Roller-supported, modular, isocentric gantry and method of assembly

Claim 2

An earthquake resistant, roller-supported, modular, isocentric gantry for supporting and rotating a radiation beam transport and delivery system on an axis of rotation around a stationary patient so as to precisely deliver a treatment beam to a predetermined target isocenter within the patient and on the axis of rotation from several different angles during patient treatment, the gantry comprising: an inner support structure including vertically extending, parallel and concentric front and rear circular rings separated by axially extending brace members and supported by rollers for rotation on an axis of rotation, the rear ring carrying an entry element of the beam transport and delivery system for turning on the axis of rotation and the front ring or an axially extending brace member carrying means supporting an exit element of the beam transport and delivery system to precisely deliver the treatment beam at the target isocenter on the axis of rotation independent of the rotational position of the inner support structure; motor drive means for rotating the inner support structure on the axis of rotation; an outer annular segmented truss secured to and circumscribing the inner support structure and carrying intermediate elements of the beam transport and delivery system for turning on the axis of rotation with the inner support structure; and means extending between the rear ring and the truss for supporting other intermediate elements of the beam transport and delivery system between the rear ring and the truss.

Claim 3

The gantry of claim 1 wherein the segmented truss comprises separate truss modules secured together to form an annular truss.

Claim 4

The gantry of claim 2 wherein the truss modules are similar large and small trapezoids secured in an annular pattern of alternating large and small trapezoids.

Claim 5

The gantry of claim 3 wherein the annular truss includes similar parallel front and rear segmented trusses separated by horizontally extending brace members.

Claim 6

The gantry of claim 1 wherein the means extending between the rear ring and the truss includes a support ladder connected at one end to the rear ring adjacent the entry element to extend outwardly along the axis of rotation to connect at another end to the truss.

Claim 7

An earthquake resistant, roller supported, modular isocentric gantry for supporting and rotating a radiation beam transport and delivery system on an axis of rotation around a stationary patient so as to precisely deliver a treatment beam to a predetermined target isocenter within the patient from several different angles during patient treatment, the gantry comprising: an inner support structure including vertically extending, parallel and concentric front and rear circular rings separated by axially extending brace members; rollers supporting the front and rear rings for simultaneous rotation on a common axis of rotation in front and rear vertical planes; means carried by the rear ring for supporting an entry element of the beam transport and delivery system for turning on the axis of rotation; an outer annular segmented truss secured to and circumscribing the inner support structure and carrying intermediate elements of the beam transport and delivery system for turning on the axis of rotation; means carried by the front ring or an axially extending brace member for supporting an exit element of the beam transport and delivery system for turning on the axis of rotation with its exit port directed at the target isocenter to precisely deliver the treatment beam to the target isocenter independent of the rotational position of the inner support structure; means extending between the rear ring and the truss for supporting other intermediate elements of the beam transport and delivery system between the rear ring and the truss; and motor drive means for rotating the inner support structure about the axis of rotation.

Claim 8

An earthquake resistant, roller supported, modular isocentric gantry for supporting and rotating a radiation beam transport and delivery system on an axis of rotation around a stationary patient so as to precisely deliver a treatment beam to a predetermined target isocenter within the patient from several different angles during patient treatment, the gantry comprising: an inner support structure including vertically extending, parallel and concentric front and rear circular rings separated by axially extending brace members; rollers supporting the front and rear rings for simultaneous rotation on a common axis of rotation in front and rear vertical planes; means carried by the rear ring for supporting an entry element of the beam transport and delivery system for turning on the axis of rotation; an outer annular segmented truss secured to and circumscribing the inner support structure and carrying intermediate elements of the beam transport and delivery system for turning on the axis of rotation; means carried by the front ring or an axially extending brace member for supporting an exit element of the beam transport and delivery system for turning on the axis of rotation with its exit port directed at the target isocenter to precisely deliver the treatment beam to the target isocenter independent of the rotational position of the inner support structure; means extending between the rear ring and the truss for supporting other intermediate elements of the beam transport and delivery system between the rear ring and the truss; and motor drive means for rotating the inner support structure about the axis of rotation.

Claim 9

The gantry of claim 6 wherein the means carried by the rear ring includes a horizontal platform extending from the vertical plane of the rear ring.

Claim 10

The gantry of claim 6 wherein the rollers comprise pairs of rollers laterally spaced on right and left sides of the axis of rotation under and supporting the front and rear rings for turning in the front and rear vertical planes.

Claim 11

The gantry of claim 8 wherein the motor drive connects to and turns at least one of the rollers.

Claim 12

The gantry of claim 6 wherein the segmented truss comprises separate truss modules secured together to form an annular truss.

Claim 13

The gantry of claim 10 wherein the truss modules are similar large and small trapezoids secured in an annular pattern of alternating large and small trapezoids.

Claim 14

The gantry of claim 11 wherein the alternating pattern of large and small trapezoids forms an octagon.

Claim 15

The gantry of claim 11 wherein the truss includes similar annular front and rear segmented trusses separated by horizontally extending brace members.