Self-shielded, integrated-control radiosurgery system

A radiosurgical treatment system self-shielded against external radiation leakage, the system comprising:

• a radiation shield defining an interior treatment space, wherein the radiation shield comprises a first shield component and a second shield component movably interfaced, wherein the first shield component is rotatable about a first axis that extends along a patient supported within the interior treatment space, wherein the second shield component is interfaced with the first shield component such that rotation of the first shield component rotates both the first and second shield components about the first axis, wherein the second shield component is independently rotatable about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and intersects the first axis at an isocenter, wherein the first shield is configured to revolve about the first axis 360 degrees and the second shield is configured to revolve about the second axis 360 degrees so as to allow the radiation beam directed to the isocenter from a range of positions that encompasses a majority of a treatment sphere;
• a common support structure that substantially supports the radiation shield defined by the first and second shield components, wherein the common support structure is disposed between the centers of gravity of the first and second shield component and the first and second shield components are balanced about the common support structure, wherein the common support structure supports the radiation shield such that the first and second shield are balanced about the first axis and the second shield component is balanced about the second axis;
• and
• a radiation source disposed in at least one of the first and second shield components and configured to direct a therapeutic beam to a target tissue within the interior treatment space.

A radiosurgical treatment system self-shielded against external radiation leakage, the system comprising:

• a radiation shield defining an interior treatment space, wherein the radiation shield comprises a first shield component and a second shield component movably interfaced, wherein the first shield component is rotatable about a first axis that extends along a patient supported within the interior treatment space, wherein the second shield component is interfaced with the first shield component such that rotation of the first shield component rotates both the first and second shield components about the first axis, wherein the second shield component is independently rotatable about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and intersects the first axis at an isocenter;
• a common support structure that substantially supports the radiation shield defined by the first and second shield components, wherein the common support structure is disposed between the centers of gravity of the first and second shield component and the first and second shield components are balanced about the common support structure, wherein the common support structure supports the radiation shield such that the first and second shield are balanced about the first axis and the second shield component is balanced about the second axis;
• a radiation source disposed in at least one of the first and second shield components and configured to direct a therapeutic beam to a target tissue within the interior treatment space;
• and
• a rotatable entry shell that is rotatable about a horizontal axis between an enclosed position and an open position, wherein in the enclosed position, the shell covers at least a portion of a patient table during treatment, and in the open position, the shell is rotated beneath the patient table to expose the patient table to facilitate positioning of the patient on the patient table.

A radiosurgical treatment system self-shielded against external radiation leakage, the system comprising:

• a radiation shield defining an interior treatment space, wherein the radiation shield comprises a first shield component and a second shield component movably interfaced, wherein the first shield component is rotatable about a first axis that extends along a patient supported within the interior treatment space, wherein the second shield component is interfaced with the first shield component such that rotation of the first shield component rotates both the first and second shield components about the first axis, wherein the second shield component is independently rotatable about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and intersects the first axis at an isocenter;
• a common support structure that substantially supports the radiation shield defined by the first and second shield components, wherein the common support structure is disposed between the centers of gravity of the first and second shield component and the first and second shield components are balanced about the common support structure, wherein the common support structure supports the radiation shield such that the first and second shield are balanced about the first axis and the second shield component is balanced about the second axis;
• a radiation source disposed in at least one of the first and second shield components and configured to direct a therapeutic beam to a target tissue within the interior treatment space;
• and
• an entry door that is operable between an open position to facilitate entry of the patient into the treatment system and a closed position in which the patient is enclosed within a shielded environment of the treatment system, the door being operable in a vertical direction between the open and closed positions.

A radiosurgical treatment system self-shielded against external radiation leakage, the system comprising:

• a radiation shield defining an interior treatment space, wherein the radiation shield comprises a first shield component and a second shield component movably interfaced, wherein the first shield component is rotatable about a first axis that extends along a patient supported within the interior treatment space, wherein the second shield component is interfaced with the first shield component such that rotation of the first shield component rotates both the first and second shield components about the first axis, wherein the second shield component is independently rotatable about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and intersects the first axis at an isocenter;
• a common support structure that substantially supports the radiation shield defined by the first and second shield components, wherein the common support structure is disposed between the centers of gravity of the first and second shield component and the first and second shield components are balanced about the common support structure, wherein the common support structure supports the radiation shield such that the first and second shield are balanced about the first axis and the second shield component is balanced about the second axis;
• a radiation source disposed in at least one of the first and second shield components and configured to direct a therapeutic beam to a target tissue within the interior treatment space;
• a diagnostic radiation beam emitter mounted within the first shield component and configured to direct a diagnostic radiation beam through the target to a diagnostic radiation beam detector mounted within the second shield component opposite the diagnostic radiation beam emitter;
• and
• a control unit operably and communicatively coupled with the therapy radiation emitter, the first and second shield components and a movable patient table, wherein the control unit is configured to generate a diagnostic imaging result from a plurality of images obtained from the diagnostic radiation beam detector, and wherein the control unit is further configured to control delivery of the therapy radiation beam from the therapy radiation emitter and adjust the movable patient table as needed to align the target with the isocenter based on the diagnostic imaging result, wherein the control unit is further configured to generate the diagnostic imaging result by comparing and combining a first image with a digital reconstructed radiograph (DRR) image, and the control unit is further configured to:
• obtain the first image at a first position of the first shield component and correlate the first image with the DRR image to generate a 2D translation
• obtain a second image at a second position of the first shield component and correlate the second image with the DRR image to generate a second 2D translation;
• generate a 3D translation result based on the 2D translations and compare with the second image;
• and
• control delivery of the radiation therapy beam to the target based on the comparison of the 3D translation result with the second image, wherein the control unit is configured to deliver the treatment radiation beam at the second position of the first shield component when the comparison of the 3D translation result indicates alignment of the target with the isocenter.

A radiosurgical treatment system self-shielded against external radiation leakage, the system comprising:

• a radiation shield defining an interior treatment space, wherein the radiation shield comprises a first shield component and a second shield component movably interfaced, wherein the first shield component is rotatable about a first axis that extends along a patient supported within the interior treatment space, wherein the second shield
• component is interfaced with the first shield component such that rotation of the first shield component rotates both the first and second shield components about the first axis, wherein the second shield component is independently rotatable about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and intersects the first axis at an isocenter, wherein the second shield component is continually rotatable to allow a trajectory of the therapeutic radiation beam to intersect the target from any direction along a path of rotation about the second axis, wherein the second shield component is rotatable within a slew ring bearing assembly mounted on a common support and driven by one or more motors;
• the common support structure that substantially supports the radiation shield defined by the first and second shield components, wherein the common support structure is disposed between the centers of gravity of the first and second shield component and the first and second shield components are balanced about the common support structure, wherein the common support structure supports the radiation shield such that the first and second shield are balanced about the first axis and the second shield component is balanced about the second axis;
• and
• a radiation source disposed in at least one of the first and second shield components and configured to direct a therapeutic beam to a target tissue within the interior treatment space.

A shielding system for a radiosurgical treatment system, the shielding system comprising:

• a radiation shield defining an interior treatment space, wherein the radiation shield comprises a first shield component and a second shield component movably interfaced, wherein the first shield component is rotatable about a first axis that extends along a patient supported within the interior treatment space, wherein the second shield component is interfaced with the first shield component such that rotation of the first shield component rotates both the first and second shield components about the first axis, wherein the second shield component is independently rotatable about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis and intersects the first axis at an isocenter, wherein the first shield is configured to revolve about the first axis 360 degrees and the second shield is configured to revolve about the second axis 360 degrees so as to allow the radiation beam directed to the isocenter from a range of positions that encompasses a majority of a treatment sphere;
• and
• a common support structure that substantially supports the radiation shield defined by the first and second shield components, wherein the common support structure is disposed between the centers of gravity of the first and second shield component and the first and second shield components are balanced about the common support structure, wherein the common support structure supports the radiation shield such that the first and second shield are balanced about the first axis and the second shield component is balanced about the second axis;
• wherein the shielding system is configured for use with a radiation source disposed in at least one of the first and second shield components to direct a therapeutic beam to a target tissue within the interior treatment space.