Abstract: A collimator grid and a method of fabricating the collimator grid are disclosed. The method includes molding a plurality of plates, each plate includes a plurality of grooves in a first surface, a plurality of fin tips in a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface, plurality of ribs on a first pair of peripheral sides, a plurality of first fiducials formed on the plurality of ribs, and a plurality of second fiducials formed on a second pair of peripheral sides. The method includes machining the second surface to form the plurality of fins having predefined dimensions. Further, the method includes stacking the plurality of plates overlapping each other based on the plurality of first fiducials, and machining the plurality of ribs and first fiducials to form the collimator grid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for collimating a radiation beam, the method comprising subjecting the beam to a collimator that yaws and pitches, either separately or simultaneously relative to the incident angle of the beam. Also provided is a system for collimating radiation beams, the system comprising a collimator body, and a stage for pitching and yawing the body. A feature of the invention is that a single, compact mask body defines one or a plurality of collimators having no moving surfaces relative to each other, whereby the entire mask body is moved about a point in space to provide various collimator opening dimensions to oncoming radiation beams.

Abstract: The invention comprises a patient positioning and/or repositioning system, such as a laying, semi-vertical, or seated patient positioning, alignment, and/or control method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle radiation therapy. Patient positioning constraints optionally include one or more of: a seat support, a back support, a head support, an arm support, a knee support, and a foot support. One or more of the positioning constraints are preferably movable and/or under computer control for rapid positioning, repositioning, and/or immobilization of the patient. The system optionally uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a proton beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system. The generated image is usable for: fine tuning body alignment relative to the proton beam path, to control the charged particle beam path to accurately and precisely target the tumor, and/or in system verification and validation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a shielding element for minimizing the penumbra of a beam of hadrons outside a target area, the hadron beam being guided in a longitudinal direction by an irradiation unit, and the beam having a width (?). The method includes: (i) defining a closed or open contour of said target area; (ii) providing a block having a longitudinal thickness capable of blocking the passage of said beam and having a lateral surface perpendicular to said longitudinal thickness; (iii) forming an aperture of a shape similar to said contour and crossing said longitudinal thickness of said block for letting through said beam, said aperture forming a longitudinal internal surface; and (iv) trimming said block so as to form a longitudinal external surface around said longitudinal internals surface, said longitudinal internal and longitudinal external surfaces delimiting a side wall.

Abstract: A photon collimator, suitable for use in medical imaging equipment, is constructed from a block of photon-attenuating material, such as solid tungsten or molybdenum alloy that defines a plurality of integrally formed septa slats. Each slat has an elongated length dimension greater than thickness and depth dimensions, and is oriented in an opposed pattern array that is laterally spaced relative to its respective thickness dimension. An aperture channel is defined between each pair of opposed slats. Rows of integrally formed slats in one block or separately affixed blocks may be stacked on each other at skewed angles to form two-dimensional grids of apertures having polygonal cross sections. The slats may be formed by electric discharge or laser thermal ablation machining, such as by a sequential passing of an EDM wire cutting head along the pattern array, repeating sequential cutting of respective channel depth and width.

Abstract: An object inspection apparatus includes a terahertz wave supplying unit for generating a terahertz wave and moving a path of the terahertz wave according to time so that the terahertz wave is supplied to an object to be inspected, a focusing lens located between the terahertz wave supplying unit and the object to be inspected to focus the terahertz wave supplied by the terahertz wave supplying unit, a rotating plate having a plate shape and including a plurality of the focusing lenses with different distances from the center thereof, the rotating plate rotating in the circumferential direction so that one of the focusing lenses is located at a path of the terahertz wave according to the path movement of the terahertz wave, and a terahertz wave detecting unit for collecting and detecting a terahertz wave incident to the object to be inspected.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein provides methods for developing an IMRT treatment plan for a radiotherapy system. In one aspect, the method can include providing initial treatment parameters. These parameters can include a number of isotopic beams, a transmission angle for each beam, a prescribed dose for a target, and dose volume histogram constraints. The method can further include determining an initial fluence map including one or more beamlets. The initial fluence map can specify a fluence value for each beamlet. The method can further include determining a delivery sequence for the fluence values in the initial fluence map. The delivery sequence can include one or more apertures formed by the leaves of a collimator. These apertures can have a specified size constrained to substantially less than a maximum size associated with the collimator, when the isotopic beam is near a critical structure. Related apparatus and systems are also described.

Abstract: A radiation therapy apparatus includes a housing, a radiation source carried by the housing, and an aperture assembly carried by the housing. The aperture assembly includes a radiation aperture body, an aperture holder and a cover. The radiation aperture body has a shaped opening therein to control a radiation dosing profile. The aperture holder has an aperture-receiving passageway therein receiving the radiation aperture body, and a recessed end. The cover is received within the recessed end of the aperture holder, and retains the radiation aperture body within the aperture holder. The cover has an opening aligned with the shaped opening in the radiation aperture body. A radiation filter is carried by the housing.

Abstract: An assembly includes an integrated circuit, a film layer disposed over the integrated circuit and having a thickness of at least 50 microns, and a thermal neutron absorber layer comprising at least 0.5% thermal neutron absorber. The thermal neutron absorber layer can be a glass layer or can include a molding compound.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems associated with producing and distributing one or more radiative forcing agents to Earth's atmosphere are disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-part mask has a pattern plate, which includes a planar portion that has the desired aperture pattern to be used during workpiece processing. The multi-part mask also has a mounting frame, which is used to hold the pattern plate. Prior to assembly, the pattern plate has an aligning portion, which has one or more holes through which reusable alignment pins are inserted. These alignment pins enter kinematic joints disposed on the mounting frame, which serve to precisely align the pattern plate to the mounting frame. After the pattern plate has been secured to the mounting frame, the aligning portion can be detached from the pattern plate. The alignment pins can be reused at a later time. In some embodiments, the pattern plate can later be removed from the mounting frame, so that the mounting frame may be reused.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a yoke having a first end and a second end. The yoke is configured to hold a device that includes an aperture and a range compensation structure. A catch arm is pivotally secured to the first end of the yoke. The catch arm includes a locking feature. The locking feature and the second end of the yoke interface, respectively, to a first retention feature and a second retention feature defined by the aperture and the range compensation structure. The locking feature is configured to interface to the first retention feature and the second end of the yoke is configured to interface to the second retention feature.

Abstract: A particle beam therapy system comprising a treatment table, a treatment table control unit and an irradiation control unit configured to output an instruction for controlling the treatment table control unit, an accelerator and a scanning electromagnet, wherein after the treatment table control unit controls the treatment table so as for a patient isocenter which is reference position of an affected area of a patient to move to a position of an irradiation isocenter which is set at a position which is closer to an irradiation nozzle than an equipment isocenter which is reference of positional relation of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table, the irradiation control unit outputs an instruction for irradiating the patient with a particle beam.

Abstract: A particle beam system includes a charged particle beam source, a beam blanking module connectable to a data network, a focusing lens, a first beam deflection module connectable to the data network, a calculation module configured to determine a deflection time; and an encoding module.

Abstract: A packaging device for the transport and/or storage of a radioactive medium generating flammable gases and/or explosives via radiolysis, comprising a plurality of canisters intended to contain the radioactive medium, each canister defining an inner storage space accessible via an opening for filling the medium, on which plug-forming means are mounted. According to the invention, the device also comprises a structure forming a chamber, and means for placing in communication allowing a fluid communication to be set up between the inner storage space and the chamber.

Abstract: A system includes a patient support and an outer gantry on which an accelerator is mounted to enable the accelerator to move through a range of positions around a patient on the patient support. The accelerator is configured to produce a proton or ion beam having an energy level sufficient to reach a target in the patient. An inner gantry includes an aperture for directing the proton or ion beam towards the target.

Abstract: A multi-leaf collimator device for radiotherapy, including: a frame that has a box shape and has through-holes formed in top and bottom surfaces thereof; a plurality of collimators that are received in the frame, wherein each of the collimators includes a rack gear formed on the top surface of the collimator, the collimators are symmetrically arranged in a left-right direction about a central portion of the frame, and are slidably provided on the frame; and a motion driving unit that includes a pinion gear that is formed to be detachable from the rack gear formed on the top surface of the collimator, and is provided on the frame to move the pinion gear in a front-back direction of the frame and an up-down direction of the frame.

Abstract: A system includes a patient support and an outer gantry on which an accelerator is mounted to enable the accelerator to move through a range of positions around a patient on the patient support. The accelerator is configured to produce a proton or ion beam having an energy level sufficient to reach a target in the patient. An inner gantry includes a robotic arm capable of directing an aperture for directing the proton or ion beam towards the target.

Abstract: Disclosed is a collimating apparatus for emission tomography. The collimating apparatus comprises a perforated plate (1) that is disposed between a detector (2) and a to-be-detected object and provided with a plurality of through holes (5); wherein a minimum distance between central points of each two adjacent through holes (5) is t, and a distance from the central point of the through hole (5) to the wall of the through hole (5) is half of ?, where t>?>t/2. The perforated plate (1) comprised in the collimating apparatus addresses problems of both the stability of portions surrounding the through holes (5) and the aperture ratio of the perforated plate (1), and ensures sensitivity of the detector (2).

Abstract: There are provided a leaf row in which a plurality of leaf plates are arranged in the thickness direction of the row in such a way that the respective one end faces of the leaf plates are trued up and a leaf plate drive mechanism that drives each of the plurality of leaf plates in such a way that the one end face approaches or departs from a beam axis. In each of the leaf plates, a facing side facing a leaf plate that is adjacent to that leaf plate in the thickness direction is formed of a plane including a first axis on the beam axis; the leaf plate drive mechanism drives the leaf plate along a circumferential orbit around the second axis, on the beam axis, that is perpendicular to the beam axis and the first axis.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave absorbing device includes a ground layer formed of a metal conductor layer, a dielectric layer formed on the ground layer, and a unit cell pattern layer which is formed on the dielectric layer and made of resistive materials, wherein at least two electromagnetic bandgap-based unit cell patterns are periodically arranged on the unit cell pattern layer.

Abstract: A beam filter positioning device includes a first and a second axes operable to move a body supporting one or more collimators, one or more photon flattening filters, one or more electron foils, and field light mirror etc. The collimators may be configured to collimate radiation to define a treatment beam suitable for radiosurgery. A controller is programmed to control the servo motor of the first and second axes to accurately position the beam filters. Radiation apparatuses and systems incorporating the beam filter positioning device or assembly are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for reducing electromagnetic pollution (1) which measures the electromagnetic radiation amount in the environment, and enables to reduce radiation when the radiation amount exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using a phase plate, having a thin film, in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), comprising: introducing the phase plate in the TEM; preparing the phase plate by irradiating the film with a focused electron beam; introducing a sample in the TEM; and forming an image of the sample using the prepared phase plate, wherein preparing the phase plate involves locally building up a vacuum potential resulting from a change in the electronic structure of the thin film by irradiating the phase plate with a focused beam of electrons, the vacuum potential leading to an absolute phase shift 10 with a smaller value than at the non-irradiated thin film. Preferably the phase plate is heated to avoid contamination. The phase shift achieved with this phase plate can be tuned by varying the diameter of the irradiated spot.

Abstract: A charged particle beam irradiation apparatus includes: a transport line configured to transport a charged particle beam; and a rotating gantry rotatable around a rotation axis, wherein the transport line has an inclined section configured to make the charged particle beam advancing in a direction of the rotation axis advance to be inclined so as to become more distant from the rotation axis, and is formed so as to turn the charged particle beam advanced in the inclined section to a rotational direction of the rotation axis and bend the charged particle beam turned to the rotational direction to the rotation axis side, the rotating gantry is formed of a tubular body which can accommodate an irradiated body and supports the transport line, and the inclined section is disposed to pass through the inside of the tubular body of the rotating gantry.

Abstract: A protective shield is provided for protecting the skin on a digit, such as a finger or a toe of a person, from UV radiation. The protective shield includes a longitudinal shield body that extends from a first end to a second end of the shield body, the shield body being formed of a flexible UV resistant sheet material that is sized to substantially cover the skin on the back of the digit. The first end of the shield body has a notched portion for exposing the nail of the digit and also includes a means of securing the shield body to the digit, for example a gel or an adhesive tape.

Abstract: A sensor housing (10) in which a radiation sensor can be inserted through a sensor aperture (28) has blocking means (30, 32) that can move between an open position and a closed position. When the blocking means (30, 32) are in the closed position they prevent radiation from passing out of the sensor aperture (28). The blocking means may take the form of shutters that that close when the radiation sensor is removed, thus stopping radiation from passing through the housing (10).

Abstract: An ion detection assembly is described that includes a drift chamber, an inlet assembly, and a collector assembly. The drift chamber is formed of substantially non-conductive material and/or semi-conductive material. A patterned resistive trace is deposited on one or more of an interior surface or an exterior surface of the drift chamber. The patterned resistive trace is configured to connect to a source of electrical energy. The inlet assembly and the collector assembly are in fluid communication with the drift chamber. The inlet assembly includes an inlet for receiving a sample, a reaction region for ionizing the sample, and a gate for controlling entrance of the ionized sample to the drift chamber. The collector assembly includes a collector plate for collecting the ionized sample after the ionized sample passes through the drift chamber.

Abstract: A radiation blocking shied for the hands of a clinical operator of fluoroscopic equipment during extended surgery or diagnostic testing.

Abstract: One exemplary metamaterial is formed from a plurality of individual unit cells, at least a portion of which have a different permeability than others. The plurality of individual unit cells are arranged to provide a metamaterial having a gradient index along at least one axis. Such metamaterials can be used to form lenses, for example.

Abstract: A laser protection cabin separates a working space for laser processing from a working space environment and includes a first wall area, in particular a ceiling area, and a second wall area, in particular a lateral wall area. The second wall area, on its interior side facing the working area, in particular in a sub-area adjacent to the first wall area, has a laser beam reflector in order to reflect laser radiation, created during laser processing, onto the first wall area. The first wall area has a surface, on its interior side facing the working area, which absorbs and/or diffusely scatters the laser radiation.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a phase plate, for use in a transmission electron microscope, with simple process steps is offered. The method includes a step (S100) of forming a first layer on a substrate, a step (S102) of patterning the first layer to form through-holes extending through the first layer, a step (S104) of etching the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the first layer is formed to form an opening which is in communication with the through-holes and which exposes the first layer, and a step (S106) of forming a second layer on the first layer.

Abstract: Described herein are adaptors and other devices for radiation detectors that can be used to make accurate spectral measurements of both small and large bulk sources of radioactivity, such as building structures, soils, vessels, large equipment, and liquid bodies. Some exemplary devices comprise an adaptor for a radiation detector, wherein the adaptor can be configured to collimate radiation passing through the adapter from an external radiation source to the radiation detector and the adaptor can be configured to enclose a radiation source within the adapter to allow the radiation detector to measure radiation emitted from the enclosed radiation source.

Abstract: Example embodiments include a vapor forming apparatus, system and/or method for producing vapor from radioactive decay material. The vapor forming apparatus including an insulated container configured to enclose a nuclear waste container. The nuclear waste container includes radioactive decay material. The insulated container includes an inlet valve configured to receive vapor forming liquid. The radioactive decay material transfers heat to the vapor forming liquid. The insulated container also includes an outlet valve configured to output the vapor forming liquid heated by the radioactive decay material.

Abstract: A charged particle beam irradiation apparatus includes: a scanning electromagnet that scans a charged particle beam; and a degrader that is provided on a downstream side of the scanning electromagnet in a scanning direction of the charged particle beam and adjusts a range of the charged particle beam by reducing energy of the charged particle beam. The degrader is configured to be closer to an upstream side in the scanning direction of the charged particle beam, outward in the scanning direction.

Abstract: A column assembly of a radionuclide generator includes a column that retains a parent radionuclide that spontaneously decays to a relatively short-lived daughter radionuclide. A fluid path extends from an inlet port to the column and then to an outlet port and allows daughter radionuclide to be eluted from the radionuclide generator for use. Improved retention of parent radionuclide in the column is accomplished by preventing fluid from entering the flow path in a liquid state, such as during sterilization. Proper column chemistry is also promoted by preventing excess moisture from coalescing in the column, which may promote a higher and/or more reliable yield of daughter radionuclide from a radionuclide generator.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for X-ray reflection, such as an X-ray reflecting mirror, capable of achieving a high degree of smoothness of a reflecting surface, high focusing (reflecting) performance, stability in a curved surface shape, and a reduction in overall weight. A silicon plate (silicon wafer) is subjected to thermal plastic deformation to form an X-ray reflecting mirror having a reflecting surface with a stable curved surface shape. The silicon wafer can be deformed to any shape by applying a pressure thereto in a hydrogen atmosphere at a high temperature of about 1300° C. The silicon plate may be simultaneously subjected to hydrogen annealing to further reduce roughness of a silicon surface to thereby provide enhanced reflectance.

Abstract: A radioactive substance storage container 100 includes a body 10 and a lid 10 having a sealed structure, and a basket 5 housed in the body 1 to hold fuel assemblies. The basket 5 includes a neutron shielding material. The radioactive substance storage container 100 includes a subcritical-performance reinforcing member 20 including a neutron shielding material and located between an inner periphery of the body 1 and an outer periphery of the basket 5.

Abstract: A multi-leaf collimator with electromagnetically actuated leaves. The multi-leaf collimator includes a plurality of leaves, a leaf guide configured to support the plurality of leaves, and a plurality of magnets. Each leaf includes a blocking portion that is radio opaque, a drive portion connected to the blocking portion, and a coil embedded in the drive portion. The coil is operatively connected to an electrical current source to generate a first magnetic field. The first magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field generated by the magnet to thereby move the leave to a desired state. The leaves have the capability of moving at speeds of 50 cm/s up to and higher than 1 m/s.

Abstract: These various embodiments are employed in conjunction with the use of both a multi-leaf collimator and jaws that are interposed between a source of radiation and a treatment target while sourcing radiation from the source of radiation towards the treatment target. Generally speaking, during some portion of the aforementioned treatment, these teachings provide for manipulating the jaws to more tightly constrain, in at least one dimension, a beam-shaping aperture as is formed by the multi-leaf collimator.

Abstract: An RI manufacturing apparatus includes: an accelerator which accelerates charged particles; a target which is irradiated with the charged particle accelerated by the accelerator, thereby manufacturing a radioactive isotope; a built-in shield that may be a wall body which surrounds the accelerator and the target to shield radiation; and a target shield that may be a wall body which is disposed between the built-in shield and the accelerator and surrounds the target to shield the radiation.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the effects generated by the interaction of a plurality of laser pulses with a medium by selecting or varying the successive pulse parameters comprising: generating a plurality of laser pulses interacting with a medium; and selecting or varying the properties/parameters characterizing said laser pulses to control the effects resulting from the interaction among said plurality of laser pulses and said medium.

Abstract: A cryogenically cooled radiation shield device and method are provided to shield an area, such as the capsule of a space vehicle, from radiation. A cryogenically cooled radiation shield device may include at least one first coil comprised of a superconducting material extending about the area to be shielded. The cryogenically cooled radiation shield device also includes a first inner conduit extending about the area to be shielded from radiation. The at least one first coil is disposed within the first inner conduit. The cryogenically cooled radiation shield device also includes a first outer conduit extending about the area to be shielded from radiation. The first inner conduit is disposed within the first outer conduit. The cryogenically cooled radiation shield device also includes a first cryogen liquid disposed within the first inner conduit and a second cryogen liquid, different than the first cryogen liquid, disposed within the first outer conduit.

Abstract: A lid frame for a nuclear fuel assembly shipping container and a shipping container for nuclear fuel assemblies are provided. The shipping container includes a lower container having a cradle, an upper container detachably coupled to the lower container, and a base frame coupled to the cradle with at least one nuclear fuel assembly placed thereon. The lid frame includes a plurality of supports installed apart from each other so as to surround the nuclear fuel assembly placed on the base frame, a plurality of clamps separated from each other, coupled to the supports so as to be perpendicular to the supports, rotatably hinged to the base frame, and clamping the nuclear fuel assembly, and a plurality of gap compensators coupled to inner surfaces of the supports in order to compensate for a gap between the inner surfaces of the supports and the nuclear fuel assembly.

Abstract: Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region.

Abstract: A method for generating stabilized particle acceleration by a radio-frequency (RF) accelerator is described, comprising operating the accelerator in a warm-up mode during a warm-up time period, without injecting charged particles or without accelerating injected charged particles, and operating the accelerator in a beam-on mode during a beam-on time period after the warm-up time period, to accelerate charged particles injected by the charged particle source. Automatic frequency control to match an expected frequency of the accelerator during the beam-on time period, prior to the start of the beam-on time period, for stability, is also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cask for a canister containing radioactive material, comprising a canister extraction assembly and designed so that it can bring the canister to an extraction position inside the cask housing in which this canister is free of any contact with the inner surface. Also, one of two elements from among a carriage and a support structure of the assembly is provided with a guide ramp cooperating with a ramp follower provided on the other of the two elements, the ramp being designed so that a relative translational movement between the carriage and the structure, in the longitudinal direction of the cask, causes the changeover of the two elements from a drawn-together position to a drawn-apart position, or conversely.

Abstract: A scraper for an applicator to be used in electron radiation therapy includes a three layer arrangement. A first layer of the three layer arrangement faces an incident direction of electrons and consists of a first material of a first atomic number. The first atomic number is smaller than a second atomic number of a second material of a second layer of the three layer arrangement, The second atomic number is smaller than a third atomic number of a third material of a third layer of the three layer arrangement. The third layer faces away from the incident direction of the electrons.

Abstract: A chamber used in an extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus that generates extreme ultraviolet light by irradiating a target material with a laser beam may include a chamber receptacle, a heat shield that is disposed within the chamber receptacle between a predetermined region where the target material turns into plasma and the chamber receptacle and that is configured to absorb heat produced at the predetermined region when the target material turns into plasma, and a support portion configured to attach the heat shield to the chamber receptacle, and further, the support portion may include an absorbing portion configured to absorb stress produced in the heat shield deforming due to the heat, by expanding/contracting in response to the thermal deformation of the heat shield.

Abstract: A leaf module for a multi-leaf collimator comprises a leaf unit and a leaf drive unit. The leaf unit comprises a leaf for shielding beams from a selected area. The leaf unit is mounted displaceably in an adjusting direction with relation to the leaf drive unit. The leaf drive unit is designed to displace the leaf unit linearly in the adjusting direction. The leaf drive unit comprises at least one drive mechanism which operates based on piezoelectric actuation, being designed such that the leaf drive unit thoroughly encloses the leaf unit within a plane being oriented substantially perpendicularly related to the adjusting direction. The multi-leaf collimator can comprise a plurality of leaf modules while being shaped as compact as possible. Both precise and stable adjustability of the leaf unit is achieved with the leaf module.