Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.

Mark Everett Trail

James Edward Clayton

Gard Edson Meddaugh

David H Whittum

Rudolf H Potter

Anuj K Purwar

Dragos Constantin

Matthew C Schmidt

Flavio Poehlmann

Blake Gaderlund

Michael A Kauffman

Arthur Salop

Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective monitoring of particle beams. In some embodiments, a radiation gun system comprises: a particle beam gun that generates a particle beam, and a gun control component that controls the gun particle beam generation characteristics, including particle beam fidelity characteristics. The particle beam characteristics can be compatible with FLASH radiation therapy. Resolution control of the particle beam generation can enable dose delivery at an intra-pulse level and micro-bunch level. The micro-bunch can include individual bunches per each 3 GHz RF cycle within the 5 to 15 μsec pulse-width. The FLASH radiation therapy dose delivery can have a bunch level resolution of approximately 4.4×10{circumflex over ( )}-6 cGy/bunch.

Particle beam gun control systems and methods

A method performed by a medical device, includes: providing a permanent magnetic field by a permanent magnet; operating an electromagnet to provide a first electromagnetic field with a first electromagnetic field value; and operating the electromagnet to provide a second electromagnetic field with a second electromagnetic field value; wherein the first electromagnetic field and the permanent magnetic field forms a first total magnetic field with a first total magnetic field value, and wherein the second electromagnetic field and the permanent magnetic field forms a second total magnetic field with a second total magnetic field value; wherein the first total magnetic is formed when an electric field in an accelerator or an energy level of a particle beam has a first value, and wherein the second total magnetic field is formed when the electric field in the accelerator or the energy level of the particle beam has a second value.

Systems and methods for energy modulated radiation therapy

Presented systems and methods facilitate efficient and effective monitoring of particle beams. In some embodiments, a radiation gun system comprises: a particle beam gun that generates a particle beam, and a gun control component that controls the gun particle beam generation characteristics, including particle beam fidelity characteristics. The particle beam characteristics can be compatible with FLASH radiation therapy. Resolution control of the particle beam generation can enable dose delivery at an intra-pulse level and micro-bunch level. The micro-bunch can include individual bunches per each 3 GHz RF cycle within the 5 to 15 &#x3bc;sec pulse-width. The FLASH radiation therapy dose delivery can have a bunch level resolution of approximately 4.4&#xd7;10{circumflex over (&#x2003;)}&#x2212;6cGy/bunch.

An apparatus for coupling to an input connection of an electron gun, the input connection having a heater terminal and a cathode terminal, includes: a connector having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the connector is configured to attach to a cable; wherein the second end of the connector is configured to connect to the input connection of the electron gun; and wherein the connector comprises an opening configured to receive the heater terminal of the input connection of the electron gun.

Electromagnetic interference containment for accelerator systems

An apparatus includes: a structure having a lumen for accommodating a beam (e.g., electron beam, proton beam, or a charged particle beam), wherein the structure is a component of a medical radiation machine having a target for interaction with the beam to generate radiation; and a first beam position monitor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode being mounted to a first side of the structure, the second electrode being mounted to a second side of the structure, the second side being opposite from the first side; wherein the first beam position monitor is located upstream with respect to the target.

Beam position monitors for medical radiation machines

A medical device includes: a base; a positioner coupled to the base; an accelerator coupled to the positioner, wherein the positioner is operable to rotate the accelerator relative to the base about at least two axes; and a power source coupled to the accelerator, the power source configured to provide microwave power for the accelerator, wherein a position of the power source relative to the base remains fixed during movement of the accelerator. A medical device includes: a base; a positioner coupled to the base; an accelerator coupled to the positioner; a power source configured to provide microwave power for the accelerator, wherein a position of the source relative to the base remains fixed during movement of the accelerator; and a waveguide for coupling the power source and the accelerator; wherein the waveguide has a first segment with a first cross section, the first cross section being a circular cross-section.

Treatment energy delivery system

A medical apparatus includes: a beam deflector having an electromagnet configured to provide a first magnetic field for deflecting a particle beam; and a current control configured to adjust a current of the electromagnet in correspondence with an energy level associated with an accelerator. A treatment planning method includes: defining control points in a treatment plan; setting up energy switching in one or more of the control points; and performing treatment optimization on the treatment plan based at least in part on the energy switching that is set up in the one or more of the control points. The medical apparatus also includes an energy adjuster configured to adjust the treatment energy so that the treatment energy has a first energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle, and a second energy level when the beam output is at the first gantry angle.

An apparatus for attachment to a component of a microwave device, includes: a cage; a shield within the cage, wherein the shield is in a form of a container, at least a majority of the shield spaced away from an interior wall of the cage; and a connector at the cage, wherein the connector is configured to connect to a cable connection, and wherein the connector is electrically connected to two terminals within the shield. An apparatus for coupling to an input connection of an electron gun, the input connection having a heater terminal and a cathode terminal, the apparatus comprising: a connector having a first configured to attach to a cable, and a second end configured to connect to the input connection of the electron gun; and wherein the connector comprises an opening configured to receive the heater terminal of the input connection of the electron gun.

An apparatus includes an accelerator guide and a shielding structure enclosing the accelerator guide. The accelerator guide includes an electron source at a first end, a target at a second end, and a plurality of accelerating cavities coupled in series along a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. The accelerator guide has a contour as viewed in the longitudinal axis. The shielding structure has an inner wall surface defining a contour as viewed in the longitudinal axis generally conformal to the contour of the accelerator guide.

Shielding structures for linear accelerators

A method for generating an electron beam includes prescribing a location, and generating an envelope of electrons, the envelope having a waist, wherein the generating is performed such that the waist of the envelope is at or adjacent to the prescribed location. A device for generating an electron beam includes a gun source for generating electrons, and a plurality of electromagnetic cavities coupled in series to form a body, the electromagnetic cavities configured to accelerate at least some of the electrons to create a beam of electrons at an energy level having a value between 5 MeV and 20 MeV, the beam of electrons having a cross sectional dimension that is 0.02 &#x3bb; (or 2 mm) or less.

Standing wave particle beam accelerator

An accelerator for accelerating a particle beam includes a main body having a plurality of electromagnetic cavities coupled in series, and a first coupling body having a first side cavity coupled to one of the electromagnetic cavities through a first opening, and to another of the electromagnetic cavities through a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening have different configurations. The accelerator further includes a pair of conductive capacitively coupled noses secured to side walls of the first coupling body, wherein the pair of noses have equal lengths.

A standing wave electron beam accelerator and x-ray source is described. The accelerator has a plurality of on-axis resonant cells having axial apertures electrically coupled to one another by on-axis coupling cells having axial apertures. The accelerator includes a buncher cavity defined in part by an apertured anode and a half cell. The buncher cavity is configured to receive electrons injected through said anode aperture and r.f. focus them into a beam which is projected along the axis through said apertures. An x-ray target is supported in spaced relationship to said accelerator by a support having a smaller diameter than the accelerator.

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Mark Everett Trail