Abstract:
A surgical shunt (20) capable of revision and inspection on a minimal invasive basis is provided. The shunt (20) comprises a ventricle tube (22) and drain tube (30) connected by an elbow (24). The elbow (24) has branches (25) and a bend therein so as to connect the tubes (22, 30) at nearly a right angle. A portal (26) is mounted on the bend of said elbow (24). The portal (26) comprises a concave slit valve (46) and a portal cover (48) thus forming a self-sealing access to the shunt (20). The portal (26) is oriented on the elbow (24) so as to allow passage therethrough into either of said tubes (22, 30) by an angioscope or other device. Thus, the angioscope or other device can be externally inserted into the interior regions of the shunt (20) in order to remove blockages and improve cerebrospinal fluid flow without surgical procedures. An external conduit (54) runs parallel along the length of the drain tube (30). This conduit (54) contains a number of openings (56) along its length for the delivery of antibiotics and other therapeutic substances to the tissues surrounding the shunt (30).
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for beamline security in radiation beam treatment facilities. The system monitors and controls the radiation beam steering system to safeguard against wrong-path and multiple-path conditions which could otherwise lead to accidental radiation exposure. One aspect of the method involves comparing the beam path configuration signals to signals corresponding to a requested beam configuration to check for agreement, as well as singular path configuration. Controller checks are performed using complimentary-redundant logical communication paths applied to the state of the beam steering system. Upon detection of any one of several possible error conditions, such as over-heating, communication link failure, unauthorized personnel entry and multiple path condition, the beamline power supplies are disabled, preventing transfer of the radiation beam to the treatment room.
Abstract:
Compounds, methods and compositions are provided for inducing natriuresis in a mammal. Methods for isolating and synthesizing the natriuretic compounds are also provided. Therapeutic methods using the natriuretic compounds are also provided. The natriuretic compounds are capable of inducing sodium excretion in a mammal without inducing corresponding prolonged potassium excretion.
Abstract:
A beam sensor is used to detect the shape and position of a charged particle beam in a radiation transport system (10). The sensor (18) is comprised of a movable detector assembly (20) which is movable into and out of the beam path. Ionization chambers (48,50,52) are housed within the detector assembly and contain a substance which is ionizable by the charged particle beam. Each chamber is comprised of rigid plates (40,42,44,46) having patterns of conductive material which produce signals in response to the ionization of the ionizable substance by the beam.
Abstract:
A raster scan control system (18) for use with a charged-particle beam delivery system (20) provides precise control of large currents driving an inductive load. The beam delivery system includes a nozzle through which a charged-particle beam (24), such as a proton beam, passes prior to being directed to a target (32). The nozzle includes both fast and slow sweep scan electromagnets (204, 208) that cooperate to generate a sweeping magnetic field that steers the beam along a desired raster scan pattern at the target. The electromagnets are driven by large currents (213, 215) from the raster scan control system. The raster scan control system includes both fast and slow power amplifiers (212, 214) for delivering the desired large currents to the fast and slow electromagnets, respectively; monitoring means (206, 210) for monitoring the magnetic fields; sensing means (212, 230) for sensing the large currents; feedback means for maintaining the magnetic fields and large current at desired levels; out of tolerance means for automatically causing the servo power amplifiers to steer the beam away from the target area in the event the error signal becomes excessive; a programmable raster generator (80) for providing the fast and slow power amplifiers with a raster scan signal (216, 218) that defines the desired raster pattern; and a power supply (74) for delivering the requisite power to the power amplifiers and other components.
Abstract:
La présente invention permet d'obtenir l'alignement d'un patient de façon précise et renouvelable par rapport à un faisceau de particules chargées utilisé dans un système de thérapie par faisceau de rayons tel qu'un système d'émission de faisceau de protons. Le patient (26) est immobilisé dans une nacelle médicale (24) adaptée à sa morphologie. Des radiographies de référence sont préparées au moyen d'un système à rayon X (40) et sont utilisées pour le repositionnement ultérieur du patient dans la nacelle. Un système de balayage "CT" (tomographie par ordinateur) (44) est utilisé pour obtenir des données de balayage "CT" relatives à un volume de tissus particulier (30), par exemple une région du corps du patient dans laquelle a été localisée une tumeur cancéreuse, pendant que le patient (26) reste étendu dans la nacelle (24). Les données de balayage "CT" sont utilisées pour préparer un plan de traitement pour le patient. Dans le plan de traitement est incluse l'identification d'un isocentre à l'intérieur du volume de tissu, sur lequel doit être dirigé le faiseau à partir d'un ou de plusieurs angles sélectionnés. Une simulation par ordinateur du plan de traitement est effectuée pour optimiser le plan de traitement.