Radiotherapy three-dimensional conformal intensity-modulated collimator device and use method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of radiotherapy, and provides a radiotherapy three-dimensional conformal intensity-modulated collimator device, which comprises a plurality of treatment heads and an annular shell, the plurality of treatment heads are arranged at equal intervals along the annular direction, a plurality of structural cavities are formed in the annular shell, the plurality of structural cavities are in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of treatment heads, and the plurality of structural cavities and the plurality of treatment heads are in one-to-one correspondence. Every two adjacent structural cavities are communicated with each other, and the annular shell is provided with a filling opening and an exhaust opening. The storage tank is filled with a liquid high-density filling material; the automatic pressurizer is provided with a pressurizing opening and an air suction opening, the pressurizing opening is communicated with the filling opening through a first pipeline, a first valve is installed on the first pipeline, the air suction opening is communicated with the exhaust opening through a second pipeline, and a second valve is installed on the second pipeline.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radiotherapy technology, specifically to a three-dimensional conformal intensity-modulated collimator device for radiotherapy and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Radiation therapy is one of the three major methods of cancer treatment and is widely used in clinical medicine. X-ray radiation therapy is currently the most widely used method of radiation therapy. Due to the strong penetrating power of X-rays, a core requirement for radiation therapy is to achieve a high and relatively uniform radiation dose in the tumor tissue area, while minimizing the radiation dose received by the normal tissue surrounding the tumor.

[0003] In medical practice, tumor tissues come in all shapes and sizes. To achieve better treatment results, conventional X-ray radiotherapy employs a multi-leaf collimator combined with multi-angle radiotherapy. This treatment method projects the three-dimensional shape of the tumor tissue diagnosed by CT onto a two-dimensional projection formed at each irradiation angle. By adjusting the shape of the collimator blades to match the two-dimensional projection shape of the tumor tissue, and then performing radiotherapy at dozens to hundreds of irradiation angles, the optimal treatment effect is achieved: a high radiation dose to the tumor tissue area and a minimum radiation dose to the surrounding normal tissue. The entire treatment process lasts for several minutes.

[0004] In recent years, with the advancements in flash radiotherapy research, it has gradually moved towards clinical application. A core requirement of flash radiotherapy is that the entire radiation dose must be delivered within approximately 0.1 seconds, meaning the entire radiotherapy process lasts about 0.1 seconds. This time requirement far exceeds the limits of treatment head rotation speed and multi-leaf collimator adjustment speed in conventional X-ray radiotherapy, thus necessitating the development of a novel conformal intensity-modulated collimator device.

[0005] Due to the extremely short timescale of flash radiotherapy, the most feasible conformal intensity-modulated (IMMR) collimator is a fixed collimator. Currently, there are two feasible methods: 1) Install a multi-leaf collimator at each irradiation angle, adjusting the collimator according to the two-dimensional projection shape of the tumor tissue at each irradiation angle, and then performing flash radiotherapy. The advantage of this method is that the field shape can be electrically adjusted according to each patient's condition, but the price and cost are high. Furthermore, because it only provides conformal therapy without intensity modulation, and the current irradiation angles for flash radiotherapy are very limited (generally no more than 16), the adjustable variables (angle, field shape, radiation intensity) are too few, resulting in a large deviation between the actual dose distribution and the shape of the tumor tissue, leading to significantly poorer treatment effects. 2) Install a matching fixed-shape collimator at each irradiation angle. Based on the patient's CT scan results, a fixed-field collimator is pre-installed, and flash radiotherapy is performed after the patient is positioned. This method will be a major way to achieve three-dimensional conformal intensity modulation in future flash radiotherapy.

[0006] Currently available literature and patents show that fixed-shape collimators are basically conformal collimators, that is, constructing an irradiation field shape that matches the two-dimensional projection shape of the tumor tissue. Early methods primarily relied on conventional machining, such as wire cutting and casting of heavy metals like lead, to achieve specific hole shapes. With the maturity of 3D printing technology, there are two methods for realizing these fixed-shape collimators: 1. Directly using 3D printing technology with metal powder to print the collimator structure (article, Zhang Caixun et al., "Research Progress on the Application of 3D Printing Technology in Radiotherapy", Guangxi Medical Journal, April 2020, Vol. 42, No. 8). 2. Using resin materials to form a hollow body, filling the hollow body with heavy lead, tungsten, or other metal powders (Chinese patent, patent publication number CN107297031B).

[0007] Using metal powder 3D printing to directly form a collimator with a fixed shape has the following problems: 1) Metal materials are disposable, relatively expensive, and can only be disposed of as waste after use; 2) Printing metal materials takes a long time, resulting in too long a waiting time for patients from examination to treatment.

[0008] The method of forming a hollow body with resin materials and filling it with heavy metal powder has the following problems: 1) The air gaps between the metal powders may vary with the filling position and the stress, resulting in different equivalent densities in different parts, which affects the radiotherapy effect; 2) The conformal radiotherapy has relatively simple structural requirements, while the intensity-modulated radiotherapy requires a complex and delicate tip cavity area in the collimator, but there are cases where metal powder cannot be filled. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a three-dimensional conformal intensity-modulated collimator device for radiotherapy and its usage method, thereby resolving the problems raised in the background art.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a three-dimensional conformal intensity-modulated radiotherapy collimator device, comprising a plurality of treatment heads arranged at equal intervals along a circumferential direction, and further comprising:

[0011] An annular shell has multiple structural cavities formed inside, each of which corresponds to a treatment head. Adjacent structural cavities are interconnected. The annular shell has a filling port and an exhaust port.

[0012] A storage tank, the interior of which is filled with a high-density liquid filling material;

[0013] An automatic pressurizer has a pressurizing port and an air intake port. The pressurizing port and the filling port are connected by a first pipe, and a first valve is installed on the first pipe. The air intake port and the exhaust port are connected by a second pipe, and a second valve is installed on the second pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a 3D printer for printing the annular shell.

[0015] Furthermore, the annular shell is made of glass, resin, or metal.

[0016] Furthermore, the liquid high-density filler material is liquid metal.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a bracket for securing the annular housing.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of use is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0019] S1. Obtain the three-dimensional structure of the patient's tumor tissue through imaging analysis;

[0020] S2. Based on the treatment plan and the three-dimensional structure of the patient's tumor tissue, design data for multiple structural cavities are calculated. The design data includes the irradiation angle, the shape of the radiation field, and the intensity-modulated dose.

[0021] S3. Manufacture the annular shell according to the multiple sets of design data;

[0022] S4. The liquid high-density filling material in the storage tank is pressurized and enters the annular shell, filling multiple structural cavities;

[0023] S5. Multiple treatment heads are activated in an orderly manner to perform flash radiotherapy on the patient's tumor tissue;

[0024] S6. The liquid high-density filling material in the multiple structural cavities is pressurized in the reverse direction, leaves the corresponding structural cavity, and returns to the storage tank.

[0025] Furthermore, before step S4, the cavity of the structure is first evacuated.

[0026] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention provides a three-dimensional conformal intensity-modulated collimator device for radiotherapy and its usage method. A corresponding annular shell is customized according to the patient's tumor tissue treatment needs. Multiple structural cavities within the annular shell correspond to different angles of the patient's tumor tissue. When a liquid high-density filling material fills all the structural cavities, the shape and thickness of the liquid high-density filling material within each structural cavity are defined. Thus, when X-rays are emitted from the corresponding treatment head, the X-rays pass through the liquid high-density filling material within the corresponding structural cavity, automatically achieving conformal and intensity-modulated treatment. The shape and intensity of the X-rays irradiating the patient's tumor tissue can then precisely meet the treatment requirements. Compared with existing technologies, the liquid high-density filling material of this invention can fully fill the structural cavities and can be reused, while also providing a rapid response speed suitable for flash radiotherapy. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal cross-sectional structure of the annular shell.

[0029] Reference numerals: 10-treatment head, 20-annular shell, 21-structural cavity, 30-automatic pressurizer, 31-first pipe, 32-second pipe, 40-support, 50-treatment bed. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0031] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection" and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "horizontal", "level", "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "inner" and "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present 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 the present invention.

[0033] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0034] like Figures 1-2 As shown, this invention provides a three-dimensional conformal intensity-modulated radiotherapy collimator device, including multiple treatment heads 10, which are arranged at equal intervals around a treatment bed 50 in a circumferential direction. The above descriptions are all prior art, and the specific structure will not be elaborated further here. The device also includes an annular housing 20, a storage tank, and an automatic pressurizer 30.

[0035] The annular shell 20 is fitted onto the outside of the treatment bed 50. The interior of the annular shell 20 contains multiple structural cavities 21, each corresponding to a treatment head 10. Adjacent structural cavities 21 are interconnected. The annular shell 20 has a filling port and an exhaust port.

[0036] The storage tank is filled with liquid high-density filler material.

[0037] The automatic pressurizer 30 has a pressurization port and an air intake port. The pressurization port and the filling port are connected by a first pipe 31, and a first valve is installed on the first pipe 31. The air intake port and the exhaust port are connected by a second pipe 32, and a second valve is installed on the second pipe 32.

[0038] The specific usage process of this device is as follows:

[0039] First, medical staff obtain the three-dimensional structure of the patient's tumor tissue through imaging analysis methods such as CT and MRI. The computer combines the treatment plan with the three-dimensional structure of the patient's tumor tissue to obtain design data for multiple structural cavities 21. The design data includes the irradiation angle (from which angle the tumor tissue is irradiated), the radiation field shape (in what shape the X-rays irradiate the tumor tissue), and the intensity-modulated radiation dose (at what intensity the X-rays irradiate the tumor tissue), which respectively correspond to the position, shape, and thickness of the structural cavity 21. Based on these design data, medical staff manufacture the annular shell 20.

[0040] Then, the medical staff connected the pressurization port of the automatic pressurizer 30 to the filling port on the annular housing 20 through the first pipe 31, and then connected the air intake port of the automatic pressurizer 30 to the air exhaust port on the annular housing 20 through the second pipe 32.

[0041] Next, medical staff open the second valve and activate the suction mode of the automatic pressurizer 30. All air in the structural cavities 21 is sucked out, and the air pressure is reduced to a low vacuum environment (hundreds of Pa). At this time, the first valve is opened, and the pressurization mode of the automatic pressurizer 30 is activated. The liquid high-density filling material in the storage tank fills all the structural cavities 21, ensuring that there are no dead corners in the structural cavities 21. Then, the second valve is closed to maintain the pressure in the structural cavities 21.

[0042] Next, multiple treatment heads 10 are activated in an orderly manner to perform flash radiation therapy on the patient's tumor tissue for a duration of ~0.1 seconds.

[0043] Finally, after the flash radiotherapy is completed, the first valve and the second valve are opened, and the reverse pressurization mode of the automatic pressurizer 30 is activated. The liquid high-density filling material in the multiple structural cavities 21 is reverse pressurized and leaves the corresponding structural cavity 21 and returns to the storage tank through the first pipe 31.

[0044] This device features a customized annular shell 20 designed to meet the specific treatment needs of a patient's tumor tissue. Multiple structural cavities 21 within the annular shell 20 correspond to different angles of the patient's tumor tissue. Once the liquid high-density filling material fills all the structural cavities 21, the shape and thickness of the liquid high-density filling material within each cavity are defined. Thus, when the corresponding treatment head 10 emits X-rays, the X-rays automatically conform to the shape and intensity of the liquid high-density filling material within the corresponding structural cavity 21, ensuring that the shape and intensity of the X-rays irradiating the patient's tumor tissue precisely meet the treatment requirements. Compared to existing technologies, the liquid high-density filling material of this invention can fully fill the structural cavities 21 and is reusable, while also providing a rapid response speed suitable for flash radiotherapy.

[0045] This device has the following advantages:

[0046] 1. High Precision: Multiple treatment heads 10 correspond one-to-one with multiple structural cavities 21. The shape and thickness of the structural cavities 21 are custom-designed according to the three-dimensional structure of the patient's tumor tissue. This not only achieves the existing conformal function but also allows for the addition of fine protrusions and depressions within the structural cavities 21 to achieve intensity adjustment within the radiation field, thus realizing intensity-modulated radiation (IMRT). This makes the X-ray radiation dose distribution closer to the ideal state required for treatment. Therefore, after the corresponding treatment head 10 emits X-rays, when the X-rays pass through the liquid high-density filling material within the corresponding structural cavity 21, conformal and intensity-modulated radiation is automatically achieved, resulting in better treatment effects.

[0047] 2. Low cost: Liquid high-density filler material can be recycled and is not disposable.

[0048] In one embodiment, a 3D printer is also included to print the annular shell 20. After medical staff input the treatment plan and the three-dimensional structure of the patient's tumor tissue into the computer, the computer can control the 3D printer to directly print the annular shell 20. 3D printing is fast, so patients do not have to wait too long and treatment is not delayed.

[0049] In one embodiment, the annular shell 20 is made of lightweight materials such as glass or resin. This material is incompatible with the liquid high-density filler, ensuring the recycling of the liquid high-density filler and reducing costs. Furthermore, it minimizes the residue of the liquid high-density filler, reducing the technical difficulty of waste disposal. The annular shell 20 can also be made of metal.

[0050] In one embodiment, the liquid high-density filler material is a liquid metal. The density of this type of filler is fixed and does not change with position or stress, thus not affecting the effectiveness of radiotherapy.

[0051] In one embodiment, a bracket 40 is also included for fixing the annular housing 20 to facilitate the installation of the annular housing 20.

[0052] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of use is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0053] S1. Medical staff obtain the three-dimensional structure of the patient's tumor tissue through imaging analysis methods such as CT and MRI;

[0054] S2. The computer combines the treatment plan and the three-dimensional structure of the patient's tumor tissue to obtain design data for multiple structural cavities 21. The design data includes the irradiation angle (from which angle the tumor tissue is irradiated), the field shape (in what shape the X-rays irradiate the tumor tissue), and the intensity-modulated dose (at what intensity the X-rays irradiate the tumor tissue), which correspond to the position, shape, and thickness of the structural cavity 21, respectively.

[0055] S3. Medical staff manufacture the annular shell 20 using a 3D printer based on multiple sets of design data. The pressurization port of the automatic pressurizer 30 is connected to the filling port on the annular shell 20 through the first pipe 31, and the air intake port of the automatic pressurizer 30 is connected to the exhaust port on the annular shell 20 through the second pipe 32.

[0056] S4. Open the first valve and start the pressurization mode of the automatic pressurizer 30. The liquid high-density filling material in the storage tank will fill all the structural cavities 21, ensuring that there are no dead corners in the structural cavities 21. At this time, close the second valve to maintain the pressure in the structural cavities 21.

[0057] S5, multiple treatment heads 10 are activated in an orderly manner to perform flash radiotherapy on the patient's tumor tissue.

[0058] S6. After the flash radiotherapy is completed, open the first valve and the second valve, and start the reverse pressurization mode of the automatic pressurizer 30. The liquid high-density filling material in the multiple structural cavities 21 is reverse pressurized and leaves the corresponding structural cavity 21 and returns to the storage tank through the first pipe 31.

[0059] In one embodiment, before step S4, the structural cavity 21 is evacuated.

[0060] Specifically, medical staff open the second valve and activate the suction mode of the automatic pressurizer 30. All the air in the structural cavities 21 will be sucked out, and the air pressure will be reduced to a low vacuum environment (hundreds of Pa).

[0061] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or basic characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within the present invention.

[0062] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A radiotherapy three-dimensional conformal intensity modulated collimator device comprising a plurality of treatment heads, the plurality of treatment heads being arranged equi-spaced in a ring, characterized in that: Also comprising: a ring-shaped casing, an inside of the ring-shaped casing is formed with a plurality of structure cavities, the plurality of structure cavities correspond to a plurality of treatment heads one by one, two adjacent structure cavities communicate with each other, the ring-shaped casing is provided with a filling port and an exhaust port; a storage tank, an inside of the storage tank is filled with liquid high-density filling material; an automatic pressurizer, the automatic pressurizer is provided with a pressurizing port and an air suction port, the pressurizing port and the filling port are communicated through a first pipeline, the first pipeline is provided with a first valve, the air suction port and the exhaust port are communicated through a second pipeline, the second pipeline is provided with a second valve.

2. A radiotherapy three dimensional conformal intensity modulated collimator device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Also comprising a 3D printer, the 3D printer is used for printing the ring-shaped casing.

3. A radiotherapy three dimensional conformal intensity modulated collimator device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The material of the ring-shaped casing is glass material or resin material or metal material.

4. A radiotherapy three dimensional conformal intensity modulated collimator device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The liquid high-density filling material is liquid metal.

5. A radiotherapy three dimensional conformal intensity modulated collimator device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Also comprising a bracket, the bracket is used for fixing the ring-shaped casing.

6. A method of use for the radiotherapy three-dimensional conformal intensity modulated collimator device of claim 4, wherein: Comprising the following steps: S1, obtaining a three-dimensional structure of tumor tissue of a patient through imaging analysis; S2, combining a treatment plan and the three-dimensional structure of tumor tissue of the patient to calculate design data of a plurality of structure cavities, the design data comprising irradiation angle, field shape and intensity modulated dose; S3, manufacturing the ring-shaped casing according to a plurality of groups of design data; S4, the liquid high-density filling material in the storage tank is pressurized to enter the ring-shaped casing and fill the plurality of structure cavities; S5, a plurality of treatment heads are sequentially started to perform flash radiation therapy on tumor tissue of the patient; S6, the liquid high-density filling material in a plurality of structure cavities is reversely pressurized to leave the corresponding structure cavities and return to the storage tank.

7. A method of use according to claim 6, wherein: Before step S4, the structure cavities are first vacuumized.

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