Radioactive source device

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a radioactive source device. The radioactive source device includes: a radioactive source carrier, including a loading surface for loading a radioactive source thereon; a loading body having a chamber therein, the chamber having an opening located on the outer surface of the loading body and facing the loading surface of the radioactive source carrier placed into the chamber through the opening, and the loading body shielding radiation generated by the radioactive source; and a sealing portion for closing the opening and shielding radiation. This reduces the risk of radiation exposure during radioactive source replenishment or replacement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of radiotherapy technology, and more specifically, to a radioactive source device. Background Technology

[0002] Isotope radioactive sources can spontaneously emit rays, which can be widely used in fields such as medicine and industrial inspection.

[0003] In related technologies, a radioactive source carrier equipped with an isotope radioactive source is placed and fixed inside a tungsten drum through an opening located at the axial end of the drum to prevent radiation leakage; and when the isotope radioactive source needs to be replenished or replaced, the radioactive source carrier must be removed from the tungsten drum as a whole through the opening.

[0004] However, there is a risk of radiation exposure when the radioactive source carrier is removed from the tungsten drum to replenish or replace the isotope radioactive source. Utility Model Content

[0005] This section provides a general overview of this disclosure, rather than a full disclosure of the entire scope or all features of this disclosure.

[0006] This disclosure provides a radioactive source device. The radioactive source device includes a radioactive source carrier, a loading body, and a sealing portion. The radioactive source carrier includes a loading surface for loading a radioactive source on the loading surface. The loading body has a chamber inside it, the chamber having an opening located on the outer surface of the loading body and facing the loading surface of the radioactive source carrier placed into the chamber through the opening, and the loading body shields the radiation generated by the radioactive source. The sealing portion is used to close the opening and shield the radiation.

[0007] According to the above technical solution, by making the opening of the chamber of the loading body face the loading surface of the radioactive source carrier placed into the chamber through the opening, the radioactive source on the loading surface can be exposed through the opening for replenishment or replacement using the source replacement tool, simply by removing the sealing part used to close the opening from the opening, without having to remove the radioactive source carrier from the loading body. This can significantly reduce the risk of radiation exposure during replenishment or replacement. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more readily understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not drawn to scale and some features may be enlarged or reduced to show detail of specific parts. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a radioactive source device related to the technology.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view of a radioactive source device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows a schematic perspective view of the radiation source device in its assembled state.

[0011] Figure 4 The constraint state is illustrated schematically.

[0012] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the situation under unconstrained conditions.

[0013] Figure 6 The diagram shows the case where the first constraint member is installed in the closed part body.

[0014] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of the first constraint member shown.

[0015] Figure 8 for Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of the enclosed body shown.

[0016] Figure 9 for Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of the constraint portion of the first constraint member shown.

[0017] Figure 10 for Figure 6 A schematic perspective view of the slider of the first constraint member shown.

[0018] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Another schematic perspective view of the slider shown.

[0019] Figure 12 This schematically illustrates another scenario of the constraint state.

[0020] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding technical features, parts or components are represented by the same or corresponding reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that the following detailed description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0022] It should be noted that, for clarity, not all features of a particular embodiment are described or shown in the specification and drawings. Furthermore, to avoid unnecessary details obscuring the technical solutions of interest in this disclosure, only the device structures and parts closely related to the technical solutions of this disclosure are described and shown in the specification and drawings, while other details that are not closely related to the technical content of this disclosure and are known to those skilled in the art are omitted.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, in the related art radioactive source device 1', the radioactive source carrier 10' is placed and fixed inside the tungsten drum 11'.

[0024] The radioactive source carrier 10' includes a loading surface 100', on which a radioactive source mounting hole (not shown) is provided, so as to load the radioactive source 30' by installing the radioactive source 30' in the radioactive source mounting hole.

[0025] Here, radioactive source 30' refers to an encapsulation containing radioactive material that spontaneously emits rays through the radioactive material. For example, the radioactive source may be an isotopic radioactive source containing a radioactive isotope.

[0026] The tungsten roller 11' shields the radiation emitted by the radioactive source 30' placed within its chamber 11'a, reducing the risk of radiation leakage. The tungsten roller 11' has an opening at its axial end, which communicates with the chamber 11'a. The radioactive source carrier 10' is inserted into the chamber 11'a of the tungsten roller 11' through this opening and is bolted to a sealing member 12' for closing the opening, thus securing it within the chamber 11'a of the tungsten roller 11'.

[0027] As mentioned earlier, under this loading method, when the radioactive source 30' needs to be replenished or replaced, the entire radioactive source carrier 10' needs to be removed from the chamber 11'a of the tungsten drum 11' through the opening. However, the radioactive source 30' on the removed radioactive source carrier 10' will be completely exposed to the external environment, posing a risk of radiation exposure.

[0028] In view of this, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a radioactive source device 1 is provided. Hereinafter, referring to... Figures 2 to 12 The radioactive source device 1 will be described in detail.

[0029] First, refer to Figures 2 to 4 The radioactive source device 1 includes a radioactive source carrier 10, a loading body 11, and a sealing part 12.

[0030] The radioactive source carrier 10 includes a loading surface 100 for loading a radioactive source 30 on the loading surface 100 (see [link to documentation]). Figure 4 For example, the loading surface 100 may be provided with mounting holes for mounting the radioactive source 30. When it is necessary to replenish or replace the radioactive source 30 on the radioactive source carrier 10, the radioactive source 30 can be directly installed in the mounting hole of the loading surface 100, or the radioactive source 30 can be removed from the mounting hole first, and then a new radioactive source 30 can be installed in the mounting hole.

[0031] The loading body 11 has a chamber 11a inside it for accommodating the radioactive source carrier 10. The loading body 11 shields the radiation generated by the radioactive source 30 on the radioactive source carrier 10 within the chamber 11a.

[0032] The loading body 11 is made of a material that shields against radiation. This material can be, for example, tungsten or lead. Thus, by housing the radioactive source carrier 10 within the chamber 11a of the loading body 11, leakage of radiation generated by the radioactive source 30 can be prevented.

[0033] Loading the main body 11 in Figure 2 It is shown as being cylindrical. However, it can also be any other suitable shape, without limitation.

[0034] The chamber 11a of the loading body 11 has an opening 110a, which is located on the outer surface 110 of the loading body 11 and faces the loading surface 100 of the radioactive source carrier 10 placed into the chamber 11a through the opening 110a.

[0035] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, when the loading body 11 is cylindrical, the opening 110a can be located on the circumferential surface of the loading body 11, and the opening 110a faces the loading surface 100 of the radioactive source carrier 10.

[0036] However, it is understood that the location of the opening 110a is not limited to this, and it may also be located at other locations on the outer surface 110 of the loading body 11, but must face the loading surface 100 of the radioactive source carrier 10 housed in the chamber 11a.

[0037] In this way, the loading surface 100 can be accessed through the opening 110a and operations such as replenishing or replacing the radioactive source can be performed on the loading surface 100.

[0038] Furthermore, the sealing portion 12 is used to close the opening 110a and shield the radiation emitted by the radiation source 30. The sealing portion 12 may also be made of a material that has a radiation shielding effect (such as tungsten, lead, etc.). When the sealing portion 12 closes the opening 110a, it can prevent the radiation generated by the radiation source 30 from leaking out of the opening 110a.

[0039] In this case, when it is necessary to replenish or replace the radioactive source 30 on the radioactive source carrier 10 housed in the chamber 11a, the sealing part 12 used to close the opening 110a can be removed from the opening 110a. As a result, the loading surface 100 of the radioactive source carrier 10 and the radioactive source 30 loaded on the loading surface 100 can be exposed through the opening 110a. Thus, the radioactive source 30 on the loading surface 100 can be replenished or replaced directly in the chamber 11a without removing the radioactive source carrier 10 from the chamber 11a, for example by means of a source replacement fixture.

[0040] Since the radioactive source 30 remains within the chamber 11a of the loading body 11 during replenishment or replacement, the loading body 11 can still shield the radiation generated by the radioactive source 30. This significantly reduces the risk of radiation exposure during the replenishment or replacement of the radioactive source.

[0041] It is conceivable that, for example Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the closure 12 can be detachably fitted to a predetermined position A within the chamber 11a via the opening 110a (in Figure 4 (Indicated by arrows) At the predetermined position A, the sealing part 12 abuts against the radioactive source carrier 10 to fix the radioactive source carrier 10 in the chamber 11a.

[0042] In other words, when the sealing part 12 is assembled to a predetermined position within the chamber 11a, the sealing part 12 can abut against the radioactive source carrier 10 to restrict the position of the radioactive source carrier 10, thereby fixing the radioactive source carrier 10 within the chamber 11a. Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, this immobility is achieved by placing the sealing portion 12 in the predetermined position. In this predetermined position, the radioactive source carrier 10 is not necessarily subjected to pressure exerted by the sealing portion 12.

[0043] Because the fixation of the radioactive source carrier 10 in the chamber 11a is achieved through positional restriction, rather than as... Figure 1 As exemplarily illustrated in the related technology, the radioactive source carrier 10 is fixed to itself using bolts. Therefore, there is no need to repeatedly disassemble and reassemble the bolts, thereby eliminating the risk of poor fixation stability of the radioactive source carrier 10 due to bolt structure fatigue and improving safety.

[0044] It is conceivable that, for example Figure 4 As shown, the closure 12 may include a closure body 120 and a first constraint member 121, and the loading body 11 may include a second constraint member 111. The first constraint member 121 is disposed at the closure body 120, and the closure body 120 is constrained at a predetermined position A by the second constraint member 111 via the first constraint member 121.

[0045] By cooperating with the first constraint member 121 and the second constraint member 111, the closed part body 120 can be constrained in a predetermined position, thereby achieving positional restriction of the radioactive source carrier 10.

[0046] It is conceivable that the first constraint 121 can be locked to the second constraint 111 at a predetermined position.

[0047] In this case, the first constraint member 121 is fixed relative to the second constraint member 111, so that the first constraint member 121 can neither move toward the opening 110a nor move away from the opening 110a, that is, it cannot move in either direction of the closing part 12 moving into or out of the chamber 11a.

[0048] In this manner, the sealing body 120 is locked in a predetermined position by the second constraint member 111 via the first constraint member 121. As a result, the sealing body 120 does not exert excessive pressure on the radioactive source carrier 10, thereby preventing damage to the radioactive source 30 on the radioactive source carrier 10 due to excessive pressure applied to the radioactive source carrier 10, and improving safety.

[0049] It is also conceivable that, at a predetermined position, the second constraint member 111 constrains the first constraint member 121 by locking.

[0050] In this situation, the first constraint member 121 cannot move toward the opening 110a, that is, it cannot move in the direction in which the closed part 12 moves out of the chamber 11a.

[0051] It is conceivable that, in conjunction with reference Figures 4 to 6 The second constraint member 111 can be disposed within the chamber 11a, and the first constraint member 121 can be disposed within the enclosed body 120 and switch between a constrained state and an unconstrained state. In the constrained state, the first constraint member 121 extends from the enclosed body 120 to constrain the enclosed body 120 at a predetermined position by cooperating with the second constraint member 111; in the unconstrained state, the first constraint member 121 is located within the enclosed body 120.

[0052] In this configuration, after the enclosure 12 is assembled with the loading body 11, both the first constraint member 121 and the second constraint member 111 will be located within the chamber 11a of the loading body 11, without occupying space outside the loading body 11. As a result, the entire structure of the radiation source device 1 is more compact.

[0053] However, it is conceivable that the first constraint member 121 may also be disposed on the outer surface 1201 of the closure body 120, and the second constraint member 111 may be disposed on the surface 110 of the loading body 11, so that the closure body 120 is constrained in a predetermined position by the cooperation of the first constraint member 121 and the second constraint member 111 on the outside of the loading body 11. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the first constraint member 121 and the second constraint member 111 may be disposed in other locations of the radiation source device 1, without limitation.

[0054] It is conceivable that, with reference to Figures 6 to 8 The first constraint member 121 may include a constraint part 1210 and a control part 1211. The control part 1211 cooperates with the constraint part 1210 to control the extension and retraction of the constraint part 1210 relative to the closed part body 120, thereby realizing the switching of the first constraint member 121 between the constrained state and the unconstrained state.

[0055] For example, such as Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the first constraint member 121 can extend and retract from the slot 120a provided on the enclosure body 120. When the first constraint member 121 is in a constrained state, the control unit 1211 controls the constraint member 1210 to extend from the slot 120a, so that the enclosure body 120 is constrained in a predetermined position, thereby fixing the radioactive source carrier 10 in the chamber 11a; in the unconstrained state, the control unit 1211 controls the constraint member 1210 to retract from the slot 120a into the enclosure body 120, so as to release the constraint on the enclosure body 120, thereby releasing the fixation of the radioactive source carrier 10.

[0056] This method allows for convenient and quick fixation and release of the radioactive source carrier 10, improving operational convenience.

[0057] It is conceivable that, in conjunction with reference Figures 9 to 11 The constraint portion 1210 may include a first inclined surface 1210a, and the control portion 1211 may include a slider 1220. The slider 1220 includes a second inclined surface 1220a that cooperates with the first inclined surface 1210a, so that the constraint portion 1210 can be extended and retracted by moving the second inclined surface 1220a relative to the first inclined surface 1210a.

[0058] For example, in conjunction with reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The first inclined surface 1210a and the second inclined surface 1220a can be designed such that when the slider 1220 presses against the constraint portion 1210, the constraint portion 1210 extends out, and when the slider 1220 moves in the opposite direction, the constraint portion 1210 retracts.

[0059] In this way, the extension and retraction of the restraint part 1210 can be accurately and stably controlled, thereby improving the reliability of the cooperation between the first restraint member 121 and the second restraint member 111, and thereby improving the reliability of the fixation of the radioactive source carrier 10 in the chamber 11a, reducing the safety risks caused by unstable fixation.

[0060] It is conceivable that, with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 12 The control part 1211 may include a spring 1221, which is fixed between the top of the slider 1220 and the inner wall of the closing part body 120 and is always in a compressed state.

[0061] In this configuration, the spring 1221 ensures that the slider 1220 is always pressed against the restraint portion 1210, thereby keeping the restraint portion 1210 in an extended state. This prevents the restraint portion 1210 from accidentally retracting, thus improving the reliability of the fit between the restraint portion 1210 and the second restraint member 111, and consequently improving the reliability of the fixation of the radioactive source carrier 10 within the chamber 11a, while reducing safety risks.

[0062] It is conceivable that, for example Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 12 As shown, the slider 1220 may be provided with a screw hole 1220b, and the closed body 120 is provided with an opening 120b. The opening 120b allows a screw that matches the screw hole 1220b to pass through the opening 120b and be threaded into the screw hole 1220b to drive the slider 1220.

[0063] In this case, the slider 1220 can be driven from the outside of the radiation source device 1 using a screw to control the extension and retraction of the restraint part 1210. The above-described operation using the screw will now be explained in conjunction with the assembly process of the sealing part 12 in the chamber 11a and the replenishment or replacement process of the radiation source carrier 10.

[0064] For the assembly process of the closure 12 in the chamber 11a, firstly, the screw is passed through the hole 120b on the closure body 120 to be threaded into the screw hole 1220b of the slider 1220. During the threaded connection between the screw and the screw hole 1220b, the slider 1220 moves upward, compressing the spring 1221, causing the restraint part 1210 to retract. At this time, the screw is moved downward so that the closure body 120 is located in the chamber 11a, and after reaching the predetermined position, the screw is rotated in the opposite direction to disengage the threaded connection between the screw and the screw hole 1220b.

[0065] At this time, the compressed spring 1221 returns to its original position and pushes the slider 1220 downward. The slider 1220 presses against the constraint portion 1210, causing the constraint portion 1210 to extend out. By cooperating with the second constraint member 111, the closed body 120 is restricted to a predetermined position, and the radioactive source carrier 10 is fixed.

[0066] For the replenishment or replacement of the radioactive source 30, the screw is threaded through the orifice 120b and connected to the screw hole 1220b of the slider 1220. During the threaded connection between the screw and the screw hole 1220b, the slider 1220 moves upward, compressing the spring 1221, causing the restraint part 1210 to retract, thereby releasing the fixation of the radioactive source carrier 10.

[0067] At this point, the screw is moved upward to remove the sealing part body 120 from the chamber 11a, so that the loading surface 100 of the radioactive source carrier 10 can be accessed through the opening 110a, for example, using a source replacement tool, to replenish or replace the radioactive source 30. After replenishment or replacement, the sealing part 12 can be reassembled into the chamber 11a in the manner discussed above.

[0068] Thus, the simple structure enables the driving of the slider 1220 and, consequently, the control of the extension and retraction of the constraint portion 1210, making the assembly process of the closure portion 12 within the chamber 11a, and thus the fixation process of the radioactive source carrier 10 within the chamber 11a, simple and reliable.

[0069] It is conceivable that, for example Figure 2 As shown, the chamber 11a has a channel 110b extending from the opening 110a, the closure body 120 is fitted in the channel 110b, and the closure body 120 matches the channel 110b in shape.

[0070] In this way, the sealed body 120 can be fitted into the channel 110b to better prevent radiation from the radioactive source 30 contained in the chamber 11a from leaking into the external environment.

[0071] Furthermore, when the first constraint member 121 is provided in the closure body 120, since the closure body 120 matches the channel 110b in shape, the contact area between the closure body 120 and the channel 110b is larger when the closure body 120 is assembled in the channel 110b, resulting in a tighter fit. This improves the radiation shielding effect of the radiation source device 1 and enhances assembly stability, thereby improving the stability of fixing the radiation source carrier 10.

[0072] It is conceivable that, for example Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the closed body 120 can be a wedge shape that narrows linearly from top to bottom.

[0073] In this way, the sealing body 120 can be stably assembled in the channel 110b and is not easy to shake in the channel 110b, thereby improving the stability of the radioactive source carrier 10 in the chamber 11a.

[0074] It is conceivable that, with reference to Figure 6 and Figure 8 The sealing body 120 may be provided with a flexible floating pin 130 at the bottom 120c facing the radioactive source carrier 10.

[0075] The floating pin 130 can be, for example, a spring, and can provide elastic force. When the closure body 120 is assembled in a predetermined position in the chamber 11a, the floating pin 130 can elastically contact the radiation source carrier 10, which can not only eliminate the assembly gap between the radiation source carrier 10 and the closure body 120, but also buffer the movement of the radiation source carrier 10 within the assembly gap to reduce the amount of movement.

[0076] This improves the stability of the radioactive source carrier 10 within the chamber 11a and reduces safety risks.

[0077] Furthermore, when the radiation source device 1 is used in the field of radiotherapy, when the radiotherapy equipment is used for rotational treatment, the radiation source carrier 10 in the chamber 11a will move toward and away from the opening 110a within the assembly gap, thereby reducing the focal quality of the rays emitted by the radiation source 30.

[0078] By incorporating the floating pin 130, this movement can be buffered, thereby reducing the amount of movement of the radiation source carrier 10 within the assembly gap. This improves the focal quality of the radiation emitted by the radiation source 30 on the radiation source carrier 10, thus enhancing the accuracy of radiotherapy.

[0079] While this disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described and shown herein. Various changes to the exemplary embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope defined by the claims of this disclosure.

[0080] The features mentioned and / or shown in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be combined in the same or similar manner with one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for corresponding features in other embodiments. Such combinations or substitutions should also be considered as including within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A radioactive source device, characterized in that, include: A radioactive source carrier, including a loading surface for loading a radioactive source on the loading surface; A loading body having a chamber inside, the chamber having an opening located on the outer surface of the loading body and facing the loading surface of the radioactive source carrier placed into the chamber via the opening, and the loading body shielding the radiation generated by the radioactive source; and A sealing section is used to close the opening and shield the radiation.

2. The radioactive source device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The closure is detachably fitted into a predetermined position within the cavity via the opening, where the closure abuts against the radioactive source carrier to secure the radioactive source carrier within the cavity.

3. The radioactive source device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The closure includes a closure body and a first constraint member. The loading body includes a second constraint member. The first constraint member is disposed at the closure body, and the closure body is constrained at a predetermined position by the second constraint member via the first constraint member.

4. The radioactive source device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first constraint member can be locked to the second constraint member at the predetermined position.

5. The radioactive source device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second constraint member is disposed in the cavity, and the first constraint member is disposed in the closed part body and switches between a constrained state and an unconstrained state. In the constrained state, the first constraint member extends from the closed part body to constrain the closed part body at a predetermined position by cooperating with the second constraint member; in the unconstrained state, the first constraint member is located in the closed part body.

6. The radioactive source device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first constraint member includes a constraint part and a control part. The control part cooperates with the constraint part to control the constraint part to extend and retract relative to the closed part body, thereby realizing the switching of the first constraint member between the constraint state and the non-constraint state.

7. The radioactive source device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The constraint portion includes a first inclined plane, and the control portion includes a slider, the slider including a second inclined plane that engages with the first inclined plane to extend and retract the constraint portion by moving the second inclined plane relative to the first inclined plane.

8. The radioactive source device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control section also includes a spring, which is fixed between the top of the slider and the inner wall of the closure body and is always in a compressed state.

9. The radioactive source device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The slider is provided with a screw hole, and the closed part body is provided with an opening. The opening allows a screw that matches the screw hole to pass through the opening and be threaded into the screw hole to drive the slider.

10. The radioactive source device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The chamber has a channel extending from the opening, the closure body is fitted into the channel, and the closure body is shaped to match the channel.

11. The radioactive source device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The enclosed part is a wedge shape that narrows linearly from top to bottom.

12. The radioactive source device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The enclosed body has a flexible floating pin at its bottom facing the radioactive source carrier.

13. The radioactive source device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The loading body is cylindrical, and the opening is located on the circumferential surface of the loading body.

Images