A radiation delivery system includes a radiation source to generate a radiation beam to deliver to a target and a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) operatively coupled to the radiation source, wherein the MLC is offset to shift the MLC in a direction relative to a line from the radiation source to a point of interest to cause projections of the radiation beam to be shifted based on the offset.

Systems and methods for determining beam asymmetry in a radiation treatment system using electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) without implementation of elaborate and complex EPID calibration procedures. The beam asymmetry is determined based on radiation scattered from different points in the radiation beam and measured with the same region of interest ROI of the EPID.

A method of radiation therapy comprises, while a gantry of a radiation therapy system rotates continuously in a first direction through a treatment arc from a first treatment delivery position to a second treatment delivery position, causing an imaging X-ray source mounted on the gantry to direct X-rays through a target volume and receiving a set of X-ray projection images from an X-ray imager mounted on the gantry; determining a current location of the target volume based on the set of X-ray projection images; and while the gantry to continues to rotate to the second treatment delivery position, initiating delivery of a treatment beam of a treatment-delivering X-ray source mounted on the gantry to the target volume, and continuing to cause the gantry to rotate in the first direction from the second treatment delivery position to a third treatment delivery position.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor of a patient, in a beam treatment center comprising a floor, with positively charged particles, comprising: (1) a synchrotron mounted to an elevated floor section above the floor of the beam treatment center; (2) a beam transport system, comprising: at least three fixed-position beam transport lines, where none of the synchrotron and the beam transport system penetrate through the floor of the beam treatment center; (3) the positively charged particles transported from the synchrotron, through the beam transport system, to a position above a patient positioning system during use; and (4) an optional repositionable nozzle system connected to a first, second, and third fixed-position beam transport line at a first, second, and third time, respectively, where the nozzle track forms an arc of a circle and the repositionable nozzle system moves along the nozzle track.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor of a patient with positively charged particles, comprising the steps of transporting the positively charged particles along a beam transport path passing sequentially from an accelerator, through a beam transport line, through a nozzle, and toward a position of the patient, the step of transporting further comprising the steps of: (1) terminating a first Bragg peak, of a first set of the positively charged particles, in a position of the tumor and (2) flash treating the tumor with a second Bragg peak, of a second set of the positively charged particles, the second Bragg peak terminating post-patient relative to the nozzle. Optionally the second set of particles are delivered at a rate exceeding one MHz. Optionally, particles in common are used to both treat the tumor and image the tumor.

A particle beam therapy apparatus has a position and posture setter that moves a movable body, that is at least one of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table. A movement path of the movable body is determined when adapting the positional posture of the movable body from one condition among a plurality of prescribed conditions to another condition. An evaluation value is obtained for adapting the positional posture of the movable body to each of a plurality of prescribed conditions. This evaluation value is for a case of moving the movable body according to the movement path. A setting order is determined for adapting the positional posture of the movable body to each prescribed condition based on the evaluation value; and the positional posture of the movable body is adapted to each of the plurality of prescribed conditions by moving the movable body according to the determined movement path.

An imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to efficiently estimate scatter during multi-fraction treatments for improved quality and workflow. Estimated scatter from one fraction during a treatment course can be utilized during subsequent fractions, allowing for measurements with higher scatter-to-primary ratios. The quality of scatter estimates can be maintained, while workflow improves and dosage decreases. Scan configuration limits can be utilized to maintain a minimum level of scatter measurement quality. Patient information can be monitored to ensure that prior fraction scatter estimates are still applicable to current patient status.

An example particle therapy system includes a particle beam output device to direct output of a particle beam; a treatment couch to support a patient containing an irradiation target, with the treatment couch being configured for movement; a movable device on which the particle beam output device is mounted for movement relative to the treatment couch; and a control system to provide automated control of at least one of the movable device or the treatment couch to position at least one of the particle beam or the irradiation target for treatment of the irradiation target with the particle beam and, following the treatment of the irradiation target with the particle beam, to provide automated control of at least one of the movable device or the treatment couch to reposition at least one of the particle beam or the irradiation target for additional treatment of the irradiation target with the particle beam.

Described herein is a medical linear accelerator including an accelerator target structure constructed of a material having a thickness of less than 0.2 radiation lengths, and an accelerator structure to receive an electromagnetic wave and generate an output therapy dose rate of electrons having a beam energy between 4-25 mega-electronvolts (MeV).

Apparatus and methods for planning and/or delivering radiation treatment and controlling a radiation delivery system are described. Apparatus for delivering radiation treatment includes a radiation source, a drive connected to move the radiation source along a trajectory, a stored radiation treatment plan specifying a plurality of beam ON segments and beam OFF portions of the trajectory interleaved with the plurality of beam ON segments, and a monitor connected to detect progress of a physiological cycle of the patient, the physiological cycle has cycles that include quiescent periods. One or more data processors are connected to control the drive to advance the radiation source along the trajectory, control the radiation source to deliver radiation in each of the plurality of beam ON segments of the trajectory and to deliver no or negligible radiation in each of the beam OFF portions of the trajectory, process an output of the monitor to estimate a time for a next one of the quiescent periods, and control a speed at which the radiation source is advanced along the trajectory to cause the radiation source to arrive at a start of a next one of the beam ON segments at a time that coincides with the next one of the quiescent periods.