Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A radiation system comprising:a radiation source capable of generating a radiation beam suitable for treatment;a structure near the radiation source, said structure having a planar or curved section which is provided with at least a first opening adapted to allow a breast of a patient passing through to be exposed to at least a portion of the radiation beam, said structure being adapted to be fixedly positioned during treatment irradiation to separate the rest of the patient from the radiation beam, said first opening defining a substantially vertical opening plane when the structure is fixedly positioned during irradiation. 2. The radiation system of claim 1 wherein said first opening has a first generally round portion and a second elongate portion adapted to allow the breast and tissue between the breast and an axilla passing through to be exposed to at least a portion of the radiation beam. 3. A method of irradiating a portion of a body, comprising the steps of:providing a radiation source for generating a radiation beam;providing a structure having a planar or curved section which is provided with an opening adapted to allow a portion of a body passing through, said structure being adapted to be fixedly positioned during irradiation to separate the rest of the body from the radiation beam, said opening defining a substantially vertical opening plane;extending a portion of the body through the opening in the structure to expose the body portion to at least a portion of the radiation beam;rotating the radiation source about a horizontal axis to rotate the radiation beam in a substantially vertical plane, whereby the body portion is irradiated by at least a portion of the radiation beam. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the body portion is a breast of a patient. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein said radiation beam is suitable for diagnostic imaging. 6. The method of claim 3 wherein said radiation beam is suitable for radiation therapy. 7. The method of claim 3 wherein a portion of the structure is in the form of a barrier provided with the opening. 8. A system for irradiating a breast of a patient, comprising:a radiation source for generating a radiation beam; anda structure adapted to be fixedly positioned during irradiation to support a patient's torso in a slant plane relative to a horizontal plane during irradiation;said structure being provided with an opening defining a slant opening plane, and adapted to allow a breast of the patient passing through to be exposed to at least a portion of the radiation beam. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said opening has a first portion adapted to allow a breast passing through, and a second portion adapted to allow tissue between the breast and an arm pit passing through to be exposed to at least a portion of the radiation beam. 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said opening further comprising a third portion adapted to allow an arm passing through, and the second portion connecting the first and third portions. 11. The system of claim 8 wherein the structure is adapted to support a patient in a forward-leaning position. 12. The system of claim 8 further comprising a detector spaced apart from the radiation source. 13. The system of claim 8 which is adapted to radiation therapy and/or diagnostic imaging. 14. A method comprising the steps of:providing a system comprising a radiation source, and a structure near the radiation source, said structure being adapted to be fixedly positioned during irradiation, and being provided with an opening adapted to allow a portion of a body passing therethrough;positioning the body in a slant position relative to a horizontal plane to allow the portion of the body passing through the opening; anddelivering at least a portion of a radiation beam generated by the radiation source to the portion of the body. 15. The method of claim 14 which is adapted to radiation therapy and/or diagnostic imaging. 16. The method of claim 14 wherein said body portion is a patient's breast. 17. A radiation system comprising:a radiation source;a structure near the radiation source, said structure being provided with an opening, said opening having a first generally round portion adapted to allow a breast of a patient passing through and a second elongate portion adapted to allow tissue between the breast and an arm pit of the patient passing through to be exposed to at least a portion of a radiation beam generated by the radiation source, said second portion extending from said first portion. 18. The radiation system of claim 17 which is adapted to radiation therapy and/or diagnostic imaging. 19. A method comprising the steps of:providing a system comprising a radiation source, and a structure near the radiation source, said structure being provided with an opening having a first generally round portion adapted to allow a breast passing through and a second elongate portion adapted to allow tissue between the breast and an arm pit of a patient passing through, said second portion extending from said first portion;exposing the breast and the tissue through said opening portions; anddelivering at least a portion of a radiation beam generated by the radiation source to the breast and/or the tissue. 20. The method of claim 19 which is adapted to radiation therapy and/or diagnostic imaging.