An electromagnetic (EM) tracking configuration system employs an EM quality assurance (EMQA) (30) and EM data coordination (DC) system (70). For the EMQA system (30), an EM sensor block (40) includes EM sensor(s) (22) positioned and oriented to represent a simulated electromagnetic tracking of interventional tool(s) inserted through electromagnetic sensor block (40) into an anatomical region. As an EM field generator (20) generates an EM field (21) encircling EM sensor(s) (22), an EMQA workstation (50) tests an EM tracking accuracy of an insertion of the interventional tool(s) through the EM sensor block (40) into the anatomical region. For the EMDC system (70), as EM field generator (20) generates EM field (21) encircling a mechanical interaction of EM calibration tool(s) (80) with a grid (120) for guiding interventional tool(s) through gird (120) into an anatomical region, the electromagnetic data coordination workstation (90) establishes a coordination system for electromagnetically tracking an insertion of the interventional tool(s) through grid (120) into the anatomical region.

A locator for the placement of a fiducial support device for brachytherapy may be used to perform a brachytherapy treatment in which one or more radioactive seeds are implanted into a treatment region of a patient.

An apparatus for precise positioning of a template and method for precise positioning of the template may be used in a brachytherapy procedure. Several different embodiments of the precise positioning apparatus may be used.

A brachytherapy needle guidance device is a device that facilitates the placement of a brachytherapy needle into a treatment region in tissue. This tissue may a breast tissue and the brachytherapy needle may be a fiducial needle. The brachytherapy needle guidance device may have an anchoring feature that anchors the brachytherapy needle guidance device into the tissue once it is properly positioned. The brachytherapy needle guidance device is used by software for treatment planning.

The present disclosure provides a neutron capture therapy system, including an accelerator for generating a charged particle beam, a neutron generator for generating a neutron beam having neutrons after irradiation by the charged particle beam, and a beam shaping assembly for shaping the neutron beam. The beam shaping assembly includes a moderator and a reflecting assembly surrounding the moderator. The neutron generator generates the neutrons after irradiation by the charged particle beam. The moderator moderates the neutrons generated by the neutron generator to a preset energy spectrum. The reflecting assembly includes a reflecting assembly to deflected neutrons back to the neutron beam and a supporting member to support the reflectors. A lead-antimony alloy is for the reflecting assembly to mitigate a creep effect that occurs when only a lead material is for the reflectors, thereby improving the structural strength of a beam shaping assembly.

A template assembly including a first grid (22) for placement on a first side of a body organ, defining a plurality of apertures (329) adapted to receive elongate applicators (410), a second grid (24) for placement on a second side of a body organ, defining a plurality of apertures (34), adapted to receive applicators passing through apertures of the first grid and the body organ and at least one frame (26) defining a large hole (72), positioned between the first and second grids and configured to grasp the body organ.

The invention relates to an imaging apparatus (24) for imaging an introduction element (17) like a needle or a catheter for performing a brachytherapy or a biopsy. A tracking unit (3, 4) tracks the location of the introduction element within a living being (2), an imaging unit (6) like an ultrasound imaging unit generates an image showing an inner part of the living being, which includes the tracked location of the introduction element, based on the tracked location, and a display (7) displays the image. During the brachytherapy or biopsy the display can always show the introduction element, without requiring a manual control. For instance, it is not necessary that a physician manually controls the position and image plane of the imaging unit. This allows for an accurate and fast insertion of the introduction element into the living being such that a target region is reliably reached.

The invention relates to an assisting apparatus for assisting in performing brachytherapy. The position of an introduction element (17) like a catheter is tracked particularly by using electromagnetic tracking, while a group of seeds is introduced into a living object (2). This provides a rough knowledge about the position of the seeds within the object. An ultrasound image showing the group is generated depending on the tracked position of the introduction element and, thus, depending on the rough knowledge about the position of the seeds, in order to optimize the ultrasound visualization with respect to showing the introduced seeds. Based on this optimized ultrasound visualization the position of a seed of the group is determined, thereby allowing for an improved determination of seed positions and correspondingly for an improved brachytherapy performed based on the determined positions.

Brachytherapy templates and template holders can be adjustable relative to a patient's anatomy. One template includes a disposable portion with an aperture layer that includes first apertures and a patient contact layer that includes an adhesive on a surface thereof. The patient contact layer is formed from a flexible material. The template also includes a reusable portion that includes aperture plates. A locking mechanism can lock catheters firmly in place. One template holder includes a template compartment retainer constructed to hold a brachytherapy template, and a perineum attachment component is connected to the template compartment retainer by a connecting portion. The perineum attachment component includes a perineum attachment portion formed from a flexible material.

A customized template and method create a template that is customized for a particular patient based on a treatment plan of the patient to perform a brachytherapy treatment.