7041 results about "Proton" patented technology

In a complex, multi-processor software controlled system, such as proton beam therapy system (PBTS), it may be important to provide treatment configurable parameters that are easily modified by an authorized user to prepare the software controlled systems for various modes of operation. This particular invention relates to a configuration management system for the PBTS that utilizes a database to maintain data and configuration parameters and also to generate and distribute system control files that can be used by the PBTS for treatment delivery. The use of system control files reduces the adverse effects of single point failures in the database by allowing the PBTS to function independently from the database. The PBTS accesses the data, parameters, and control settings from the database through the system control files, which insures that the data and configuration parameters are accessible when and if single point failures occur with respect to the database.

Dendritic polymers with enhanced amplification and interior functionality are disclosed. These dendritic polymers are made by use of fast, reactive ring-opening chemistry (or other fast reactions) combined with the use of branch cell reagents in a controlled way to rapidly and precisely build dendritic structures, generation by generation, with cleaner chemistry, often single products, lower excesses of reagents, lower levels of dilution, higher capacity method, more easily scaled to commercial dimensions, new ranges of materials, and lower cost. The dendritic compositions prepared have novel internal functionality, greater stability (e.g., thermal stability and less or no reverse Michael's reaction), and reach encapsulation surface densities at lower generations. Unexpectedly, these reactions of polyfunctional branch cell reagents with polyfunctional cores do not create cross-linked materials. Such dendritic polymers are useful as demulsifiers for oil / water emulsions, wet strength agents in the manufacture of paper, proton scavengers, polymers, nanoscale monomers, calibration standards for electron microscopy, making size selective membranes, and agents for modifying viscosity in aqueous formulations such as paint. When these dendritic polymers have a carried material associated with their surface and / or interior, then these dendritic polymers have additional properties for carrying materials due to the unique characteristics of the dendritic polymer, such as for drug delivery, transfection, and diagnostics.

A process for an intensity-modulated proton therapy of a predetermined volume within an object includes discretising the predetermined volume into a number of iso-energy layers each corresponding to a determined energy of the proton beam. A final target dose distribution is determined for each iso-energy layer. The final target dose distribution or at least a predetermined part of this final target dose distribution is applied by parallel beam scanning by controlling the respective beam sweepers, thereby scanning one iso-energy layer after the other using an intensity-modulated proton beam while scanning a predetermined iso-energy layer.

Disclosed are methods for non-destructively measuring in vitro the effect on cellular metabolism of the addition to animal cells in culture of a soluble molecule potentially capable of perturbing the biological state of the cells, such as a drug or drug candidate, a toxin, a ligand known or suspected to bind to a cell surface receptor, a nutrient, a cytokine, a growth factor, a chemokine, a metabolism inhibitor or stimulator. Also disclosed are methods for measuring cell viability, vitality, or quality, e.g., in anticipation of the execution of an experiment on the cells. The measurements are done by observing alteration in the rates of consumption or production of extracellular solutes related to aerobic and anaerobic cellular metabolism, such as oxygen, protons, nutrients, carbon dioxide, lactate, or lactic acid. The methods are particularly useful in drug discovery efforts, such as cancer drug discovery and searches for modulators of cellular metabolism.

Electro-winning of active metal (e.g., lithium) ions from a variety of sources including industrial waste, and recycled lithium and lithium-ion batteries is accomplished with an electrolyzer having a protected cathode that is stable against aggressive solvents, including water, aqueous electrolytes, acid, base, and a broad range of protic and aprotic solvents. The electrolyzer has a highly ionically conductive protective membrane adjacent to the alkali metal cathode that effectively isolates (de-couples) the alkali metal electrode from solvent, electrolyte processing and / or cathode environments, and at the same time allows ion transport in and out of these environments. Isolation of the cathode from other components of a battery cell or other electrochemical cell in this way allows the use of virtually any solvent, electrolyte and / or anode material in conjunction with the cathode. The electrolyzer can be configured and operated to claim or reclaim lithium or other active metals from such sources.

The invention relates to a novel electrophoretic dispersion comprising a fluorinated solvent as the continuous phase, charged pigment particles or pigment containing microcapsules as the dispersed phase, and the charge of the pigment particles is provided by a charge controlling agent comprising:(i) a soluble fluorinated electron accepting or proton donating compound or polymer in the continuous phase and an electron donating or proton accepting compound or polymer in the dispersed phase; or(ii) a soluble fluorinated electron donating or proton accepting compound or polymer in the continuous phase and an electron accepting or proton donating compound or polymer in the dispersed phase.

Use of a pH sensor comprising an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) to perform real time detection / quantification of nucleic acid amplification, e.g. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid amplification, based on detection of protons released during the primer extension phase.

A birefringent film which comprises a compound having a proton-accepting group and a compound having a proton-donating group; and a birefringent film which comprises a compound having a proton-accepting group and a proton-donating group. The proton-accepting group and proton-donating group are combined with each other through intermolecular hydrogen bonding.

A membrane comprising: (a) a hydrophobic matrix polymer, and (b) a hydrophilic non-ionic polymer, wherein the hydrophobic polymer and the hydrophilic polymer are disposed so as to form a dense selectively proton-conducting membrane. The microstructure of such a membrane can be tailored to specific functionality requirements, such as proton conductivity vs. proton selectivity, and selectivity to particular species.

A method which coordinates proton beam irradiation with an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit to achieve near-simultaneous, noninvasive localization and radiotherapy of various cell lines in various anatomic locations. A reference image of the target aids in determining a treatment plan and repositioning the patient within the MRI unit for later treatments. The patient is located within the MRI unit so that the target and the proton beam are coincident. MRI monitors the location of the target. Target irradiation occurs when the target and the proton beam are coincident as indicated by the MRI monitoring. The patient rotates relative to the radiation source. The target again undergoes monitoring and selective irradiation. The rotation and selective irradiation during MRI monitoring repeats according to the treatment plan.

A method and apparatus for monitoring a scanning beam of penetrating radiation, such as a scanning proton beam used to irradiate tissue. The position of the beam is tracked in real time by interposing a scintillator film between a source and an object of irradiation. An imaging detector, in optical communication with the scintillator, provides an output that is indicative of the position of the radiation and its variation with time. The accumulated dose over a scan may also be monitored.

The invention comprises an X-ray system that is orientated to provide X-ray images of a patient in the same orientation as viewed by a proton therapy beam, is synchronized with patient respiration, is operable on a patient positioned for proton therapy, and does not interfere with a proton beam treatment path. Preferably, the synchronized system is used in conjunction with a negative ion beam source, synchrotron, and / or targeting method apparatus to provide an X-ray timed with patient respiration and performed immediately prior to and / or concurrently with particle beam therapy irradiation to ensure targeted and controlled delivery of energy relative to a patient position resulting in efficient, precise, and / or accurate noninvasive, in-vivo treatment of a solid cancerous tumor with minimization of damage to surrounding healthy tissue in a patient using the proton beam position verification system.

A dc accelerator system able to accelerate high currents of proton beams at high energies is provided. The accelerator system includes a dc high-voltage, high-current power supply, an evacuated ion accelerating tube, a proton ion source, a dipole analyzing magnet and a vacuum pump located in the high-voltage terminal. The high-current, high-energy dc proton beam can be directed to a number of targets depending on the applications such as boron neutron capture therapy BNCT applications, NRA applications, and silicon cleaving.

Systems and processes for producing hydrogen using bacteria are described. One detailed process for producing hydrogen uses a system for producing hydrogen as described herein, the system including a reactor. Anodophilic bacteria are disposed within the interior of the reactor and an organic material oxidizable by an oxidizing activity of the anodophilic bacteriais introduced and incubated under oxidizing reactions conditions such that electrons are produced and transferred to the anode. A power source is activated to increase a potential between the anode and the cathode, such that electrons and protons combine to produce hydrogen gas. One system for producing hydrogen includes a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reactor and an exterior of the reaction chamber. An anode is provided which is at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber and a cathode is also provided which is at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber. The cathode is spaced apart at a distance in the range between 0.1-100 centimeters, inclusive, from the anode. A conductive conduit for electrons is provided which is in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode and a power source for enhancing an electrical potential between the anode and cathode is included which is in electrical communication at least with the cathode. A first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the interior of the reaction chamber is also included.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating steam from the cooling stream of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. As the cooling stream exits the PEM fuel cell, a portion of the cooling fluid is extracted from the circulating cooling stream, thereby creating a secondary stream of cooling fluid. This secondary stream passes through a restriction, which decreases the pressure of the secondary stream to its saturation pressure, such that when the secondary stream enters a flash evaporator it transforms into steam. Creating steam from the cooling stream of a PEM fuel cell power plant provides the fuel processor with a co-generated source of steam without adding a significant amount of auxiliary equipment to the power plant.

An integrated beam modifying assembly for use with a proton beam therapy machine. Typically the snouts of a proton beam therapy machine are adapted to receive separate apertures and range compensators. Applicants provide an integrated assembly for slotting into the snout of a proton beam therapy machine, which integrated assembly incorporates both aperture material and range compensator material for profiling, shaping, and modulating the beam.

The invention comprises a laying, semi-vertical, or seated patient positioning, alignment, and / or control method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle or proton beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. Patient positioning constraints are used to maintain the patient in a treatment position, including one or more of: a seat support, a back support, a head support, an arm support, a knee support, and a foot support. One or more of the positioning constraints are movable and / or under computer control for rapid positioning and / or immobilization of the patient. The system optionally uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a proton beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system. The generated image is usable for: fine tuning body alignment relative to the proton beam path, to control the proton beam path to accurately and precisely target the tumor, and / or in system verification and validation.

The invention comprises an X-ray system that is orientated to provide X-ray images of a patient in the same orientation as viewed by a proton therapy beam, is synchronized with patient respiration, is operable on a patient positioned for proton therapy, and does not interfere with a proton beam treatment path. Preferably, the synchronized system is used in conjunction with a negative ion beam source, synchrotron, and / or targeting method apparatus to provide an X-ray timed with patient respiration and performed immediately prior to and / or concurrently with particle beam therapy irradiation to ensure targeted and controlled delivery of energy relative to a patient position resulting in efficient, precise, and / or accurate noninvasive, in-vivo treatment of a solid cancerous tumor with minimization of damage to surrounding healthy tissue in a patient using the proton beam position verification system.

A tandem cell or photoelectrochemical system for the cleavage of water to hydrogen and oxygen by visible light has two superimposed photocells, both cells being connected electrically. The photoactive material in the top cell is a semiconducting oxide placed in contact with an aqueous solution. This semiconducting oxide absorbs the blue and green part of the solar emission spectrum of a light source or light sources and generates with the energy collected oxygen and protons from water. The not absorbed yellow and red light transmits the top cell and enters a second photocell, the bottom cell, which is mounted, in the direction of the light behind, preferably directly behind the top cell. The bottom cell includes a dye-sensitized mesoporous photovoltaic film. The bottom cell converts the yellow, red and near infrared portion of the sunlight to drive the reduction of the protons, which are produced in the top cell during the photo catalytic water oxidation process, to hydrogen.

The invention comprises a semi-vertical or seated patient positioning, alignment, and / or control method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle or proton beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. Patient positioning constraints are used to maintain the patient in a treatment position, including one or more of: a seat support, a back support, a head support, an arm support, a knee support, and a foot support. One or more of the positioning constraints are movable and / or under computer control for rapid positioning and / or immobilization of the patient. The system optionally uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a proton beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system. The generated image is usable for: fine tuning body alignment relative to the proton beam path, to control the proton beam path to accurately and precisely target the tumor, and / or in system verification and validation.

The application relates to a method of fabricating micro fuel cells and membrane electrode assemblies by thin film deposition techniques using a dimensionally stable proton exchange membrane as a substrate. The application also relates to membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cells fabricated in accordance with the method. The method includes the steps of successively depositing catalyst, current collector and flow management layers on the membrane substrate in predetermined patterns. Since the fuel cell is formed layer by layer, the need for assembly and sealing of discrete components is avoided. The method improves the contact resistance between the current collectors and catalyst layers and reduce ohmic losses, thereby avoiding the need for end plates or other compressive elements. This in turn reduces the overall thickness of the manufactured fuel cell. Since the fuel cell layers are optionally flexible, the devices may be fabricated using a continuous roller process or other automated means. The method minimizes production costs and costs of non-essential materials and is particularly suitable for low power battery replacement applications.

A particle beam irradiation system which can increase an availability factor. An ion beam extracted from one proton beam linac is bent at 90 degrees by a switching magnet and is introduced to RI production equipment through a beam line. In the RI production equipment, a RI is produced using the introduced ion beam. An ion beam extracted from the other proton beam linac is bent at 90 degrees by the switching magnet and is introduced to a synchrotron through a beam line. The ion beam extracted from the synchrotron is irradiated to a patient from irradiation equipment. If one proton beam linac comes into an abnormal state, the one proton beam linac is stopped in operation and checked. During the check, the ion beam extracted from the other proton beam linac is selectively introduced to the RI production equipment and the synchrotron by the switching magnet.

The invention comprises a charged particle beam acceleration and / or extraction method and apparatus used in conjunction with charged particle beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. Novel design features of a synchrotron are described. Particularly, turning magnets, edge focusing magnets, and extraction elements are described that minimize the overall size of the synchrotron, provide a tightly controlled proton beam, directly reduce the size of required magnetic fields, directly reduces required operating power, and allow continual acceleration of protons in a synchrotron even during a process of extracting protons from the synchrotron.

The invention relates generally to treatment of solid cancers. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-field charged particle cancer therapy method and apparatus coordinated with negative ion beam creation, ion beam focusing, charged particle acceleration, patient rotation, and / or patient respiration. Preferably, the charged particle therapy is performed on a patient in a partially immobilized and repositionable position. Proton delivery is preferably timed to patient respiration via control of charged particle beam injection, acceleration, and / or targeting methods and apparatus.

The invention comprises a semi-vertical patient positioning, alignment, and / or control method and apparatus used in conjunction with charged particle or proton beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. Patient positioning constraints are used to maintain the patient in a treatment position, including one or more of: a seat support, a back support, a head support, an arm support, a knee support, and a foot support. One or more of the positioning constraints are movable and / or under computer control for rapid positioning and / or immobilization of the patient. The system optionally uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a proton beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system. The generated image is usable for: fine tuning body alignment relative to the proton beam path, to control the proton beam path to accurately and precisely target the tumor, and / or in system verification and validation.

A system for treating a patient by proton therapy, also called gantry, includes a proton beam guide involving, in particular, magnets, quadropoles, and the like and having an outlet aperture for guiding and directing the proton beam to the side in the patient that is to be treated. In addition, a patient table that cab en displaced in a controllable manner is provided for moving the patient into a desired position relative to the proton beam. The inventive proton beam guide and control device is mounted down from the patient table in the direction of the beam guide in a supported manner whereby being able to rotate or pivot about a horizontal axis.

The invention comprises intensity control of a charged particle beam acceleration, extraction, and / or targeting method and apparatus used in conjunction with charged particle beam radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. Particularly, intensity of a charged particle stream of a synchrotron is described. Intensity control is described in combination with turning magnets, edge focusing magnets, concentrating magnetic field magnets, winding and control coils, and extraction elements of the synchrotron. The system reduces the overall size of the synchrotron, provides a tightly controlled proton beam, directly reduces the size of required magnetic fields, directly reduces required operating power, and allows continual acceleration of protons in a synchrotron even during a process of extracting protons from the synchrotron.

A process for the production of metal nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are formed by combining a metal compound with a solution that comprises a polyol and a substance that is capable of being adsorbed on the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are precipitated by adding a nanoparticle-precipitating liquid in a sufficient amount to precipitate at least a substantial portion of the nanoparticles and of a protic solvent in a sufficient amount to improve the separation of the nanoparticles from the liquid phase.

The invention provides a high-efficiency compound regenerative electrical energy device. The device comprises a reactor, an anode chamber, an anode plate, a cathode chamber, a cathode plate, a proton exchange membrane module, a liquid distributor, a gas distributor, a purge distributor, a battery load, an output pump, a circulating pump, a heating / cooling device, a slurry pump, an air blower, a purge gas stop valve, a flow control valve, a magnetic flap liquidometer, a self-operated pressure-regulating valve, and an immersed pump. The gas distributor is disposed at the bottom of the cathode chamber, and the circulating pump is disposed in the middle of the reactor barrel. The air blower communicates with the gas distributor by the self-operated pressure-regulating valve, and the immersed pump is disposed at the bottom of the cathode chamber. The device uses the coupling mode of fuel cell and catalyst reactivation by means of the arrangement of air cathode fuel cell, is beneficial to improve the oxidation regeneration rate of the catalyst, and realizes the rapid regeneration of the complex catalyst.

A photocatalytic reactor, capable of generating an electric current by consumption of a fuel containing organic material, comprises a direct oxidation fuel cell including an anode and a cathode. The anode is a photocatalysis-assisted anode which comprises a photocatalyst on a surface of an electrically-conductive substrate so arranged as to be receptive to light. A light-transmissive proton-conductive membrane is arranged between the anode and the cathode, such that light passes through said membrane as a final stage in the optical path to the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst promotes oxidation of organic material and generates electron-hole pairs. The reactor, configured to support multiple cells in a stacked array, is provided with inlet(s) for introducing said fuel and connector(s) for connection to an external electrical circuit.