A method includes providing a proton computed tomography (CT) scanner, and measuring sigma with a scintillator screen at an exit beam for each pencil beam scanned across an object for each gantry angle necessary to determine a total energy loss as the beam traverses an object of unknown thickness or material.

The dose rate of voxels within a particle beam (e.g., proton beam) treatment field delivered using pencil beam scanning (PBS) is calculated, and a representative dose rate for the particle beam treatment field is reported. The calculations account for a dose accumulation in a local region or a sub-volume (e.g., a voxel) as a function of time.

Provided is a backscattered X-ray image device based on multi-sources. The backscattered X-ray image device includes an X-ray tube array configured to generate X-rays, first slit plates provided on the X-ray tube array and having a first slit through which the X-rays pass, second slit plates provided on the first slit plates and having second slits defined in a direction different from that of the first slit, and detectors provided on the second slit plates and having a narrow gap in the same direction as the first slit, the detectors being configured to detect a backscattered beam that is emitted from a subject receiving the X-rays.

A system and corresponding method for detecting one or more high-atomic-number elements in a patient includes a Bremsstrahlung x-ray source that produces x-rays in an energy spectrum including an energy of at least 160 kiloelectron-volts (keV), a filter configured to absorb the x-rays in a region of the energy spectrum, and a collimator configured to receive the x-rays and output a collimated x-ray beam to be incident on a patient. The system and method can also include one or more collimated, energy-resolving x-ray detectors to detect fluorescent radiation emitted from the one or more high-atomic-number elements in the patient in response to the collimated x-ray beam incident on the patient. An alternative x-ray source can include a radioactive isotope. Scanning of the x-ray beam may also be performed. Embodiments enable practical clinical, in vivo measurements of lead in bone.

A proton radiography system includes a source of a proton beam at nonrelativistic energy, directed on a beam path to an object to be imaged; one or more time-of-flight (TOF) detectors arranged on the beam path to detect incidence of beam protons and generate output signals indicative thereof with a time resolution substantially less than a time of flight of the protons; and a data acquisition and analysis subsystem coupled to the TOF detectors to receive the respective output signals and (1) calculate TOF values for respective bunches of one or more protons, (2) convert the TOF values to proton velocity values and proton energy values, and (3) use the proton energy values to calculate a corresponding value for a physical property of the object along the beam path, and incorporate the value into elements of a radiographic image of the object stored or displayed in the system.

A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (“DXA”) system includes an x-ray source assembly comprising a source carriage to move the x-ray source assembly along a scan path, the scan path comprising an active scan portion and a reference measurement portion. A detector assembly including a detector carriage to move the detector assembly with the source assembly and to collect scan data at active scan portions. A support structure supporting the source and detector assemblies. A calibration controller coupled a calibration element having a known x-ray attenuation value and configured position the calibration element between the source and detector assemblies during the reference measurement portion and to remove the calibration element from between the source and detector assemblies during the active scan portion. A processing unit operable to compare the reference measurement against an expected reference value to identify a variance and to selectively trigger an action in response to the variance.

The dose rate of voxels within a particle beam (e.g., proton beam) treatment field delivered using pencil beam scanning (PBS) is calculated, and a representative dose rate for the PBS treatment field is reported. The calculations account for dose accumulation in a local region or sub-volume (e.g., a voxel) as a function of time.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for create a scanning pencil beam of x-rays and the air cooling of the system. The system has an enclosure with an x-ray beam source disposed therein. An x-ray wheel having or holding an x-ray attenuating ring is disposed proximate to an end of the enclosure and is configured and disposed to rotate the x-ray attenuating ring and form a scanning pencil beam. The system has at least one air inlet and air outlet and at least one air moving device configured and disposed to move air through the air inlet and the air outlet and to air cool the x-ray system.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for create a scanning pencil beam of x-rays and the air cooling of the system. The system has an enclosure with an x-ray beam source disposed therein. An x-ray wheel having or holding an x-ray attenuating ring is disposed proximate to an end of the enclosure and is configured and disposed to rotate the x-ray attenuating ring and form a scanning pencil beam. The system has at least one air inlet and air outlet and at least one air moving device configured and disposed to move air through the air inlet and the air outlet and to air cool the x-ray system.

A computer-implemented system and method for generating a medical image is provided. In some embodiments, the medical image is generated by determining a location and an alignment for a first tracking detector with respect to a particle beam system. The direction of a beam generated from the particle beam system is determined. A first position of a first particle from a detected particle hit on the first tracking detector is also determined. A determination is made as to a first residual range of the first particle from a detected particle hit on a residual range detector. The system reconstructs a path for the first particle based on the location, the alignment, the first position, and the first residual range of the first particle. The resulting medical image that is generated by the system is based on the reconstructed path for the first particle.