Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090213991 | Radiotherapeutic apparatus - A radiotherapeutic apparatus comprises a source able to emit a beam of therapeutic radiation along a beam axis, a multi-leaf collimator arranged to collimate the beam to a desired shape, wherein the source is rotateable about a rotation axis that is substantially orthogonal and intersects with the beam axis thereby to describe an arc around that axis, and further comprises a control means able to control the dose/time rate of the source, the rotation speed of the source, and the multi-leaf collimator position. The control means is arranged to receive a treatment plan in which the arc is divided into a plurality of notional arc-segments, and specifying the total dose for the arc-segment and a start and end MLC position. It then controls the source in accordance with that plan over an first arc-segment such that at least one of the rotation speed and dose rate are constant and the multi-leaf collimator changes shape, and a second arc segment such that at least one of the rotation speed and dose rate are constant at a level different to the constant level adopted during the first arc-segment. It achieves this by calculating the total time required for the arc segment for a plurality of factors including an MLC leaf movement from a prescribed position at the start of the arc-segment to a prescribed position at the end of the arc-segment, at a maximum leaf speed, rotation of the source from the start to the end of the arc-segment at a maximum source rotation speed, delivery of the dose at a maximum dose rate per time, selecting the factor dictating the longest time, and controlling the apparatus so that the selected factor operates at its respective maximum and the remaining factors are operated at a reduced rate selected to match that longest time. | 08-27-2009 |
20100002836 | Imaging systems for ionising radiation - Flat panel images obtained during concurrent radiotherapy typically suffer from artefacts that relate to the pulses of MV energy. For a radiotherapeutic apparatus comprising a pulsed source of therapeutic radiation, a detector comprising control circuitry, an array of pixel elements, each having a signal output and an ‘enable’ input and being arranged to release a signal via the signal output upon being triggered by the enable input, and an interpreter arranged to receive the signal outputs of the pixel elements, the interpreter having a reset control, there are advantages in the control circuitry being adapted to reset the interpreter after a pulse of therapeutic radiation, prior to enabling at least one pixel of the array. Alternatively, the control circuitry can prompt a plurality of pulses by the pulsed source and then enable a plurality of pixels of the array. In effect, the therapeutic pulses are grouped into a short flurry of pulses. It is therefore preferred that the plurality of pixels comprises substantially all the pixels of the array. | 01-07-2010 |
20100252754 | Radiotherapy Apparatus - Realtime beam shape adjustment in response to (for example) online CT scanning of a patient during treatment is assisted by the radiotherapy apparatus comprising a source adapted to emit a beam of therapeutic radiation, a collimator for delimiting the radiation beam, the collimator comprising a plurality of leaves arranged alongside each other and be moveable longitudinally so that the tips of the leaves define a variable edge of the collimator, the leaves being mounted on a support that is moveable laterally with respect to the leaves. In this way, movements of the tumour that are perpendicular to the direction of leaf motion can be accommodated by simply moving the collimator bodily so as to accommodate this. It is preferred that the apparatus also includes a control means adapted to receive information as to the location of the target volume, and, on the basis of that information, control the longitudinal positions of the leaves and the lateral position of the support. It is also preferred that the support tilts as it moves laterally along a path. This can be achieved, by example, by bearings that are moveable on suitable guides, or by mounting the support on a plurality of pivot arms of unequal lengths. The lengths of such pivot arms can be adjusted as necessary. | 10-07-2010 |
20100329422 | Radiotherapeutic apparatus - A radiotherapeutic apparatus comprises a source able to emit a beam of therapeutic radiation along a beam axis, a multi-leaf collimator arranged to collimate the beam to a desired shape, wherein the source is rotateable about a rotation axis that is substantially orthogonal and intersects with the beam axis thereby to describe an arc around that axis, and further comprises a control means able to control the dose/time rate of the source, the rotation speed of the source, and the multi-leaf collimator position. The control means is arranged to receive a treatment plan in which the arc is divided into a plurality of notional arc-segments, and specifying the total dose for the arc-segment and a Start and end MLC position. It then controls the source in accordance with that plan over an first arc-segment such that at least one of the rotation speed and dose rate are constant and the multi-leaf collimator changes shape, and a second arc segment such that at least one of the rotation speed and dose rate are constant at a level different to the constant level adopted during the first arc-segment. It achieves this by calculating the total time required for the arc segment for a plurality of factors including an MLC leaf movement from a prescribed position at the start of the arc-segment to a prescribed position at the end of the arc-segment, at a maximum leaf speed, rotation of the source from the start to the end of the arc-segment at a maximum source rotation speed, delivery of the dose at a maximum dose rate per time, selecting the factor dictating the longest time, and Controlling the apparatus so that the selected factor operates at its respective maximum and the remaining factors are operated at a reduced rate selected to match that longest time, wherein the total time required for the arc segment for at least one factor relating to a moving geometry item is the greater of (a); a time required to complete the segment at a continuous defined upper speed for the geometry item and (b) a time required to accelerate the geometry item until it is travelling at the defined upper speed. Generally, the time required to accelerate the geometry item to the defined upper speed will include a time to accelerate the geometry item to that speed, and a further time to accelerate the geometry item beyond that speed and subsequently decelerate it until travelling at that speed. | 12-30-2010 |
20110142202 | Radiotherapy Apparatus - It is desirable to achieve a co-incident investigative kV source for a therapeutic MV source—a so-called “beams-eye-view” source. It has been suggested that bremsstrahlung radiation from an electron window be employed; we propose a practical structure for achieving this which can switch easily between a therapeutic beam and a beam-eye-view diagnostic beam capable of offering good image resolution. Such a radiation source comprises an electron gun, a pair of targets locatable in the path of a beam produced by the electron gun, one target of the pair being of a material with a lower atomic number than the other, and an electron absorber insertable into and withdrawable from the path of the beam. In a preferred form, the electron gun is within a vacuum chamber, and the pair of targets are located at a boundary of the vacuum chamber. The lower atomic number target can be Nickel and the higher atomic number target Copper and/or Tungsten. The electron absorber can be Carbon, and can be located within the primary collimator, or within one of a plurality of primary collimators interchangeably locatable in the path of the beam. Such a radiation source can be included within a radiotherapy apparatus, to which the present invention further relates. A flat panel imaging device for this source can be optimised for low energy x-rays rather than high energy; Caesium Iodide-based panels are therefore suitable. | 06-16-2011 |
20110243387 | Analysis of Radiographic Images - The present invention therefore provides a method for the analysis of radiographic images, comprising the steps of acquiring a plurality of projection images of a patient, acquiring a surrogate signal indicative of the location of a target structure in the patient, reconstructing a plurality of volumetric images of the patient from the projection images, each volumetric image being reconstructed from projection images having a like breathing phase, identifying the position of the target structure such as a tumour in each volumetric image, associating a surrogate signal with each of the projection images, and determining a relationship between the surrogate signal and the position of the target structure. Multiple projection images having a like breathing phase can be grouped for reconstruction, to provide sufficient numbers for reconstruction. The analysis of the multiple values of the surrogate associated with each breathing phase can be used to determine the mean surrogate value and its variation. Multiple values of the surrogate signal associated with the same nominal breathing phase can be used to determine a mean value of the surrogate signal for the target position associated with that phase and a variation of the value of the surrogate signal for the target position associated with that phase. The breathing phase of specific projection images can be obtained by analysis of one or more features in the images, such as the method we described in U.S. Pat. No. (7,356,112), or otherwise. | 10-06-2011 |
20110319741 | Adapting radiotherapy treatment plans - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of pre-approving a range of hypothetical spatial variations of the target whilst an initial treatment plan is generated. This allows the treatment plan to be later adapted to account for spatial variations of the target region falling within those pre-approved ranges, without going through time-consuming steps of quality assurance on the adapted plan. | 12-29-2011 |
20140107390 | IMPLEMENTATION AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS OF REAL-TIME 4D TUMOR TRACKING USING MULTI-LEAF COLLIMATOR (MLC), AND/OR MLC-CARRIAGE (MLC-BANK), AND/OR TREATMENT TABLE (COUCH) - Methods and systems of operating a support structure and beam shaping mechanism in a manner that compensates for motion patterns exhibited by a patient, promotes comfort of the patient, and optimizes accuracy of delivery of radiotherapy to a targeted location within the patient. The support structure can be a treatment table or couch and the beam shaping mechanism can be a multi-leaf collimator (MLC), and/or an MLC-bank/-carriage. The control system can utilize algorithms for predicting tumor motion and loading condition on the table/couch during radiation therapy. | 04-17-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090154465 | Method And System For Asymmetric Operation In A Network Node In An Energy Efficient Ethernet Network - An Ethernet network comprising multi-rate link partners that may be operable to communicate symmetrically and/or asymmetrically via any of a plurality of channels. The multi-rate link partners may monitor one or more factors that may affect their power consumption and/or energy efficiency. During operation, an uplink and/or downlink communication rate may be configured, based on the monitoring, to enable asymmetrical data rate operation. The monitored factors may comprise prior or current data rates, bit error rate, packet error rate, latency, queued data and/or tasks, for example. The multi-rate link partners may comprise a twisted pair PHY, an optical PHY or a backplane PHY. In order to reduce power consumption and/or improve energy efficiency, one or more of the uplink communication rate and/or the downlink communication rate may be lowered. The power consumption may be reduced for a multi-rate PHY, a host computer and/or a MAC controller. | 06-18-2009 |
20090245274 | Apparatus and method for auto-negotiation in a communication system - A communication system includes a first device and a second device that can advertise multiple capabilities using communication links. A first type of auto-negotiation between the first and second devices is performed using a first communication link between the devices. A second communication link between the devices is used to facilitate a second type of auto-negotiation. For example, the first communication link can include pairs A and B of an IEEE Std. 802.3 four twisted pair cable. The second communication link can include pairs C and D of the cable. | 10-01-2009 |
20100034213 | Apparatus and Method for Communicating Arbitrarily Encoded Data Over a 1-Gigabit Ethernet - The invention allows data originating according to a first communications standard to be transmitted over a physical layer using a second communications standard. According to an embodiment of the invention, a data stream is received from a physical transmission medium that uses particular first communications standard. Next, a data type identification (DTID) is appended to each byte in the data stream, thereby creating a technology independent data stream having a particular bit rate. This bit rate is then matched to a different bit rate that corresponds to a second communications standard. The technology independent data stream is then transmitted over a physical transmission medium that uses the second communications standard. | 02-11-2010 |
20100067521 | Internet protocol telephone system - An internet protocol telephone includes a substrate having an input and an output that are capable of being connected to the internet protocol (IP) network. A relay is disposed on the substrate and is connected between the input and the output of the substrate. The relay includes first and second native FETs that have a threshold voltage of approximately zero volts. Therefore, the relay is nominally turned-on, even when little or no voltage (or power) is applied to the IP telephone substrate, as during the discovery mode of IP telephone operation. During discovery mode, The IP phone is configured to be responsive to extended link pulses and block data packets that are associated with legacy devices. Data packets have a higher signal duration and are more continuous than extended link pulses. The IP phone includes a switchable ground that is connected to the gates of the native devices, and is controlled by a rectifier and filter circuit that are connected to the substrate input. If the IP phone receives legacy data packets during discovery mode, then the high signal duration and continuous nature of the data packets are sufficient to cause the rectifier to generate a rectified signal having sufficient amplitude to activate the switchable ground, so as to ground the gates of the native devices and therefore turn-off the native devices. Therefore, the data packets are rejected and are not passed back to the switch. Extended link pulses have a frequency that is too low to generate a rectified signal that is sufficient to activate the switchable ground, and therefore the native devices remain turned-on. Accordingly, the extended link pulses are passed back to the switch. | 03-18-2010 |
20100080111 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ETHERNET SWITCHING, CONVERSION, AND PHY OPTIMIZATION BASED ON LINK LENGTH IN AUDIO/VIDEO SYSTEMS - Aspects of a method and system for Ethernet Switching, Conversion, and PHY optimization based on link length in Audio/Video Systems are provided. In this regard, the length of a link over which a first communication device communicates with a second communication device may be determined and Ethernet PHY's residing in the communication devices may be configured based on the determination. One or both of the communication devices may comprise an Ethernet switch operable to switch packetized audio and/or video content. The packetized audio and/or video may be switched between the configured Ethernet PHY and one or more other Ethernet PHYs. Audio and/or video data may be received via the one or more corresponding Ethernet PHYs, the received audio and/or video data may be reformatted to be compatible with an audio and/or video interface, and the reformatted audio and/or video data may be transmitted via the audio and/or video interface. | 04-01-2010 |
20100226387 | Apparatus and Method for Implementing A Suspend Mode In An Ethernet-Based Communications System - The present invention describes a communications system having a first link partner and a second link partner that are connected by a communications link having at least four pairs of conductors. According to IEEE Standard 802.3 (e.g. Ethernet) for 1000Base-T, a data link is maintained (in a period absent data transmission) by sending idle signals over four pairs of conductors of the cable to maintain a logical connection. This idle signal scheme is replaced with an alternate idle signaling scheme that uses only two pairs of conductors to maintain a logical connection and therefore can operate with using lower power. The other two pairs of conductors of the four pairs of conductors are unused to maintain a logical connection absent data transfer, and therefore can be used to implement a Suspend Mode of operation. During Suspend Mode, the physical layer of each link partner powers down unnecessary circuitry so as to operate in a low power environment. To initiate the Suspend Mode, idle signals are sent on one of the un-used pairs of the conductors mentioned above. To exit Suspend mode, idle signals are sent on respective conductors simultaneously. | 09-09-2010 |
20110217873 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A CONNECTOR WITH INTEGRATED POWER OVER ETHERNET FUNCTIONALITY - Aspects of a method and system for a connector with integrated power over Ethernet functionality are provided. In this regard, one or more circuits and/or processors that reside within and/or on a connector may be operable to manage a supply power that is delivered over a cable based on characteristics of the connector and/or characteristics of the cable. The cable may carry the supply power while concurrently carrying data communications. The one or more circuits and/or processors may be operable to source and sink the supply power. The one or more circuits and/or processors may be operable to control which one or more conductors of the cable are utilized for conveying the supply power. | 09-08-2011 |
20120015552 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A CONFIGURABLE CONNNECTOR FOR ETHERNET - Aspects of a method and apparatus for a configurable connector for Ethernet are provided. In this regard, a configurable Ethernet connector residing in an Ethernet enabled communication device may couple the communication device to one or more twisted pairs and enable communication of Ethernet frames over the twisted pair(s). Conductors of each of the twisted pairs may make contact with adjacent pins of the configurable Ethernet connector. A size and shape of the configurable Ethernet connector may enable housing of more than 48 instances of the configurable Ethernet connector in a single standard size one rack unit face plate of a 19-inch rack. The configurable Ethernet connector may provide mechanical and electrical indications that enable a device coupled to the configurable Ethernet connector to determine configuration information of the configurable Ethernet connector. The information may indicate presence or absence of various components within and/or on the configurable Ethernet connector. | 01-19-2012 |
20120224582 | Method and System for Asymmetric Operation in a Network Node in an Energy Efficient Network - An Ethernet network comprising multi-rate link partners that may be operable to communicate symmetrically and/or asymmetrically via any of a plurality of channels. The multi-rate link partners may monitor one or more factors that may affect their power consumption and/or energy efficiency. During operation, an uplink and/or downlink communication rate may be configured, based on the monitoring, to enable asymmetrical data rate operation. The monitored factors may comprise prior or current data rates, bit error rate, packet error rate, latency, queued data and/or tasks, for example. The multi-rate link partners may comprise a twisted pair PHY, an optical PHY or a backplane PHY. In order to reduce power consumption and/or improve energy efficiency, one or more of the uplink communication rate and/or the downlink communication rate may be lowered. The power consumption may be reduced for a multi-rate PHY, a host computer and/or a MAC controller. | 09-06-2012 |
20120246358 | Method and System for a Configurable Connector for Ethernet Applications - Aspects of a method and apparatus for a configurable connector for Ethernet are provided. In this regard, a configurable Ethernet connector residing in an Ethernet enabled communication device may couple the communication devise to one or more twisted pairs and enable communication of Ethernet frames over the twisted pair(s). Conductors of each of the twisted pairs may make contact with adjacent pins of the configurable Ethernet connector. A size and shape of the configurable Ethernet connector may enable housing of more than 48 instances of the configurable Ethernet connector in a single standard size one rack unit face plate of a 19-inch rack. The configurable Ethernet connector may provide mechanical and electrical indications that enable a device coupled to the configurable Ethernet connector to determine configuration information of the configurable Ethernet connector. The information may indicate presence or absence of various components within and/or on the configurable Ethernet connector. | 09-27-2012 |
20140022912 | FLEXRAY COMMUNICATIONS USING ETHERNET - Systems and methods for implementing FlexRay communications between FlexRay nodes using Ethernet are provided. An Ethernet switch includes ports, each of which receives an Ethernet data packet (EDP) from a respective FlexRay node. Each EDP includes a FlexRay message, which includes at least one of a data frame and a frame identification (ID). A first EDP is received at a first port no later than a second EDP is received at a second port. The Ethernet switch also includes a controller module that determines whether the second EDP has higher priority than the first EDP based on the frame IDs associated with the first and second EDPs. The controller module is configured to route the second EDP to a second destination no later than routing the first EDP to a first destination and meet FlexRay transmission cycle times when it has been determined that the second EDP has higher priority. | 01-23-2014 |
20140023068 | CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS USING ETHERNET - Systems and methods for implementing controller area network (CAN) communications between CAN nodes using Ethernet are provided. An Ethernet switch includes ports, each of which is configured to receive an Ethernet data packet (EDP) from a CAN node. Each EDP includes a CAN message, which includes an identification (ID) of a corresponding CAN node. A first port is configured to receive a first EDP and a second port is configured to receive a second EDP. The Ethernet switch also includes a controller module configured to detect a CAN conflict between the first EDP and the second EDP. The controller module is configured to select, in response to the detection of the CAN conflict, the first EDP or the second EDP based on the ID corresponding to the first EDP and the ID corresponding to the second EDP. The controller module is configured to route the selected EDP to a destination. | 01-23-2014 |
20140056315 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SPEED NEGOTIATION FOR TWISTED PAIR LINKS IN FIBRE CHANNEL SYSTEMS - Certain aspects of a method and system for speed negotiation for twisted pair links in fibre channel systems are disclosed. Aspects of a method may include communicating data between fibre channel host devices communicatively coupled via a twisted pair link based on a common speed negotiated between the fibre channel host devices. At least one available speed may be determined for the communication of data between the fibre channel host devices over the twisted pair link. The determined available speeds for each of the fibre channel host devices may be exchanged via at least one fast link pulse signal. The common speed negotiated may be a highest available speed for the communication of data between the fibre channel host devices. | 02-27-2014 |
20140098728 | Standby Mode for Use in a Device Having a Multiple Channel Physical Layer - The present invention provides a way of placing a physical layer device into a standby mode. After a link is established between multiple devices, a determination is made whether the device has data to transmit or whether a standby request was received from a link partner. If a standby request was received or the device has no data to transmit, standby mode is entered. In standby mode, unneeded circuitry is powered down. A transmitter in a channel and a receive path in a separate channel remain powered. While operating in standby mode, the PHY layer continuously transmits a standby code on the one or more channels that are not powered down. Standby mode is discontinued when a transceiver has data to transmit or when energy is detected on the powered down channels. Standby mode is also discontinued when no standby code is received, indicating a disconnect between devices. | 04-10-2014 |
20150229585 | FLEXRAY COMMUNICATIONS USING ETHERNET - Systems and methods for implementing FlexRay communications between FlexRay nodes using Ethernet are provided. An Ethernet switch includes ports, each of which receives an Ethernet data packet from a respective FlexRay node. Each Ethernet data packet includes a FlexRay message, which includes at least one of a data frame and a frame identification. The Ethernet switch also includes a controller module that is configured to route the Ethernet data packets to their respective destinations. | 08-13-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100199225 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SYNCHRONIZING CURSOR EVENTS - An apparatus for synchronizing cursor events may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive an indication of a cursor event of a cursor presented within and associated with a sourcing window of a user interface that also includes a sourced window, wherein the cursor of the sourcing window indicates a geographical location within the geographical area presented by the sourcing window. Additionally, the processor may be configured to communicate information reflecting the cursor event to the sourced window. The processor may further be configured to subject the cursor of the sourced window to the cursor event reflected by the information to thereby synchronize a cursor event of the cursor of the sourced window with the cursor event of the cursor of the sourcing window, wherein the cursor of the sourced window indicates the geographical location indicated by the cursor of the sourcing window. | 08-05-2010 |
20130148471 | SONAR RENDERING SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - Sonar rendering systems and methods are described herein. One example is an apparatus that includes a transducer element, position sensing circuitry, processing circuitry, and a display device. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive raw sonar data and positioning data, convert the raw sonar data into range cell data based at least on amplitudes of the return echoes, make a location-based association between the raw sonar data and the positioning data, plot the range cell data based on respective positions derived from the positioning data and rotate the range cell data based on a direction of movement of the watercraft to generate adjusted range cell data. The processing circuitry may be further configured to convert the adjusted range cell data into sonar image data, and cause the display device to render the sonar image data with a presentation of a geographic map. | 06-13-2013 |
20160061951 | Sonar Rendering Systems and Associated Methods - Sonar rendering systems and methods are described herein. One example is an apparatus that includes a transducer element, position sensing circuitry, processing circuitry, and a display device. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive raw sonar data and positioning data, convert the raw sonar data into range cell data based at least on amplitudes of the return echoes, make a location-based association between the raw sonar data and the positioning data, plot the range cell data based on respective positions derived from the positioning data and rotate the range cell data based on a direction of movement of the watercraft to generate adjusted range cell data. The processing circuitry may be further configured to convert the adjusted range cell data into sonar image data, and cause the display device to render the sonar image data with a presentation of a geographic map. | 03-03-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090110150 | RADIOTHERAPY APPARATUS AND PARTS THEREOF - The detected positioning error in a geometry item of a radiotherapy apparatus is generally passed to a transfer function for the system, which outputs a signal that dictates the radiation output. If the detected error is within certain limits then the radiation is permitted whereas outside those limits it is not permitted; this corresponds to a transfer function that is a simple two step function. We propose a transfer function having a result that is (a) substantially zero outside a preset error tolerance, (b) has a maximum result at a point within that tolerance, and (c) has a result that is between zero and that maximum over a range of error values that lie between (i) the error value corresponding to the maximum output and (ii) the preset error tolerance. This means that if an error grows towards (but does not exceed) the error tolerance, the output of the radiation source will reduce and allow time for the geometry item to correct its position. | 04-30-2009 |
20090121155 | RADIOTHERAPY APPARATUS AND PARTS THEREOF - A geometry item (such as a gantry arm or an MLC leaf) of a radiotherapeutic apparatus needs to be moved in an accurate manner. The effect of inertia introduces a potential inaccuracy. A radiotherapeutic apparatus is therefore disclosed, comprising a geometry item, a radiation source capable of emitting a beam of therapeutic radiation, and a control unit, the geometry item being moveable to adjust the geometry of the beam, the radiation source having a variable dose rate, and the control unit being arranged to cause variations in the speed of movement of the geometry item and to adjust the dose rate of the radiation source for a period of time after a change in the speed of the geometry item. | 05-14-2009 |
20120083681 | Radiotherapy Planning and Delivery - Methods of radiotherapy planning and delivery are disclosed in which a radiation beam is directed towards a time-averaged mean position of the target during radiation-on. In addition, the radiation beam is gated to deliver radiation to the target only when the target is within a treatment volume centred on the mean position. Treatment plans according to embodiments of the present invention result in low doses to the surrounding healthy tissue, but high duty cycles and quicker treatment times. | 04-05-2012 |
20120215051 | Radiotherapeutic Apparatus - The ability to provide a fine resolution variation in the dose rate of radiotherapeutic apparatus would allow delivery times of VMAT and related techniques to be reduced significantly. A radiotherapeutic apparatus is described, comprising a source of radiation able to issue pulses of radiation at a base frequency, and a control apparatus arranged to permit pulses provided these match a pulse pattern chosen to achieve a selected time-averaged power level, the chosen pulse pattern being one selected from a plurality of pulse patterns that include patterns consisting of trains of pulses that include, relative to the base frequency, at least every n | 08-23-2012 |
20130289796 | VISION SYSTEM FOR RADIOTHERAPY MACHINE CONTROL - In various embodiments, a system for controlling radiotherapy equipment in a treatment environment includes a controller for receiving, from one or more image capture devices, data indicating the position of one or more objects in the treatment environment. Based on the position data, the controller defines one or more exclusionary zones from which the radiotherapy equipment is excluded. Each zone has a buffer area surrounding one or more of the objects. The controller further directs the radiotherapy equipment such that a radiotherapy treatment plan is delivered without the equipment entering into the exclusionary zones. | 10-31-2013 |
20130315367 | CT IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHODS - An apparatus has a patient support, a rotatable gantry supporting a source of imaging radiation, and a radiation detector that operates in a cyclical pattern of an exposure phase followed by a readout phase. For a first detector cycle in which the gantry has a first angle of rotation, the source of radiation is controlled to emit a first radiation beam pulse during the exposure phase, and respective first imaging data is read out during the readout phase. For a second, subsequent detector cycle, it is determined if the gantry has rotated through at least a threshold angular displacement relative to said first angle of rotation, and if so, the source of radiation is controlled to emit a second radiation beam pulse during the exposure phase, and respective second imaging data is read out during the readout phase. | 11-28-2013 |
20140114114 | Systems and methods for the management and provision of radiotherapy - Methods and apparatus for the management and provision of radiotherapy are described in which values for dosimetric parameters are re-evaluated just prior to treatment, on the basis of the treatment plan as loaded into the radiotherapy apparatus, and during treatment, on the basis of monitored machine parameters. By displaying dosimetric parameters rather than complicated machine parameters, the technician operating the radiotherapy apparatus is able to monitor the dose provided to a patient undergoing therapy. Misadministration of radiation as a result of corrupted data or corrupted control signals are prevented. | 04-24-2014 |
20160113570 | COMBINED RADIOTHERAPY AND MRI APPARATUS - The present invention provides a combined radiotherapy and MRI system in which an imaging coil is mounted on a mechanical arm. The position of the imaging coil is thus known and in embodiments can be controlled to prevent collisions with the patient and unfavourable interactions between the imaging coil and the radiation beam. | 04-28-2016 |