A medical linear accelerator device and a control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a medical linear accelerator device and a control method thereof. The medical linear accelerator device comprises an equalizer, wherein the equalizer comprises a plurality of equalizer slices, the plurality of equalizer slices are arranged close to a radiation beam emission path, and the radiation beam is equalized by one equalizer slice or a plurality of equalizer slices in combination through driving one or more equalizer slices to move to the radiation beam emission path, so that equalized radiation beams with a plurality of highest dose rates and field area combinations are obtained. The core of the application is the slicing design of the equalizer slice, more to adapt to the irradiation requirements of various tumor lesions, and the two single modes of equalization and non-equalization are broken, and more choices are provided for users in the dose distribution interval between the two modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radiotherapy equipment technology, specifically to a medical linear accelerator device and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Radiotherapy is a method of treating malignant tumors using radiation such as alpha, beta, and gamma rays produced by radioactive isotopes, as well as X-rays, electron beams, proton beams, and other particle beams produced by various X-ray therapy machines or accelerators.

[0003] Medical linear accelerators use electron-bombarded targets to generate X-rays for clinical tumor radiotherapy. A homogenizer is installed at the accelerator treatment head to reduce the intensity at the beam center and flatten the off-axis dose distribution.

[0004] In medical linear accelerator products, beam homogenization and dehomogenization are involved. Generally, conventional medical linear accelerator designs employ homogenization, dehomogenization, or both functions within a single device. In existing homogenized medical linear accelerator designs, meeting the requirements for a large homogenized field comes at the cost of reduced dose rate. This results in a relatively low dose rate even in small radiation fields used to treat small tumors. Consequently, regardless of changes in radiation field requirements, it takes time to accumulate the cumulative dose needed for treating both large and small tumors.

[0005] In view of this, this invention patent is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a medical linear accelerator device and its control method, which comprehensively offers end users a choice of diverse radiation fields and corresponding maximum dose rates. This enables the device to match different radiation fields and maximum doses to tumors of different sizes, making dose selection more diverse and flexible, and improving radiotherapy efficiency and efficacy.

[0007] Specifically, the following technical solution was adopted:

[0008] A medical linear accelerator device, comprising:

[0009] The homogenizer includes multiple homogenizing slices, which are positioned close to the emission path of the radiation beam. By driving one or more homogenizing slices to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam, the radiation beam is homogenized through one or more homogenizing slices to obtain homogenized radiation beams with various combinations of maximum dose rates and field areas.

[0010] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, a medical linear accelerator device of this embodiment includes a target and a collimator. The collimator is located on the radiation beam emission side of the target, and the homogenizer is located between the target and the collimator. The radiation beam is emitted from the target, homogenized by the homogenizer, and then emitted to the collimator.

[0011] The homogenizing slice includes a primary homogenizing slice and a final homogenizing slice. The primary homogenizing slice is positioned close to the target, and the final homogenizing slice is positioned close to the collimator. The primary homogenizing slice and the final homogenizing slice each have a homogenizing surface perpendicular to the central axis of the radiation beam. The circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the primary homogenizing slice is larger than that of the upper homogenizing surface. The circumferential outline of the upper homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice is larger than that of the lower homogenizing surface of the primary homogenizing slice. The circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice is larger than that of the upper homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice.

[0012] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, the homogenizing block slice includes at least one intermediate homogenizing block slice, the intermediate homogenizing block slice is located between the primary homogenizing block slice and the final homogenizing block slice, the circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the intermediate homogenizing block slice is larger than the circumferential outline of the upper homogenizing surface, and the circumferential outline of the homogenizing surface of one or more intermediate homogenizing block slices gradually increases from the primary homogenizing block slice to the final homogenizing block slice.

[0013] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, the collimator includes a secondary collimator and a multi-element collimator, the secondary collimator and the multi-element collimator are arranged vertically, and the equalizer is located between the target and the secondary collimator.

[0014] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, the equalizer includes an equalization driving component, which is connected to each of the equalization blocks and drives each equalization block to move independently. By controlling the driving component, one or more equalization blocks can be driven to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam.

[0015] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, the driving component includes a driving motor and a transmission mechanism. The driving motor includes multiple components that correspond one-to-one with multiple uniform slices. The driving motor is connected to the uniform slices through the transmission mechanism. By controlling the motion state of the driving motor, each uniform slice is driven to move independently.

[0016] Optionally, the transmission mechanism is a ball screw mechanism, a gear and rack mechanism, or a crank-slider mechanism.

[0017] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, the collimator includes a secondary collimator and a multi-element collimator, the secondary collimator and the multi-element collimator are arranged vertically, and the equalizer is located between the target and the secondary collimator.

[0018] The present invention also provides a control method for a medical linear accelerator device, wherein the homogenizer includes a homogenizing drive component, the homogenizing drive component is connected to each homogenizing block slice respectively, and drives each homogenizing block slice to move independently; the medical linear accelerator device includes a control system, the control system being communicatively connected to the drive component.

[0019] The control method includes:

[0020] The control system drives one or more homogenizing blocks to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam by controlling the drive components. The radiation beam is homogenized by one or more homogenizing blocks to obtain homogenized radiation beams with various combinations of maximum dose rates and field areas.

[0021] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, a control method for a medical linear accelerator device of the present invention includes:

[0022] The control system controls the drive component to drive the primary homogenizing slice to move independently to the emission path of the radiation beam, or controls the primary homogenizing slice and one or more intermediate homogenizing slices to move to the emission path of the radiation beam, or controls the homogenizing slice to move to the emission path of the radiation beam, to homogenize the radiation beam and obtain homogenized radiation beams with various combinations of field area and maximum dose rate.

[0023] As the number of homogenized slices increases, the field area of ​​the resulting homogenized radiation beam becomes larger and the maximum dose rate becomes smaller.

[0024] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, a control method for a medical linear accelerator device of the present invention includes:

[0025] The control system controls the drive components to move all uniform slices to the position where they are removed from the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Smax and a maximum dose rate of Xmax.

[0026] The control system controls the drive component to move all N uniform slices to the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Sn and a maximum dose rate of Xmin.

[0027] The control system controls the drive component to drive the primary uniform block slice to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Smin and a maximum dose rate of X1.

[0028] The control system controls the drive components to drive the primary uniform block slice and the i intermediate uniform block slices to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Si and a maximum dose rate of Xi.

[0029] Among them, Smin<Si<Sn<Smax, Xmin<Xi<X1<Xmax.

[0030] As an optional embodiment of the present invention, a control method for a medical linear accelerator device of the present invention includes:

[0031] The control system selects all uniform slice combinations with a radiation beam field area larger than the target tumor based on the size of the target tumor.

[0032] The highest dose rate corresponding to the combination of the uniform block slices is determined as the highest dose rate of the alternative treatment and provided for use in the selection of radiotherapy.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0034] This invention discloses a medical linear accelerator device in which the homogenizing slices included in the homogenizer, after being combined and placed in the emission path of the radiation beam, can form homogenized dose rate distributions with different field sizes. Under each corresponding field, the dose rate can reach its highest value under its respective homogenization. Thus, in homogenization mode, the homogenized slice combination corresponding to a field larger than the size of the target tumor can be selected according to the size of the tumor, and an appropriate homogenized slice combination can be selected according to the maximum dose rate requirement. This allows for the selection of homogenized slice combinations with larger field areas and lower maximum dose rates for large tumors, and homogenized slice combinations with smaller field areas and higher maximum dose rates for small tumors. This enables the matching of different field sizes and maximum doses for tumors of different sizes, making dose selection more diverse and flexible.

[0035] The present invention discloses a medical linear accelerator device in which the homogenizing block slice of the homogenizer can be completely placed on the emission path of the radiation beam to form a maximum homogenized radiation field, at which time the highest dose rate is the lowest among all homogenized dose rates; the homogenizing block slice of the homogenizer can also be completely removed from the emission path of the radiation beam, at which time the radiation beam is in a non-homogenized mode and the dose rate is the highest output value of the accelerator.

[0036] The core of this invention is a medical linear accelerator device, which features a uniformly sliced ​​design. The shape, number of layers, and height of the slices can be differentiated and uniquely designed, enabling diverse and uniform spatial dose distribution of the beam. This allows for greater adaptability to the irradiation needs of various tumor lesions, breaking away from the single modes of uniformity and non-uniformity, and providing users with more choices in the dose distribution range between the two. Attached image description:

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a medical linear accelerator device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the beam-limiting system of a medical linear accelerator device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a homogenizer in a medical linear accelerator device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 4 An example diagram of a homogenizing block slice combination of a homogenizer in a medical linear accelerator device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 5 This invention relates to dose rate distribution curves under various combinations of homogenizing blocks in a homogenizer of a medical linear accelerator device.

[0042] Figure 6 Embodiments of the present invention Figure 5 Example of combining dose rate distribution curves. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0044] Therefore, the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely illustrates some embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features and technical solutions in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0046] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0047] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art. These terms are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0048] See Figures 1-4 As shown, a medical linear accelerator device according to this embodiment includes:

[0049] The equalizer 33 includes multiple equalizer slices 331. The multiple equalizer slices 331 are arranged close to the emission path of the radiation beam 36. By driving one or more equalizer slices 331 to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam 36, the radiation beam 36 is equalized by one or more equalizer slices 331, resulting in a uniform radiation beam with multiple combinations of maximum dose rate and field area.

[0050] In this embodiment of a medical linear accelerator device, the homogenizing slices 331 included in the homogenizer 33, after being combined and placed in the emission path of the radiation beam 36, can form homogenized dose rate distributions of different field sizes. Under each corresponding field, the dose rate can reach its highest value under its respective homogenization. Thus, in homogenization mode, the homogenized slice combination corresponding to a field larger than the size of the target tumor can be selected according to the size of the tumor, and an appropriate homogenized slice combination can be selected according to the maximum dose rate requirement. This allows for the selection of homogenized slice combinations with larger field areas and lower maximum dose rates for large tumors, and for smaller tumors, homogenized slice combinations with smaller field areas and higher maximum dose rates. This enables the treatment function of matching different field sizes and maximum doses to tumors of different sizes, making dose selection more diverse and flexible.

[0051] In this embodiment of a medical linear accelerator device, the homogenizing block slice 331 of the homogenizer 33 can be entirely placed on the emission path of the radiation beam 36 to form the maximum homogenized field, at which time the highest dose rate is the lowest among all homogenized dose rates; the homogenizing block slice 331 of the homogenizer 33 can also be entirely removed from the emission path of the radiation beam 36, at which time the radiation beam is in a non-homogenized mode, and the dose rate is the highest output value of the accelerator.

[0052] Furthermore, a medical linear accelerator device according to this embodiment includes a beam limiting system 3, wherein the beam limiting system 3 includes the equalizer 33.

[0053] The beam limiting system 3 of this embodiment includes a beam system 31, a target 32 ​​and a collimator. The collimator is located on the radiation beam emission side of the target 32 ​​(generally located below the target 32). The equalizer 33 is located between the target 32 ​​and the collimator. The radiation beam 36 is emitted from the target 32, equalized by the equalizer 33 and then emitted to the collimator.

[0054] The working process of accelerating electrons in a medical linear accelerator is as follows: The trigger pulse generated by the console triggers the modulator, causing it to generate a series of negative pulse high voltages applied to the cathode of the klystron. The klystron amplifies the microwaves generated by the radio frequency pulse power source and sends them to the accelerating tube through the waveguide system, where the required accelerating electric field is generated. Simultaneously, electrons from the electron gun are focused by the electron lens and injected into the axis of the accelerating tube at a certain initial velocity (0.3 to 0.5 times the speed of light). Under the action of the microwave electric field, the electrons are accelerated. After being focused by the focusing coil in the accelerating tube, the accelerated electrons enter the beam system 31. In the beam system 31, the electron beam is deflected by 270° and passes through a 0.1 mm thick titanium window to hit the target 32, generating X-rays. After passing through the scintillator, homogenizer, collimator, precision filter, ionization chamber, and lead door, the beam is directed onto the lesion of the patient lying on the treatment bed, completing the entire beam treatment process.

[0055] As an optional implementation of this embodiment, the homogenizing slice 331 in this embodiment includes a primary homogenizing slice 3311 and a final homogenizing slice 3315. The primary homogenizing slice 3311 is disposed close to the target 32, and the final homogenizing slice 3315 is disposed close to the collimator. The primary homogenizing slice 3311 and the final homogenizing slice 3315 each have a homogenizing surface perpendicular to the central axis 37 of the radiation beam 36. The circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the primary homogenizing slice 3311 is larger than the circumferential outline of the upper homogenizing surface. The circumferential outline of the upper homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice 3315 is larger than the circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the primary homogenizing slice. The circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice 3315 is larger than the circumferential outline of the upper homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice 3315.

[0056] The homogenizer 33 in this embodiment includes at least two levels of homogenizing slices: a primary homogenizing slice 3311 and a final homogenizing slice 3315. Thus, in homogenizing mode, there are at least two homogenizing methods: homogenizing with only the primary homogenizing slice 3311 and homogenizing with a combination of the primary and final homogenizing slices 3311 and 3315. This enhances the maximum dose rate under different radiation fields and improves the efficiency of radiotherapy. Traditional accelerators only have one type of homogenizer, and regardless of whether the tumor is large or small, irradiation is performed under relatively low dose rate conditions; in non-homogenized situations, only one option for the maximum dose rate is available. This embodiment allows for higher dose rate selection for medium or small radiation fields used for medium or small tumors, making treatment methods more flexible and diversified.

[0057] For ease of processing, both the primary leveling slice 3311 and the final leveling slice 3315 in this embodiment are circular leveling slices. Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the diameter of the lower leveling surface of the primary leveling slice 3311 is larger than the diameter of the upper leveling surface, the diameter of the upper leveling surface of the final leveling slice 3315 is larger than the diameter of the lower leveling surface of the primary leveling slice, and the diameter of the lower leveling surface of the final leveling slice 3315 is larger than the diameter of the upper leveling surface of the final leveling slice 3315. Furthermore, in a medical linear accelerator device of this embodiment, the homogenized slice 331 includes at least one intermediate homogenized slice (3312, 3313, 3314). The intermediate homogenized slice (3312, 3313, 3314) is located between the primary homogenized slice 3311 and the final homogenized slice 3315. The circumferential outline of the lower homogenized surface of the intermediate homogenized slice (3312, 3313, 3314) is larger than the circumferential outline of the upper homogenized surface. The circumferential outline of the homogenized surface of one or more intermediate homogenized slices (3312, 3313, 3314) gradually increases from the primary homogenized slice to the final homogenized slice.

[0058] This embodiment introduces one or more intermediate level homogenizing blocks into the homogenizer 33. This allows for multi-level and multi-dimensional homogenization of the beam dose in homogenization mode, achieving the highest dose rate under different homogenization and field conditions. This enables treatment of tumors of different sizes with different fields and maximum doses, providing more diverse and flexible dose selection.

[0059] When both the primary leveling block slice 3311 and the final leveling block slice 3315 are circular leveling blocks, the intermediate leveling blocks slices (3312, 3313, 3314) in this embodiment are also circular leveling blocks. The diameter of the lower leveling surface of the intermediate leveling blocks slices (3312, 3313, 3314) is larger than the diameter of the upper leveling surface. The diameter of the leveling surface of the one or more intermediate leveling blocks slices (3312, 3313, 3314) gradually increases from the primary leveling block slice to the final leveling block slice.

[0060] It should be noted that the primary homogenizing slice 3311 and the final homogenizing slice 3315 can also be processed into other shapes, but the circumferential outline shape of each homogenizing slice should remain the same.

[0061] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the equalizer in this embodiment includes an equalization driving component, which is connected to each of the equalization block slices 331 and drives each of the equalization block slices 331 to move independently. By controlling the driving component, one or more equalization block slices 331 can be driven to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam.

[0062] It should be noted that the uniform block slice 331 in this embodiment can also be driven by manual operation.

[0063] Specifically, the driving component described in this embodiment includes a driving motor 333 and a transmission mechanism 332. The driving motor 333 includes multiple components that correspond one-to-one with multiple uniform slices 331. The driving motor 333 is connected to the uniform slices 331 through the transmission mechanism 332. By controlling the motion state of the driving motor 333, each uniform slice 331 is driven to move independently.

[0064] Optionally, the transmission mechanism 332 is a ball screw mechanism, a gear and rack mechanism, or a crank and slider mechanism.

[0065] In this embodiment, the drive component is equipped with a drive motor 333 corresponding to each uniform slice 331, and the control of the corresponding uniform slice 331 is achieved by controlling the drive motor 333.

[0066] Alternatively, the drive assembly in this embodiment can also be a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. The moving piston of the pneumatic cylinder or the hydraulic cylinder is connected to each uniform slice 331 respectively, and the control of the corresponding uniform slice 331 is achieved by controlling the moving piston of the pneumatic cylinder or the hydraulic cylinder.

[0067] See Figure 3For example, the equalizer 3 includes a primary equalizer slice 3311, a first intermediate equalizer slice 3312, a second intermediate equalizer slice 3313, a third intermediate equalizer slice 3314, and a final equalizer slice 3315. The equalizer 3 is a five-stage equalizer. The drive assembly includes a first drive motor 3331, a second drive motor 3332, a third drive motor 3333, a fourth drive motor 3334, and a fifth drive motor 3335. The first drive motor 3331 is connected to the primary leveling slice 3311 through a first transmission mechanism 3321. The second drive motor 3332 is connected to the first intermediate leveling slice 3312 through a second transmission mechanism 3322. The third drive motor 3333 is connected to the second intermediate leveling slice 3313 through a third transmission mechanism 3323. The fourth drive motor 3334 is connected to the third intermediate leveling slice 3314 through a fourth transmission mechanism 3324. The fifth drive motor 3335 is connected to the final leveling slice 3315 through a fifth transmission mechanism 3325. In this embodiment, the primary leveling slice 3311, the first intermediate leveling slice 3312, the second intermediate leveling slice 3313, the third intermediate leveling slice 3314, and the final leveling slice 3315 are stacked outside the emission path of the radiation beam 36. The primary leveling slice 3311, the first intermediate leveling slice 3312, the second intermediate leveling slice 3313, the third intermediate leveling slice 3314, and the final leveling slice 3315 are stacked along a central axis 38, which is parallel to the central axis 37 of the radiation beam 36.

[0068] See Figure 4 As shown, the primary homogenizing slice 3311 and the first intermediate homogenizing slice 3312 are motion-controlled, moving from the stacking center axis 38 to the homogenizing position at the center axis 37 of the radiation beam 36. Simultaneously, the collimator in the beam-limiting system 3 performs a field-forming motion, surrounding the effective homogenizing region covered by the homogenizing slice 331. Within this homogenizing region, a homogenized, flat dose distribution is obtained, as shown... Figure 5 As shown in curve (b).

[0069] Similarly, if the primary homogenizing block slice 3311 is placed alone at the central axis 37 of the radiation beam 36, the homogenized dose curve (a) can be obtained. By analogy, if the homogenizing block slices are stacked at the central axis 37 of the radiation beam 36, curves (c), (d), and (e) can be obtained, and each homogenizing curve corresponds to the corresponding homogenizing field.

[0070] If all the homogeneous slices are removed from the central axis 37 of the radiation beam 36, a non-homogeneous dose curve distribution (f) can be obtained.

[0071] Further, using quantifiable figures, we can illustrate the unique advantages of a medical linear accelerator device according to this embodiment:

[0072] Assuming no homogenization conditions, the accelerator's highest dose rate can reach 1600 cGy / min.

[0073] Assume that the maximum field of fire after normalization of a typical accelerator is 40cm × 40cm.

[0074] The uniform slices are made of tungsten metal.

[0075] Assume that the height of each slice in the image equalizer 33 is equal, and the diameter gradually decreases from top to bottom.

[0076] From this, we can roughly conclude that:

[0077] 1) through Figure 5 After (e) is normalized, the radiation field is approximately 40cm × 40cm, and the highest dose rate can reach 600cGy / min.

[0078] 2) Figure 5 After (d) normalization, the radiation field is approximately 32cm × 32cm, with a maximum dose rate of 800cGy.

[0079] 3) Figure 5 After (c) is normalized, the radiation field is approximately 24cm × 24cm, with a maximum dose rate of 1000cGy.

[0080] 4) Figure 5 After (b) is normalized, the radiation field is approximately 16cm × 16cm, with a maximum dose rate of 1200cGy.

[0081] 5) Figure 5 After (a) is normalized, the radiation field is approximately 8cm × 8cm, with a maximum dose rate of 1400cGy.

[0082] To visually demonstrate the homogenization results obtained after combining the various homogenized slices, the dose distribution curves are merged and presented together. Figure 6 middle.

[0083] To further illustrate, for tumors smaller than 8cm × 8cm, this product offers six dose rate options. For tumors smaller than 16cm × 16cm, it offers five dose rate options, and so on. In contrast, traditional accelerators only offer two dose rates for irradiation therapy of 8cm × 8cm and 16cm × 16cm tumors: a homogenized 600cGy / min and a non-homogenized 1600cGy / min.

[0084] At the same time, it should be noted that uniform slices can be combined arbitrarily to form a wider variety of spatial dose distributions, meeting more possible needs for tumor treatment.

[0085] The main feature of this medical linear accelerator device is that it enhances the maximum dose rate under different radiation fields, thereby improving the efficiency of radiotherapy. Traditional accelerators only have one type of homogenizer, and regardless of whether the tumor is large or small, irradiation is carried out under relatively low dose rate conditions; in non-homogenized situations, only one maximum dose rate option is available. The medical linear accelerator device of this embodiment can provide a higher dose rate selection for medium and small radiation fields used for medium or small tumors, and the treatment methods will be more flexible and diversified.

[0086] In this embodiment, the primary leveling slice, the final leveling slice, and the intermediate leveling slice have the same height along the central axis of the radiation beam. However, the number of slice layers and the slice height of the leveler 33 in this embodiment can be designed according to actual needs, and are not limited to the number, height, and shape shown in this description and schematic diagram. The height can be divided equally or unequally, and the shape can also be designed in a non-standard way.

[0087] It should be noted that the material of the uniform slice 331 described in this embodiment can be tungsten or copper, etc., and can be homogeneous or a random combination of dissimilar materials.

[0088] It should be noted that the drive motor 333 described in this embodiment can be arranged around the equalizer 33, and is not limited to the schematic diagram shown in this solution.

[0089] The collimator described in this embodiment includes a secondary collimator 34 and a multi-element collimator 35, which are arranged vertically. The equalizer 33 is located between the target 32 ​​and the secondary collimator 34.

[0090] See Figure 1 As shown, a medical linear accelerator device according to this embodiment includes: a frame 1, an image guidance system 2, a beam limiting system 3, a kilovolt-level plate 4 and a megavolt-level plate 5 mounted on the frame 1, and a treatment bed 6 placed close to the frame 1.

[0091] The core of this embodiment of a medical linear accelerator device is a slicing design of a homogenized block. The shape, number of layers, and height of the slices can be differentiated and uniquely designed, which can achieve a more diverse and uniform spatial dose distribution of the beam, better adapting to the irradiation needs of various tumor lesions. It breaks away from the single modes of homogenization and non-homogeneity, providing users with more choices in the dose distribution range between the two.

[0092] This embodiment also provides a control method for a medical linear accelerator device. The homogenizer includes a homogenizing drive component, which is connected to each homogenizing slice and drives each homogenizing slice to move independently. The medical linear accelerator device includes a control system, which is communicatively connected to the drive component.

[0093] The control method includes:

[0094] The control system drives one or more homogenizing blocks to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam by controlling the drive components. The radiation beam is homogenized by one or more homogenizing blocks to obtain homogenized radiation beams with various combinations of maximum dose rates and field areas.

[0095] Furthermore, a control method for a medical linear accelerator device according to this embodiment includes:

[0096] The control system controls the drive component to drive the primary homogenizing slice to move independently to the emission path of the radiation beam, or controls the primary homogenizing slice and one or more intermediate homogenizing slices to move to the emission path of the radiation beam, or controls the homogenizing slice to move to the emission path of the radiation beam, to homogenize the radiation beam and obtain homogenized radiation beams with various combinations of field area and maximum dose rate.

[0097] As the number of homogenized slices increases, the field area of ​​the resulting homogenized radiation beam becomes larger and the maximum dose rate becomes smaller.

[0098] Specifically, this embodiment provides a control method for a medical linear accelerator device, including:

[0099] The control system controls the drive components to move all uniform slices to the position where they are removed from the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Smax and a maximum dose rate of Xmax.

[0100] The control system controls the drive component to move all N uniform slices to the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Sn and a maximum dose rate of Xmin.

[0101] The control system controls the drive component to drive the primary uniform block slice to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Smin and a maximum dose rate of X1.

[0102] The control system controls the drive components to drive the primary uniform block slice and the i intermediate uniform block slices to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Si and a maximum dose rate of Xi.

[0103] Among them, Smin<Si<Sn<Smax, Xmin<Xi<X1<Xmax.

[0104] See Figure 5 As shown, assuming no homogenization, the accelerator's maximum dose rate Xmax can reach 1600 cGy / min.

[0105] Assume that the maximum field Sn after normalization of a typical accelerator is 40cm × 40cm.

[0106] From this, we can roughly conclude that:

[0107] 1) through Figure 5 After (e) is normalized, the field Sn is 40cm×40cm, and the highest dose rate Xmin can reach 600cGy / min.

[0108] 2) Figure 5 After (d) is normalized, the field size Si is 32cm×32cm, and the highest dose rate Xi can reach 800cGy.

[0109] 3) Figure 5 After (c) is normalized, the field size Si is 24cm×24cm, and the highest dose rate Xi can reach 1000cGy.

[0110] 4) Figure 5 After (b) is calibrated, the field size Si is 16cm×16cm, and the highest dose rate Xi can reach 1200cGy.

[0111] 5) Figure 5 After (a) is normalized, the field size Smin is 8cm×8cm, and the maximum dose rate X1 can reach 1400cGy.

[0112] Furthermore, this embodiment provides a control method for a medical linear accelerator device, comprising:

[0113] The control system selects all uniform slice combinations with a radiation beam field area larger than the target tumor based on the size of the target tumor.

[0114] The highest dose rate corresponding to the combination of the uniform block slices is determined as the highest dose rate of the alternative treatment and provided for use in the selection of radiotherapy.

[0115] This embodiment also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program, which, when executed, implements the control method for a medical linear accelerator device as described above.

[0116] The computer-readable storage medium described in this embodiment may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. The computer-readable storage medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium, capable of transmitting, propagating, or transmitting programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The program code contained on the computer-readable storage medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0117] This embodiment also provides an electronic device, including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer-executable program, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor executes the control method of a medical linear accelerator device.

[0118] The electronic device is manifested in the form of a general-purpose computing device. It may contain one or more processors that work collaboratively. This invention also does not preclude distributed processing, meaning that processors may be distributed across different physical devices. The electronic device of this invention is not limited to a single entity, but may also be the sum of multiple physical devices.

[0119] The memory stores a computer-executable program, typically machine-readable code. The computer-readable program can be executed by the processor to enable the electronic device to perform the method of the present invention, or at least some steps of the method.

[0120] The memory includes volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and / or cache memory, and may also be non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM).

[0121] It should be understood that the electronic device of the present invention may also include elements or components not shown in the examples above. For example, some electronic devices also include display units such as a display screen, and some electronic devices also include human-computer interaction elements such as buttons and keyboards. Any electronic device capable of executing a computer-readable program in its memory to implement the method of the present invention or at least some steps of the method can be considered as an electronic device covered by the present invention.

[0122] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the present invention can be implemented by hardware capable of executing specific computer programs, such as the system of the present invention, and the electronic processing unit, server, client, mobile phone, control unit, processor, etc. included in the system. The present invention can also be implemented by computer software that executes the methods of the present invention, for example, by control software executed by a microprocessor, electronic control unit, client, server, etc. However, it should be noted that the computer software executing the methods of the present invention is not limited to execution in one or a specific set of hardware entities; it can also be implemented in a distributed manner by unspecified hardware. For computer software, the software product can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium (such as a CD-ROM, USB flash drive, portable hard drive, etc.) or distributed across a network, as long as it enables electronic devices to execute the methods according to the present invention.

[0123] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described herein. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Therefore, any modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention, as well as all technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, are covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A medical linear accelerator device, characterized in that, include: A homogenizer, comprising multiple homogenizing blocks, wherein the multiple homogenizing blocks are positioned close to the emission path of the radiation beam; The target and collimator are provided. The collimator is located on the radiation beam emission side of the target. The homogenizer is located between the target and the collimator. The radiation beam is emitted from the target, homogenized by the homogenizer, and then emitted to the collimator. The homogenizing slice includes a primary homogenizing slice and a final homogenizing slice. The primary homogenizing slice is positioned close to the target, and the final homogenizing slice is positioned close to the collimator. The primary homogenizing slice and the final homogenizing slice each have a homogenizing surface perpendicular to the central axis of the radiation beam. The circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the primary homogenizing slice is larger than that of the upper homogenizing surface. The circumferential outline of the upper homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice is larger than that of the lower homogenizing surface of the primary homogenizing slice. The circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice is larger than that of the upper homogenizing surface of the final homogenizing slice. By driving one or more homogenizing blocks to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam, the radiation beam is homogenized through one or more homogenizing blocks, resulting in homogenized radiation beams with various combinations of maximum dose rates and field areas.

2. The medical linear accelerator device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The homogenizing block slice includes at least one intermediate homogenizing block slice, which is located between the primary homogenizing block slice and the final homogenizing block slice. The circumferential outline of the lower homogenizing surface of the intermediate homogenizing block slice is larger than the circumferential outline of the upper homogenizing surface. The circumferential outline size of the homogenizing surface of the one or more intermediate homogenizing block slices gradually increases from the primary homogenizing block slice to the final homogenizing block slice.

3. A medical linear accelerator device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collimator includes a secondary collimator and a multi-element collimator, which are arranged vertically. The equalizer is located between the target and the secondary collimator.

4. A medical linear accelerator device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The homogenizer includes a homogenizing drive component, which is connected to each of the homogenizing blocks and drives each homogenizing block to move independently. By controlling the drive component, one or more homogenizing blocks can be driven to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam.

5. A medical linear accelerator device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The driving component includes a drive motor and a transmission mechanism. The drive motor includes multiple components that correspond one-to-one with the multiple uniform slices. The drive motor is connected to the uniform slices through the transmission mechanism. By controlling the motion state of the drive motor, each uniform slice is driven to move independently.

6. A medical linear accelerator device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism is a ball screw mechanism, a gear and rack mechanism, or a crank-slider mechanism.

7. A control method for a medical linear accelerator device as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The homogenizer includes a homogenizing drive component, which is connected to each of the homogenizing slices and drives each homogenizing slice to move independently. The medical linear accelerator device includes a control system, which is communicatively connected to the drive component. The control method includes: The control system drives one or more homogenizing blocks to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam by controlling the drive components. The radiation beam is homogenized by one or more homogenizing blocks to obtain homogenized radiation beams with various combinations of maximum dose rates and field areas.

8. The control method for a medical linear accelerator device according to claim 7, characterized in that, include: The control system controls the drive component to drive the primary homogenizing slice to move independently to the emission path of the radiation beam, or controls the primary homogenizing slice and one or more intermediate homogenizing slices to move to the emission path of the radiation beam, or controls the homogenizing slice to move to the emission path of the radiation beam, to homogenize the radiation beam and obtain homogenized radiation beams with various combinations of field area and maximum dose rate. As the number of homogenized slices increases, the field area of ​​the resulting homogenized radiation beam becomes larger and the maximum dose rate becomes smaller.

9. The control method for a medical linear accelerator device according to claim 7, characterized in that, include: The control system controls the drive components to move all uniform slices to the position where they are removed from the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Smax and a maximum dose rate of Xmax. The control system controls the drive component to move all N uniform slices to the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Sn and a maximum dose rate of Xmin. The control system controls the drive component to drive the primary uniform block slice to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Smin and a maximum dose rate of X1. The control system controls the drive components to drive the primary uniform block slice and the i intermediate uniform block slices to move onto the emission path of the radiation beam, resulting in a radiation beam field area of ​​Si and a maximum dose rate of Xi. Among them, Smin<Si<Sn<Smax, Xmin<Xi<X1<Xmax.

10. The control method for a medical linear accelerator device according to claim 7, characterized in that, include: The control system selects all uniform slice combinations with a radiation beam field area larger than the target tumor based on the size of the target tumor. The highest dose rate corresponding to the combination of the uniform block slices is determined as the highest dose rate of the alternative treatment and provided for use in the selection of radiotherapy.

Images