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.

A method of delivering a particle beam at a target is disclosed. In implementations, the particle beam is delivered from an output device at a plurality of control points and the method comprises the step of delivering a substantially continuous particle beam about the plurality of control points.

An adjustable support for a gantry (3) for a radiation therapy apparatus or for a medical imaging apparatus, wherein the support comprises: abase (5), a mounting member (1), and an attachment element (7); wherein a lower part of the mounting member (1) engages with the base (5); wherein the attachment element (7) engages with an upper part of the mounting member (1); and wherein the position of the upper part of the mounting member (1), relative to the base (5) is adjustable by the attachment element (7).

A method comprises identifying a treatment planning image of a target subject, the treatment planning image comprising information associated with an arrangement of structures within the target subject. The method further comprises generating, based on the information, a set of reference data associated with the target subject, the reference data indicating a plurality of positions of the target subject. The method further comprises generating target-subject-specific models based on the reference data and modifying one or more hyper-parameters of the target-subject-specific mode to generate second target-subject-specific models corresponding to a second position of the plurality of positions. The method further comprises controlling a radiation treatment delivery device based on the second target-subject-specific model to deliver a radiation treatment to the target subject.

A method comprises inputting a treatment planning image of a target subject into a machine learning system. The method further comprises determining, by the machine learning system, a first target-subject-specific model of the treatment planning image. The method further comprises applying, by a processing device, the first target-subject-specific model to the treatment planning image to generate a transformed treatment planning image corresponding to a first position of a plurality of positions of the target subject. The method further comprises comparing the transformed treatment planning image to a reference image. The method further comprises, based on the comparing, modifying one or more parameters of the first target-subject-specific model to generate a second target-subject-specific model corresponding to a second position of the plurality of positions. The method further comprises controlling a treatment device based on the second target-subject-specific model to deliver a treatment to the target subject.

A self-shielded and computer controlled system for performing non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery and precision radiotherapy using a linear accelerator mounted within a two degree-of-freedom radiation shield coupled to a three-degree of freedom patient table is provided. The radiation shield can include an axial shield rotatable about an axial axis and an oblique shield independently rotatable about an oblique axis, thereby providing improved range of trajectories of the therapeutic and diagnostic radiation beams. Such shields can be balanced about their respective axes of rotation and about a common support structure to facilitate ease of movement. Such systems can further include an imaging system to accurately deliver radiation to the treatment target and automatically make corrections needed to maintain the anatomical target at the system isocenter. Various subsystems to automate controlled and coordinated movement of the movable shield components and operation of the treatment related subsystems to optimize performance and ensure safety are also provided.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a tumor, comprising the steps of: (1) a main controller sequentially delivering charged particles from a synchrotron along a first beam transport line, through a nozzle system, and to the tumor according to a current version of the radiation treatment plan; (2) concurrent with the step of delivering, generating an image of the tumor using an imaging system; (3) the main controller automatically generating an updated version of the radiation treatment plan using the image, the updated version of the radiation treatment plan becoming the current version of the radiation treatment plan; and (4) repeating the steps of: delivering grouped bunches of the charged particles, generating an image of the tumor, and automatically generating the updated or current version of the radiation treatment plan with optional intervening doctor approval.

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.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging a tumor of a patient with positively charged particles, comprising the steps of: (1) accelerating the positively charged particles to a relativistic energy using an accelerator; (2) transporting the positively charged particles from the accelerator, through a beam transport system, through an output nozzle of the beam transport system, and through the patient to yield a residual particle beam comprising a residual relativistic velocity; (3) determining the residual relativistic velocity using a first time of flight detector and a second time of flight detector separated by a separation distance; and (4) generating a positively charged particle computed tomography image using the residual relativistic velocity, where individual particles in the residual particle beam comprise a second mass of at least 1.02 times that of a first mass of the individual particles prior to the step of accelerating.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for using a single robotic positioning arm to simultaneously move, relative to a proton beam path entering a treatment room containing the patient, both: (1) a patient support and (2) an imaging system. The robotic arm moving the imaging system and patient independently from movement of a nozzle system directing protons into the treatment rooms allows: simultaneously translating past the patient and rotating around the patient an X-ray source of the imaging system; translating a rotatable unit, of the imaging system, longitudinally past the patient on a translation guide rail; moving the patient support and the imaging system through at least four degrees of freedom relative to a movable proton beam; and/or simultaneous or alternating movement of the proton treatment beam and the imaging system relative to the patient.