Abstract: The invention is related to a method for monitoring a range of a particle beam in a target. The method is using gamma detectors for detecting prompt gammas produced in the target. The time differences between the time of detecting a gamma quantum and a time of emission of a particle or a bunch of particles from the radiation device are determined. A statistical distribution of those time difference is used to deduce information related to the range of the beam. The invention is also related to an apparatus for monitoring a range based on measured time profiles of detected prompt gammas.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for monitoring a range of a particle beam in a target. The method is using gamma detectors for detecting prompt gammas produced in the target. The time differences between the time of detecting a gamma quantum and a time of emission of a particle or a bunch of particles from the radiation device are determined. A statistical distribution of those time difference is used to deduce information related to the range of the beam. The invention is also related to an apparatus for monitoring a range based on measured time profiles of detected prompt gammas.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for evaluating an activity distribution obtained in a moved target object by a beam that is generated by an irradiation device. Said apparatus comprises: a positron emission tomograph designed to record photons generated in the target object by the beam and generate measurement data representing points of origin of the photons; a movement detection device designed to generate a movement signal representing the movement of the target object; and an evaluation unit designed to associate the points of origin of the measured photons with positions in the target object with the help of the movement signal such that three-dimensional characteristics of the activity distribution actually generated in the target object can be evaluated by means of the photons generated by the beam. The invention further relates to an irradiation system and a method in which such an apparatus is used.

Abstract: A Method for determining the material composition of a material sample which emits radiation comprises the following method steps: recording a spectrum of the energy deposited in a detector material by the radiation; determining a first energy deposited in a first energy range, a second energy deposited in a second energy range, and a third energy deposited in a third energy range; assigning a first colour parameter to the first deposited energy, a second colour parameter to the second deposited energy, and a third colour parameter to the third deposited energy; and comparing the assigned colour parameters with predetermined values for the colour parameters, the predetermined values typically corresponding to colour parameters of a predetermined material composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for evaluating an activity distribution obtained in a moved target object by a beam that is generated by an irradiation device. Said apparatus comprises: a positron emission tomograph designed to record photons generated in the target object by the beam and generate measurement data representing points of origin of the photons; a movement detection device designed to generate a movement signal representing the movement of the target object; and an evaluation unit designed to associate the points of origin of the measured photons with positions in the target object with the help of the movement signal such that three-dimensional characteristics of the activity distribution actually generated in the target object can be evaluated by means of the photons generated by the beam. The invention further relates to an irradiation system and a method in which such an apparatus is used.

Abstract: A detector assembly for detecting radiation with angular resolution comprises at least one detector element, which comprises a front face and a rear face, a first detector material and a second detector material between the front face and the rear face, a space between the front face and the rear face of the detector element being filled by a plurality of regions of the first detector material and at least one region of the second detector material and each region connecting the front face to the rear face of the detector element; and radiation incident on the detector element through the front face being collimated by means of the detector materials.

Abstract: A detector assembly for detecting radiation with angular resolution comprises at least one detector element, which comprises a front face and a rear face, a first detector material and a second detector material between the front face and the rear face, a space between the front face and the rear face of the detector element being filled by a plurality of regions of the first detector material and at least one region of the second detector material and each region connecting the front face to the rear face of the detector element; and radiation incident on the detector element through the front face being collimated by means of the detector materials.

Abstract: A Method for determining the material composition of a material sample which emits radiation comprises the following method steps: recording a spectrum of the energy deposited in a detector material by the radiation; determining a first energy deposited in a first energy range, a second energy deposited in a second energy range, and a third energy deposited in a third energy range; assigning a first colour parameter to the first deposited energy, a second colour parameter to the second deposited energy, and a third colour parameter to the third deposited energy; and comparing the assigned colour parameters with predetermined values for the colour parameters, the predetermined values typically corresponding to colour parameters of a predetermined material composition.

Abstract: An ion beam therapy system and method for operating the system includes a source of ions (300), an accelerator system (400) and an ion beam transport system (60) for directing an ion beam to a plurality of treatment stations (100) to treat patients. The ion beam transport system (60) includes a gantry (8) carrying a vertical deflection system (45) and horizontal deflection system (55) positioned upstream from a last bending magnet (65) so as to provide a parallel scanning mode by an edge focusing effect.