Neutron Capture Therapy System

Abstract

The present application provides a neutron capture therapy system, which includes a vacuum tube for transmitting a charged particle beam, a neutron generation unit for generating a neutron beam, and a beam shaper for shaping the neutron beam. The beam shaper is provided with a receiving portion, and the neutron generation unit is arranged at the end of the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube includes a first position and a second position. The neutron capture therapy system further includes a removal device, and the removal device includes a moving portion for driving the vacuum tube to move. The moving portion includes a third position and a fourth position. When the moving portion is located at the third position, the vacuum tube is located at the first position; when the moving portion is located at the fourth position, the vacuum tube is located at the second position, and at this time, the neutron generation unit is located outside the beam shaper. That is, by providing the removal device, the vacuum tube having the neutron generation unit is disassembled, reducing the direct contact between the staff and the neutron generation unit after the nuclear reaction, and reducing the radiation safety hazard of the staff.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radioactive ray irradiation system, and particularly to a neutron capture therapy system. Background Art

[0002] With the development of atomic science, radiotherapy using radioactive rays such as cobalt-60, linear accelerators, and electron beams has become one of the main means of cancer treatment. However, traditional photon or electron therapy is limited by the physical conditions of the radioactive rays themselves. While killing tumor cells, it also causes damage to a large amount of normal tissue along the beam path. In addition, due to the different sensitivities of tumor cells to radioactive rays, the treatment effect of traditional radiotherapy on highly radiation-resistant malignant tumors (such as glioblastoma multiforme and melanoma) is often poor.

[0003] In order to reduce the radiation damage to normal tissue around the tumor, the concept of targeted therapy in chemotherapy is applied to radiotherapy. For highly radiation-resistant tumor cells, radiation sources with high relative biological effectiveness (RBE), such as proton therapy, heavy particle therapy, and neutron capture therapy, are also actively developed. Among them, neutron capture therapy combines the above two concepts. For example, boron neutron capture therapy, through the specific accumulation of boron-containing drugs in tumor cells, combined with precise neutron beam control, provides a better cancer treatment option than traditional radiotherapy.

[0004] In an accelerator neutron capture therapy system, a charged particle beam is accelerated by an accelerator. The charged particle beam is accelerated to an energy sufficient to overcome the Coulomb repulsion of the atomic nuclei in the neutron generation part of the beam shaping body, and a nuclear reaction occurs with the neutron generation part to generate neutrons. Therefore, during the process of generating neutrons, the neutron generation part will be irradiated by a high-power accelerated charged particle beam, and the temperature of the neutron generation part will rise significantly, thereby affecting the service life of the neutron generation part. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the neutron generation part. Moreover, the neutron generation part irradiated by the high-energy accelerated charged particle beam is bound to have a large amount of radiation. Therefore, there will inevitably be radiation safety hazards when replacing the neutron generation part. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To provide a neutron capture therapy system that reduces radiation safety hazards, an embodiment of the present application provides a neutron capture therapy system, including a vacuum tube for transmitting a charged particle beam, a neutron generation unit for generating a neutron beam, and a beam shaper for shaping the neutron beam. The beam shaper is provided with a receiving portion. The vacuum tube includes a first end and a second end. The neutron generation unit is disposed at the first end. The vacuum tube includes a first position and a second position. The neutron capture therapy system further includes a removal device for moving the vacuum tube between the first position and the second position. When the vacuum tube is in the first position, the neutron generation unit can react with the charged particle beam to generate neutrons. When the vacuum tube is in the second position, the neutron generation unit is located outside the beam shaper.

[0006] Preferably, the removal device includes a moving portion for driving the vacuum tube to move. The moving portion includes a third position and a fourth position. The transverse extension direction of the beam shaper is defined as the X direction. The moving portion moves along the X direction between the third position and the fourth position. When the moving portion is in the third position, the vacuum tube is in the first position. When the moving portion is in the fourth position, the vacuum tube is in the second position.

[0007] Furthermore, the removal device further includes at least one clamping portion capable of clamping or releasing the vacuum tube. The clamping portion moves in the X direction along with the moving portion. In this embodiment, there are four clamping portions. Every two clamping portions form a group. Each group has two and is arranged vertically. Of course, the number of clamping portions can be arbitrary, as long as the arrangement of the clamping portions can clamp or release the vacuum tube and can hold the vacuum tube and move along with the moving portion. For another example, the clamping portion is a circular hole structure, and the vacuum tube is clamped by expanding or shrinking the circular hole of the clamping portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the removal device further includes a tensioning portion for supporting the clamping portion. The tensioning portion moves in the X direction along with the moving portion. The clamping portion passes through the tensioning portion and rotates relative to the tensioning portion to clamp or release the vacuum tube. Specifically, the tensioning portion is provided with a first through hole. The clamping portion passes through the first through hole and is supported by the hole wall of the first through hole. The clamping portion rotates in the first through hole to clamp or release the vacuum tube.

[0009] Further, the removing device further includes a resisting portion fixedly connected to the moving portion. In the X direction, the resisting portion is closer to the vacuum tube than the tensioning portion. The tensioning portion includes a fifth position and a sixth position. A connecting member extends from the tensioning portion toward the resisting portion. The connecting member passes through the resisting portion to allow the tensioning portion to move between the fifth position and the sixth position. The vacuum tube further includes a seventh position between a first position and a second position. When the tensioning portion is at the fifth position, the vacuum tube is at the first position; when the tensioning portion is at the sixth position, the vacuum tube is at the seventh position, and the resisting portion abuts against the second end of the vacuum tube; the clamping portion passes through the tensioning portion and through the resisting portion to be located on the surface of the vacuum tube to clamp or release the vacuum tube. Specifically, the resisting portion is provided with a second through hole, and the connecting member is supported by the hole wall of the second through hole. The connecting member passes through the second through hole and moves relative to the second through hole to allow the tensioning portion to move between the fifth position and the sixth position. The resisting portion is further provided with a third through hole penetrating through the resisting portion. The clamping portion passes through the first through hole and through the third through hole to be located on the surface of the vacuum tube. In this embodiment, the size of the third through hole is larger than that of the first through hole so that the rotation range of the clamping portion in the first through hole is not limited by the third through hole, thereby facilitating the clamping or releasing of the vacuum tube by the clamping portion. The provision of the resisting portion provides a resisting force to the vacuum tube in addition to the clamping force of the clamping portion, enabling the vacuum tube to maintain balance during the movement between the first position and the second position, reducing the occurrence of interference between the vacuum tube and the receiving portion of the beam shaper due to tilting during the movement, and making it easier for the vacuum tube to be removed from the beam shaper.

[0010] Further, the moving portion, the tensioning portion, and the resisting portion are all plate-like structures. The moving portion includes a first side surface and a second side surface oppositely arranged to the first side surface. The resisting portion includes a third side surface and a fourth side surface oppositely arranged to the third side surface. The tensioning portion includes a fifth side surface and a sixth side surface oppositely arranged to the fifth side surface. The third side surface, the third side surface, the fifth side surface, and the sixth side surface are parallel to each other. The third side surface, the fourth side surface, the fifth side surface, and the sixth side surface are all perpendicular to the first side surface and the second side surface. The first through hole penetrates from the fifth side surface to the sixth side surface. The second through hole penetrates from the third side surface to the fourth side surface. The third through hole penetrates from the third side surface to the fourth side surface.

[0011] As a preference, the removal device further includes a relative position alignment part for determining the relative position between the removal device and the vacuum tube. The alignment part is fixedly arranged on the abutting part, and the clamping part is closer to the outer surface of the vacuum tube than the alignment part. The alignment part is used to align the removal device with the vacuum tube, that is, to determine the relative position relationship between the moving device and the vacuum tube. After the positions of the moving device and the vacuum tube are determined according to the alignment part, the clamping part of the moving device is located outside the vacuum tube. In this embodiment, there are four alignment parts, which are evenly distributed on the outer periphery of the clamping part. In other embodiments, the number of alignment parts can be arbitrary, as long as the setting of the alignment part does not prevent the actuation of the clamping part and can play a role in guiding alignment. For example, the alignment part is a circular hole-shaped structure that can be enlarged or reduced, and the entire moving device is guided to align with the vacuum tube by enlarging or reducing the circular hole of the alignment part.

[0012] Furthermore, the removal device further includes two strengthening parts. The strengthening parts are connected to the first side surface of the moving part and the fourth side surface of the abutting part, and the tensioning part is located between the moving part and the two strengthening parts.

[0013] Furthermore, the removal device further includes a shielding part for shielding the neutron generation part. The clamping part and the moving part are both located inside the shielding part and move inside the shielding part. When the vacuum tube is in the second position, the neutron generation part is accommodated inside the shielding part. As a specific embodiment, the shielding part includes a bottom wall on which the moving part is arranged, a top wall opposite to the bottom wall, and side walls connecting the bottom wall and the top wall. The top wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls are connected to form a shielding space. The clamping part and the moving part are both located in the shielding space and move in the shielding space. When the vacuum tube is in the second position, the neutron generation part is accommodated inside the shielding space.

[0014] Furthermore, the side wall includes a first side wall. The first side wall can open or close the shielding part. When the first side wall opens the shielding part, the vacuum tube can move from the first position to the second position; when the first side wall closes the shielding part, the vacuum tube is in the second position.

[0015] In this application, since the seventh position is located between the first position and the second position, therefore, the movement of the vacuum tube between the first position and the second position in this application includes the movement of the vacuum tube from the first position to the seventh position and the movement of the vacuum tube from the seventh position to the second position; in addition, since the vacuum tube is always located inside the shielding space during the target replacement process, it can be clearly known that each displacement distance of the vacuum tube during the movement from the first position to the second position is equal to the distance that the vacuum tube moves from the beam shaper towards the shielding space.

[0016] In the neutron capture therapy system of the present application, the arrangement of the removal device reduces the participation of staff during the target replacement process, decreases the contact of the staff with radiation rays, and reduces radiation safety hazards. Description of the Drawings

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the neutron capture therapy system of the present application, wherein the neutron generation part is located at the first position;

[0018] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the neutron capture therapy system shown from another angle;

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a schematic diagram in which the moving part is located at the third position, wherein the beam shaper is shown in partial section;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of target replacement by the removal device, which includes schematic diagrams of the moving part moving from the third position to the fourth position, the tensioning part moving from the fifth position to the sixth position, and the vacuum tube moving from the first position to the seventh position and the second position;

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the removal device moving away from the beam shaper after target replacement;

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the removal device of the present application;

[0023] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the removal device without the shielding part;

[0024] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a schematic diagram of the removal device shown from another angle. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0025] As an effective means of treating cancer, neutron capture therapy has been increasingly applied in recent years. Among them, boron neutron capture therapy is the most common. The neutrons for boron neutron capture therapy can be supplied by a nuclear reactor or an accelerator. In the embodiments of the present application, accelerator boron neutron capture therapy is taken as an example. The basic components of accelerator boron neutron capture therapy usually include an accelerator for accelerating charged particles (such as protons, deuterons, etc.), a neutron generation part, a heat removal system, and a beam shaper. Among them, the accelerated charged particles act on the metal neutron generation part to generate neutrons, and a suitable nuclear reaction is selected according to characteristics such as the required neutron yield and energy, the available energy and current magnitude of the accelerated charged particles, and the physical and chemical properties of the metal neutron generation part. Commonly discussed nuclear reactions include 7 Li(p,n) 7 Be and 9 Be(p,n)9 B. Both of these reactions are endothermic reactions, and the energy thresholds of the two nuclear reactions are 1.881 MeV and 2.055 MeV respectively. Since the ideal neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy is epithermal neutrons at the keV energy level, theoretically, if protons with energies only slightly higher than the threshold are used to bombard the neutron generation part of metallic lithium, relatively low-energy neutrons can be generated and can be used clinically without much moderation. However, the cross-sections of the two neutron generation parts of lithium metal (Li) and beryllium metal (Be) interacting with protons at the threshold energy are not high. To generate a large enough neutron flux, protons with higher energies are usually selected to initiate the nuclear reaction.

[0026] The ideal neutron generation part should have characteristics such as a high neutron yield, the neutron energy distribution generated being close to the epithermal neutron energy region (which will be described in detail below), not generating too much strong penetrating radiation, being safe, cheap, easy to operate, and high-temperature resistant. However, in practice, no nuclear reaction that meets all the requirements can be found. In the embodiments of the present application, a neutron generation part made of lithium metal is used. However, as is well known to those skilled in the art, the material of the neutron generation part can also be made of other metal materials besides the metal materials mentioned above.

[0027] The requirements for the heat removal system vary depending on the selected nuclear reaction. For example 7 Li(p,n) 7 Due to the difference in the melting point and thermal conductivity coefficient of the metallic neutron generation part (lithium metal), the requirements for the heat removal system are relatively 9 Be(p,n) 9 higher than those for 7 Li(p,n) 7 Be. In the embodiments of the present application, the nuclear reaction of

[0028] Therefore, there must be a problem of replacing the neutron generation part in the neutron capture therapy system. To solve this problem and, at the same time, minimize the contact between the staff and the radiation, the present application provides a neutron capture therapy system.

[0029] Since the main radiation to the target-changing personnel comes from the radiation generated by the nuclear reaction after the charged particle beam irradiates the neutron generation part, the present application aims to illustrate the disassembly of the neutron generation part after the nuclear reaction occurs, rather than the installation of a new neutron generation part.

[0030] For example Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the neutron capture therapy system 100 includes a vacuum tube 10 for transmitting a charged particle beam P, a neutron generation unit (not shown) provided at an end of the vacuum tube 10 for generating a neutron beam N, a beam shaper 20 for shaping the neutron beam N, and a removal device 30 for removing the vacuum tube 10.

[0031] Combined with Figures 3 to 5 , the beam shaper 20 is provided with a receiving portion 21. In this embodiment, the vacuum tube 10 includes an embedded portion 11 embedded in the receiving portion 21 and an extending portion 12 extending out of the receiving portion 21 and located outside the beam shaper 20. The end of the embedded portion 11 is a first end (not labeled), and the end of the extending portion 12 is a second end (not labeled). The neutron generation unit (not shown) is provided at the first end and moves together with the vacuum tube 10. The vacuum tube 10 includes a first position L1 and a second position L2, and the removal device 30 enables the vacuum tube 10 to move between the first position L1 and the second position L2. When the vacuum tube 10 is located at the first position L1, the neutron generation unit (not shown) can react with the charged particle beam P to generate neutrons; when the vacuum tube 10 is located at the second position L2, the neutron generation unit (not shown) is located outside the beam shaper 20.

[0032] Referring to Figures 6 to 8 , the removal device 30 includes a moving portion 31 for driving the vacuum tube 10 to move between the first position L1 and the second position L2, a clamping portion 32 for clamping the vacuum tube 10 and moving together with the moving portion 31, and a shielding portion (not labeled) for shielding the vacuum tube 10 provided with the neutron generation unit (not shown).

[0033] Combined with Figure 4 , the transverse extension direction of the beam shaper 20 is defined as the X direction. The moving portion 31 includes a third position L3 and a fourth position L4, and the moving portion 31 moves along the X direction between the third position L3 and the fourth position L4. When the moving portion 31 is located at the third position L3, the vacuum tube 10 is located at the first position L1, and at this time, the neutron generation unit (not shown) can react with the charged particle beam to generate neutrons; when the moving portion 31 is located at the fourth position L4, the vacuum tube 10 is located at the second position L2, and at this time, the neutron generation unit (not shown) is located outside the beam shaper 20 and is received in the shielding portion (not labeled).

[0034] Combined with Figure 6, in the embodiment of the present application, there are four clamping parts 32. Every two clamping parts 32 form a group. Each group has two and is arranged vertically. When the moving part 31 is located at the third position L3, the clamping parts 32 are located on the outer surface of the vacuum tube 10 and clamp or loosen the outer surface of the vacuum tube 10 as required. In other embodiments, a flange or a groove may also be provided on the vacuum tube, and the clamping part clamps the flange or the groove of the vacuum tube. Of course, the number of the clamping parts 32 can be arbitrary, as long as the arrangement of the clamping parts 32 can clamp or loosen the vacuum tube 10 and enable the vacuum tube 10 to move together with the moving part 31. For example, the number of the clamping parts is two. In order to provide sufficient clamping force to the vacuum tube, the angle between the two clamping parts is set to 180 degrees. Similarly, when the number of the clamping parts is three, in order to provide sufficient clamping force to the vacuum tube, the three clamping parts are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the vacuum tube. For another example, the clamping part is a circular hole-shaped structure that can expand or contract. The vacuum tube is loosened or clamped by expanding or contracting the circular hole of the clamping part. Specifically, the clamping part includes a first clamping part, a second clamping part with one end connected to the first clamping part and the other end separated from the first clamping part, and a locking part for connecting or loosening the first clamping part and the second clamping part. The first clamping part and the second clamping part are integrally formed, and it can be considered that the number of the clamping parts is one. As an implementation manner, threaded holes are respectively provided at the separated ends of the first clamping part and the second clamping part. The locking part includes a screw rod and a nut that cooperates with the screw rod. The screw rod passes through the threaded hole of the first clamping part and the threaded hole of the second clamping part. By screwing the nut on the screw rod, the first clamping part and the second clamping part are separated or connected. When the first clamping part and the second clamping part are connected together, the whole clamping part is in a circular hole shape. The tightening degree of the nut determines the aperture size of the circular hole, so as to clamp or loosen the vacuum tube. The locking part can also be other mechanical structures, as long as it can clamp or loosen the first clamping part and the second clamping part to the vacuum tube. In addition, the first clamping part and the second clamping part can also be structures with both ends separated. By providing two locking parts, the clamping part clamps or loosens the vacuum tube. In this case, it can also be considered that the number of the clamping parts is two.

[0035] Combined with Figure 7 and Figure 8, the removing device 30 further includes a holding portion 34 fixedly connected to the moving portion 31 and moving together with the moving portion 31, and a tensioning portion 35 capable of moving relative to the holding portion 34. In the X direction, the holding portion 34 is closer to the neutron generating portion (not shown) than the tensioning portion 35. The tensioning portion 35 moves in the X direction along with the moving portion 31, and the clamping portion 32 passes through the tensioning portion 35 and rotates relative to the tensioning portion 35 to clamp or loosen the outer surface of the vacuum tube 10. In this application, the moving portion 31, the holding portion 34, and the tensioning portion 35 are all plate-like structures. The moving portion 31 includes a first side surface 311 and a second side surface 312 disposed opposite to the first side surface 311. The holding portion 34 includes a third side surface 341 and a fourth side surface 342 disposed opposite to the third side surface 341. The tensioning portion 35 includes a fifth side surface 351 and a sixth side surface 352 disposed opposite to the fifth side surface 351. The third side surface 341, the fourth side surface 342, the fifth side surface 351, and the sixth side surface 352 are parallel to each other, and the third side surface 341, the third side surface 342, the fifth side surface 351, and the sixth side surface 352 are all perpendicular to the first side surface 311 and the second side surface 312.

[0036] A connecting member 353 extends from the fifth side surface 351 of the tensioning portion 35 towards the fourth side surface 342 of the abutting portion 34. At least two first through holes 354 with rectangular cross-sections penetrate through the fifth side surface 351 to the sixth side surface 352 of the tensioning portion 35. A second through hole 343 penetrates through the third side surface 341 to the fourth side surface 342 of the abutting portion 34. The connecting member 353 is supported on the inner wall of the second through hole 343 and can move relative to the abutting portion 34 in the X direction within the second through hole 343. The tensioning portion 35 moves together with the connecting member 353. A third through hole 344 corresponding to the first through hole 354 penetrates through the third side surface 341 to the fourth side surface 342 of the abutting portion 34. The cross-section of the third through hole 344 is also rectangular. The clamping portion 32 passes through the first through hole 354 and enters the third through hole 344. The clamping portion 32 is supported by the inner wall of the first through hole 354 and can rotate within the first through hole 354 and the third through hole 344 through the support of the first through hole 354, so as to clamp or release the outer surface of the vacuum tube 10. In the present application, in order to prevent the rotation range of the clamping portion 32 within the first through hole 354 from being restricted by the third through hole 344, in the rotational direction, the size of the third through hole 344 is larger than that of the first through hole 354. In the X direction, the clamping portion 32 is relatively fixed to the tensioning portion 34, that is to say, in the X direction, the clamping portion 32 moves together with the tensioning portion 34. The tensioning portion 35 has a fifth position L5 and a sixth position L6. The vacuum tube 10 further includes a seventh position L7 between the first position L1 and the second position L2. The tensioning portion 35 moves relative to the abutting portion 34 between the fifth position L5 and the sixth position L6 as the connecting member 353 moves within the second through hole 343. When the tensioning portion 35 is located at the fifth position L5, the vacuum tube 10 is located at the first position L1. When the tensioning portion 35 is located at the sixth position L6, the vacuum tube 10 is located at the seventh position L7. At this time, the abutting portion 34 abuts against the end of the protruding portion 12 of the vacuum tube 10. The advantage of such a setting is that before the moving portion 31 drives the vacuum tube 10 to move to the second position L2, the tensioning portion 35 moves from the fifth position L5 to the sixth position L6 to drive the clamping portion 32 that has clamped the vacuum tube 10 to move, so that the end of the protruding portion 22 of the vacuum tube 10 abuts against the abutting portion 35, that is, the vacuum tube 10 moves to the seventh position L7. Therefore, when moving the vacuum tube 10, in addition to the clamping force provided by the clamping portion 32 to the vacuum tube 10, the abutting portion 34 also provides an abutting force to the vacuum tube 10, so that the vacuum tube 10 can maintain balance during the movement, prevent the vacuum tube 10 from tilting during the movement and getting stuck with the receiving portion 21, and make it easier for the vacuum tube 10 to be removed from the receiving portion 21.Of course, in other embodiments, the vacuum tube 10 can be completely buried in the receiving portion 21 without the need to provide an extending portion. In this case, the clamping portion 32 directly extends into the receiving portion 21 to clamp the vacuum tube 10, or by setting the clamping portion, the clamping portion can clamp the second end portion of the vacuum tube, so that the vacuum tube 10 moves between the first position L1 and the second position L2 as the moving portion 31 moves between the third position L3 and the fourth position L4. During the implementation process, a filling portion (not labeled) for shielding is further provided between the inner wall of the receiving portion 21 and the outer wall of the vacuum tube 10. When the clamping portion clamps the vacuum tube and the vacuum tube moves together with the moving portion from the first position L1 to the second position L2, the filling portion moves together with the vacuum tube.

[0037] The shielding portion (not labeled) includes a top wall 331, a bottom wall 332 disposed opposite to the top wall 331, and a side wall 333 connecting the top wall 331 and the bottom wall 332. A shielding space 334 for receiving the moving portion 31, the tensioning portion 34, and the abutting portion 35 is formed between the top wall 331, the bottom wall 332, and the side wall 333. The moving portion 31 is disposed on the bottom wall 332, and the moving portion 31, the clamping portion 32, the tensioning portion 34, and the abutting portion 35 all move within the shielding space 334. The side wall 333 includes a first side wall 335, and the first side wall 335 can be opened or closed. When the first side wall 335 is opened, the vacuum tube 10 can move from the first position L1 to the second position L2; when the vacuum tube 10 is located at the second position L2, the first side wall 335 is closed, and the vacuum tube 10 is shielded. The distance that the vacuum tube 10 moves from the first position L1 to the second position L2 is always equal to the distance that the vacuum tube 10 moves from the beam shaping body 20 into the shielding space 334.

[0038] In the embodiment of the present application, the removing device 30 further includes two strengthening portions 36 located within the shielding space 334. The strengthening portions 36 are connected to the first side surface 311 of the moving portion 31 and the fourth side surface 342 of the abutting portion 34, and the tensioning portion 35 is located between the moving portion 31 and the two strengthening portions 36. The setting of the strengthening portions enhances the overall strength of the removing device 30. At least two alignment portions 37 for determining the relative position between the removing device 30 and the vacuum tube 10 are also fixed to the third side surface 341 of the abutting portion 34, so that the clamping portion 32 is located on the outer surface of the vacuum tube 10. In this embodiment, there are four alignment portions 37, and every two alignment portions 37 form a group. Each group of alignment portions 37 is located outside each group of clamping portions 32. Here, the statement that each group of alignment portions 37 is located outside each group of clamping portions 32 can be understood as follows: when the moving portion 31 is located at the third position L3, the clamping portion 32 is closer to the outer surface of the vacuum tube 10 relative to the alignment portions 37. Before the removing device 30 performs the target replacement operation, the relative position between the removing device 30 and the vacuum tube 10 is determined according to the alignment portions 37.

[0039] The mobile device 30 further includes a driving part (not labeled). The driving part includes a first driving part 41 for driving the moving part 31 to move between a third position L3 and a fourth position L4, a second driving part 42 for driving the clamping part 32 to clamp or loosen the outer surface of the vacuum tube 10, a third driving part 43 for driving the tensioning part 35 to move between a fifth position L5 and a sixth position L6, and a fourth driving part 44 for driving the first side wall 335 to open or close a shielding part (not labeled).

[0040] In this application, both the first driving part 41 and the fourth driving part 44 are rodless cylinders. The first side surface 311 of the moving part 31 is arranged on the first driving part 41, and the moving part 31 moves between the third position L3 and the fourth position L4 under the actuation of the first driving part 41; the first side wall 335 is arranged on the fourth driving part 44, and the first side wall 335 opens or closes under the actuation of the fourth driving part. In the embodiment of this application, the second driving part 42 is a thin air gripper cylinder. The third driving part 43 is a telescopic cylinder. One end of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the fourth side surface 342 of the abutting part 34, and the other end is fixedly connected to the fifth side surface 351 of the tensioning part 35. Under the actuation of the third driving part 43, the tensioning part 35 moves relative to the abutting part 34 between the fifth position L5 and the sixth position L6.

[0041] The neutron capture therapy system 100 further includes a movable support part 50. The removal device 30 is arranged on the support part 50, and the fourth driving part 44 is arranged on the side surface of the support part 50 close to the beam shaping body 20. The support part 50 is adjusted according to the alignment part 37 so that the clamping part 32 is located on the outer surface of the protruding part 12 of the vacuum tube 10 to determine the relative position between the removal device 30 and the vacuum tube. Defining the direction perpendicular to the X direction as the Y direction, in this application, the support part 50 can also extend or shorten along the Y direction.

[0042] The following describes the target changing process of the removal device 30.

[0043] S1, the support part 50 is adjusted through the alignment part 37 to determine the relative position between the removal device 30 and the vacuum tube 10;

[0044] S2, the moving part 31 is driven by the first driving part 41 to move to the third position L3. At this time, the protruding part 12 of the vacuum tube 10 enters the shielding space 334 of the shielding part 33, the vacuum tube is located at the first position L1, the fourth driving part 44 drives the first side wall 335 to open the shielding part, the clamping part 32 is located on the vacuum tube 10 and is in a loosened state, and the tensioning part 35 is located at the fifth position L5;

[0045] S3, the clamping part 32 is driven by the second driving part 42 to clamp the outer surface of the vacuum tube 10;

[0046] S4, the third driving part 43 drives the tensioning part 35 to move from the fifth position L5 to the sixth position L6. At this time, the vacuum tube 10 moves from the first position L1 to the seventh position L7;

[0047] S5, the first driving part 41 drives the moving part 31 to move from the third position L3 to the fourth position L4. At this time, the vacuum tube moves from the seventh position L7 to the second position L2. At this time, the vacuum tube 10 is completely accommodated in the shielding space 334;

[0048] S6, the fourth driving part 44 drives the first side wall 335 to close the shielding part;

[0049] S7, the moving support part 50 moves the removal device 30 accommodating the vacuum tube 10 away from the beam shaper 20.

[0050] The neutron capture therapy system disclosed in this application is not limited to the content described in the above embodiments and the structure shown in the drawings. Obvious changes, substitutions or modifications made to the materials, shapes and positions of the components on the basis of this application are all within the scope of protection required by this application.

Claims

1. A neutron capture therapy system, characterized in that: The neutron capture therapy system includes a vacuum tube for transmitting a charged particle beam, a neutron generation unit for generating a neutron beam, and a beam shaper for shaping the neutron beam. The beam shaper is provided with a receiving portion. The vacuum tube includes a first end and a second end. The neutron generation unit is provided at the first end of the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube includes a first position and a second position. The neutron capture therapy system further includes a removal device for moving the vacuum tube between the first position and the second position. When the vacuum tube is at the first position, the neutron generation unit can react with the charged particle beam to generate neutrons. When the vacuum tube is at the second position, the neutron generation unit is located outside the beam shaper. The removal device includes at least one clamping portion capable of clamping or loosening the vacuum tube, a tensioning portion for supporting the clamping portion, and a resisting portion fixedly connected to the moving portion. In the X direction, the clamping portion and the tensioning portion move together. The tensioning portion includes a fifth position and a sixth position. The vacuum tube further includes a seventh position between the first position and the second position. When the tensioning portion is at the fifth position, the vacuum tube is at the first position. When the tensioning portion is at the sixth position, the vacuum tube is at the seventh position. The resisting portion abuts against the second end of the vacuum tube.

2. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The removal device includes a moving portion for driving the vacuum tube to move. The moving portion includes a third position and a fourth position. Defining the lateral extension direction of the beam shaper as the X direction, the moving portion moves along the X direction between the third position and the fourth position. When the moving portion is at the third position, the vacuum tube is at the first position. When the moving portion is at the fourth position, the vacuum tube is at the second position.

3. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clamping portion moves in the X direction along with the moving portion.

4. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The tensioning portion moves in the X direction along with the moving portion. The clamping portion passes through the tensioning portion and rotates relative to the tensioning portion to clamp or loosen the vacuum tube.

5. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The neutron capture therapy system is a boron neutron capture therapy system. In the X direction, the resisting portion is closer to the vacuum tube than the tensioning portion. The tensioning portion extends a connecting member towards the resisting portion. The connecting member passes through the resisting portion to allow the tensioning portion to move between the fifth position and the sixth position. The clamping portion passes through the tensioning portion and then through the resisting portion to clamp or loosen the vacuum tube.

6. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The moving portion, the tensioning portion, and the resisting portion are all plate-like structures. The moving portion includes a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The resisting portion includes a third side surface and a fourth side surface opposite to the third side surface. The tensioning portion includes a fifth side surface and a sixth side surface opposite to the fifth side surface. The third side surface, the fourth side surface, the fifth side surface, and the sixth side surface are parallel to each other. The third side surface, the fourth side surface, the fifth side surface, and the sixth side surface are all perpendicular to the first side surface and the second side surface.

7. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The removal device further includes an alignment portion for determining the relative position between the removal device and the vacuum tube. The alignment portion is provided on the resisting portion. The clamping portion is closer to the outer surface of the vacuum tube than the alignment portion.

8. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 6, wherein: The removal device further includes two strengthening portions. The strengthening portions are connected to the first side surface of the moving portion and the fourth side surface of the resisting portion. The tensioning portion is located between the moving portion and the two strengthening portions.

9. The neutron capture therapy system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The removal device further includes a shielding portion for shielding the neutron generation portion. The clamping portion and the moving portion are both located within the shielding portion and move within the shielding portion. When the vacuum tube is in the second position, the neutron generation portion is received within the shielding portion.

10. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The shielding portion includes a first sidewall that can open or close the shielding portion. When the first sidewall opens the shielding portion, the vacuum tube can move from the first position to the second position; when the first sidewall closes the shielding portion, the vacuum tube is in the second position.

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