Accuray Inc.

Far-tech, Inc.

Roger Heering Miller

Juwen Wang

Stephen Wah-Kwan Cheung

Paul Dennis Treas

Ching-Hung Ho

Nikolai Barov

Barry A MacKinnon

Stephen W Cheung

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

Provided herein are systems and methods for operating a traveling wave linear accelerator to generate stable electron beams at two or more different intensities by varying the number of electrons injected into the accelerator structure during each pulse by varying the width of the beam pulse, i.e., pulse width.

Traveling wave linear accelerator based x-ray source using pulse width to modulate pulse-to-pulse dosage

Provided herein are systems and methods for operating a traveling wave linear accelerator to generate stable electron beams at two or more different intensities by varying the number of electrons injected into the accelerator structure during each pulse by varying the electron beam current applied to an electron gun.

Traveling wave linear accelerator based x-ray source using current to modulate pulse-to-pulse dosage

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for interleaving operation of a standing wave linear accelerator (LINAC) for use in providing electrons of at least two different energy ranges, which can be contacted with x-ray targets to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. The LINAC can be operated to output electrons at different energies by varying the power of the electromagnetic wave input to the LINAC, or by using a detunable side cavity which includes an activatable window.

Interleaving multi-energy x-ray energy operation of a standing wave linear accelerator

Provided herein are systems and methods for operating a traveling wave linear accelerator to generate stable electron beams at two or more different intensities by varying the number of electrons injected into the accelerator structure during each pulse by varying the width of the beam pulse, i.e., pulse width. The electron beams may be used to generate x-rays having selected doses and energies, which may be used for cargo scanning or radiotherapy applications.

Systems and methods for cargo scanning and radiotherapy using a traveling wave linear accelerator based X-ray source using pulse width to modulate pulse-to-pulse dosage

Provided herein are systems and methods for operating a traveling wave linear accelerator to generate stable electron beams at two or more different intensities by varying the number of electrons injected into the accelerator structure during each pulse by varying the electron beam current applied to an electron gun. The electron beams may be used to generate x-rays having selected doses and energies, which may be used for cargo scanning or radiotherapy applications.

Systems and methods for cargo scanning and radiotherapy using a traveling wave linear accelerator based x-ray source using current to modulate pulse-to-pulse dosage

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for fast-switching operating of a standing wave linear accelerator (LINAC) for use in generating x-rays of at least two different energy ranges with advantageously low heating of electronic switches. In certain embodiments, the heating of electronic switches during a fast-switching operation of the LINAC can be kept advantageously low through the controlled, timed activation of multiple electronic switches located in respective side cavities of the standing wave LINAC, or through the use of a modified a side cavity that includes an electronic switch.

Interleaving multi-energy X-ray energy operation of a standing wave linear accelerator using electronic switches

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for achromatically bending beam of charged particles by about 90&#xb0; during radiation treatment. A system may include first, second, third, and fourth bending magnets serially arranged along the particle beam path. The first and fourth bending magnets are configured to generate a positive field gradient that defocuses the particle beam in the bend plane. The second and third bending magnets are configured to generate a negative field gradient that focuses the particle beam in the bend plane. The first, second, third, and fourth bending magnets collectively bend the particle beam by about 90&#xb0;, e.g., by about 22.5&#xb0; each.

Achromatically bending a beam of charged particles by about ninety degrees

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

Interleaving multi-energy X-ray energy operation of a standing wave linear accelerator

A pair of cavities defined within a hollow elongate accelerator body include a first resonant cavity having a first resonant slot through an outer wall thereof, and a second resonant cavity having a second resonant slot through an outer wall thereof. The first resonant slot and the second resonant slot are separated by a void region that extends between the outer wall of the first cavity and the outer wall of the second cavity and is bounded in part by an inner surface of the hollow elongate member. The first and second cavities are coupled to each other through a dual slot coupling structure that includes the first resonant slot, the void region, and the second resonant slot.

Dual slot resonance coupling for accelerators

Interleaving multi-energy x-ray energy operation of a standing wave linear accelerator using electronic switches

A slot resonance coupled, linear standing wave particle accelerator. The accelerator includes a series of resonant accelerator cavities positioned along a beam line, which are connected by resonant azimuthal slots formed in interior walls separating adjacent cavities. At least some of the slots are resonant at a frequency comparable to the resonant frequency of the cavities. The resonant slots are offset from the axis of the accelerator and have a major dimension extending in a direction transverse to the radial direction with respect to the accelerator axis. The off-axis resonant slots function to magnetically couple adjacent cavities of the accelerator while also advancing the phase difference between the standing wave in adjacent cavities by 180 degrees in addition to the 180 degree phase difference resulting from coupling of the standing wave in each cavity with the adjacent slot, such that the signals in each cavity are in phase with one another and each cavity functions as a live accelerating cavity. The resonance frequency of the slot is the comparable to the resonance frequency of the cavities, resulting in coupling of the cavities while also eliminating the need for side-cavity or other off-axis coupling cavities.

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Roger Heering Miller