System and method for an intensity modulated radiation therapy device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10617885-B2
Application number	US-201715408824-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 18, 2017
Priority date	Jan 18, 2017
Publication date	Apr 14, 2020
Grant date	Apr 14, 2020

Abstract

Systems and methods for low energy radiation x-ray radiation therapy system for use at a target within a cavity of a subject. In an aspect, the system uses an aperture shaping device used to shape the radiation beam from the low energy radiation source. In an aspect, the aperture shaping device includes a plurality of leaf assemblies which include leaves configured to form the aperture and engage the radiation beam. In an aspect, the present invention utilizes a geared mechanics approach to create an aperture using only one dial input. The design ensures that the field size of the collimator remains a constant shape as it is opened and closed. In an aspect, the overall size of the collimator may be scaled to accommodate various radiation therapy requirements.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An aperture shaping device configured for use with a low energy radiation beam, the aperture shaping device comprising:
a. a plurality of leaf assemblies, the leaf assemblies comprising:
i. a leaf configured to interact with the low energy radiation beam;
ii. a driving mechanism configured to drive the leaf to interact with the low energy radiation beam; and
iii. a motion translation assembly configured to translate a first motion from the driving mechanism to a second motion for the leaf to travel, the motion translation assembly comprises a connecting wire connected to the driving mechanism and the leaf, wherein the first motion comprises a linear motion from the driving mechanism and the second motion is a different linear direction of travel for the leaf, and wherein the leaves are oriented to form the aperture.

2. The aperture shaping device of claim 1 , wherein the different linear direction of travel for the leaf is rotated approximately ninety degrees from the linear motion of the driving mechanism.

3. The aperture shaping device of claim 2 , wherein the linear direction of the driving mechanism is vertical, allowing the driving mechanism to be oriented vertically above the leaf.

4. The aperture shaping device of claim 1 , wherein the driving mechanism comprises:
a stepper motor;
a lead screw; and
a nut connected to the connecting wire, wherein the stepper motor rotationally drives the lead screw to drive the nut to drive the connecting wire in a linear direction.

5. The aperture shaping device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of leaf assemblies further comprises a compression spring engaged with the leaf.

6. The aperture shaping device of claim 1 , wherein the driving mechanism and the motion translation assembly of at least one of the plurality of leaf assemblies are pivotably connected to one another.

7. The aperture shaping device of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of leaf assemblies is configured to operate independently of each other.

8. The aperture shaping device of claim 1 , wherein the driving mechanism is oriented above the leaf for at least one of the plurality of leaf assemblies.

9. The aperture shaping device of claim 1 , wherein the motion translation assembly is further configured to translate a rotational motion from the driving mechanism to the first linear motion.

10. The aperture shaping device of claim 9 , further comprising:
b. an outer housing configured to attach to a radiation source supplying the low energy radiation beam; and
c. an inner large gear configured to engage the outer housing and contain the plurality of leaf assemblies.

11. The aperture shaping device of claim 10 , wherein the motion translation assembly comprises a smaller gear, wherein the smaller gear is connected to and driven by the driving mechanism and pivotably connected to the leaf at a first end of the leaf, and wherein the leaf is pivotably connected to the housing at a second end.

12. A low energy radiation x-ray radiation therapy system for use at a target within a cavity of a subject, the system comprising:
a. a low energy radiation source configured to generate a radiation beam;
b. a computer configured to communicate with the surface monitoring system; and
c. an aperture shaping device configured to shape the radiation beam, the aperture shaping device comprising:
i. a housing;
ii. a plurality of leaf assemblies mounted on the housing, each of the leaf assemblies comprising:
A. a leaf configured to interact with the low energy radiation beam;
B. a driving mechanism configured to drive the leaf to interact with the low energy radiation beam; and
C. a motion translation assembly comprising a connecting wire connecting the driving mechanism and the leaf, the motion translation assembly configured to translate a first linear motion from the driving mechanism to a second linear direction of travel for the leaf, the first linear motion different from the second linear direction, wherein the leaves are oriented to form the aperture.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of leaf assemblies are configured to operate independently of one another.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the computer is configured to control the plurality of leaf assemblies.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein for each of the plurality of leaf assemblies, the driving mechanism and the motion translation assembly are pivotably connected to one another.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the driving mechanism comprises a linear actuator pivotably connected to a connecting rod, wherein the connecting wire of the motion translation assembly is pivotably connected to the connecting rod and the leaf.

17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a surface monitoring system configured to generate images of the target.

Assignees

• Univ Iowa Res Found

Inventors

• Flynn Ryan
• Xia Junyi
• Waldron Timothy J
• Kim Yusung
• Allen Bryan G
• Wears Brennen N
• Ding Hongtao

Classifications

• A61N5/1045

  using a multi-leaf collimator, e.g. for intensity modulated radiation therapy or IMRT · CPC title

• A61N5/1083

  Robot arm beam systems · CPC title

• A61N5/1001 Primary

  using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy · CPC title