Therapy x-ray scanner

A method for delivering a therapy dose of x-rays to a subject comprising moving an orthovoltage range x-ray source mounted on a computed tomographic scanning unit including a source, detector, and data processing means for displaying a cross-sectional image of a selected portion of the subject in an arc about the subject such that an x-ray beam from the source is isocentered on a selected target in the subject, and directing the beam as a pencil beam to the isocenter in the subject to deliver therapy x-rays.

A method for localizing a lesion within a cross-section of a patient and delivering multiple arc radiation therapy with x-rays to the lesion and simultaneously imaging both the cross-section being irradiated and the position of the therapy beam in the irradiated section comprising mounting an x-ray tube on a gantry to be rotatable in a plane about an isocenter, tilting the gantry relative to the vertical, moving the patient relative to the gantry, an array of detectors being located opposite the x-ray tube, shaping a beam from the x-ray tube to produce a fan beam between about 120 to about 250 KVP to encompass a narrow section of the patient and then fall on the array of detectors, processing information from the detectors to produce and display cross-sectional images to localize the lesion, moving the patient until the isocenter is centered at the lesion, producing a beam with a field size and shape to at least partly encompass the lesion, adjusting the beam for arc therapy radiation, directing multiple arcs of therapy radiation about the isocenter, tilting the gantry without repositioning the patient, processing information obtained by the detectors during the arcs of therapy to obtain cross-sectional images displaying details of the anatomy of the patient and a cross-section of the beam at the isocenter.

Apparatus for delivering a therapy dose of x-rays to a subject comprising a computed tomography scanner including a source, detector, and data processing means for displaying a cross-sectional image of a selected portion of the subject having means to move an orthovoltage range x-ray source in an arc about the subject such that an x-ray beam from the source is isocentered on a selected target in the subject, and means for directing the beam as a pencil beam to the isocenter in the subject, and including collimator means for converting the x-ray beam to the pencil beam.

A method of treating a tumor in the head of a subject by delivering a therapy dose of x-rays to the tumor comprising moving an orthovoltage range x-ray source on a computed tomography scanning unit including a source, detector, and data processing means for displaying a cross-sectional image of a selected portion of the subject in an arc about the subject such that an x-ray beam from the source is ioscentered on the tumor, and directing the beam as a pencil beam to the isocenter in the subject to deliver therapy x-rays.

Apparatus for delivering a therapy dose of x-rays to a subject comprising means to move an orthovoltage range x-ray source mounted on a computed tomographic scanning unit including a source, detector, and data processing means for displaying a cross-sectional image of a selected portion of the subject in an arc about the subject such that an x-ray beam from the source is isocentered on a selected target in the subject, and means for directing the beam as a pencil beam to the isocenter in the subject, wherein the beam is generated by an x-ray source, and including at least one collimator for converting the beam to the pencil beam, such that the pencil beam delivers a therapy dose of x-rays to the isocenter and wherein the beam simultaneously provides an imaging cross-section about the isocenter.

A method for delivering a therapy dose of x-rays to a subject comprising moving an orthovoltage x-ray source mounted on a computed tomographic scanning unit including a source, detector, and data processing means for displaying a cross-sectional image of a selected portion of the subject in an arc about the subject such that an x-ray beam from the source is isocentered on a selected target in the subject, and directing the beam as a pencil beam to the isocenter in the subject, including converting a generated x-ray beam into a pencil beam, such that the pencil beam delivers a therapy dose of x-rays to the isocenter and wherein the beam simultaneously provides an imaging cross-section about the isocenter.

A method of subjecting a tumor in the head of a subject to a therapy dose of x-rays comprising moving an orthovoltage range x-ray source on a computed tomography scanning unit including a source, detector, and data processing means for displaying a cross-sectional image of a selected portion of the subject in an arc about the subject such that an x-ray beam from the source is isocentered on the tumor, and directing the beam as a pencil beam to the isocenter in the subject, wherein the beam is collimated to a pencil therapy beam, and including having the beam simultaneously provide a diagnostic image about the isocenter.