Spherical treatment device with telescopic structure

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of radiotherapy equipment, and discloses a spherical treatment device with a telescopic structure. The treatment device comprises a base which is arranged at the top end of the spherical treatment device and used for fixing the spherical treatment device. And the shielding shell is used for shielding stray radiation. And the telescopic sleeve is arranged in the shielding shell and is used for guiding and restraining the electron beam and adjusting the length of the spherical treatment device. And the ball head is used for adjusting the dose distribution of the electron beam so as to form uniform dose distribution outside the ball head. The length of the treatment device can be adjusted according to treatment requirements, conformal sphere-like dose distribution is formed in a treatment target area, the tumor local control rate can be effectively improved, surrounding normal tissue can be protected, the treatment time can be shortened, and good safety, effectiveness and reliability are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention provides a spherical applicator with a telescopic structure, belonging to the technical field of radiotherapy equipment. Background Art

[0002] Radiotherapy is one of the common methods of tumor treatment. Commonly used radiotherapy equipment includes electron linear accelerators, close-range therapy machines, X-ray therapy machines, cobalt-60 therapy machines, etc. Among them, medical electron linear accelerators mainly use X-rays or electron beams. X-rays are suitable for radiotherapy of deep tumors, and electron beams are suitable for radiotherapy of superficial tumors. In order to increase the dose of the tumor bed area and reduce the radiation dose of surrounding tissues, and protect normal tissues. Improve the local control rate of tumor treatment and reduce the toxic and side effects of radiotherapy. Electron beams are usually used during intraoperative radiotherapy.

[0003] In current intraoperative radiotherapy, a single large-dose irradiation is required to be performed on the tumor bed after the surgeon completes tumor resection. The currently used light-limiting tube generally produces a circular or rectangular planar irradiation field. In order to make the tumor bed adapt to the two-dimensional planar irradiation field of the light-limiting tube, it is usually necessary to enlarge the wound. This method has poor conformality, and the enlargement of the wound causes certain damage to the patient. In order to produce a dose distribution that conforms to the spherical tumor bed, a spherical applicator is generally used. The current spherical applicator has a fixed length, and due to the size limitations of the base and the patient's wound, the adjustable range of the treatment target area depth is small. Due to the different locations of the tumor, the depth and size of the tumor bed are also different. An applicator with a fixed length cannot meet the treatment needs of tumor beds of different depths. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a spherical applicator with a telescopic structure and a method for adjusting the length of the applicator. The applicator provided by the present invention can adjust the length of the applicator according to the treatment needs, form a conformal spherical dose distribution in the treatment target area, effectively improve the local control rate of the tumor, protect the surrounding normal tissues, shorten the treatment time, and have good safety, effectiveness and reliability. The method for adjusting the length of the applicator of the present invention is novel and reasonable, and has strong practicality.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a spherical applicator with a telescopic structure, the applicator comprising: A base, arranged at the top of the spherical applicator, used for fixing the spherical applicator; Shielded housing to shield stray radiation; A telescopic sleeve is disposed in the shielding housing and is used to guide and constrain the electron beam and adjust the length of the spherical applicator; The ball head is used to adjust the electron beam dose distribution to form a uniform dose distribution outside the ball head.

[0006] In some embodiments, the telescopic sleeve is composed of an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve and an annular buckle.

[0007] In some embodiments, the shielding shell is sleeved on the telescopic sleeve, the ball head is sleeved on the end of the inner sleeve, the inner sleeve can slide with the outer sleeve, and the position of the inner sleeve can be fixed by the annular buckle.

[0008] In some embodiments, a seal is provided at the end of the inner sleeve of the telescopic sleeve.

[0009] In some embodiments, the telescopic sleeve is provided with a scale for marking the length of the applicator.

[0010] In some embodiments, the length of the telescopic sleeve corresponds to the energy of the electron beam used by the applicator.

[0011] In some embodiments, the seal is made of metal or polymer material.

[0012] In some embodiments, the ball head is made of a high molecular polymer material.

[0013] In some embodiments, the ball head has a spherical shape, a spherical segment shape, or an ellipsoidal shape.

[0014] In some embodiments, a method for adjusting the length of an applicator is provided, the method comprising: S11, providing the applicator; S12, telescopic inner sleeve adjusts the length of the applicator to meet treatment needs; S13, fixing with an annular buckle, and adjusting to a corresponding electron beam energy according to the length of the applicator to form a preset electron beam dose distribution; S14, place the applicator into the treatment position and select a preset dose rate to implement the treatment.

[0015] In some embodiments, the preset electron beam dose distribution is an electron distribution with a higher beam intensity on the outer surface of the spherical head. The electron beam expands after scattering to cover the expected irradiation range. The resulting isodose distribution is similar to the shape of the spherical head and can better conform to the radiotherapy target area.

[0016] In some embodiments, a method for determining an electron beam energy of an applicator is provided, the method comprising: S21, providing the applicator; S22, adjusting the length of the applicator to any fixed length; S23, selecting incident electron beams of different energies for irradiation, and correspondingly obtaining electron beam dose distribution and electron beam intensity of the electron beam on the outer surface of the ball head and the surrounding area; S24, determining the electron beam energy that meets the preset electron beam dose distribution.

[0017] In some embodiments, a method of determining an applicator ball configuration is provided, the method comprising: S31, providing the applicator; S32, adjusting the applicator to any determined length, selecting arc cavities of different sizes from above the ball head respectively, and adjusting to corresponding electron beam energy according to the length of the applicator, and determining the relationship between the size of the arc cavity and the dose distribution on the outer surface of the ball head; S33, adjusting the size parameters of the arc-shaped cavity so that when the ball head is irradiated with an electron beam of preset energy, an isodose distribution formed on the outer surface of the ball head conforms to a preset outer surface dose distribution, forming an isodose distribution similar to the shape of the outer surface of the ball head; S34. Determine the inner diameter of the telescopic sleeve according to the opening size of the arc-shaped cavity.

[0018] Through the above technical solution, the spherical applicator with a telescopic structure provided in the embodiment of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the applicator provided by the present invention can adjust the length of the applicator according to the treatment needs, form a conformable spherical dose distribution in the treatment target area, effectively improve the local control rate of tumors, protect the surrounding normal tissues, shorten the treatment time, and have good safety, effectiveness and reliability. The adjustment method of the applicator length of the present invention is novel and reasonable, and has strong practicality.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following specific embodiments, they are used to explain the present invention but do not constitute a limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a spherical applicator with a telescopic structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a spherical applicator with a telescopic structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A flowchart showing a method for adjusting the length of an applicator according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A flowchart showing a method for determining electron beam energy of an applicator according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5A flow chart of a method for determining the structure of a ball head of an applicator according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0021] Description of reference numerals: Label name Label name 1 Base 31 Outer sleeve 2 Shielded housing 32 Inner sleeve 3 Telescopic sleeve 33 Ring buckle 34 Seals 4 Ball Head 41 Curved cavity DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The specific implementation of the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementation described here is only used to illustrate and explain the embodiment of the present invention, and is not used to limit the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0024] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, directional words such as "up, down, top, bottom" are usually used to describe the relative positional relationship of components with respect to the directions shown in the drawings or in the vertical, perpendicular or gravity directions.

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In current intraoperative radiotherapy, a single large-dose irradiation is required to be performed on the tumor bed after the surgeon completes tumor resection. The currently used light-limiting tube generally produces a circular or rectangular planar irradiation field. In order to make the tumor bed adapt to the two-dimensional planar irradiation field of the light-limiting tube, it is usually necessary to enlarge the wound. This method has poor conformality, and the enlargement of the wound causes certain damage to the patient. In order to produce a dose distribution that conforms to the spherical tumor bed, a spherical applicator is generally used. The current spherical applicator has a fixed length, and due to the limitation of the base size, the adjustable range of the treatment target area depth is small. Due to the different locations of the tumor, the depth and size of the tumor bed are also different. An applicator with a fixed length cannot meet the treatment needs of tumor beds of different depths.

[0027] In view of this, the present invention provides a spherical applicator with a telescopic structure, the applicator comprising: A base 1 is arranged at the top of the spherical applicator and is used to fix the spherical applicator; A shielding shell 2, used for shielding stray radiation; The telescopic sleeve 3 is arranged in the shielding shell 2 and is used to guide and constrain the electron beam and adjust the length of the spherical applicator; The spherical head 4 is used to adjust the electron beam dose distribution to form a uniform dose distribution outside the spherical head.

[0028] The applicator can make the electron beam form uniform dose irradiation on a non-plane surface, thereby achieving the purpose of radiotherapy for spherical tumors and tumors in the natural cavity of the human body. In addition, the applicator effectively utilizes the dose distribution characteristics of the electron beam. The electron beam has a high surface dose, enters the dose plateau after reaching the maximum dose point depth, and the dose drops sharply at the end of the range. Therefore, the electron beam is more suitable for radiotherapy of spherical tumor beds and tumors in the natural cavity of the human body, and can effectively protect the normal tissues around the target area; at the same time, because the electron beam has a high dose rate, the applicator of the present application can effectively reduce the treatment time, reduce the risk of intraoperative infection and the difficulty of anesthesia.

[0029] In some embodiments, the telescopic sleeve 3 is composed of an outer sleeve 31 , an inner sleeve 32 and an annular buckle 33 .

[0030] In some embodiments, the shielding shell 2 is sleeved on the telescopic sleeve 3, and the ball head 4 is sleeved on the end of the inner sleeve 32. The inner sleeve 32 can slide with the outer sleeve 31, and the position of the inner sleeve can be fixed by the annular buckle 33.

[0031] Specifically, the inner diameter of the outer sleeve 31 is consistent with the outer diameter of the inner sleeve 32, and the end of the outer sleeve 31 and the top of the inner sleeve 32 are closed to prevent the inner sleeve 32 from separating from the outer sleeve 31 after extending to the maximum length.

[0032] It should be noted that the shielding shell 2 can be a cylindrical tube, a rectangular tube or other tube shapes, etc., and can be designed accordingly according to different beam limiting requirements. The material of the shielding shell 2 can be a polymer material, a metal, an alloy, or a combination or composite of the above materials and other materials. The shielding shell 2 can provide a certain shielding effect to shield electron leakage and stray radiation generated by the interaction between electrons and matter.

[0033] In some embodiments, a sealing member 34 is provided at the end of the inner sleeve 32 of the telescopic sleeve 3 .

[0034] Specifically, in order to prevent the outside world from affecting the transmission and scattering process of the electron beam, a sealing sheet 34 is arranged at the end of the inner sleeve and encapsulates the arc-shaped cavity under the ball head. The electron beam can pass through the sealing sheet 34 and enter the arc-shaped cavity. The outside environment is prevented from affecting the transmission and scattering process of the electron beam, thereby forming a stable dose distribution.

[0035] Furthermore, under the premise of the same material, the higher the electron beam energy, the smaller the scattering angle, and the higher the beam intensity after scattering; the lower the electron beam energy, the larger the scattering angle, and the lower the beam intensity after scattering. The interaction between electrons and matter mainly includes elastic scattering and inelastic scattering. Inelastic scattering includes ionization, excitation and bremsstrahlung, and bremsstrahlung will produce X-rays. X-rays have strong penetrating power and can cause radiation damage to normal tissues outside the radiotherapy target area, increasing the toxic and side effects of radiotherapy. In order to reduce the X-ray yield of the electron beam passing through the seal, the seal 34 is generally made of metal or polymer materials, such as titanium, copper, aluminum, tungsten and other metals.

[0036] In some embodiments, the telescopic sleeve 3 is provided with a scale for marking the length of the applicator.

[0037] Specifically, the scale is disposed on the inner sleeve, and indicates different length scale values ​​as the inner sleeve 32 is extended or retracted.

[0038] In some embodiments, the length of the telescopic sleeve 3 corresponds to the energy of the electron beam used by the applicator.

[0039] In some embodiments, the seal 34 is made of metal or polymer material.

[0040] In some embodiments, the ball head 4 is made of high molecular polymer material.

[0041] In some embodiments, the ball head 4 has a spherical shape, a spherical segment shape, or an ellipsoidal shape.

[0042] Specifically, the shape of the ball head 4 can be a hemispherical, ellipsoidal, or irregular shape in addition to a spherical segment. The radial size range is 1 cm to 8 cm. The arc cavity 41 can be an arc groove or a quasi-arc groove that matches the shape of the scattering head. The size parameters of the arc cavity 41 are adjusted according to the shape and size of the ball head 4, so that after the electron beam is scattered by the applicator, an equal dose distribution similar to the shape of the outer surface of the applicator is formed on the outer surface of the ball head and the surrounding area.

[0043] In some embodiments, a method for adjusting the length of an applicator is provided, the method comprising: S11, providing the applicator; S12, telescopic inner sleeve 32 adjusts the length of the applicator to meet the treatment requirements; S13, using the annular buckle 33 to fix, and adjusting to the corresponding electron beam energy according to the length of the applicator to form a preset electron beam dose distribution; S14, place the applicator into the treatment position and select a preset dose rate to implement the treatment.

[0044] The electron beam dose distribution is the distribution of the electron beam after passing through the spherical head 4. The preset electron beam dose distribution is the electron beam dose distribution that can effectively cover the range of the spherical head 4, and the coverage rate can be set according to actual clinical needs. The electron beam intensity needs to ensure that the electron beam dose rate does not drop significantly and can meet clinical requirements. The preset electron beam intensity can be set according to actual clinical needs.

[0045] In some embodiments, the preset electron beam dose distribution is an electron distribution with a higher beam intensity on the outer surface of the spherical head 4. The electron beam expands after scattering to cover the expected irradiation range. The resulting isodose distribution is similar to the shape of the spherical head and can better conform to the radiotherapy target area.

[0046] In some embodiments, a method for determining an electron beam energy of an applicator is provided, the method comprising: S21, providing the applicator; S22, adjusting the length of the applicator to any fixed length; S23, selecting incident electron beams of different energies for irradiation, and correspondingly obtaining electron beam dose distribution and electron beam intensity of the electron beam on the outer surface of the ball head 4 and the surrounding area; S24, determining the electron beam energy that meets the preset electron beam dose distribution.

[0047] Among them, in S23, by testing or simulating at certain intervals, the distribution and intensity information of electrons with different energies after transmission can be obtained, thereby obtaining the changing relationship between the electron beam energy change and the electron distribution and intensity, and then being able to select the target energy required clinically.

[0048] The process of determining the electron beam energy can be carried out in a variety of ways. For example, electron beams of different energies can be directly collected to irradiate the applicator, and the distribution of the electron beams after scattering can be measured and analyzed. Physical simulation methods can also be used. For example, the Monte Carlo method is used to calculate the electron beam dose distribution and intensity of different electron beam energies. According to the changes in electron distribution and intensity, the appropriate electron beam energy is selected so that the electron beam dispersion area covers the ball head while ensuring the radiation intensity.

[0049] By using the above method for determining the electron beam energy of the above applicator, the applicator of the present invention is more reasonable and reliable, and has a better treatment effect. In addition, the method is novel and reasonable, highly practical, simple in steps, and convenient to operate.

[0050] In some embodiments, a method of determining an applicator ball configuration is provided, the method comprising: S31, providing the applicator; S32, adjusting the applicator to any determined length, selecting arc cavities 41 of different sizes from above the ball head 4, and adjusting to the corresponding electron beam energy according to the length of the applicator, and determining the relationship between the size of the arc cavity 41 and the dose distribution on the outer surface of the ball head 4; S33, adjusting the size parameters of the arc-shaped cavity 41 so that when the ball head 4 is irradiated with an electron beam of preset energy, an isodose distribution formed on the outer surface of the ball head 4 conforms to a preset outer surface dose distribution, forming an isodose distribution similar to the outer surface shape of the ball head; S34, determining the inner diameter of the telescopic sleeve 3 according to the opening size of the arc-shaped cavity 41.

[0051] The influence of the arc-shaped cavity 41 on the dose distribution on the outer surface of the ball head 4 can be calculated by iteration.

[0052] In addition, in step S32, arcuate cavities 41 of different sizes and shapes are excavated on the upper plane of the ball head of the applicator, and arcuate cavities 41 of different sizes can be obtained by changing the size parameters of the arcuate cavities 41. Specifically, step S32 can obtain the relationship between the size of the arcuate cavity 41 and the dose distribution on the outer surface of the ball head 4 through physical testing or simulation, and obtain the influence of the size parameters of the arcuate cavity 41 on the dose distribution on the outer surface of the ball head 4 through further comprehensive analysis.

[0053] In addition, step S33 can obtain the preliminary suitable size of the arc cavity 41 according to the change relationship obtained in step S32. The preliminary suitable size of the arc cavity 41 is the size of the arc cavity 41 that meets the preliminary outer surface dose distribution of the ball head under the preset energy condition. The preliminary outer surface dose distribution of the ball head is close to the contour of the outer surface of the ball head. In order to obtain a better outer surface dose distribution of the ball head, when making a physical object for verification, the size parameters of the arc cavity 41 can continue to be based on the preliminary suitable size, so that when the ball head is irradiated with an electron beam of preset energy, the dose distribution formed on the outer surface of the ball head is more uniform and more consistent with the preset outer surface dose distribution.

[0054] Preferably, the isodose line where the preset outer surface dose distribution in step S33 intersects with the outer surface of the ball head may coincide with the contour of the outer surface of the ball head.

[0055] In some embodiments, the process of determining the size of the arc-shaped cavity 41 can be a combination of direct physical measurement and simulation analysis. The Monte Carlo method can be used to establish a physical model, and the relationship between the cavity parameters and the dose distribution on the outer surface of the ball head can be iteratively calculated to select a suitable size of the arc-shaped cavity 41. The error can be corrected by fine-tuning the energy and cavity size through physical measurement, so that the outer surface of the ball head and the surrounding area form a uniform dose distribution similar to the shape of the ball head.

[0056] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0057] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral one; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or communication with each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0058] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

Claims

1. A spherical applicator with a telescopic structure, characterized in that: The applicator comprises: A base (1) is arranged on the top of the spherical applicator and is used to fix the spherical applicator; A shielding shell (2) for shielding stray radiation; A telescopic sleeve (3) is arranged in the shielding shell (2) and is used to guide and constrain the electron beam and adjust the length of the spherical applicator; The spherical head (4) is used to adjust the electron beam dose distribution so as to form a uniform dose distribution outside the spherical head (4).

2. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that The telescopic sleeve (3) is composed of an outer sleeve (31), an inner sleeve (32) and an annular buckle (33).

3. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that The shielding shell (2) is sleeved on the telescopic sleeve (3), and the ball head (4) is sleeved on the end of the inner sleeve (32). The inner sleeve (32) can slide with the outer sleeve (31), and the position of the inner sleeve (32) can be fixed by an annular buckle (33).

4. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that A sealing member (34) is provided at the inner sleeve end of the telescopic sleeve (3).

5. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that The telescopic sleeve (3) is provided with a scale for marking the length of the applicator.

6. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that The length of the telescopic sleeve (3) corresponds to the energy of the electron beam used by the applicator.

7. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that The sealing element (34) is made of metal or polymer material.

8. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that The ball head (4) is made of high molecular polymer material.

9. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that The ball head (4) has a spherical shape, a spherical segment shape, or an ellipsoidal shape.

10. The applicator of claim 1, wherein: The inner wall of the ball head (4) has an arc-shaped cavity (41).

11. A method for adjusting the length of an applicator, characterized in that: The spherical applicator with a telescopic structure according to claims 1-8, the method of using comprises: S11, providing the applicator; S12, telescopic inner sleeve (32) adjusts the length of the applicator to meet the treatment requirements; S13, using the annular buckle (33) to fix, and adjusting to the corresponding electron beam energy according to the length of the applicator to form a preset electron beam dose distribution; S14, place the applicator into the treatment position and select a preset dose rate to implement the treatment.

12. The method for adjusting the length of the applicator according to claim 11, characterized in that: The preset electron beam dose distribution is an electron distribution with a high beam intensity on the outer surface of the spherical head. The electron beam expands after scattering to cover the expected irradiation range. The formed isodose distribution is similar to the shape of the spherical head and can better conform to the radiotherapy target area.

13. A method for determining the energy of an electron beam of an applicator, characterized in that: The method comprises: S21, providing the applicator; S22, adjusting the length of the applicator to any fixed length; S23, selecting incident electron beams of different energies for irradiation, and correspondingly obtaining the electron beam dose distribution and electron beam intensity of the electron beam on the outer surface of the ball head (4) and the surrounding area; S24, determining the electron beam energy that meets the preset electron beam dose distribution.

14. A method for determining the configuration of a ball head of an applicator, characterized in that: The method comprises: S31, providing the applicator; S32, adjusting the applicator to any determined length, selecting arc-shaped cavities (41) of different sizes from above the ball head (4), and adjusting to the corresponding electron beam energy according to the length of the applicator, and determining the relationship between the size of the arc-shaped cavity (41) and the dose distribution on the outer surface of the ball head (4); S33, adjusting the size parameters of the arc-shaped cavity (41) so that when the ball head (4) is irradiated with an electron beam of preset energy, an isodose distribution formed on the outer surface of the ball head (4) conforms to a preset outer surface dose distribution, forming an isodose distribution similar to the shape of the outer surface of the ball head; S34, determining the inner diameter of the telescopic sleeve (3) according to the opening size of the arc-shaped cavity (41).

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