Accuray Inc.

Mitec, Inc.

Paul Dennis Treas

Roger Heering Miller

Steven E Koenck

Juwen Wang

Stan V Lyons

Gopinath Kuduvalli

Adam Jerome Weber

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for interleaving operation of a linear accelerator that use a magnetron as the source of electromagnetic waves for use in accelerating electrons to at least two different ranges of energies. The accelerated electrons can be used to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. In certain embodiments, the accelerated electrons can be used to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. The systems and methods are applicable to traveling wave linear accelerators.

Magnetron powered linear accelerator for interleaved multi-energy operation

Systems, methods, and related computer program products for image-guided radiation treatment (IGRT) are described. For one preferred embodiment, an IGRT apparatus is provided comprising a gantry frame including a ring member, the ring member being rotatable around a substantially horizontal, longitudinally extending central axis, the ring member having first and second horizontally opposing ends. The IGRT apparatus further comprises a radiation treatment head coupled to the ring member by an arm member, the arm member being connected to the ring member at an arm member base. Preferably, the IGRT apparatus is further characterized in that the arm member extends outwardly from the first end of the ring member in a direction away from the second end and is supported only by the arm member base, and the radiation treatment head is dynamically movable in at least a longitudinal direction toward and away from the first end of the ring member.

Radiation treatment delivery system with outwardly movable radiation treatment head extending from ring gantry

Systems and methods for generating X-rays and neutrons using a single linear accelerator are disclosed. Such system and methods may interrogate an object at times with X-rays and at other times with neutrons, e.g., after suspicious material is detected based on the X-rays. A system may include a single linear accelerator for generating first and second electron beams; first and second targets; a magnet configured to control irradiation of the first and second targets by the first and second electron beams; and a controller that (a) causes the linear accelerator to generate the first electron beam and causes the magnet to direct the beam to first target to generate X-rays; and (b) causes the linear accelerator to generate the second electron beam and causes the magnet to direct the beam to the second target to generate neutrons.

Systems and methods for generating X-rays and neutrons using a single linear accelerator

An electromagnetic wave having a phase velocity and an amplitude is provided by an electromagnetic wave source to a traveling wave linear accelerator. The traveling wave linear accelerator generates a first output of electrons having a first energy by accelerating an electron beam using the electromagnetic wave. The first output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a first beam of x-rays. The electromagnetic wave can be modified by adjusting its amplitude and the phase velocity. The traveling wave linear accelerator then generates a second output of electrons having a second energy by accelerating an electron beam using the modified electromagnetic wave. The second output of electrons can be contacted with a target to provide a second beam of x-rays. A frequency controller can monitor the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave from the input to the output ends of the accelerator and can correct the phase shift of the electromagnetic wave based on the measured phase shift.

Traveling wave linear accelerator comprising a frequency controller for interleaved multi-energy operation

An electron beam accelerator system includes a high voltage supply circuit having a high voltage output. A cathode structure is coupled to the high voltage supply circuit at the high voltage output. An anode structure is spaced from the cathode structure and has a voltage associated therewith such that a voltage difference exists between the cathode structure and the anode structure. This voltage difference creates an electron beam flowing between the cathode structure and the anode structure. An electron beam output is adjacent to the anode structure. A control grid is located between the cathode structure and the anode structure and receives a time-varying voltage. This time-varying voltage prevents ringing of the high voltage output, reducing the risk of dielectric breakdown and failure due to transient high voltages.

Direct injection accelerator method and system

An electron beam accelerator system includes a high power switching device coupled between the direct current voltage source and the pulse forming network. A pulse control circuit is connected to control the high power switching device to selectively allow a current to flow to the pulse forming network. A voltage difference between a cathode and an anode structure creates an electron beam flowing therebetween. A control grid drive circuit is operatively coupled to the pulse control circuit and the control grid, and is operable to apply a time-varying voltage to the control grid synchronized with the pulse control circuit. The control grid therefore effectively provides a load on the high voltage output of a step-up transformer that prevents overshoot in the transformer output, reducing the risk of dielectric breakdown and failure due to transient high voltages.

Growing community of inventors

Livermore, CA, United States of America

Paul Dennis Treas