Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to medical imaging and radiation therapy and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices, methods, and systems for positioning a patient with respect to a radiation source to image the patient and/or to treat the patient by exposing the patient to a radiation beam produced by the radiation source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient positioning assembly for orientating a patient with respect to a radiation source. The patient positioning assembly includes a translatable member movable in a vertical direction between a vertically downwards first position and a vertically upwards second position. The patient positioning assembly further includes a patient support assembly mounted to the translatable member and adapted to rotate relative to the translatable member about a vertical axis. The patient support assembly is configurable between a first orientation, which sustains the patient in a seated position, and a second orientation, which sustains the patient in a generally standing position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient positioning assembly for orientating a patient with respect to a radiation source. The patient positioning assembly includes a translatable member movable in a vertical direction between a vertically downwards first position and a vertically upwards second position. The patient positioning assembly further includes a patient support assembly mounted to the translatable member and adapted to rotate relative to the translatable member about a vertical axis. The patient support assembly is configurable between a first orientation, which sustains the patient in a seated position, and a second orientation, which sustains the patient in a generally standing position.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to controlling radiation and protecting biological organisms from exposure to radiation and particularly, but not exclusively, to apparatuses, methods, and systems for minimizing and/or eliminating exposure of humans to stray radiation used for medical imaging and therapy.

Abstract: A method of determining the shape of a radiation beam of a radiotherapy system at a treatment position, the system comprising a radiation source and a multi-leaf collimator disposed between the radiation source and the treatment position. The multi-leaf collimator includes an array of moveable leaves positioned to intersect and block parts of the radiation beam to define the shape of the radiation beam at the treatment position. The leaves of a group are aligned such that the planes of the leaves in that group converge at a point displaced laterally from the radiation source. The method includes, for each leaf in the array positioned to intersect the radiation beam, determining a projected width with respect to the radiation beam, the projected width being greater than the thickness of the respective leaf, and using the projected leaf width to determine the shape of the radiation beam at the treatment position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient positioning assembly for orientating a patient with respect to a radiation source. The patient positioning assembly includes a translatable member movable in a vertical direction between a vertically downwards first position and a vertically upwards second position. The patient positioning assembly further includes a patient support assembly mounted to the translatable member and adapted to rotate relative to the translatable member about a vertical axis. The patient support assembly is configurable between a first orientation, which sustains the patient in a seated position, and a second orientation, which sustains the patient in a generally standing position.

Abstract: A method of determining the shape of a radiation beam of a radiotherapy system at a treatment position, the system comprising a radiation source and a multi-leaf collimator disposed between the radiation source and the treatment position. The multi-leaf collimator includes an array of moveable leaves positioned to intersect and block parts of the radiation beam to define the shape of the radiation beam at the treatment position. The leaves of a group are aligned such that the planes of the leaves in that group converge at a point displaced laterally from the radiation source. The method includes, for each leaf in the array positioned to intersect the radiation beam, determining a projected width with respect to the radiation beam, the projected width being greater than the thickness of the respective leaf, and using the projected leaf width to determine the shape of the radiation beam at the treatment position.