An x-ray micro-beam radiation production system is provided having: a source of accelerated electrons, an electron focusing component configured to focus the electrons provided by the source, and a target which produces x-rays when electrons impinge thereon from the source. The electron focusing component is configured to focus the electrons provided by the source such that they impinge at a focal spot having a width δ formed on a surface of the target. The focusing component is configured to move the electron beam relative to the target such that the focal spot moves across the target surface in the width direction, and/or the target is movable relative to the focusing component such that the focal spot moves across the target surface in the width direction, the surface velocity of the focal spot across the target surface in the width direction being greater than v.sub.t where:formula (I), k, ρ and c denoting respectively the heat conductivity, the density and the heat capacity of the target material, and d denoting the electron penetration depth in the target material. $v_t=\frac{\pi k}{4\rho c}.Math.\frac{\delta }{d^2},$

A radiation system may include a treatment assembly including a first radiation source, a second radiation source, and a first radiation detector. The first radiation source may be configured to deliver a treatment beam covering a treatment region of the radiation system, and the treatment region may be located in a bore of the radiation system. The second radiation source may be configured to deliver a first imaging beam covering a first imaging region of the radiation system, and may be mounted rotatably on a first side of the treatment assembly. The first radiation detector may be configured to detect at least a portion of the first imaging beam, and may be mounted rotatably on a second side of the treatment assembly. The treatment assembly, the second radiation source, and the first radiation detector may be positioned such that the treatment region is addressable for the radiation system.

Methods for setting up, maintaining and operating a radiopharmaceutical infusion system, that includes a radioisotope generator, are facilitated by a computer of the system. The computer may include pre-programmed instructions and a computer interface, for interaction with a user of the system, for example, in order to track contained volumes of eluant and/or eluate, and/or to track time from completion of an elution performed by the system, and/or to calculate one or more system and/or injection parameters for quality control, and/or to perform purges of the system, and/or to facilitate diagnostic imaging.

A balloon applicator for an intraoperative radiation therapy system includes an x-ray beam shaping component for emitting x-rays in a plurality of possible directions in three dimensions. The balloon applicator includes connecting structure for connecting to the intraoperative radiation therapy system and an inflatable balloon contactor having an outer surface. The balloon applicator has a beam hardening system including a beam hardening compound disposed between the x-ray beam shaping component and the outer surface of the balloon. The beam hardening system is capable of hardening the beam in beam directions in three dimensions. An intraoperative radiation therapy system and a method for conducting intraoperative radiation therapy are also disclosed.

A system for selecting a calibration includes a data structure (138) including non-transitory computer readable storage media having a plurality of calibration entries stored therein and indexed to position and/or orientation criteria for a field generator. The field generator is configured for placement in an environment for sensor tracking. A calibration selection module (140) is configured to determine a position and/or orientation of the field generator and, based on the position and/or orientation, determine, using the data structure, corresponding calibration information stored in the data structure. The calibration information is optimized based upon the position and/or orientation of the field generator.

In the present invention, a ferroelectric body is irradiated with ultraviolet light, and the ferroelectric body is caused to stably generate electric potential. A method for radiating charged particles, in which the UV-light-receiving surface of the ferroelectric body that receives UV light and is caused to generate a potential difference is irradiated with UV light having a wavelength not transmitted by the ferroelectric body, and charged particles are radiated from the charged-particle-radiation surface of the ferroelectric body, wherein the UV-light-receiving surface is irradiated with pulses of UV light at a peak power of 1 MW or greater. The pulse width of the UV light is measured in picoseconds (less than 1×10.sup.−9 seconds), and the UV pulses can be transmitted by fiber.

The present invention provides balloon catheters and methods for using the same. Unlike existing balloon catheters in the art, the present balloon catheters expand in the proximal direction to enhance fit. The balloon catheters include sliding balloon catheters, preformed balloon catheters, super-elastic balloon catheters, and may be augmented with peripheral catheters.

A radiation system may include a treatment assembly including a first radiation source, a second radiation source, and a first radiation detector. The first radiation source may be configured to deliver a treatment beam covering a treatment region of the radiation system, and the treatment region may be located in a bore of the radiation system. The second radiation source may be configured to deliver a first imaging beam covering a first imaging region of the radiation system, and may be mounted rotatably on a first side of the treatment assembly. The first radiation detector may be configured to detect at least a portion of the first imaging beam, and may be mounted rotatably on a second side of the treatment assembly. The treatment assembly, the second radiation source, and the first radiation detector may be positioned such that the treatment region is addressable for the radiation system.

Metallic bodies are provided having a lithium layer and a metallic substrate. The metallic bodies can exhibit increased resistance to radiation-induced deformations such as blistering. Methods are provided for transitioning the metallic bodies into more blister resistant configurations, as our methods for diminishing or eliminating blisters previously formed. Systems for utilizing the metallic bodies and methods are also disclosed.

A minimally invasive neutron beam generating device is provided. The minimally invasive neutron beam generating device includes a proton accelerator, a target, and a neutron moderator. The proton accelerator is connected to a first channel, the target is located at one end of the first channel, and the neutron moderator covers the end of the first channel so that the target is embedded in the neutron moderator. In addition, the neutron moderator includes an accommodating element for accommodating a moderating substance, and the accommodating element is retractable.