An apparatus (112) provides for tuning of an effective focal spot size of a radiation source. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of inter-channel structures (214) defining a plurality of channels (216) passing through the apparatus from a first surface (218) to a second surface (220). The inter-channel structures comprise a first substance and the channels contains a second substance. The first substance attenuates radiation more than the second substance. The inter-channel structures may define the channels such that lines passing through the channels converge at a location on or near the surface of a focal spot (212).

Compositions and methods for the radiological and immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer are provided. Metallic nanoparticles conjugated with an immunoadjuvant are dispersed within a biodegradable polymer matrix that can be implanted in a patient and released gradually. The implant may be configured as, or be a component of, brachytherapy spacers and applicators, or radiotherapy fiducial markers. The composition may be combined with marginless radiotherapy, allowing for lower doses of radiation and enhancing the immune response against cancer, including at non-irradiated sites.

Described are devices, systems, and methods for modulating the spectral energy distribution produced by an x-ray source via control of the energy of the x-ray-generating electron beam, e.g., for energy-modulated radiation therapy or other purposes. In some embodiments, such energy modulation is achieved by an add-on device to a linear accelerator. Also disclosed are computational methods and computer program products for planning energy-modulated therapy.

A microwave generation system comprising a microwave generator, a pulse generator and an impedance network. The pulse generator is arranged to provide pulses of electrical power to the microwave generator and is operable to vary the power of the pulses of electrical power which are provided to the microwave generator. The impedance network is connected between the pulse generator and the microwave generator. The impedance network is switchable so as to substantially match an impedance across the pulse generator according to variations in the impedance of the microwave generator.

A system and method for imaging or treating a disease in a human or animal body. The system provides to the human or animal body a pharmaceutical carrier including one or more phosphors which are capable of emitting ultraviolet or visible light into the body and which provide x-ray contrast. The system includes one or more devices which infuse a diseased site with a photoactivatable drug and the pharmaceutical carrier, an initiation energy source comprising an x-ray or high energy source which irradiates the diseased site with at least one of x-rays, gamma rays, or electrons to thereby initiate emission of said ultraviolet or visible light into the body, and a processor programmed to at least one of 1) produce images of the diseased site or 2) control a dose of said x-rays, gamma rays, or electrons to the diseased site for production of said ultraviolet or visible light at the diseased site to activate the photoactivatable drug.

A method may include identifying a time window of a procedure. The method may also include obtaining operational information of the time window. The operational information may include a limit of pulse repetition frequency (PRF) acceleration and a plurality of preliminary radio frequency (RF) PRFs. The method may also include determining a plurality of updated RF PRFs by updating the plurality of preliminary RF PRFs. A rate of variation between any two adjacent updated RF PRFs may be less than or equal to the limit of PRF acceleration. The method may also include causing an RF source to generate electromagnetic waves at the plurality of updated RF PRFs in the time window.

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of radiation treatment. More specifically, the present disclosure generally relates to methods and radiation treatment systems for facilitating a multimodal radiation therapy treatment plan, in particular a multimodal radiation therapy plan employing a combined photon beam and electron beam radiation treatment. According to one example embodiment described in the disclosure, a method may comprise obtaining information related to a set of candidate beam types for the combined photon beam and electron beam radiation treatment; comparing the set of candidate beam types against a selection criterion to establish a subset of beam types from the candidate beam types; and generating the combined photon beam and electron beam radiation treatment plan utilizing the thus established subset of beam types.

A radiotherapy apparatus is disclosed, with a linear accelerator for producing a beam of electrons, a target aligned with the electron beam, the target being capable of producing photons when electrons are incident thereon, and a material which is capable of producing neutrons when photons of sufficient energy are incident thereon. A neutron detector capable of providing a signal to a controller of the linear accelerator is provided, the controller being capable of varying the energy of the electrons of the electron beam.

Methods and system for facilitating rapid radiation treatments are provided herein and relate in particular to radiation generation and delivery, beam control, treatment planning, imaging and dose verification. The methods and systems described herein are particularly advantageous when used with a compact high-gradient, very high energy electron (VHEE) accelerator and delivery system (and related processes) capable of treating patients from multiple beam directions with great speed, using all-electromagnetic or radiofrequency deflection steering is provided, that can deliver an entire dose or fraction of high-dose radiation therapy sufficiently fast to freeze physiologic motion, yet with a better degree of dose conformity or sculpting than conventional photon therapy.

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy through the artificial container to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent.