Therapy Patents (Class 378/65)
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Patent number: 8942351Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for operating a traveling wave linear accelerator to generate stable electron beams at two or more different intensities by varying the number of electrons injected into the accelerator structure during each pulse by varying the width of the beam pulse, i.e., pulse width. The electron beams may be used to generate x-rays having selected doses and energies, which may be used for cargo scanning or radiotherapy applications.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Accuray IncorporatedInventors: Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung, Roger Heering Miller, Juwen Wang
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Patent number: 8942348Abstract: An apparatus is provided for performing radiation therapy on a patient. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a patient support surface, a gantry having a radiation source rotatable around the patient support surface, a supply arm extending through the central bore, a supply interface disposed on the supply arm, and a supply line connecting the supply interface to a supply source. The apparatus delivers radiation therapy accessories to the patient while minimally interfering with access to the patient by radiation therapy personnel.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Elekta, Ltd.Inventor: Per Harald Bergfjord
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Patent number: 8938047Abstract: A method for planning a treatment session of a patient and optimizing the treatment time for a treatment using a radiation therapy system includes a radiation therapy unit having a fixed radiation focus point. During an optimization of a treatment plan for a patient, a set of shots to be delivered to a plurality of isocenter positions within a target volume of a patient during a treatment session are determined and a beam-on time for each respective sector and state for each isocenter during which radiation is to be delivered are determined based on the treatment plan. For each isocenter position, sectors and states of respective sector are grouped in accordance predetermined rules with respect to beam-on times for respective state of the sectors, wherein sectors and respective states are aggregated for simultaneous delivery of radiation during a predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Elekta AB (Publ)Inventors: Håkan Nordström, Jonas Johansson
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Patent number: 8933420Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Masahiro Ikeda, Hisashi Harada, Kazushi Hanakawa, Toshihiro Otani, Tadashi Katayose, Taizo Honda, Yukiko Yamada, Yuehu Pu
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Patent number: 8934605Abstract: Systems, methods, and related computer program products for image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) are described. Provided according to one preferred embodiment is an IGRT apparatus including a barrel-style rotatable gantry structure that provides high mechanical stability, versatility in radiation delivery, and versatility in target tracking. Methods for treatment radiation delivery using the IGRT apparatus include conical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy and cono-helical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy. A radiation treatment head (MV source) and a treatment guidance imaging system including a kV imaging source are mounted to and rotatable with a common barrel-style rotatable gantry structure, or alternatively the MV and kV sources are mounted to separate barrel-style rotatable gantry structures independently rotatable around a common axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Accuray IncorporatedInventors: Calvin R. Maurer, Jr., Euan S. Thomson
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Patent number: 8929511Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base for accommodating a control unit configured to control an X-ray applicator and a power supply configured to supply power to the X-ray applicator. The mobile X-ray unit may further include an articulated arm associated with the base. The arm may be configured to support the X-ray applicator. The X-ray applicator may have an X-ray tube for emitting an X-ray beam for irradiating an object. The mobile X-ray unit may further include a phantom-based dosimetry system configured to perform a dosimetry check of the X-ray beam.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Nucletron B.V.Inventors: Johannes Simon van der Veen, Bas Woudstra, Johan Henning
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Patent number: 8927946Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to perform efficient, automatic adjustment of cyclotron beam currents within a wide range for multiple treatment layers within the same patient and treatment session. In one embodiment, efficient adjustment is achieved by using beam current attenuation by an electrostatic vertical deflector installed in the inner center of the cyclotron. The beam current may, for example, be adjusted by the high voltage applied to the electrostatic vertical deflector. In front of each treatment the attenuation curve of the vertical deflector is recorded. Based on this attenuation curve, the vertical deflector voltage for the needed beam current of each irradiation layer is interpolated. With this procedure the beam current could be automatically adjusted in minimal time over a wide range while maintaining a high level of precision.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Varian Medical System ParticleInventors: Uwe Behrens, Thomas Stephani
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Patent number: 8923479Abstract: Embodiments provide method and systems for determining or measuring objective eye alignment in an external-coordinate system so as to define a reference axis. Additional embodiments provide a method and system of aligning an objectively determined reference axis of the eye in a selected relationship to a therapeutic axis of an ophthalmic therapeutic apparatus and/or a diagnostic axis of an ophthalmic diagnostic apparatus. Embodiments provide a method and system for planning an ophthalmic treatment procedure based on objective eye alignment in an external-coordinate system so as to define a reference axis of an eye to be treated. The reference axis may be used to position a therapeutic energy component, for example, an orthovoltage X-ray treatment device, e.g., positioned to provide treatment to tissue on the retina, such as the macula.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gertner, Mark Arnoldussen, Matt Herron, Junzhong Liang
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Patent number: 8917813Abstract: Systems, methods, and related computer program products for image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) are described. Provided according to one preferred embodiment is an IGRT apparatus including a barrel-style rotatable gantry structure that provides high mechanical stability, versatility in radiation delivery, and versatility in target tracking. Methods for treatment radiation delivery using the IGRT apparatus include conical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy and cono-helical non-coplanar rotational arc therapy. A radiation treatment head (MV source) and a treatment guidance imaging system including a kV imaging source are mounted to and rotatable with a common barrel-style rotatable gantry structure, or alternatively the MV and kV sources are mounted to separate barrel-style rotatable gantry structures independently rotatable around a common axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Accuray IncorporatedInventor: Calvin R. Maurer, Jr.
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Patent number: 8916838Abstract: The present invention relates to a particle therapy system that comprises a spot scanning system to irradiate with a particle beam a plurality of spots in a layer of a target with prescribed spot doses for each spot of the layer. The therapy system is further adapted to perform multiple paintings of the layer and to deliver partial spot doses to selected spots of the layer during each painting time so that each spot of the layer will have received its prescribed dose after completion of the multiple paintings. The therapy system further comprises means for setting the partial spot doses and the number of times that a spot will be selected for irradiation in the course of the multiple paintings to such values that any spot of the layer will never have to be irradiated with a partial dose which would fall below a minimum dose deliverable by the system, and this whatever the number chosen for the number of layer paintings. The invention also relates to a corresponding irradiation method.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Ion Beam Applications SAInventors: Yves Claereboudt, Michel Closset
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Patent number: 8913716Abstract: A dose calculation tool operable to generate a variance map that represents a dose uncertainty. The variance map illustrates on a point-by-point basis where high uncertainty in the dose may exist and where low uncertainty in the dose may exist. The dose uncertainty is a result of an error in one or more data parameters related to a delivery parameter or a computational parameter.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: TomoTherapy IncorporatedInventors: Geoff Sobering, Eric Schnarr, Kenneth J. Ruchala
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Patent number: 8913717Abstract: Systems and methods for developing a treatment plan for irradiating a treatment volume within a patient are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, control points used to calculate a dose of radiation delivered to the treatment volume may be combined to result in a smaller number of control points. The smaller number of control points may allow more efficient calculation of dose distributions resulting in a treatment plan that can be delivered to the patient earlier or may allow additional iterations of treatment plan optimization resulting in a more accurate dose distribution being delivered to the patient.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AGInventors: Sami Pekka Siljamaki, Janne Ilmari Nord, Laura Kristiina Korhonen
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Patent number: 8903471Abstract: In a radiation therapy and magnetic resonance unit, a magnetic resonance diagnosis part is provided. A radiation therapy part is provided for irradiation of an irradiation area within an interior of the diagnosis part. The radiation therapy part comprises a beam deflection enclosure for deflecting an electron beam toward an axis of the diagnosis part from an initial trajectory parallel to the axis. The beam deflection enclosure comprises a first magnetic field in a region of the beam deflection enclosure but of opposite direction and effective to cancel a main magnet field of the diagnosis part. A second magnet field is directed perpendicular to a trajectory of the electron beam to cause the electron beam to be deflected inward towards the axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Oliver Heid
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Patent number: 8901519Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a process for adjusting the range of an ion beam, in particular for irradiation in tumor therapy. For this purpose, first the reference position of a target volume to be irradiated is determined. Subsequently, the range of an ion beam is configured such that said beam is adjusted to the reference position of the target volume, in such a manner that the Bragg peak, i.e. the maximal energy loss and thereby the maximal damage occurs in the region of the target volume which is to be destroyed. In the case that it has been determined that the reference position has been altered by a movement of the target volume, the ion beam is then deflected from the beam axis such that the ion beam is directed to various regions of a range modulator, in order that the ion beam experience a correspondingly adjusted energy loss in passing through the range modulator.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbHInventors: Dieter Schardt, Christoph Bert, Nami Saito, Bernhard Franczak, Chaudhri Naved, Pleskac Radek
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Patent number: 8901509Abstract: The invention comprises a multi-axis charged particle irradiation method and apparatus. The multi-axis controls includes separate or independent control of one or more of horizontal position, vertical position, energy control, and intensity control of the charged particle irradiation beam. Optionally, the charged particle beam is additionally controlled in terms of timing. Timing is coordinated with patient respiration and/or patient rotational positioning. Combined, the system allows multi-axis and multi-field charged particle irradiation of tumors yielding precise and accurate irradiation dosages to a tumor with distribution of harmful proximal distal energy about the tumor.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Inventor: Vladimir Yegorovich Balakin
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Patent number: 8897417Abstract: A device for planning an irradiation is provided. The device includes an evaluation module with an input for receiving input data, a memory and an output for outputting determined output data. The evaluation module is designed for using the input data that includes the type and number of the imaging units present, variables characterizing the tumor and/or variables characterizing the patient, in order to determine the output data that includes the type of the imaging unit, the frequency of use of the imaging unit and/or the parameters for setting the imaging unit to be used in the form of an imaging plan with the aid of a functional relationship, which is based on experience, stored in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Eike Rietzel
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Patent number: 8897857Abstract: A method of producing a patient image indicating proton stopping power of the tissue may employ photon attenuation information converted to proton stopping power. The conversion uses different conversion functions for particular tissue types to account for a strong atomic number dependency in the conversion process. Megavoltage x-rays may be used for improved accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Wolfgang Axel Tomé, Dongxu Wang, Thomas R. Mackie
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Publication number: 20140341351Abstract: A method of operating a radiotherapy system, comprising: receiving a treatment plan to be carried out using the radiotherapy system; detecting if there is a fault in a component of the radiotherapy system; determining whether the component is needed for delivery of the treatment plan; and if the component is not needed for delivery of the treatment plan, allowing the radiotherapy system to execute the treatment plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Elekta AB (publ)Inventors: Paul Berwick, Christopher Knox
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Publication number: 20140341352Abstract: Photon-based radiosurgery is widely used for treating local and regional tumors. The key to improving the quality of radiosurgery is to increase the dose falloff rate from high dose regions inside the tumor to low dose regions of nearby healthy tissues and structures. Dynamic photon painting (DPP) further increases dose falloff rate by treating a target by moving a beam source along a dynamic trajectory, where the speed, direction and even dose rate of the beam source change constantly during irradiation. DPP creates dose gradient that rivals proton Bragg. Peak and outperforms Gamma Knife® radiosurgery.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: STC.UNMInventors: Shuang Luan, Lijun Ma, Zhe Chen
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Patent number: 8880145Abstract: The invention relates to a simulation and planning system for intraoperative radiation therapy and to a method allowing said system to be used for treatment studies, simulation, planning, training and recording, which system generally comprises a central processing unit or computer (1) for management and control and software-based communication with the rest of the devices and the user; one or several monitors or screens (2) for displaying images and peripherals responsible for gathering data relating to the actions performed by said user, a deformation simulation module for the virtual simulation of the deformation produced in the organs and tissues during the process; algorithms for instantly calculating the radiation dose applied during the radiation therapy treatment simulation and means for recording all the activities carried out and generating a full dosimetry report.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: GMV Aerospace and Defence S.A.Inventors: Manlio Fabio Valdivieso Cacique, Carlos Guillermo Illana Alejandro, Manuel Desco Menendez, Javier Gonzalez-Garzon Pascau, Felipe Manuel Calvo, Juan Jose Vaquero Lopez
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Patent number: 8873710Abstract: An arc radiotherapy and imaging system is provided which includes a first radiation source and a second radiation source. The first radiation source is suitable for treating a region of a patient, and the second radiation source is suitable for imaging the region of the patient. A control is also provided for automatically adjusting system operation, according to a defined schedule, between treating the region of the patient using the first radiation source and imaging the region of the patient using the second radiation source, thereby facilitating both treating and imaging of the region of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: C. Clifton Ling, Margie A. Hunt, Pengpeng Zhang, Athanasios Etmektzoglou, Edward Shapiro
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Patent number: 8874187Abstract: Treatment targets such as tumors or lesions, located within an anatomical region that undergoes motion (which may be periodic with cycle P), are dynamically tracked. A 4D mathematical model is established for the non-rigid motion and deformation of the anatomical region, from a set of CT or other 3D images. The 4D mathematical model relates the 3D locations of part(s) of the anatomical region with the targets being tracked, as a function of the position in time within P. Using fiducial-less non-rigid image registration between pre-operative DRRs and intra-operative x-ray images, the absolute position of the target and/or other part(s) of the anatomical region is determined. The cycle P is determined using motion sensors such as surface markers. The radiation beams are delivered using: 1) the results of non-rigid image registration; 2) the 4D model; and 3) the position in time within P.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Accuray Inc.Inventors: Euan Thomson, John Robinson Dooley, Gopinath Kuduvalli, James Wang, Eric Earnst, Chris Raanes
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Patent number: 8867703Abstract: A multi-mode cone beam computed tomography radiotherapy simulator and treatment machine is disclosed. The radiotherapy simulator and treatment machine both include a rotatable gantry on which is positioned a cone-beam radiation source and a flat panel imager. The flat panel imager captures x-ray image data to generate cone-beam CT volumetric images used to generate a therapy patient position setup and a treatment plan.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward G. Shapiro, Edward J. Seppi, John M. Pavkovich, Peter Munro, Stanley W. Johnsen, Richard E. Colbeth
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Patent number: 8858414Abstract: The invention designs the segmented short-arc VMAT plan, modified from the original long-arc VMAT, to fit the breath-hold interval. The modified VMAT of the invention has the advantages of its applicability to different planning systems for variously long arcs and its preprogrammed arc segmentation for summated dose consistency. Using segmented short-arc modification from the original long-arc VMAT plan is accurate for dose planning and delivery, as well as tolerable for breath-hold VMAT.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Inventors: Jason Chia-Hsien Cheng, Jian-Kuen Wu
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Patent number: 8861672Abstract: A system includes acquisition of a three-dimensional computed tomography image of a patient volume at a computed tomography scanner, acquisition of projection images of the patient volume located at an isocenter of a linear accelerator, and determination of a transformation between a coordinate system of the linear accelerator and a coordinate system of the three-dimensional computed tomography image based on the projection images.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan S. Maltz, Supratik Bose, Ali Bani-Hashemi, Ajay Paidi
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Patent number: 8855267Abstract: A radiosurgery system is described that delivers a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system, based on ocular imaging, which leads to direction of an automated positioning system. In some embodiments, the position of an ocular structure is tracked and related to a radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial aids in positioning the system. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gertner, Steven D. Hansen, Erik Chell, Matt Herron
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Patent number: 8853636Abstract: The primary collimator for a radiotherapy apparatus can be made up of several layers, each comprising several apertures, and each layer being moveable so as to select a specific aperture to build up the primary collimator shape. In this way, the shape of the primary collimator can be tailored and/or the beam filters incorporated into the primary collimator assembly. This saves space in the radiation head whilst also allowing filters to be easily interchanged.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Elekta AB (Publ)Inventor: Clifford William Perkins
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Publication number: 20140294154Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a method of performing microbeam radiation therapy on a subject, including: producing a high-energy radiation beam in a first direction; producing planar microbeams using the high-energy radiation beam in the first direction, wherein the microbeams have a width, wherein the planar microbeams produce scattered electrons; and applying a magnetic field in a direction lying in a plane substantially parallel to the planar microbeams, wherein the strength of the magnetic field corresponds to the width of the microbeam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: MICROBEAM THERAPY, LLCInventors: Daniel N. SLATKIN, Fred Harden GEISLER
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Publication number: 20140294153Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a microbeam radiation therapy (microbeam radiosurgery) system, including: a radiation beam source; a collimator with slits, wherein the collimator only passes a radiation beam from the radiation beam source through the slits; a filtering and limiting system; a source shutoff controller connected to the radiation beam source; and a detector configured to detect events requiring the shutdown of the radiation beam source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: MICROBEAM THERAPY, LLCInventors: Daniel N. SLATKIN, Fred Harden GEISLER
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Patent number: 8848869Abstract: Embodiments provide method and systems for determining alignment of a patient's body part, such as an eye, in an external coordinate system of a treatment or diagnostic device, such as a radiotherapy device, so as to define a reference axis for guiding device operation. Additional embodiments provide image-based methods and systems for aligning, tracking and monitoring motion of a body part and a treatment target in relation to a radiation beam axis. Particular ophthalmic embodiments provide method and systems including an eye-contact guide device and imaging system for aligning and tracking motion of an eye and ocular treatment target in relation to an orthovoltage X-ray beam axis, so as to monitor application of radiation to a lesion, such as a macular lesion of the retina.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gertner, Mark Arnoldussen, Erik Chell, Steven D. Hansen, Matt Herron, Igor Koruga, Junzhong Liang
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Patent number: 8849633Abstract: A treatment delivery system or a simulation system simulates treatment of a patient, including testing the ability of one or more tracking methods to track a target position during the simulation. The system then presents simulation results to a user, the simulation results indicating whether any of the one or more tracking methods will successfully track the target position during treatment delivery.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Accuray IncorporatedInventors: Matthew A. Core, Calvin R. Maurer, Jr., Jay B. West
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Publication number: 20140270077Abstract: A control circuit is configured to control selective movement of at least the patient-support platform (during a radiation treatment session and typically while the radiation source is also moving) such that during at least a part of the radiation treatment session a patient's radiation-treatment target volume is maintained at a predetermined offset distance away from the radiation-treatment isocenter. By one approach the control circuit maintains that predetermined offset distance for the duration of the radiation treatment session. By one approach, the control circuit is further configured to control selective movement of at least the patient-support platform such that during the radiation treatment session the patient's radiation-treatment target volume moves along a predetermined trajectory (even while maintaining the aforementioned predetermined offset distance).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: Athanasios Etmektzoglou
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Publication number: 20140270076Abstract: The present application relates to rodent radiation device that enables simultaneous radiation treatment of a plurality of small animals such as mice with localized radiation therapy. The device can provide clinically-relevant homogeneous radiation dosing and scheduling to a plurality of small animals or other in vivo cancer models simultaneously. Specifically, the multi station/unit design of the device allows for rapid loading of anesthetized small animals into radiation shield chambers that absorbs over 95% of the delivered dose and protects the remainder of the untreated animal, allowing for more clinically accurate recapitulation of radiotherapy regimens. In one embodiment, a total of 40-50 Gy is delivered in 20-25 fractions to small animals with more than 95% survival rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITYInventors: Christopher E. Pelloski, James L. Sommerfeld, Kathryn Bondra, Lanchun Lu
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Publication number: 20140270075Abstract: A system and method is provided for radiation system collimation and design. A plurality of channel waveguide assemblies are provided to be operatively associated with respective beam collimators having varying longitudinal bore diameters. The plurality of channel waveguide assemblies includes a plurality of guides and concentric spacers. The plurality of guides and concentric spacers include varying inner diameters that are configured to be securably nested together by decreasing inner diameters and secured within the longitudinal bores of the respective beam collimators.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventor: Edward Thomas Bender
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Patent number: 8837674Abstract: A method of minimizing radiation toxicity in image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is provided that includes using a probabilistic prediction algorithm that is operated on a suitably programmed computer and includes multimodality inputs and provides real-time geometric and topological target estimates to compensate for system latency, using an online adaptive imaging system that provides radiographic images of the target when the geometric and topological target estimates are in a region of predefined uncertainty, and using an image dose control algorithm, operating on a suitably programmed computer, that includes parameters for controlling dose per image, where instances for image acquisition are optimized according to a planned dose pattern and delivery result.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Dan Ruan, Paul J. Keall
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Patent number: 8835877Abstract: Photon-based radiosurgery is widely used for treating local and regional tumors. The key to improving the quality of radiosurgery is to increase the dose falloff rate from high dose regions inside the tumor to low dose regions of nearby healthy tissues and structures. Dynamic photon painting (DPP) further increases dose falloff rate by treating a target by moving a beam source along a dynamic trajectory, where the speed, direction and even dose rate of the beam source change constantly during irradiation. DPP creates dose gradient that rivals proton Bragg Peak and outperforms Gamma Knife® radiosurgery.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: STC.UNMInventors: Shuang Luan, Lijun Ma, Zhe Chen
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Patent number: 8837675Abstract: A radiosurgery system is described that delivers a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, ocular structures are placed in a global coordinate system, based on ocular imaging, which leads to direction of an automated positioning system. In some embodiments, the position of an ocular structure is tracked and related to a radiosurgery system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial aids in positioning the system. In some embodiments, a reflection off the eye is used to aid in positioning. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gertner, Erik Chell, Steven D. Hansen, Mark Arnoldussen, Matt Herron, Kuang-Hung Pan
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Patent number: 8835878Abstract: A method of delivering radiation in a session includes delivering radiation towards a patient using a radiation system, wherein the radiation is delivered based at least in part on a physiological phase or a position of the patient, after the radiation is delivered, changing a configuration of the radiation system, wherein the act of changing the configuration is performed independent of at least one motion of the patient, and delivering additional radiation towards the patient after the configuration of the radiation system is changed, wherein the acts of delivering radiation and the act of changing the configuration are performed in response to a processor executing a treatment plan that prescribes a plurality of packages and a transition, the transition prescribing the act of changing the configuration of the radiation system when no radiation is being delivered by the radiation system.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AGInventors: Janne Nord, Jarkko Peltola
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Patent number: 8831706Abstract: A method and an apparatus for fiducial-less tracking of a volume of interest (VOI) have been presented. In some embodiments, a pair of intra-operative images of a portion of a patient is generated during treatment of a target region in the patient to show a bony structure of the patient. The bony structure shown is movable responsive to respiration of the patient. Then the pair of intra-operative images is compared with a set of digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) pairs, generated from volumes of four-dimensional (4D) diagnostic imaging data, to determine a location of the movable bony structure that corresponds to a particular volume of the 4D diagnostic imaging data.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Accuray IncorporatedInventors: Dongshan Fu, Kajetan R. Berlinger
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Patent number: 8827555Abstract: The present invention provides a method of calibrating a radiotherapy apparatus, in which a beam measurement device is accurately located with respect to the radiation beam center. The method comprises acquiring the center of the radiation beam at two angles of rotation, separated by 180°, and aligning a beam measurement device with the midpoint of the respective centers.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Elekta AB (Publ)Inventor: Graham Thwaite
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Patent number: 8824630Abstract: A computing system determines a full motion range of a target, wherein the full motion range of the target defines an internal target volume (ITV). The computing system identifies a partial motion range of the target, wherein the partial motion range is a subset of the full motion range of the target. The computing system generates a partial-ITV based on the identified partial motion range, wherein the partial-ITV is a volume swept by the target as the target moves through the partial motion range, the partial-ITV being smaller than the ITV. The computing system generates a treatment plan to deliver treatment to the partial-ITV.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Accuray IncorporatedInventors: Calvin R. Maurer, Jr., Jay B. West
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Patent number: 8825137Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely reproducing the position of a vaginal cylinder in relation to a patient to ensure that a planned radiation dose can be delivered with high precision to the intended treatment target volumes. Treatment delivery is carried out by using an image-guided system to locate the position of the vaginal cylinder and comparing it to the coordinate of the vaginal cylinder obtained in the treatment plan. The displacement in the position of the vaginal cylinder from the treatment plan is corrected by calculating the transformation matrix and entering the resulting value into a position adjusting assembly which is attached to vaginal cylinder. The position adjusting assembly adjusts the vaginal cylinder to exactly reproduce its location relative to the patient's anatomy, eliminating geometric and dosimetric error.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Inventor: Xiaodong Wu
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Patent number: 8804906Abstract: This invention relates to a technique to enhance the clinical efficiency of radiotherapy and readiosurgery using perturbative beaming and tissue specific radiobiology, comprising, Considering the normal steady beam dose rate, then increasing the temporal stochastic fluctuation of the output intensity of the radiation beam from a medical linear accelerator or cobalt gamma knife beam setup, developing a computer-based methodology by considering the tumor specific radiobiology and magnitude of the tailor made dose rate fluctuation using an embedded system device consisting of requisite hardware and software as described herein.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignees: Department of Biotechnology, National Brain Research CentreInventors: Prasun Roy, Subhadip Paul
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Patent number: 8798343Abstract: A system for displaying lung ventilation information, the system comprising an input (12) and a processing unit (15). The input being provided for receiving multiple CT images (71) of a lung, each CT image (71) corresponding to one phase of at least two different phases in a respiratory cycle. The processing unit (15) being configured to compare CT images (71) corresponding to different phases in the respiratory cycle for determining a deformation vector field for each phase, to generate for each phase a ventilation image (72) based on the corresponding deformation vector field, to spatially align the ventilation images (72), and to generate for at least one common position (62) in each one of the aligned ventilation images (72), a function (81) of a time course of a ventilation value for said common position (62), each ventilation value in the function (81) being based on the deformation vector fields corresponding to the aligned ventilation images (73).Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Sven Kabus, Cristian Lorenz, Nicole Schadewaldt, Roland Opfer, Ingwer Curt Carlsen, Steffen Renisch, Joerg Sabczynski, Hans Barschdorf, Jens Von Berg, Thomas Blaffert, Tobias Klinder
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Patent number: 8798233Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a method of performing microbeam radiation therapy on a subject, including: affixing a collimator to the subject at a first location; producing a first high energy radiation fan beam, wherein the width of the first fan beam in a first direction is greater than the width of the first fan beam in a second direction; and moving the subject in the second direction so that the first fan beam irradiates the subject through the collimator to produce first high dose regions alternating with first low dose regions.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Microbeam Therapy, LLCInventors: Fred Harden Geisler, Lois Ann Polatnick, Daniel N. Slatkin
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Patent number: 8798234Abstract: We provide a radiotherapy apparatus including a source of therapeutic radiation, a source of imaging radiation having an energy level less than that of the therapeutic radiation, a detector for radiation lying within the field of both the therapeutic radiation and the imaging radiation and able to image both, a first imaging circuit supplied with the output of the detector, a second imaging circuit also supplied with the output of the detector, a first pulse trigger circuit adapted to trigger the source of therapeutic radiation to produce a pulse of therapeutic radiation and to trigger the first imaging circuit to capture an output of the detector; and a second pulse trigger circuit adapted to trigger the source of imaging radiation to produce a pulse of imaging radiation and to trigger the second imaging circuit to capture an output of the detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Elekta AB (Publ)Inventor: Åke Claesson
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Patent number: 8792615Abstract: A method serves as a supplemental safety mechanism before the irradiation of a patient with charged particles. By this method, differences which occur from day to day in the density composition within the patient are found, and the influence on the range of the planned irradiation field is determined. For this purpose, two high-resolution x-ray detectors are required, which form an angle of 60-120° to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Inventor: Hans Rinecker
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Patent number: 8792614Abstract: A method for the optimization of radiation therapy treatment plans is disclosed. The disclosed method is equally-applicable to robotic radiosurgery as well as other types of radiosurgical delivery, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). A population-based heuristic approximation is used to perform a global search, and subsequently, a deterministic local trajectory search is employed to further refine the initial solution.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Inventors: Matthew R. Witten, Owen Clancey
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Patent number: 8791437Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for shaping an electron beam of a machine for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT—Intra Operative Radiation Therapy) using a tubular applicator (3) having a duct through which the electron beam is transmitted, the device being characterised in that it comprises a slab (1), provided with a hole (2) corresponding to the duct of the tubular applicator (3), and at least one planar element (10) comprising an upper plate (11) and a lower plate (12) removably attachable to each other through first mechanical coupling means (13), said at least one planar element (10) being removably attachable to the slab (1) through second mechanical coupling means (13, 14) so that the arrangement of said at least one planar element (10) with respect to the slab (1) is adjustable so as to define an aperture (20) of lower area than that of the section of the duct of the tubular applicator (3), the upper plate (11) of each planar element (10) being made of a first sterilisable biocompatible mType: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: S.I.T.—Sordina IORT Technologies S.p.A.Inventors: Giuseppe Felici, Alessia Ciccotelli, Vincenzo Iacoboni, Fabio De Angelis, Nicola Mangiaracina, Aquilino Gava
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Patent number: 8792613Abstract: A target motion simulator system for use in verifying target tracking with a radiation therapy device. The system comprises a radiation detection target coupled to a first motion actuator simulating a first motion of a first tissue and a fiducial coupled to a second motion actuator simulating a second motion of a second tissue offset from the first tissue, a component of the first motion being asynchronous with the second motion. A synthetic physiological signal generator is synchronized with the component of the first motion, wherein an output signal from the generator, in combination with a sensed position of the fiducial, may be used by the radiation therapy device in tracking the target.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: CyberHeart, Inc.Inventors: Edward Gardner, Thilaka Sumanaweera