Abstract:
Embodiments include methods and systems to perform computed tomography. Respiratory signal data and imaging data associated with a heart can be received, and a target area of the heart can be determined responsive to the imaging data. An initial energy and a direction of a proton beam to deliver a Bragg peak of the proton beam to the target area can be determined. The initial energy and the direction of the proton beam then can be modified responsive to the respiratory signal data to generate a modified initial energy and a modified direction. A proton computed tomography controller can be instructed to deliver the proton beam to the heart at the modified initial energy and the modified direction.
Abstract:
One embodiment relates to an electron beam apparatus which includes a dual-lens electron gun for emitting an electron beam. The electron beam is a high beam-current electron beam in a first operating mode and a low beam-current electron beam in a second operating mode. The apparatus further includes a column aperture which is out of the path of the high beam-current electron beam in the first operating mode and is centered about an optical axis of the electron beam apparatus in the second operating mode. Another embodiment relates to an electron gun which includes a first gun lens, a beam limiting aperture, and a second gun lens. The first gun lens focuses the electrons before they pass through the beam-limiting aperture while the second gun lens focuses the electrons after they pass through the beam-limiting aperture. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An electron beam sterilizing device, comprises: an electron- generating filament; a beam-shaper; an output window; a high-voltage supply, capable of creating a high-voltage potential between the electron-generating filament and the output window, for acceleration of electrons; a high-voltage supply for driving current through the electron-generating filament; a control unit for controlling the operation of the electron beam sterilizing device. The device is characterized in that the electron beam sterilizing device has at least three operational states: - an OFF-state, where there is no drive current through the electron-generating filament, - an ON-state, where the electron-generating filament is kept at a temperature above the emission temperature so as to generate electrons for sterilization, and - a standby state, between the OFF-state and ON-state, where the electron- generating filament is kept at a predetermined temperature just below the emission temperature, wherein the control unit is able to control the device to assume the standby state.