of a subject. The actuator includes a piezoelectric element, electrodes in electrical communication with an electrical source and the piezoelectric element to drive the piezoelectric element, a polymeric protective layer encapsulating the piezoelectric element and part of the electrodes, and an enclosure attached to the protective layer. The actuator includes a space between the protective layer and the enclosure allowing desired modes of vibration to develop across a surface of the protective layer that encapsulated the piezoelectric element. The actuator can include a skin attachment article that has a mounting pad for attaching to the skin of the subject and for attaching the actuator. The skin attachment article has a cover that overlies the actuator and the mounting pad when the article is attached to the skin of the subject.

Abstract: Systems for generating a proton beam include an electromagnetic radiation beam (e.g., a laser) that is directed onto an ion-generating target by optics to form the proton beam. A detector is configured to measure a laser-target interaction property, which a processor uses to produce a feedback signal that can be used to alter the proton beam by adjusting the source of the electromagnetic radiation beam, the optics, or a relative position or orientation of the electromagnetic radiation beam to the ion-generating target. By adjusting the laser-target interaction, the feedback can be used to control properties of the proton beam, such as the proton beam energy or flux. Such systems have certain advantages, including reducing the size, complexity, and cost of machines used to generate proton beams, while also improving their speed, precision, and configurability.

Abstract: Systems for generating a proton beam include an electromagnetic radiation beam (e.g., a laser) that is directed onto an ion-generating target by optics to form the proton beam. The ion-generating target includes a plurality of patterned features and/or a knife edge, and may comprise, for example, ice, silicon, carbon, plastic, or steel. At least one processor is configured to cause the electromagnetic radiation beam to strike the knife edge or individual ones of the plurality of patterned features. The at least one processor may also be configured to cause the electromagnetic radiation beam to scan a surface of the ion-generating target either continuously or discontinuously, for example by controlling a motor and/or adaptive mirror. Further, the at least one processor may be configured to cause the sequential scanning of the electromagnetic radiation beam over contiguous ones of the plurality of patterned features.

Abstract: Systems for directing a pulsed beam of charged particles include an ion source configured to produce a pulsed ion beam that includes at least one ion bunch. Such systems include an electromagnet for producing an electromagnetic field through which the pulsed ion beam travels, and an automated switch that selectively activates the electromagnet. A source of radiation triggers the automated switch, and at least one processor is configured to activate the electromagnet as the ion bunch traverses the electromagnetic field. Such systems may be useful, for example, for filtering a pulsed ion beam to select ions falling within a desired energy range and/or for providing pulsed ion radiation at desired times.

Abstract: Systems for generating a proton beam include an electromagnetic radiation beam (e.g., a laser) that is directed onto an ion-generating target by optics to form the proton beam. A detector is configured to measure a laser-target interaction property, which a processor uses to produce a feedback signal that can be used to alter the proton beam by adjusting the source of the electromagnetic radiation beam, the optics, or a relative position or orientation of the electromagnetic radiation beam to the ion-generating target. By adjusting the laser-target interaction, the feedback can be used to control properties of the proton beam, such as the proton beam energy or flux. Such systems have certain advantages, including reducing the size, complexity, and cost of machines used to generate proton beams, while also improving their speed, precision, and configurability.

Abstract: Laser accelerated Proton beams provides compact sources for Proton beams. This invention describes several examples of optic designs which provide a compact beam delivery system capable of supporting pencil beam scanning and delivering the required clinical dosage in a tight beam spot.

Abstract: Systems for treating a patient using protons include a proton source configured to provide a proton beam having a plurality of proton energies and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to control relative movement between the proton beam and the patient in two dimensions, and to control the proton energy distribution to adjust the penetration depth of the protons in the third dimension while maintaining substantially fixed coordinates in the other two dimensions. Such treatment systems allow for shorter treatment times, higher patient throughput, more precise treatment of the desired areas, and less collateral damage to healthy tissue.

Abstract: Systems for generating a proton beam include an electromagnetic radiation beam (e.g., a laser) that is directed onto an ion-generating target by optics to form the proton beam. At least one processor is configured to control the source of the electromagnetic radiation and the optics to alter the energy, polarization, spatial profile, and/or the temporal profile of the electromagnetic radiation beam, and to adjust the flux and/or energy of the proton beam. In some instances the system may adjust the proton beam energy while holding the proton beam flux substantially constant, or alternatively adjust the proton beam flux while holding the proton beam energy substantially constant. In other instances the system may adjust the proton beam energy while varying the proton beam flux, and/or adjust the proton beam flux while varying the proton beam energy.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device measures the length of the urethra. The device includes a hollow tube having markings, wherein the hollow tube includes an internal end and an external end. The internal end includes one or more fins that can be manipulated into an open position and a closed position. The external end includes an opening allowing the insertion of a push-tube sliding axially within the body of the hollow tube, the push-tube being used to manipulate the fins into the open and closed positions. Further, an outer ring moves axially along the exterior of hollow tube and is utilized to measure the length of the urethra.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for generating a beam of fast ions. The system comprising: a target substrate having a patterned surface, a pattern comprising nanoscale pattern features oriented substantially uniformly along a common axis; and; a beam unit adapted for receiving a high power coherent electromagnetic radiation beam and providing an electromagnetic radiation beam having a main pulse and a pre-pulse and focusing it onto said patterned surface of the target substrate to cause interaction between said radiation beam and said substrate enabling creation of fast ions.

Abstract: Laser accelerated Proton beams provides compact sources for Proton beams. This invention describes several examples of optic designs which provide a compact beam delivery system capable of supporting pencil beam scanning and delivering the required clinical dosage in a tight beam spot.

Abstract: A system for generating pulses of charged particles, comprising a high intensity pulsed laser emitting laser pulses which, when impacting a target, generate pulses of charged particles. The particles passes through an electromagnet energized by a low inductance current feed incorporating a light activated switch to turn the energizing current on and off. Part of the light of the laser pulse is directed onto the light activated switch, such that the magnetic field is optically synchronized with the generated pulses of charged particles. This enables energizing the magnet only during passage of the pulses, such that it is lighter and more energy efficient than prior art systems using CW electromagnets. Synchronization also enables selection of charged particles having a predetermined range of particle energy, by timing activation of the magnetic field such that it diverts onto a selected beam path only the particles having the predetermined range of energies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for generating a beam of fast ions. The system comprising: a target substrate having a patterned surface, a pattern comprising nanoscale pattern features oriented substantially uniformly along a common axis; and; a beam unit adapted for receiving a high power coherent electromagnetic radiation beam and providing an electromagnetic radiation beam having a main pulse and a pre-pulse and focusing it onto said patterned surface of the target substrate to cause interaction between said radiation beam and said substrate enabling creation of fast ions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for generating a beam of fast ions. The system comprising: a target substrate having a patterned surface, a pattern comprising nanoscale pattern features oriented substantially uniformly along a common axis; and; a beam unit adapted for receiving a high power coherent electromagnetic radiation beam and providing an electromagnetic radiation beam having a main pulse and a pre-pulse and focusing it onto said patterned surface of the target substrate to cause interaction between said radiation beam and said substrate enabling creation of fast ions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method tot generating a beam of fast ions. The system comprising: a target substrate having patterned surface, a pattern comprising nanoscale pattern features oriented substantially uniformly along a common axis; and; a beam unit adapted for receiving a high power coherent electromagnetic radiation beam and providing an electromagnetic radiation beam having a main pulse and a pre-pulse and focusing it onto said patterned surface of the target substrate to cause interaction between said radiation beam and said substrate enabling creation of fast ions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for generating a beam of fast ions. The system comprising: a target substrate having a patterned surface, a pattern comprising nanoscale pattern features oriented substantially uniformly along a common axis; and; a beam unit adapted for receiving a high power coherent electromagnetic radiation beam and providing an electromagnetic radiation beam having a main pulse and a pre-pulse and focusing it onto said patterned surface of the target substrate to cause interaction between said radiation beam and said substrate enabling creation of fast ions.