A positioning apparatus and a positioning method has a control element and function 40 includes a radiograph acquisition element 41 that acquires radiograph data detected by two radiography systems selected from a group consisting of a flat panel detector, a DRR (Digital Reconstructed Radiograph) generation element 42 that generates DRR in two different directions by virtually performing fluoroscopic projection relative to the 3-dimensional CT data obtained through the network 17, a positioning element 43 that positions a CT to the X-ray fluoroscopic radiograph obtained from two radiography systems, and a displacement distance calculation element 44 that calculates a displacement distance of the tabletop 31 based on the gap between radiographs for improved positioning. The positioning element 43 has a multidimensional optimization element 45 and a 1-dimensional optimization element 46 that optimize parameters relative to rotation and translation of the fluoroscopic projection to maximize an evaluation function that evaluates a matching degree between the DRR and the X-ray fluoroscopic radiograph.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for imaging and treating a tumor of a patient using positively charged particles and X-rays. A mounting rail, supporting a scintillation detection system element and an X-ray detection system element, is alternatingly extended/retracted to position the required detection system element opposite a patient tumor position from an exit nozzle of a beam transport system connected to an accelerator of the positively charged particles, where the positively charged particles are alternatingly used to treat the tumor via irradiation. The mounting rail optionally rotates with rotation of the exit nozzle about the patient, such as with rotation of a support gantry.

The invention comprises a patient specific tray insert removably inserted into a tray frame to form a beam control tray assembly, which is removably inserted into a slot of a tray receiver assembly proximate a gantry nozzle of a charged particle cancer treatment system. Optionally, multiple tray inserts, each used to control a different beam state parameter, are inserted into corresponding slots of the tray receiver assembly where the multiple inserts are used to control beam intensity, shape, focus, and/or energy. The beam control tray assembling includes an identifier, such as an electromechanical identifier, of the particular insert type, which is communicated to a main controller, such as via the tray receiver assembly along with slot position and/or patient information.

A method of operating imaging and tracking. The method includes determining, for each angle of a plurality of angles from which tracking images can be generated by an imaging device, a value of a tracking quality metric for tracking a target based on an analysis of a projection generated at that angle. The method also includes selecting, by a processing device, a subset of the plurality of angles that have a tracking quality metric value that satisfies a tracking quality metric criterion, one or more angles of the subset to be used to generate a tracking image of the target during a treatment stage, wherein the subset comprises at least a first angle and a second angle that is at least separated by a minimum threshold from the first angle.

The invention comprises a system for determining the state of a charged particle beam, such as beam position, intensity, and/or energy. For example, the charged particle beam state is determined at or about a patient undergoing charged particle cancer therapy using one or more film layers designed to emit photons upon passage of a charged particle beam, which yields information on position and/or intensity of the charged particle beam. The emitted photons are used to calculate position of the treatment beam in imaging and/or during tumor treatment. Optionally and preferably, updating a tomography map uses the same hardware with the same alignment used for cancer therapy at proximately the same time.

The invention comprises an apparatus and method of use thereof for determining a charged particle beam state after passage through a final beam modification insert and prior to entering a patient, such as in cancer treatment or tomographic imaging. The insert comprises a range shifter, a known energy absorber, a ridge filter, a focal length altering insert, an aperture defining element, a compensator, and/or a patient specific beam modifier. The monitoring element comprises one or more sheets, configured to emit photons upon passage therethrough of the charged particle beam, where the emitted photons are detected, tested, such as against a predetermined cancer treatment plan, and/or used to aid in three dimensional tomographic image generation.

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 system and method for reducing intrafractional motion of a subject The system includes a subject user device, whereby the user device includes an image acquisition device configured to receive location marker information of the subject to provide location marking data of the subject. The system may also include a digital processor configured to: receive the location marking data and determine movement of the subject relative to the location marker information; and communicate feedback of the movement to the subject to help the subject reduce intrafractional motion.

The invention provides a patient shuttle system and an irradiation system for particle therapy. A patient shuttle system of one embodiment of the invention includes: a patient table (110) adapted to carry a patient; a patient table drive unit (120) that moves and/or rotates the patient table; and a transfer unit (130) having a base (131) on which the patient table drive unit is placed. In a home position state of the patient shuttle system (100), the patient table and first and second arms of the patient table drive unit are configured to be folded in the height direction (Z-axis). A robot arm base connected to the second arm is fixed at a position off the center of the base in plan view, and thereby a helper space (135) where a helper may ride is secured on the base. The robot arm base is fixed in a recess (138) provided in the base.

A method and apparatus to automatically control the timing of an image acquisition by an imaging system in developing a correlation model of movement of a target within a patient.