The disclosure relates to a system for immobilizing and supporting a subject in a medical procedure. The system may include a treatment apparatus configured to generate a radiation beam, and a device for immobilizing a subject. The device may include an immobilizing component for immobilizing at least one portion of the subject, and a radio frequency (RF) coil configured to receive a magnetic resonance (MR) signal related to the at least one portion of the subject. The immobilizing component may be configured to switch between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode may correspond to a positive pressure or a constant pressure related to the device. The second mode may correspond to a space of vacuum or substantially of vacuum related to the device. The RF coil may be located in the immobilizing component according to a position where the radiation beam is incident on the device.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor of a patient with charged particles, comprising the step of developing a multi-modality treatment plan, the multi-modality treatment plan directing: (1) use of a first beam type to treat a first volume of the tumor, the first beam type a first mass per particle and (2) use of a second beam type to treat a second volume of the tumor, the second beam type comprising a second mass per particle, where the second mass per particle is at least ten percent different than the first mass per particle and the second volume differs from the first volume. The multi-modality treatment plan is optionally formed by selectively merging treatment plans using the respective particle types or is developed using properties of the multiple particle types.

Provided is a head positioning frame that includes an upright rod, a base ring, and a head nail. The upright rod includes at least two connecting portions, and at least one of the at least two connecting portions is made of an insulating material, such that the upright rod, the base ring, the head nail, and a head to be positioned are incapable of forming an electrical circuit loop.

Provided is a variable energy and miniaturized accelerator. It is impossible to change the energy of the extraction beam in the related cyclotron or to miniaturize an accelerator in the related synchrotron. The accelerator includes a pair of magnets which form a magnetic field therebetween; an ion source which injects ions between the magnets; an acceleration electrode which accelerates the ions; and a beam extraction path which extracts the ions to the outside. A plurality of ring-shaped beam closed orbits formed by the pair of magnets, in which the ions of different energies respectively circulate, are aggregated on one side. The frequency of the radiofrequency electric field fed to the ions by the acceleration electrode is modulated by the beam closed orbits.

A method and apparatuses are disclosed for registration of the patient's head and oral cavity for radiation therapy treatment of head and neck cancer. The method and apparatuses comprise an intraoral positioning device (IPD) positioned in a patients mouth. The IPD incorporates fiducials embedded in or on an IPD. The fiducials function as markers for tracking and radiation beam direction. These fiducials may be incorporated manually, using 3D printers, or a combination of both. The fiducials allow better registration of the radiation therapy during treatment and from treatment to treatment, and also allows adaptive adjustment during radiation therapy to minimize the effects of patient movement.

Systems and methods can include a system for positioning an ultrasound probe proximal to anatomy of a patient on a radiation couch including a substantially planar base including engagement features to directly or indirectly index the substantially planar base to the radiation couch and a centrally located guide extending longitudinally along a top side of the base, a probe holder, configured to be coupled to, to translate longitudinally, and to be user-accessed and user-controlled from within, a central region of the substantially planar base, a clamp, configured to localize the probe holder at a specified location along a translation path in the central region of the substantially planar base, leg supports shaped to accommodate a patient's legs from behind, the pair of leg supports being shaped and arranged to provide a space therebetween that can accommodate an ultrasound probe holder.

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.

The present invention relates to an immobilization mask comprising a first layer comprising a low temperature thermoplastic material, the first layer having a first side and a second side; at least one dimensionally stable attachment section connected to the first layer; and at least one deformable molding member connected to the first side or to the second side of the first layer. The present invention also relates to a method of immobilizing a patient's body part, comprising the steps of applying an immobilization mask comprising a first layer having a low temperature thermoplastic material and at least one dimensionally stable attachment section connected to the first layer, wherein at least one deformable molding member is placed between the first layer and the patient's head; and molding the first layer tightly to the patient's head and to the molding member.

In an initial configuration a device comprises a casing containing: a plurality of beads, a rupturable first container containing one or more isocyanates and a rupturable second container containing one or more polyols, wherein in the final configuration the casing is substantially filled by a polyurethane in which the plurality of beads are embedded. In an intermediate configuration the device is transformed from the initial configuration to a final configuration by rupturing the first container and rupturing the second container so that the one or more isocyanates react with the one or more polyols in a reaction that forms the polyurethane. As the polyurethane is formed during the reaction the polyurethane surrounds the plurality of beads. The device may be molded as the polyurethane is formed in the casing.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for directing protons to a tumor, comprising the steps of: (1) holding a patient with a patient support; (2) providing an imaging system comprising: a rotatable unit at least partially surrounding an axial perimeter of the patient support, a translation guide rail, an imaging source attached to the rotatable unit, and an imaging detector attached to the rotatable unit; (3) translating and rotating the imaging source and the imaging detector relative to the patient support using the translation guide rail and the rotatable unit; and (4) providing an attachment section connected: on a first end to a robotic arm positioning system and on a second end to the patient support and the imaging system, the robotic arm positioning system repositioning, relative to a nozzle system linked to the synchrotron, the attachment system supporting the patient support system and the imaging system.