A radiation therapy system includes an X-ray imaging system that is configured with a combined and simplified filter and collimator positioning mechanism. In addition, an X-ray imager of the RT system is only positioned at a few discrete locations within a plane that is a fixed distance from the imaging X-ray source when generating X-ray images. As a result, for each of these discrete imaging positions, the simplified filter and collimator positioning mechanism positions a specific collimator-filter combination in a specific location between the X-ray source and the imager.

A method of adjusting a switch of a device, wherein the method comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element to adjust a magnitude of a biasing force that is imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element that is disposed about the switching element. The biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.

A method of creating a switch, comprising disposing a switching element movably within an interior cavity of the switch to define switch-making and switch-breaking positions along a switching axis of the switching element, disposing a biasing element about the switching element to impart a biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the switch-making and switch-breaking positions until an external force imparted to the switching element exceeds the biasing force to cause the switching element to change to the other position, disposing a biasing force-adjusting element in cooperative engagement with the biasing element such that a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable, and coupling a conductive contact to the switching element to define a switch-making state when the switching element is in the switch-making position and a switch-breaking state when the switching element is in the switch-breaking position.

A switch mechanism includes a housing with a fenestration, a switch element held in the housing, and a first tab and a second tab each being pivotally attached to an opposite lateral edge of the fenestration. The tabs are constrained to rotational movement relative to the housing so that contact with the first tab or the second tab causes the respective tab to rotate to actuate the switch element.

A switch mechanism (12) includes a housing (16, 18) with a fenestration (21), a switch element (22) held in the housing, and a membrane switch held in the fenestration. The membrane switch includes a flexible membrane (20) and a rigid rib (26). The rib is constrained to linear movement by guides (37, 38) in the housing so that contact with the membrane causes the membrane to deform and the rib to translate to actuate the switch element.

At each step of a workflow performed by an operator that involves a plurality of input mechanisms in a radiation therapy system, the operator is assisted in the process of selecting the next input mechanism in a way that greatly reduces the number of possible input mechanisms that can be chosen. A first subset of input mechanisms is made visually prominent via a first visual technique and a second subset of the input mechanisms is made visually prominent via a second visual technique. The first subset includes input mechanisms that are available for selection at that particular step in the workflow and the second subset includes recommended input mechanisms that are the most likely to be the next input mechanism that should be actuated by the operator at that particular step in the workflow.

A radiation therapy system includes an X-ray imaging system that is configured with a combined and simplified filter and collimator positioning mechanism. In addition, an X-ray imager of the RT system is only positioned at a few discrete locations within a plane that is a fixed distance from the imaging X-ray source when generating X-ray images. As a result, for each of these discrete imaging positions, the simplified filter and collimator positioning mechanism positions a specific collimator-filter combination in a specific location between the X-ray source and the imager.

A radiation therapy system includes a treatment couch positioning assembly that is directly coupled to a fixed structure supporting the linear accelerator of the radiation therapy system. The radiation therapy system can be installed in a radiation therapy facility without the floor of the facility being excavated and a sub-floor structure, such as a base frame, being installed. To laterally position a patient relative to the linear accelerator, the treatment couch positioning assembly of the radiation therapy system is laterally translated via a linear motor, and laterally translates with the treatment couch, rather than cantilevering the treatment couch to either side of the couch positioning assembly.

A motion-enable device includes a mechanical switch and a capacitive sensor with a sensing region that is located adjacent to the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch enables a first signal when closed or actuated that indicates that the mechanical switch is in an active state. The capacitive sensor enables a second signal when a conductive object is disposed in the sensing region, where the second signal indicates that the capacitive sensor is in an active state. Enablement of operation of an apparatus depends on receipt of both the first signal and the second signal. The mechanical switch and the capacitive sensor act as the two separate switches required by functional safety requirements for a motion enable device. Because the sensing region of the capacitive sensor is adjacent to the mechanical switch, the first and second signals are generated when an operator actuates the mechanical switch with a single digit.

A method of creating a switch, comprising disposing a switching element movably within an interior cavity of the switch to define first and second positions along a switching axis of the switching element, disposing a biasing element about the switching element to impart a biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the first and second positions until an external force imparted to the switching element exceeds the biasing force to cause the switching element to move to the other position, disposing a biasing force-adjusting element in cooperative engagement with the biasing element such that a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable, and coupling a conductive contact to the switching element to define a first switching state when the switching element is in the first position and a second switching state when the switching element is in the second position.