CT-Linca structure with separable modules

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of medical equipment, and particularly relates to a module-separable CT-Linca structure which comprises an annular rack, a linear accelerator shell, a CT source, a CT detector, a linear accelerator treatment head, an electron radiation field imaging device and a shielding structure. A fixed mounting center connecting line is perpendicular to a separated mounting position center connecting line, a CT source and a CT detector are arranged in the fixed mounting position, the electron radiation field imaging device and the shielding structure are integrated into a separable module and are arranged in the separated mounting position, and the linear accelerator treatment head is integrated into a separable module and is arranged in the separated mounting position; and a storage position is arranged on the linear accelerator shell. The linear accelerator treatment head, the electron radiation field imaging device and the shielding structure are designed into a separable module, and are matched with corresponding quick connection locking, storage grabbing and rotation control mechanisms, so that efficient switching between a CT imaging mode and a radiotherapy mode is realized, the diagnosis and treatment precision and efficiency are improved, and meanwhile, the equipment maintenance cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a modular CT-Linca structure. Background Technology

[0002] In the clinical treatment of diseases such as tumors, it is often necessary to first use CT equipment to accurately image and locate the lesion, and then use a linear accelerator for radiotherapy. In order to improve the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment, there is now a CT-Linca device that integrates the functions of CT and linear accelerator. Its core is to use a ring gantry to carry related functional modules to achieve "one-stop" diagnosis and treatment.

[0003] However, most existing CT-Linca devices use a fixed integrated design for their functional modules. This means the CT source, detector, linear accelerator treatment head, and EPID (Electronic Field Imaging Device) + shielding structure are all fixedly mounted on a ring gantry, or on two different ring gantry (such as United Imaging products). This design has the following significant drawbacks:

[0004] Firstly, the presence of linear accelerator-related modules increases the rotational load on the gantry, making it difficult to achieve the high-speed rotation required for CT imaging, thus limiting imaging quality and efficiency.

[0005] Secondly, the double-ring design loses the isocentric advantage of the shared ring.

[0006] Third, the fixed modular design makes equipment maintenance inconvenient. When a certain functional module fails, the entire rack needs to be disassembled, resulting in high maintenance costs and long cycles.

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention proposes a modularly separable CT-Linca structure. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention provides a modularly separable CT-Linca structure. By designing the linear accelerator treatment head and the electronic field imaging device + shielding structure as separable modules, and with corresponding quick-connect locking, storage grabbing and rotation control mechanisms, it can achieve efficient switching between CT imaging mode and radiotherapy mode, improve diagnostic and treatment accuracy and efficiency, and reduce equipment maintenance costs.

[0009] This invention provides the following technical solution:

[0010] A modular CT-Linca structure includes a ring gantry, a linear accelerator housing, a CT source, a CT detector, a linear accelerator treatment head, an electron beam imaging device, and a shielding structure. The ring gantry has two fixed mounting positions and two detachable mounting positions, symmetrically arranged, with the center line connecting the two fixed mounting positions perpendicular to the center line connecting the two detachable mounting positions. The CT source and CT detector are respectively installed in the two fixed mounting positions. The electron beam imaging device and the shielding structure are integrated into a detachable module and can be detachably installed in one detachable mounting position. The linear accelerator treatment head is integrated into a detachable module and can be detachably installed in the other detachable mounting position. The linear accelerator housing has multiple storage slots that match the detachable modules. A control unit is also included, which is electrically connected to the electron beam imaging device.

[0011] Furthermore, a gripping mechanism is provided on the linear accelerator housing near the storage position. The gripping mechanism is an electric robotic arm, which is equipped with a clamping assembly that matches the separable module. The clamping assembly is equipped with a pressure sensor. The gripping mechanism is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0012] Furthermore, the detachable mounting position on the ring frame is also provided with a quick-connect locking device, which includes a positioning pin, an elastic buckle, and an electromagnetic locking mechanism. The positioning pin is used for precise positioning of the detachable module and the ring frame at the detachable mounting position. The elastic buckle is used for pre-fixing the detachable module. The electromagnetic locking mechanism is used for final locking of the detachable module. The electromagnetic locking mechanism is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0013] Furthermore, the quick-connect locking device is also equipped with a position detection sensor, which is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0014] Furthermore, a buffer protective pad is provided inside the storage compartment.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advantages:

[0016] 1. Solved the problem of functional module interference: By designing the linear accelerator treatment head and the electronic field imaging device + shield as a separable module, it can be disassembled and stored during CT imaging, avoiding the module's obstruction of the CT imaging field of view and load interference on gantry rotation, thus greatly improving the accuracy and efficiency of CT imaging; when the module is installed during radiotherapy, it also avoids the interference of the CT module on the propagation path of radiotherapy rays, ensuring the radiotherapy effect.

[0017] 2. Achieved precise adaptation of rotation mode: In CT imaging mode, the gantry can achieve a high-speed rotation of no less than 120 rpm to meet the requirements of high-precision CT scanning; in radiotherapy mode, the gantry can stably maintain a low-speed rotation of 5-8 rpm to adapt to the process requirements of radiotherapy treatment. The switching between the two modes is efficient and precise.

[0018] 3. Improved equipment maintenance convenience: The detachable modular design allows for easy disassembly of vulnerable or periodically calibrated modules such as the linear accelerator treatment head and the electronic field imaging device + shielding components, without disassembling the entire ring frame. This reduces maintenance difficulty, shortens maintenance cycles, and minimizes equipment downtime.

[0019] 4. High degree of automation: The control unit enables one-click disassembly and installation of detachable modules and one-click switching of rack rotation mode, which greatly reduces the difficulty of operation for medical staff and improves the automation level and efficiency of the diagnosis and treatment process. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a working state of a CT-Linca structure with detachable modules provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another working state of a modularly separable CT-Linca structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure label:

[0023] 1. Fixed mounting position; 2. Separate mounting position; 3. Storage position; 4. Gripping mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection" and "installation" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a detachable connection or a non-detachable connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "connection" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. "Fixed" means that the devices are connected to each other and their relative positional relationship remains unchanged after the connection. The directional terms mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention, such as "inner," "outer," "top," and "bottom," are only for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for better and clearer explanation and understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] In this embodiment of the invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0027] In this embodiment of the invention, "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0028] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as used in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including, but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0029] Example:

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a modular CT-Linca structure includes a ring gantry, a linear accelerator housing, a CT source, a CT detector, a linear accelerator treatment head, an electron beam imaging device, and a shielding structure. The ring gantry has two fixed mounting positions 1 and two detachable mounting positions 2, symmetrically arranged. The center line connecting the two fixed mounting positions is perpendicular to the center line connecting the two detachable mounting positions 2. The CT source and CT detector are respectively installed in the two fixed mounting positions 1. The electron beam imaging device and the shielding structure are integrated into a detachable module and can be detachably installed in one detachable mounting position 2. The linear accelerator treatment head is integrated into a detachable module and can be detachably installed in the other detachable mounting position 2. The linear accelerator housing has multiple storage slots 3 that match the detachable modules. It also includes a control unit, which is electrically connected to the electron beam imaging device.

[0031] The CT source and CT detector on fixed mounting position 1 are arranged opposite each other to form a scanning channel for lesion imaging, while the linear accelerator treatment head on separate mounting position 2 is used to output therapeutic radiation. The electron beam imaging device and shielding structure are used to evaluate the protection against therapeutic radiation and to verify the impact of therapeutic radiation. The center line of fixed mounting position 1 and the center line of separate mounting position 2 are set perpendicularly to ensure that there is no spatial interference between the CT source and CT detector on fixed mounting position 1 and the linear accelerator treatment head, electron beam imaging device and shielding structure on separate mounting position 2 during operation.

[0032] The overall dimensions of the separable module are precisely matched with the separable mounting position 2 on the ring frame, ensuring that the separable module fits tightly with the ring frame after installation, meeting the structural stability requirements during the diagnosis and treatment process.

[0033] A gripping mechanism 4 is provided on the linear accelerator housing near the storage position 3. The gripping mechanism 4 is an electric robotic arm with a clamping component that matches the separable module. The clamping component is equipped with a pressure sensor. The gripping mechanism 4 is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0034] Under the control of the control unit, the gripping mechanism 4 can perform the gripping, transporting, and installing actions of the separable module from the storage position 3 to the separable mounting position 2 on the ring frame, as well as the disassembly, transporting, and storing actions of the separable mounting position 2 on the ring frame to the storage position 3.

[0035] The pressure sensor is used to sense the clamping force of the clamping components in real time to prevent excessive clamping force from damaging the separable module.

[0036] The detachable mounting position 2 on the ring frame is also equipped with a quick-connect locking device, which includes a positioning pin, an elastic buckle and an electromagnetic locking mechanism. The positioning pin is used for precise positioning of the detachable module and the ring frame on the detachable mounting position 2. The elastic buckle is used for pre-fixing of the detachable module. The electromagnetic locking mechanism is used for final locking of the detachable module. The electromagnetic locking mechanism is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0037] Electromagnetic control enables rapid switching between locking and unlocking, ensuring reliable connection of the separable module in radiotherapy mode.

[0038] The quick-connect locking device is also equipped with a position detection sensor, which is electrically connected to the control unit.

[0039] Position detection sensors are used to provide real-time feedback on the installation status of the detachable module, indicating whether it is not installed, pre-fixed, or fully locked.

[0040] Storage compartment 3 is equipped with a buffer pad.

[0041] The use of cushioning pads prevents detachable modules from being damaged by collisions during storage, thus improving the safety of the equipment.

[0042] In use, the ring-shaped frame is integrally formed from high-strength aluminum alloy, with an inner diameter of 800mm and an outer diameter of 1200mm, ensuring sufficient structural strength to support all functional modules. Two sets of orthogonal mounting positions are pre-set on the inner side of the ring-shaped frame. The CT source and CT detector are fixed to the fixed mounting position 1 with bolts via positioning supports, and the line connecting their centers coincides with the center of the frame. The scanning channel diameter is 500mm. The detachable module mounting position has four evenly distributed positioning holes for engaging with the positioning pins of the detachable module.

[0043] Separable Module: The linear accelerator treatment head uses a 6MV medical linear accelerator, the electronic field imaging device uses an amorphous silicon flat panel detector, and the shielding structure is made of lead alloy. The three are integrated into one unit by a stainless steel bracket. The overall weight of the module is 300kg. The bottom is equipped with 4 positioning pins that are compatible with the positioning holes of the rack mounting position, and the side is equipped with a slot that cooperates with the elastic buckle of the quick-connect locking device.

[0044] Quick-connect locking device: The positioning pin adopts a truncated cone structure, which facilitates quick alignment and installation of separable modules; the elastic buckle is made of stainless steel and equipped with a return spring, which is in the extended and locked state in the natural state; the electromagnetic locking mechanism adopts a DC electromagnet with a rated voltage of 24V and a locking force of not less than 5000N; the position detection sensor adopts a photoelectric sensor with a detection accuracy of ±0.1mm.

[0045] Gripping mechanism 4: Storage position 3 is located on the side of the linear accelerator housing, with a polyurethane buffer pad inside. A guide ramp is provided at the entrance of storage position 3 to facilitate precise placement of the module. The gripping mechanism 4 adopts a multi-degree-of-freedom electric robotic arm with a maximum load capacity of 500kg. The repeatability of the electric robotic arm is ±0.5mm. The gripping component adopts arc-shaped grippers with rubber anti-slip pads on the inside. The pressure sensor has a range of 0-1000N and a detection accuracy of ±5N.

[0046] Control unit: It adopts a PLC controller and is equipped with a touch screen operation interface, which can display the equipment working status in real time (imaging mode / radiotherapy mode, module installation status, rack speed, etc.). It supports both manual and automatic control modes. In automatic mode, the mode can be switched by one button.

[0047] In actual use, the CT imaging mode switching process is as follows: Medical staff click the "CT Mode" button on the control unit touch screen, and the control unit immediately sends instructions: ① The electromagnetic locking mechanism of the quick-connect locking device is de-energized and unlocked, and the elastic buckle retracts under the action of the return spring; ② The gripping mechanism 4 is activated, and the electric robotic arm moves to the detachable module of the ring gantry, and the clamping component precisely clamps the module; ③ The electric robotic arm removes the detachable module from the detachable mounting position 2 of the ring gantry and moves it to the storage position 3 of the linear accelerator housing. When the pressure sensor detects that the module is placed stably, the clamping component is released; ④ The position sensor of the storage position 3 indicates that the module has been safely stored, and the control unit sends instructions to the ring gantry drive system, and the gantry begins to accelerate to 120 rpm and rotates stably; ⑤ The CT source is activated, the detector begins to acquire image data, and the lesion CT imaging is completed.

[0048] Radiotherapy mode switching process: After CT imaging is completed, medical staff click the "Radiotherapy Mode" button on the touch screen. The control unit sends instructions: ① The ring gantry decelerates to a stop and resets to the initial installation position of the separable module; ② The gripping mechanism 4 is activated, the electric robotic arm moves to the storage position 3, and the clamping component clamps the separable module; ③ The electric robotic arm moves the module to the ring gantry separable installation position 2, and the positioning pin precisely engages with the positioning hole of the ring gantry to achieve the initial positioning of the separable module; ④ The elastic buckle of the quick-connect locking device extends to pre-fix the separable module, and then the electromagnetic locking mechanism is energized to completely lock the separable module; ⑤ The position detection sensor feedback indicates that the module is locked, and the control unit sends instructions to the ring gantry drive system, and the gantry begins to rotate stably at a speed of 5 revolutions per minute; ⑥ The linear accelerator treatment head is activated, and the radiation parameters are adjusted according to the lesion location located by CT imaging. The electronic radiation field imaging device acquires the treatment radiation images in real time to complete precise radiotherapy.

[0049] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A module detachable CT-Linca structure comprising a ring gantry, a linac housing, a CT source, a CT detector, a linac treatment head, an electronic portal imaging device, and a shielding structure, characterized in that, The annular frame is provided with two fixed mounting positions and two separate mounting positions, the two fixed mounting positions are symmetrically arranged, the two separate mounting positions are symmetrically arranged, the center line of the two fixed mounting positions is perpendicular to the center line of the two separate mounting positions, a CT source and a CT detector are respectively arranged in the two fixed mounting positions, an electronic field image device and a shielding structure are integrated into a separable module and detachably arranged in one of the separate mounting positions, and a linear accelerator treatment head is integrated into a separable module and detachably arranged in the other separate mounting position; The linear accelerator shell is provided with a plurality of storage positions matched with the separable module; The control unit is electrically connected with the electronic field image device.

2. A module separable CT-Linca structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linear accelerator shell is provided with a grabbing mechanism near the storage position, the grabbing mechanism is an electric mechanical arm, the electric mechanical arm is provided with a clamping assembly matched with the separable module, and the clamping assembly is provided with a pressure sensor; The grabbing mechanism is electrically connected with the control unit.

3. A module separable CT-Linca structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The separate mounting position on the annular frame is also provided with a quick-connection locking device, the quick-connection locking device comprises a positioning pin, an elastic buckle and an electromagnetic locking mechanism, the positioning pin is used for accurate positioning of the separable module and the separate mounting position on the annular frame, the elastic buckle is used for pre-fixing of the separable module, and the electromagnetic locking mechanism is used for final locking of the separable module, and the electromagnetic locking mechanism is electrically connected with the control unit.

4. A module separable CT-Linca structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The quick-connection locking device is also provided with a position detection sensor, and the position detection sensor is electrically connected with the control unit.

5. A module separable CT-Linca structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The storage position is internally provided with a buffer protection pad.

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