Irradiating Patents (Class 378/64)
  • Publication number: 20080253517
    Abstract: A method for conducting irradiation of all logs of a whole vehicle with X-rays as a phytosanitary treatment may include: connecting a traction device and a goods carrying vehicle outside a shielding door; opening the door; the traction device pulling the vehicle into a tunnel; closing the shielding door; upon the vehicle reaching an irradiation region, accelerators generating X-rays; the traction device pulling the vehicle to pass through the irradiation region; stopping the X-rays; opening the door; the traction device pulling the vehicle away from the irradiation treatment tunnel; and disconnecting the traction device from the vehicle. A device may include a shielding structure, a tunnel formed therethrough; a rail along the tunnel; accelerators within the tunnel; and a traction device for pulling a vehicle carrying goods for quarantine treatment, the accelerators symmetrically arranged at both sides of and on the top of an irradiation region in the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Kejun Kang, Haifeng Hu, Chuanxiang Tang, Yuanjing Li, Qitian Miao, Huayi Zhang, Junli Li, Zhiqiang Chen, Ming Hu, Ming Huang, Yaohong Liu, Wanlong Wu, Hui Zhang, Shenjin Ming
  • Patent number: 7436928
    Abstract: A radiotherapy device control apparatus includes: a template matching section; an affected area position calculating section; and an irradiation position control section. The radiotherapy device control apparatus controls a radiotherapy device. The radiotherapy device includes: a therapeutic radiation irradiation device radiating therapeutic radiation, and an imager generating an imager image of a subject by using radiation transmitted through the subject. The template matching section calculates degree of coincidence when a pattern matching is executed on the imager image with a plurality of image templates in which positional relations between an object area and a non-object area of the subject are different, and selects a specified image template having the degree of coincidence within a predetermined range from the plurality of image templates. The affected area position calculating section calculates a position of the object area by using the specified image template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Urano, Shuji Kaneko, Masahiro Yamada, Noriyuki Kawada
  • Patent number: 7427757
    Abstract: X-ray monochromators and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) systems using such monochromators are disclosed. A turretless x-ray monochromator may have a cassette of reflectors instead of a turret. The cassette stores a plurality of reflectors that can be inserted into a conventional Rowland circle monochromator geometry. A transfer mechanism selectively moves reflectors from the cassette to a reflector positioner. The use of the cassette allows each reflector to be placed closer to a source of x-rays, thereby allowing a larger solid angle for x-ray collection. An alternative x-ray monochromator uses a non-focusing reflector that can be fixed, scanned axially or scanned radially to provide large solid angle detection of x-rays at various energies with a single reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gary R. Janik, Jeffrey A. Moore
  • Patent number: 7405407
    Abstract: A therapy system using an ion beam, which can shorten the time required for positioning a couch (patient). The therapy system using the ion beam comprises a rotating gantry provided with an ion beam delivery unit including an X-ray tube. An X-ray detecting device having a plurality of X-ray detectors can be moved in the direction of a rotation axis of the rotating gantry. A couch on which a patient is lying is moved until a tumor substantially reaches an extension of an ion beam path in the irradiating unit. The X-ray tube is positioned on the ion beam path and the X-ray detecting device is positioned on the extension of the ion beam path. With rotation of the rotating gantry, both the X-ray tube emitting an X-ray and the X-ray detecting device revolve around the patient. The X-ray is emitted to the patient and detected by the X-ray detectors after penetrating the patient. Tomographic information of the patient is formed based on signals outputted from the X-ray detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiramoto, Hiroshi Akiyama, Yoshihiko Nagamine, Alfred Smith, Wayne Newhauser
  • Patent number: 7362848
    Abstract: A method of automatically optimizing an inverse treatment plan by referencing data from accepted plan libraries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Accuray Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael J. Saracen, Jay B. West
  • Patent number: 7346144
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering radiation to an object. A computer tomography machine generates CT data of the object. A radiation source with an output beam is directed to a predetermined irradiation field of the object. A detector above the object controls the output beam to the predetermined irradiation field of the object. A processor calculates the dose to the predetermined irradiation field of the object. Another detector below the object which measures the radiation delivered to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hughes, Juan Carlos Celi, Francisco Miguel Hernandez-Guerra
  • Publication number: 20080056448
    Abstract: A method is provided for decontaminating biological pathogens in a contaminated environment. The method includes: tailoring x-ray radiation to match the absorption characteristics of a contaminated environment; generating x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle in accordance with the absorption characteristics of the contaminated environment; and directing the x-ray radiation towards the contaminated environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: John Richard DeSalvo, Charles M. Newton, Carol Ann Gamlen, William Thomas Silfvast, Gregory Michael Shimkaveg
  • Patent number: 7324630
    Abstract: An X-ray irradiation apparatus includes an enclosure and an X-ray beam system positioned within the enclosure for directing X-ray beams into an irradiation region. The X-ray beam system has more than one X-ray beam emitter for directing the X-ray beams into the irradiation region from different directions. Each X-ray beam emitter includes a vacuum chamber having a target window and an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as an X-ray beam. The target window is supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Electron Beams, Inc.
    Inventor: Tzvi Avnery
  • Patent number: 7315757
    Abstract: The methods comprise detection of gadolinium in human tissues and organs by refining the position of malignant neoplasm and radiation treatment of the neoplasm in order to damage its cells. Refined position of the malignant neoplasm is determined by introducing gadolinium into the patient body and scanning part of the patient body in which the neoplasm is located. The scanning is performed by displacement of zone of radiation concentration created by intersection of several X-ray beams having radiation energy corresponding to K-edge of gadolinium atoms absorption. The refined information is acquired using detectors sensitive to K?-radiation of gadolinium atoms, to which secondary radiation is transported arising in zone of concentration. Scanning is performed of the region of the malignant neoplasm location utilizing the same means as in the first stage. Sources of X-ray radiation are switched with control means into elevated intensity mode, sufficient for radiation damage of the malignant neoplasm tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Muradin Abubekirovich Kumakhov
  • Patent number: 7312461
    Abstract: A laparoscopic tumor therapy method and an articulated electron beam transport system are provided for use with a high power, long focus electron source for tumor therapy. The high power, long focus electron source generates an e-beam. The e-beam is transported through a laparoscopic tube proximate a target tumor for electron irradiation therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne LLC
    Inventors: John W. Lewellen, John Noonan
  • Patent number: 7305064
    Abstract: A method of assisting recovery of an injury site of brain or spinal cord injury includes providing a therapeutic dose of X-ray radiation to the injury site through an array of parallel microplanar beams. The dose at least temporarily removes regeneration inhibitors from the irradiated regions. Substantially unirradiated cells surviving between the microplanar beams migrate to the in-beam irradiated portion and assist in recovery. The dose may be administered in dose fractions over several sessions, separated in time, using angle-variable intersecting microbeam arrays (AVIMA). Additional doses may be administered by varying the orientation of the microplanar beams. The method may be enhanced by injecting stem cells into the injury site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: F. Avraham Dilmanian, John W. McDonald, III
  • Patent number: 7289600
    Abstract: The present invention is related to process and an apparatus for irradiating products by means of high energy X-ray beam source (1) in an installation having an irradiation chamber (2), said process comprising the following steps, controlled by controlling means: determining the density of the products to be irradiated, in order to irradiate said products as a stack predetermining, on the basis of said density, the optimal size of the product stack able to optimize the throughput of the installation and/or the dose uniformity ratio (DUR), in the irradiation chamber (2), loading products as a stack onto rotation means (3) located in front of the X-ray beam source (1), while rotating the rotation means around a rotation axis (10), irradiating said products from a lateral side of said product stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Ion Beam Applications S.A.
    Inventors: Arnold S. Herer, Fréderic Stichelbaut
  • Patent number: 7283611
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method comprising recursively partitioning an intensity modulated beam into plateaus; and partitioning the plateaus into segments. The present invention also provides a method for controlling administration of radiation therapy to a patient based on static leaf prescriptions. In addition, the present invention provides a method for partitioning an IMB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: The University of Notre Dame
    Inventors: Shuang Luan, Danny Z. Chen, Xiaobo S. Hu, Chao Wang, Xiaodong Wu, Cedric X. Yu
  • Patent number: 7280683
    Abstract: A method, machine-readable storage medium embodying computer-readable code and automated system for assaying or monitoring the extent of joint or bone deformity reported by a summarized score that may include joint space narrowing, bone erosion and periarticular osteoporosis in a joint-degenerative or joint-damaging disease in a subject are disclosed. From a digitized image of one of the subject's straight bone terminated with a joint such as fingers, coordinates of right and left bone contours of a selected middle or proximal phalange are determined, and these coordinates are in turn used to determine the coordinates of a minimum width in the middle region of the phalange and one or more apices in a region adjacent at least one side of a joint of the selected phalange. These latter coordinates are used in selecting a reference joint contour representing normal-bone contour for that phalange, or the contour of the patient phalange from an earlier x-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Compumed, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoli Bi, Joon Shim
  • Patent number: 7274772
    Abstract: An improved x-ray generation system produces a converging or diverging radiation pattern particularly suited for substantially cylindrical or spherical treatment devices. In an embodiment, the system comprises a closed or concave outer wall about a closed or concave inner wall. An electron emitter is situated on the inside surface of the outer wall, while a target film is situated on the outside surface of the inner wall. An extraction voltage at the emitter extracts electrons which are accelerated toward the inner wall by an acceleration voltage. Alternately, electron emission may be by thermonic means. Collisions of electrons with the target film causes x-ray emission, a substantial portion of which is directed through the inner wall into the space defined within. In an embodiment, the location of the emitter and target film are reversed, establishing a reflective rather than transmissive mode for convergent patterns and a transmissive mode for divergent patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley D. Lesiak, Heinz H. Busta, Bruce M. Zwicker
  • Patent number: 7257191
    Abstract: A medical examination and treatment system comprises a radiation source that emits particle radiation, an X-ray emitter located on one side of a target volume and diametrically opposite to the radiation source, and a detector located between the target volume and the radiation source. The target volume is positioned to be exposed to the particle radiation. A radiation direction of the X-ray emitter is oriented opposite to a radiation direction of the particle radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andres Sommer
  • Patent number: 7242742
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a particle source, an RF power source, an accelerator waveguide, and an imaging device. The particle source is to generate a first injector current and a second injector current, the first injector current being less than the second injector current. The RF power source is to generate first RF power at a first pulse rate and second RF power at a second pulse rate, the first pulse rate being greater than the second pulse rate. The accelerator waveguide is to accelerate a first electron beam based on the first injector current and the first RF power and to accelerate a second electron beam based on the second injector current and the second RF power, and the imaging device is to acquire an image based on the first electron beam. The second electron beam may be used to deliver treatment radiation to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Lewis Calderon, Francisco M. Hernandez-Guerra, Ali Bani-Hashemi, Farhad A. Ghelmansarai
  • Patent number: 7239908
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the affect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. Information on thickness of cartilage and curvature of cartilage or subchondral bone can be used to plan therapy. Information on movement pattern can be used to plan therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Eugene J. Alexander, Thomas P. Andriacchi, Philipp Lang, Daniel Steines
  • Patent number: 7200203
    Abstract: Devices and related methods are provided for irradiating a portion of a body. A device according to one embodiment can include a radiation needle, a fluorescent target, and an x-ray transmitting window. The radiation needle can include a radiation conduit having a first and second end for passing primary x-rays. An x-ray generator can generate the primary x-rays and pass the primary x-rays from the first end to second end. The fluorescent target can connect to the second end for absorbing the primary x-rays and produce by fluorescence secondary x-rays for irradiating a predetermined portion of the body. The fluorescent target having a surface for absorbing the primary x-rays to fluoresce and emit said secondary x-rays. The x-ray transmitting window can be positioned adjacent to the fluorescent target such that the secondary x-rays exit through the x-ray transmitting window. The secondary x-rays can irradiate target tissue within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Franklin H. Cocks, Walter Neal Simmons, Paul A. Klenk
  • Patent number: 7193227
    Abstract: A therapy system using an ion beam, which can shorten the time required for positioning a couch (patient). The therapy system using the ion beam comprises a rotating gantry provided with an ion beam delivery unit including an X-ray tube. An X-ray detecting device having a plurality of X-ray detectors can be moved in the direction of a rotation axis of the rotating gantry. A couch on which a patient is lying is moved until a tumor substantially reaches an extension of an ion beam path in the irradiating unit. The X-ray tube is positioned on the ion beam path and the X-ray detecting device is positioned on the extension of the ion beam path. With rotation of the rotating gantry, both the X-ray tube emitting an X-ray and the X-ray detecting device revolve around the patient. The X-ray is emitted to the patient and detected by the X-ray detectors after penetrating the patient. Tomographic information of the patient is formed based on signals outputted from the X-ray detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiramoto, Hiroshi Akiyama, Yoshihiko Nagamine, Alfred Smith, Wayne Newhauser
  • Patent number: 7194063
    Abstract: A method of performing radiation therapy includes delivering a therapeutic dose such as X-ray only to a target (e.g., tumor) with continuous broad beam (or in-effect continuous) using arrays of parallel planes of radiation (microbeams/microplanar beams). Microbeams spare normal tissues, and when interlaced at a tumor, form a broad-beam for tumor ablation. Bidirectional interlaced microbeam radiation therapy (BIMRT) uses two orthogonal arrays with inter-beam spacing equal to beam thickness. Multidirectional interlaced MRT (MIMRT) includes irradiations of arrays from several angles, which interleave at the target. Contrast agents, such as tungsten and gold, are administered to preferentially increase the target dose relative to the dose in normal tissue. Lighter elements, such as iodine and gadolinium, are used as scattering agents in conjunction with non-interleaving geometries of array(s) (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: F. Avraham Dilmanian, Gerard M. Morris, James F. Hainfeld
  • Patent number: 7191100
    Abstract: A method and system for physiological gating for radiation therapy is disclosed. A method and system for detecting and predictably estimating regular cycles of physiological activity or movements is disclosed. Another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to predictive actuation of gating system components. Yet another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to physiological gating of radiation treatment based upon the phase of the physiological activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hassan Mostafavi
  • Patent number: 7187752
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for irradiating a product or product stack with a relatively even radiation dose distribution is provided. The apparatus comprises a radiation source, an adjustable collimator, a turn-table capable of receiving a product stack and a control system capable of adjusting the adjustable collimator to vary the geometry of the radiation beam as the product stack is rotated in the radiation beam. Also disclosed is the modulation of the radiation beam energy and power and varying the angular rotational velocity of the product stack in a radiation beam to achieve a low dose uniformity ratio in the product stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: MDS (Cananda) Inc.
    Inventors: Jiri Kotler, Joseph Borsa
  • Patent number: 7158607
    Abstract: A method of assisting recovery of an injury site of brain or spinal cord injury includes providing a therapeutic dose of X-ray radiation to the injury site through an array of parallel microplanar beams. The dose at least temporarily removes regeneration inhibitors from the irradiated regions. Substantially unirradiated cells surviving between the microplanar beams migrate to the in-beam irradiated portion and assist in recovery. The dose may be administered in dose fractions over several sessions, separated in time, using angle-variable intersecting microbeam arrays (AVIMA). Additional doses may be administered by varying the orientation of the microplanar beams. The method may be enhanced by injecting stem cells into the injury site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: F. Avraham Dilmanian, John W. McDonald, III
  • Patent number: 7133493
    Abstract: An X-ray irradiation apparatus includes an enclosure and an X-ray beam system positioned within the enclosure for directing X-ray beams into an irradiation region. The X-ray beam system has more than one X-ray beam emitter for directing the X-ray beams into the irradiation region from different directions. Each X-ray beam emitter includes a vacuum chamber having a target window and an electron generator positioned within the vacuum chamber for generating electrons that are directed at the target window for forming X-rays which pass through the target window as an X-ray beam. The target window is supported by a support plate having a series of holes therethrough which allow passage of the electrons therethrough to reach the target window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Electron Beams, Inc.
    Inventor: Tzvi Avnery
  • Patent number: 7092487
    Abstract: This invention is advantageous in irradiating pallets which cannot be irradiated by conventional techniques, even by x-rays, throughout their complete volumes. In one embodiment, a scan horn scans electron beamlets through a sweep angle. A dipole bends the electron beamlets to focus the electron beamlets at the pallet center. After being bent, the beam becomes converted to x-rays which are irradiated through the pallet to the pallet center. During this irradiation, the pallet is moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the irradiation. In this way, a quarter of the pallet is irradiated. When the quadrant radiation is completed, the radiation is interrupted and the pallet is rotated 90° to have a second side of the pallet face the radiation. The operation is sequentially repeated for each of the pallet sides. The four (4) irradiated quadrants define the pallet's complete cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: The Titan Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Miller
  • Patent number: 7030393
    Abstract: A carousel and first and second members have common axes in a first direction. The carousel, preferably cylindrical, has a ring-shaped configuration defined by inner and outer diameters. The first member has an outer diameter preferably contiguous to the carousel inner diameter. The second member has an inner diameter preferably contiguous to the carousel outer diameter. The carousel is divided into compartments by vanes. The carousel rotates at a substantially constant speed past radiation directed by an accelerator in the first direction. When a fault occurs in the system operation, (1) the carousel and radiation stop and (2) the carousel reverses in direction. When the fault is resolved, the carousel moves in the forward direction at the substantially constant speed and the radiation resumes at the position where the article was being irradiated at the time that the fault occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Titan Corporation
    Inventors: Gary K. Loda, Carl B. Eichenberger
  • Patent number: 6993112
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing and verifying therapeutic radiation. An x-ray beam (4) is arranged across from a target volume (3) of the beam source (11) for the high-energy beam (1) in such a way that the beams (1, 4) run in essentially opposite directions (5, 6). The invention also relates to a computer program and a control method for operating said device. The inventive device makes it possible to exactly verify areas (16, 16?, 16?) that are subjected to different levels of radiation, the entire anatomy of the target volume (3), and the surroundings thereof in addition to the contour of the therapy beam (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Stiftung des Oeffentlichen Rechts
    Inventor: Bernd-Michael Hesse
  • Patent number: 6987835
    Abstract: A miniature x-ray tube capable of intra vascular use, has a micro cathode preferably formed by MEMS techniques. The very fine wire of the cathode filament is formed on a semiconductor base and draws a current sufficiently low that lead wires in a cathode heater circuit, passing through a probe line connected to the x-ray tube, can be very small wires, which helps maintain sufficient dielectric spacing in the high voltage circuit handled by the same probe line. In a preferred embodiment the probe line comprises a glass fiber, held at a small diameter to allow flexibility for navigating small-radius turns within the vessels. In a preferred embodiment the fiber is overcoated with a high-dielectric polymer to significantly increase the dielectric strength of the overall cable, without adding significantly to stiffness. The high voltage ground conductor is a coaxial sheath on the outside of the polymer. Exterior to the ground conductor is a further flexible layer having paths for coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Xoft MicroTube, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Lovoi
  • Patent number: 6977987
    Abstract: A radiotherapy apparatus comprising an irradiation head having a linear accelerator and an intra-head waveguide unit whose one end portion is electromagnetically connected to the linear accelerator, a supporting moving mechanism which supports and moves the irradiation head on predetermined first spherical coordinates, a microwave oscillator which generates microwaves to be supplied to the irradiation head, and which is placed in a stationary position, a fixed waveguide unit having one end portion electromagnetically connected to the microwave oscillator, and the other end portion positioned on the supporting moving mechanism, and a moving waveguide unit having one end portion electromagnetically connected to the other end portion of the fixed waveguide unit positioned on the supporting moving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamashita, Yuichiro Kamino, Ikuo Wakamoto, Kazumasa Mihara
  • Patent number: 6968035
    Abstract: A system includes presentation of a view of portions of structures that would be intercepted by a path of radiation during radiation treatment from a perspective of a location. The radiation enters an entry surface of a radiation-focusing lens, exits an exit surface of the radiation-focusing lens, and is substantially focused on a focal area. The location is located such that a plane perpendicular to an axis of the path, intercepting the exit surface, and positioned between the entry surface and the focal area would be located between the location and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramon Alfredo Carvalho Siochi
  • Patent number: 6959266
    Abstract: A method and system for physiological gating for radiation therapy is disclosed. A method and system for detecting and predictably estimating regular cycles of physiological activity or movements is disclosed. Another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to predictive actuation of gating system components. Yet another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to physiological gating of radiation treatment based upon the phase of the physiological activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems
    Inventor: Hassan Mostafavi
  • Patent number: 6949748
    Abstract: Imaging of radiation sources located in a subject is explored for medical applications. The approach involves using grazing-incidence optics to form images of the location of radiopharmaceuticals administered to a subject. The optics are “true focusing” optics, meaning that they project a real and inverted image of the radiation source onto a detector possessing spatial and energy resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Ziock, William W. Craig, Bruce Hasegawa, Michael J. Pivovaroff
  • Patent number: 6931096
    Abstract: A radiation therapy device and a method of changing the spatial dose distribution surrounding a focus are disclosed. At least a subset of the radioactive sources in a source carrier is linearly displaceable relatively to at least a subset of collimator passage inlets, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Elekta AB
    Inventors: Per Carlsson, Gert Hanner, Ivars Alksnis, Anders Nilsson, Peter Fröberg
  • Patent number: 6931095
    Abstract: An irradiation assembly is effective to irradiate large articles, up to about 48 inches thick in an exemplary embodiment. The assembly provides radiation to an article from all sides in a 360 degree exposure range, and includes at least one irradiating subsystem that provides x-ray radiation in a portion of the 360 degree exposure range. A conveying system carries the article through the at least one irradiating subsystem in a number of passes appropriate to provide x-ray radiation to the article in the full 360 degree exposure range. Each irradiating subsystem is configured to direct radiation toward a center point of the article being irradiated. An accelerator generates an electron beam, and a magnet assembly shapes and deflects the electron beam in a sweep path through a scan horn. A compound bending magnet directs the electron beam toward a center point of the article being irradiated along the entire sweep path. An x-ray conversion plate converts the electron beam into an x-ray radiation beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Mitec Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, Stan V. Lyons, Brian T. Dalziel, Von Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6928143
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for sanitizing and recovering mail and other materials is disclosed. The apparatus is employed after a known or suspected biological attack or contamination event, such as anthrax. Multiple X-ray sources penetrate mail and other materials, and destroy the biological agents. The apparatus is taken to the location of the biological problem, as opposed to shipping contaminated materials to a fixed facility for recovery. Many safety and practical advantages result from this approach to bio-terrorism or to biological contamination events. The design of this apparatus leads to a self-cleaning feature. Airflow control prevents escape of toxic biological materials into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventors: John Edgar Menear, Sergey Etchin, Gershon Perelman, Jeffrey Allen Moore
  • Patent number: 6907105
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the spatial distribution of radiation produced by a radiation device having a multi-leaf collimator can generate arbitrary intensity-modulated radiation fields. The methods control both angles and leaf configuration of the multi-leaf collimator for each of multiple sub-fields. The leaf positions, collimator angles, and individual sub-field contributions may be derived by optimization techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: BC Cancer Agency
    Inventor: Karl Otto
  • Patent number: 6879659
    Abstract: An optimization method for a fluence pattern to be provided via a radiotherapeutic apparatus comprising a multi-leaf collimator comprises an iteration of a progressive solution (such as a gradient approach) of the fluence profile, at least some iterations including a weighted penalty function which varies between solutions favored by the collimator design and solutions not so favored, later iterations including the penalty function at a greater weight. Thus, the penalty function represents locally preferred solutions derived from the constraints of the multi-leaf collimator (MLC). As the iteration progresses, the greater weight assigned to the penalty function drives the method towards a solution which is possible given the MLC constraints. However, the lesser weight attached in the early stages of the iteration allows the method to settle towards a genuinely preferred solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Elekta AB
    Inventor: Markus Alber
  • Patent number: 6865251
    Abstract: A lithography device including a soft X-ray source 1 transforming to a quasi-parallel radiation apparatus for placing a mask 3 and a plate-substrate 4 coated with a resist 5, and an absorbing filter 6 for smoothing of intensity decreasing as from the center to the periphery of a beam. The filter 6 is placed between the source 1 and the input face of the half-lens 2. The half-lens has an enlarged capture angle. This angle is chosen depending on radiation energy (0.6-6 keV) of the source 1. As a result, there is an opportunity to increase the size of the plate-substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Muradin Abubekirovich Kumakhov
  • Patent number: 6856668
    Abstract: A method is provided for treating a tumor by pre-irradiation. The location, size, and shape of the tumor is identified. A region that includes the tumor as well as a surrounding portion most likely to contain residual tumorous cells is identified. The identified region is irradiated with therapeutic radiation, such as x-rays, prior to surgical removal of the tumor. The tumor is removed after irradiation of the identified region, leaving only the pre-irradiated surrounding portion. The risk of recurrence of tumorous growth after resection of the tumor may be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Euan Thomson, Mark Dinsmore
  • Patent number: 6853702
    Abstract: A treatment verification process for radiation therapy consisting of measuring each of the radiation beams that are to be applied to the patient by making a calibrated image of the field for each beam. The measured beams are then processed and converted to relative monitor units. Software like a treatment planning system is then used to compute the dose to the patient for comparison with the intended treatment prescription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Wendel Dean Renner
  • Patent number: 6839405
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering radiation that comprises a source for creating an electron beam, a system that focuses the electron beam and then deflects the beam such that the beam is swept across a first target as an arbitrary pattern. The arbitrary pattern on the first target is given an additional intensity modulation. Thereafter, a lens focuses the arbitrary pattern of electrons from the first target onto a second target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Bani-Hashemi, Wolf Ekkehard Blanz
  • Publication number: 20040264639
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus for inactivating cancer cells in a human body is disclosed. The X-ray apparatus has four X-ray guns. Each of the four X-ray guns generating a separate frequency of an X-ray burst. A cancer cell inactivation method is also disclosed. The human body is irradiated with a series of bursts of X-rays, the X-ray bursts having a series of frequencies tuned to energize four different amino acid bases of DNA of each of the cancer cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: John P. Tarlano
  • Publication number: 20040247077
    Abstract: A resist is on a substrate with a lower layer film between the resist and the substrate. The lower layer film includes chemical elements and the element absorbing the largest amount of x-rays is carbon. The thickness of the lower layer film is determined by considering the influences of secondary electrons from the substrate and the carbon of the lower layer film. The resist includes chlorine, or a similar element, having a specific absorption edge. Under such conditions, the average wavelength of x-rays absorbed in the resist is in a prescribed range. In this way, in x-ray exposure, blur caused by secondary electrons is suppressed using a wavelength region of relatively shorter wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Kise, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040240610
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus for retarding a virus in a human body is disclosed. The X-ray apparatus has four X-ray guns. Each of the four X-ray guns generating a separate frequency of an X-ray burst. A virus retardation method is also disclosed. The human body is irradiated with a series of bursts of X-rays, the X-ray bursts having a series of frequencies tuned to energize four different amino acid bases of RNA of the virus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: John P. Tarlano
  • Patent number: 6826254
    Abstract: An x-ray treatment apparatus includes an x-ray generating device, a head unit, a manipulator and a microwave source. The x-ray generating device produces x-rays, by letting electrons, which have been emitted from an electron gun, be accelerated by a linear accelerator and strike a target. The acceleration of electrons is effected by microwaves. The x-ray generating device is accommodated in the head unit. The head unit is attached to a distal end portion of the manipulator. The manipulator positions the head unit such that x-rays emitted from the head unit may be applied to a part for medical treatment in a patient. The microwave source is disposed at a proximal end portion of the manipulator. Microwaves are propagated from the microwave source to the accelerator through a waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Mihara, Yuichiro Kaminou, Akira Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 6815691
    Abstract: A carousel and first and second members have common axes in a first direction. The carousel, preferably cylindrical, has a ring-shaped configuration defined by inner and outer diameters. The first member has an outer diameter preferably contiguous to the carousel inner diameter. The second member has an inner diameter preferably contiguous to the carousel outer diameter. The carousel is divided into compartments by vanes. The carousel rotates at a substantially constant speed past radiation directed by an accelerator in the first direction. When a fault occurs in the system operation, (1) the carousel and radiation stop and (2) the carousel reverses in direction. When the fault is resolved, the carousel moves in the forward direction at the substantially constant speed and the radiation resumes at the position where the article was being irradiated at the time that the fault occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: The Titan Corporation
    Inventors: Gary K. Loda, Carl B. Eichenberger
  • Patent number: 6813336
    Abstract: A method for delivering radiation from radiation source to a treatment area. A multi-leaf collimator is positioned between the radiation source and the treatment area to block a portion of the radiation and to define a first treatment field. The collimator is positioned with leaves of the collimator extending longitudinally in a first direction. The collimator is first moved through an arc while delivering radiation through the first treatment field to the treatment area. The multi-leaf collimator is rotated about a central axis extending generally perpendicular to a plane containing at least a portion of the leaves such that the leaves define a second treatment field. The multi-leaf collimator is then moved through a second arc while delivering radiation through the second treatment field to the treatment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramon Alfredo Carvalho Siochi
  • Publication number: 20040208282
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for sanitizing and recovering mail and other materials is disclosed. The apparatus is employed after a known or suspected biological attack or contamination event, such as anthrax. Multiple X-ray sources penetrate mail and other materials, and destroy the biological agents. The apparatus is taken to the location of the biological problem, as opposed to shipping contaminated materials to a fixed facility for recovery. Many safety and practical advantages result from this approach to bio-terrorism or to biological contamination events. The design of this apparatus leads to a self-cleaning feature. Airflow control prevents escape of toxic biological materials into the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: John Edgar Menear, Sergey Etchin, Gershon Perelman, Jeffrey Allen Moore
  • Patent number: 6792073
    Abstract: A computationally efficient and accurate procedure for calculating radiation dose distributions within a volume of interest in a patient incorporating variations in patient density and source particle energy, position, direction, and type. The procedure iteratively simulates energy depositions from source particles using the Monte Carlo radiation transport method and then applies methods for reducing noise inherent in Monte Carlo results to obtain an accurate and computationally efficient representation of an actual radiation dose distribution compared to that produced by Monte Carlo methods alone. The invention makes an analogy between real measured data and transformed Monte Carlo generated computer data and then applies data denoising techniques to reduce the noise in the Monte Carlo dose images. Conversely, the present invention can produce a dose distribution having a predetermined noise level in a reduced amount of computation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Joseph O. Deasy, Mladen Victor Wickerhauser