Simultaneous/single patient position X-ray and proton imaging apparatus and method of use thereof

US10638988B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Scott Penfold · Adelaide, AU
• Mark R. Amato · Hamilton, US
• Edward Ivanov · Central Falls, US
• Jillian Reno · Beverly, US
• Nick Ruebel · Petersburgh, US
• Stephen Sledge · Springboro, US
• Lauri Reichert · Grapevine, US
• Kyle Schmanke · Plano, US
• W. Davis Lee · Newburyport, US
• James P. Bennett · Birmingham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 23, 2017
• Grant date: May 5, 2020
• Expiry date: Apr 4, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2223/1006
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention comprises an apparatus and method of use thereof for using a single patient position during, optionally simultaneous, X-ray imaging and positively charged particle imaging, where imaging a tumor of a patient using X-rays and positively charged particles comprises the steps of: (1) generating an X-ray image using the X-rays directed from an X-ray source, through the patient, and to an X-ray detector, (2) generating a positively charged particle image: (a) using the positively charged particles directed from an exit nozzle, through the patient, through the X-ray detector, and to a scintillator, the scintillator emitting photons when struck by the positively charged particles and (b) generating the positively charged particle image of the tumor using a photon detector configured to detect the emitted photons, where the X-ray detector maintains a position between said the nozzle and the scintillator during the step of generating a positively charged particle image.