초록 ▼

This invention relates to a novel dynamic collimator which can be adapted to a linear accelerator (LINAC). The collimator is such that the shape of the jaw arrangement, and therefore the collimated beam of X radiation from the LINAC, can be changed and conformed in a very flexible and versatile way.

This invention relates to a novel dynamic collimator which can be adapted to a linear accelerator (LINAC). The collimator is such that the shape of the jaw arrangement, and therefore the collimated beam of X radiation from the LINAC, can be changed and conformed in a very flexible and versatile way. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the collimator has three pairs of opposing, parallel jaws, each pair of jaws being moveable, under control, to open and close in variable amounts. Each set of pairs may be oriented at a 60.degree. orientation such that the open transmission area of the collimator has a hexagonal shape. Variations on this sixth jaw collimator, including larger numbers of jaws, also are included within the invention. The variety of shapes with such a variable hexagonal collimator is enormous. Irregular target volumes can be filled by beams of radiation that can be nested because of the hexagonal nature of the jaw configuration, giving it added conformal shaping capabilities. Variable angles of orientation between the jaw pairs are also included within the invention so that rectangular shapes may also be achieved.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention herewith, what I claim by U.S. Letters Patent are the following:] [1.] A field-shaping collimator to be cooperatively connected to a radiation source which delivers radiation on a target volume inside a patient including:a. a rotatable housing to attach to said radia

[ Having described the invention herewith, what I claim by U.S. Letters Patent are the following:] [1.] A field-shaping collimator to be cooperatively connected to a radiation source which delivers radiation on a target volume inside a patient including:a. a rotatable housing to attach to said radiation source and support said field-shaping collimator, said housing having essentially an axis which approximates the direction of the radiation beams from said radiation source, said radiation beams being oriented to aim at said target volume when said patient is to be radiated by said radiation source;b. a first jaw tier, cooperatively connected to said housing and positioned at a first level along said axis, said first jaw tier including at least one first jaw tier moveable, straight edge jaw, which moves essentially perpendicular to said axis so as to intercept said radiation beam according to the position of said first jaw tier;c. a second jaw tier, cooperatively connected to said housing and positioned at a second level along said axis, said second jaw tier including at least one second jaw tier moveable, straight edge jaw which moves essentially perpendicular to said axis so as to intersect said radiation beam according to the position of said second jaw tier moveable jaw; and,d. a third jaw tier cooperatively connected to said housing and positioned at a third level along said axis, said third jaw tier including at least one third jaw tier moveable, straight edge jaw tier which moves essentially perpendicular to said axis so as to intersect said radiation beams according to the position of said third jaw tier moveable jaw;such that, when in use, the field shape of said radiation beams at said target volume is varied according to said first, second, and third jaw tier moveable, straight edge jaw position so as to improve the quality of said irradiation to said target volume.