An x-ray imaging apparatus and associated methods are provided to process projection data from an offset detector during a helical scan, including view completion. The detector may be offset in the channel and/or axial direction. Projection data measured from a current view is combined with projection data measured from at least one conjugate view to reconstruct a target image. A two-dimensional aperture weighting scheme is used to address data redundancy.

An example method includes: receiving, from a treatment planning process, information that is based on a dose distribution for an irradiation target; and performing at least one of the following operations: moving structures to trim spots of a particle beam so that the spots of the particle beam approximate pre-trimmed spots for which characteristics are obtained based on the information received; moving structures to produce a trimming curve for a layer of an irradiation target based on a specification of a trimming curve for the layer included in the information received; moving structures to produce a single trimming curve for all radiation fields of an irradiation target based on specifications of the single trimming curve included in the information received; or moving structures based on configuration information for the structures in the information received.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for monitoring calibration of positron emission tomography (PET) systems. In some variations, the systems include an imaging assembly having a gantry comprising a plurality of positron emission detectors. A housing may be coupled to the gantry, and the housing may include a bore and a radiation source holder spaced away from a patient scan region within the bore. A processor may be configured to receive positron emission data from the positron emission detectors and to distinguish the positron emission data from the radiation source holder and from the patient scan region. A fault signal may be generated when the positron emission data from the radiation source holder exceeds one or more threshold parameters or criteria.

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.

A filter is provided. The filter includes a mixed layer. The mixed layer includes aluminum, magnesium fluoride, and lithium fluoride. The mixed layer is composed of 1 part by volume of magnesium fluoride, 0.25 to 1 parts by volume of aluminum, and 0.003 to 0.02 parts by volume of lithium fluoride.

The present disclosure relates to a motion guidance assembly for guiding the motion of a collimator device. The motion guidance assembly may include a first pair of flexible plates connected to the collimator device. The first pair of flexible plates may be deformable in a direction perpendicular to an opening of the collimator device. A deformation of the first pair of flexible plates may guide the motion of the collimator device based on a driving force.

An external beam radiation therapy method is described, wherein radiation therapy is performed on a subject by applying at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject. While applying the at least one ionizing radiation beam to the subject, an ultrasound probe images the subject, where the ultrasound probe is not located in the ionizing radiation beam. While applying the ionizing radiation beam to the subject, a dosimeter that is integral with or attached to the ultrasound probe measures the radiation dose or radiation exposure received by the ultrasound probe.

Systems and methods provide radiotherapy treatment by focusing an electron beam on an x-ray target (e.g., a tungsten plate) to produce a high-yield x-ray output with improved field shaping. A modified electron beam spatial distribution is employed to scan the x-ray target, such as a 2D periodic beam path, which advantageously lowers the x-ray target temperature compared to the typical compact beam spatial distribution. As a result, the x-ray target can produce a high yield output without sacrificing the x-ray target life span. The use of a 2D periodic beam path allows a much colder x-ray target functioning regime such that more dosage can be applied in a short period of time compared to existing techniques.

Methods and systems for correcting position errors for a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) are provided. A method may include determining a first position for each of the plurality of leaves. The information associated with the first position may include a first movement direction and a first angle. A movement of the each of the plurality of leaves along the first movement direction may be configured to move toward or away from a center of the radiation field. The method may also include determining an offset value associated with the first position based on the first angle and the first movement direction; and determining a target position of the each of the plurality of leaves based on the offset value.

A cancer treatment apparatus has a neutron source generating neutrons exiting through a surface of a moderator block and an elongated beam-shaping apparatus (BSA) having a length and a circular cross section of a diameter less than the length, the BSA joined at one end to and projecting orthogonally from the surface of the moderator block of the neutron source, the BSA having a conically shaped element at an end away from the moderator block, the conically shaped element declining in diameter in a direction away from the moderator block. Neutrons produced by the neutron source enter the BSA at the surface of the moderator block, travel the length of the BSA, and exit the BSA through an aperture at the end of the BSA away from the moderator block.