Various configurations of shielding materials within shielding layers, such as for use in shielding radiation from implanted radioactive carriers, are discussed herein.

An example particle therapy system includes a gantry having a beamline structure configured to direct a particle beam that is monoenergetic from an output of a particle accelerator towards an irradiation target, where the beamline structure includes magnetic bending elements to bend the particle beam along a length of the beamline structure; and an energy degrader downstream of the beamline structure relative to the particle accelerator, where the energy degrader is configured and controllable to change an energy of the particle beam prior to at least part of the particle beam reaching the irradiation target.

A system for immobilization of a patient body part for radiotherapy applications includes a device having at least one flanged support member which is mounted to a fixation surface. The device can receive and retain at least two sheets. A first sheet covers the anatomical contours of a first area of a body part. A second sheet covers the anatomical contours of a second area of the body part which is not covered by the first sheet. The system supports the immobilized body part free from the fixation surface by the two sheets and the device.

A semi-flexible rod may have a rounded tip having exposed metal conductor elements that produce an adaptive electrical field or an adaptive magnetic field. The adaptive electrical field or the adaptive magnetic field may be adjusted in order to capture a stray x-ray photon near an in-vivo target area of cancer cells.

A system for delivery of radiation to a target portion of a native tissue is provided. The system includes a catheter having a main catheter body. The main catheter body includes an outer catheter surface and an inner catheter surface that defines a longitudinally oriented lumen. The lumen extends between longitudinally spaced proximal and distal catheter face surfaces extending laterally between the inner and outer catheter surfaces. A sheath covers at least a portion of the outer catheter surface. The sheath includes a tapered portion protruding substantially longitudinally distally from a portion of the distal catheter face surface. A plurality of tubes extends through the lumen towards the distal catheter face surface. Each tube of the plurality of tubes is configured to selectively guide exposure of a radiation source to the target portion of the native tissue.

A radiation system includes a first ring, a radiation source capable of providing radiation suitable for treating a patient, the radiation source secured to the first ring, a second ring located behind the first ring, and an imager secured to the second ring. A radiation system includes a first device having a radiation source capable of generating a radiation beam suitable for treating a patient, and a second device having imaging capability, wherein the first device is oriented at an angle that is less than 180° relative to the second device. A radiation system includes a structure having a first opening, a radiation source rotatably coupled to the structure, an imaging device rotatable relative to the structure, and a processor for controlling a rotation of the radiation source and a rotation of the imaging device, wherein the radiation source is rotatable relative to the imaging device.

A radiation system includes: a first support; a first structure rotatably coupled to the first support so that the first structure is rotatable about a first axis relative to the first support; a second structure rotatably coupled to the first structure so that the second structure is rotatable about a second axis that forms a non-zero angle relative to the first structure; and a first radiation source connected to the second structure; wherein the first structure and the second structure are parts of a capsule for accommodating at least a portion of a patient.

Particle radiation therapy and planning utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Radiation therapy prescription information and patient MRI data can be received and a radiation therapy treatment plan can be determined for use with a particle beam. The treatment plan can utilize the radiation therapy prescription information and the patient MRI data to account for interaction properties of soft tissues in the patient through which the particle beam passes. Patient MRI data may be received from a magnetic resonance imaging system integrated with the particle radiation therapy system. MRI data acquired during treatment may also be utilized to modify or optimize the particle radiation therapy treatment.

A radiation therapy system comprises a treatment pod having an internal treatment room, and a beam delivery system comprising a particle accelerator for generating a radiation beam. The beam delivery system is carried by the treatment pod with the particle accelerator outside of the pod, and is configured to deliver the radiation beam to the treatment room. The beam delivery system, including the accelerator is movable around the treatment pod in order to adjust the position of the radiation beam with respect to the treatment room. The movement of the beam delivery system is counterbalanced. The treatment pod, together with the beam delivery system, may be moved in order to service multiple waiting rooms.

In general, radiation shielding systems that shield radiation from multiple directions are described. In one embodiment, a method of shielding radiation is provided, including supporting a shielding device on an object proximate a radiation source, positioning a first shielding portion in a vertical position relative to the object, positioning a second shielding portion to extend away from the first portion, the second shielding portion attached to the first portion, and shielding radiation from the radiation source by the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion such that the first and second shielding portions provide a radiation shielding zone for a healthcare practitioner.