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 invention comprises a method and apparatus for directing charged particles into a patient from several directions. A delivery system is described that uses a primary beam line from an accelerator to a path switching magnet used to dynamically direct bunches of the positively charged particles down a selected pathway of a plurality of physically separated beam transport lines to a single patient treatment position, where the selected pathways enter the patient from two or more sides. Optionally, a repositionable treatment nozzle is repositioned to interface with each beam transport line, which allows the charged particle delivery system to use a single scanning capable nozzle in combination with delivery of the charged particles to the two or more sides of the patient to implement a tumor irradiation plan without a necessity of a moveable beamline in, at, or near a treatment room.