Applying a particle beam to a patient
AssigneeStill River Systems, Inc.
InventorsJames M. Stark, Stanley J. Rosenthal, Miles S. Wagner, Michael J. Ahearn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a yoke having a first end and a second end. The yoke is configured to hold a device that includes an aperture and a range compensation structure. A catch arm is pivotally secured to the first end of the yoke. The catch arm includes a locking feature. The locking feature and the second end of the yoke interface, respectively, to a first retention feature and a second retention feature defined by the aperture and the range compensation structure. The locking feature is configured to interface to the first retention feature and the second end of the yoke is configured to interface to the second retention feature.
Claims22
An apparatus for holding a device comprising an aperture and a range compensation structure, the aperture and the range compensation structure defining a first retention feature and a second retention feature, the apparatus comprising:
- a yoke comprising a first end and a second end, the yoke being configured to hold the device;
- and
- a catch arm pivotally secured to the first end of the yoke, the catch arm comprising a locking feature, the locking feature and the second end of the yoke interfacing, respectively, to the first retention feature and the second retention feature, the locking feature being configured to interface to the first retention feature and the second end of the yoke being configured to interface to the second retention feature.
A method of loading a device onto a device holder, the method comprising:
- positioning a first retention feature defined by the device so as to be received by a pivot feature defined by a yoke of the device holder;
- moving the device over the pivot feature and into the device holder;
- and
- securing a second retention feature defined by the device with a locking feature defined by a catch arm pivotally secured to the yoke.
A proton applicator mount comprising:
- a base;
- a plurality of rollers associated with the base and configured to support a proton applicator;
- at least one alignment block associated with the base and configured to receive a corresponding alignment post of a proton applicator;
- and
- a locking clamp associated with the base, the locking clamp comprising:
- a clamp bar;
- a handle attached to the clamp bar;
- a rotatable shaft carried by the base;
- and
- first and second hinges secured to the clamp bar and to the rotatable shaft, each hinge comprising:
- a hinge block defining a cam aperture and a cam path slot;
- a cam secured to the rotatable shaft and rotatably carried in the cam aperture of the hinge block;
- and
- a cam path protrusion on the base and configured to be received by the cam path slot, the cam aperture and the cam path slot guiding rotational and radial movement of the hinge block about the rotatable shaft.
A transport cart for a proton applicator, comprising:
- a cart body;
- a plurality of rollers disposed on an upper portion of the cart body and configured to support a proton applicator;
- at least one docking interlock comprising a docking protrusion extending outwardly from the cart body and configured to be received by a docking plate disposed on a docking target;
- a docking cam pivotally attached to the docking protrusion and configured to engage the docking plate to retain the transport cart against the docking target;
- and
- at least one applicator interlock comprising a locking cam pivotally attached to the upper portion of the cart body and spring biased to a locking position, the locking cam being configured to retain a proton applicator.
A method of loading a proton applicator onto a radiation beam delivery system, the method comprising:
- docking a transport cart carrying the proton applicator against the radiation beam delivery system, at least one docking interlock of the transport cart engaging and retaining the transport cart against the radiation beam delivery system, the at least one docking interlock comprising:
- a docking protrusion extending outwardly from a cart body of the transport cart and configured to be received by a docking plate disposed on the radiation beam delivery system;
- and
- a docking cam pivotally attached to the docking protrusion and configured to engage the docking plate to retain the transport cart against the radiation beam delivery system;
- and
- moving the proton applicator over a plurality cart rollers supporting the proton applicator and disposed on the transport cart onto a plurality of mount rollers disposed on a proton applicator mount of the radiation beam delivery system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.