Calibration device for ultra-high dose rate radiation apparatus, calibration method, and ultra-high dose rate radiation apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a calibration device for an ultra-high dose rate radiation apparatus. The ultra-high dose rate radiation apparatus comprises a plurality of beam modules configured to emit a plurality of radiation beams. The calibration device comprises: a calibration target assembly comprising a target portion, wherein the target portion is located in a predetermined radiation region of the ultra-high dose rate radiation apparatus during a calibration process and is used as a reference to calibrate a convergence deviation of the plurality of radiation beams converging at the predetermined radiation region. Also provided are a calibration method and an ultra-high dose rate radiation apparatus.

Description

Calibration equipment, calibration methods, and ultra-high dose rate radiation devices for use in ultra-high dose rate radiation devices.

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202510072407.3, filed on January 16, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of radiotherapy, specifically to the field of flash therapy, and more specifically to calibration equipment, calibration methods, and ultra-high dose rate radiation devices. Background Technology

[0003] Ultra-high dose rates include dose rates of 40 Gy / s or higher used in a short period of time, such as average dose rates of 300 Gy / s or higher, which can be applied to fields such as medical radiotherapy, container security inspection and industrial imaging.

[0004] Flash therapy, also known as ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy (FLASH-RT), is a treatment option for tumor radiotherapy. While killing tumor cells, flash therapy not only has lower toxicity to normal tissues but also reduces the risk of damage to the patient's body from taking large amounts of anti-rejection drugs post-surgery. It also shortens the post-operative recovery period and improves the patient's quality of life.

[0005] In realizing the inventive concept disclosed herein, the inventors discovered that how to apply ultra-high dose rate radiation to a designated location from multiple angles within a short period of time (such as within hundreds of milliseconds) is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides calibration equipment, calibration methods, and ultra-high dose rate radiation devices for ultra-high dose rate radiation devices.

[0007] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a calibration apparatus for an ultra-high dose rate radiation device is provided, the ultra-high dose rate radiation device including a plurality of beam modules for emitting multiple radiation beams, the calibration apparatus including: a calibration target assembly including a target portion, wherein the target portion is located in a predetermined radiation region of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device during calibration; wherein the target portion is used as a reference to calibrate the intersection deviation of the multiple radiation beams converging in the predetermined radiation region.

[0008] In some embodiments, the plurality of beam modules are mounted on the rotary drum of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device, and the target being located in a predetermined radiation area of ​​the ultra-high dose rate radiation device during calibration includes: during calibration, the center of the target being located on the rotation axis of the rotary drum.

[0009] In some embodiments, the calibration device further includes: a plurality of laser components, each correspondingly installed at the beam emission position of the plurality of beam modules; wherein the plurality of laser components are used to emit multiple laser beams to the target to simulate the convergence position of the multiple radiation beams at the predetermined radiation region.

[0010] In some embodiments, the target includes a sphere, wherein the center of the sphere is located on the rotation axis of the rotary drum during calibration.

[0011] In some embodiments, the sphere is decorated with interwoven meridians and parallels, wherein the meridians and parallels are used to characterize the intersection deviation between any two laser beams in the plurality of laser beams.

[0012] In some embodiments, the plurality of beam modules are arranged in a ring around the rotating drum, and the sphere is used as a reference to guide the multiple laser beams to converge on the surface of the sphere.

[0013] In some embodiments, the radius of the sphere is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and the center of the sphere coincides with the target point in the predetermined radiation region, wherein the predetermined threshold is used to constrain the error between the hit position of any laser beam and the target radiotherapy position.

[0014] In some embodiments, the calibration target assembly further includes a support frame, the support frame comprising: a base mounted on the inner wall of the rotary drum, the curvature of the bottom surface of the base matching the curvature of the mounting area located on the inner wall of the rotary drum; and a connector, the first end of which is connected to the base and the second end of which is connected to the sphere.

[0015] In some embodiments, the beam emission positions of each of the plurality of beam modules are substantially equal to the distances from the target.

[0016] In some embodiments, the target includes: at least one dose detection module for detecting a first actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module; wherein the difference between the first actual dose and the first theoretical dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module is used to characterize the intersection deviation.

[0017] In some embodiments, the at least one dose detection module includes: at least one dosimeter for detecting the first actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module.

[0018] In some embodiments, the at least one dosimeter includes a plurality of dosimeters, the plurality of beam modules being arranged in a ring around the rotating drum of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device, and the plurality of radiation detection areas of the plurality of dosimeters being arranged in a ring to correspond one-to-one with the plurality of beam emission positions of the plurality of beam modules; wherein, the plurality of dosimeters are used to detect the first actual dose of each of the plurality of radiation beams in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0019] In some embodiments, the at least one dose detection module includes: at least one ionization chamber for detecting a second actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module; wherein the difference between the second actual dose and the first theoretical dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module is used to characterize the intersection deviation.

[0020] In some embodiments, the at least one ionization chamber includes a plurality of ionization chambers, the plurality of beam modules are arranged in a ring around the rotating drum of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device, and the plurality of ray incident angles of the plurality of ionization chambers correspond one-to-one with the plurality of beam emission positions of the plurality of beam modules, so as to receive the plurality of radiation beams one-to-one; wherein, the plurality of ionization chambers are used to detect the second actual dose of each of the plurality of radiation beams one-to-one.

[0021] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a calibration method for an ultra-high dose rate radiation device, the ultra-high dose rate radiation device including a plurality of beam modules for emitting multiple radiation beams, the calibration method including: during calibration, arranging a target of a calibration target assembly in a predetermined radiation area of ​​the ultra-high dose rate radiation device; using the target as a reference to calibrate the intersection deviation of the multiple radiation beams converging in the predetermined radiation area.

[0022] Another aspect of this disclosure provides an ultra-high dose rate radiation device, comprising: a rotary drum; and a plurality of beam modules for emitting multiple radiation beams, wherein the plurality of beam modules are arranged in a ring around the rotary drum; wherein the plurality of beam modules are configured to be calibrated by a calibration device as described in any of the preceding claims to converge the multiple radiation beams into a predetermined radiation area. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The foregoing contents, as well as other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure, will become clearer from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 schematically shows a partial structural diagram of an ultra-high dose rate radiation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) schematically illustrate the structure of a calibration target assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein Figure 2(a) is a front view of the calibration target assembly and Figure 2(b) is a side view of the calibration target assembly;

[0026] Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the rotating drum and calibration target assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of the structure of the rotary drum and calibration target assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 5 schematically illustrates the installation zero-position state diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a calibration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] The reference numerals used in the above figures include:

[0031] 100. Ultra-high dose rate radiation device; 110. Beam assembly; 111. First beam module; 112. Second beam module; 113. Third beam module; 114. Fourth beam module; 115. Fifth beam module; 120. Rotary drum; 130. Calibration target assembly; 131. Sphere; 132. Base; 133. Connector; 140. Mounting support; 141. First support; 142. Second support; 510. Slot; 520. Positioning screw.

[0032] It should be noted that, for clarity, the dimensions of the overall / partial structure or the overall / partial region in the drawings used to describe the embodiments of this disclosure may be enlarged or reduced, i.e., these drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure for ease of explanation. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 1 schematically shows a partial structural diagram of an ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) schematically show structural diagrams of a calibration target assembly 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2(a) is a front view of the calibration target assembly 130, and Figure 2(b) is a side view of the calibration target assembly 130.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100 includes a beam assembly 110, a rotating drum 120, and a mounting bracket 140. The beam assembly 110 may include multiple beam modules for emitting multiple radiation beams, such as a first beam module 111, a second beam module 112, a third beam module 113, a fourth beam module 114, and a fifth beam module 115. The mounting bracket 140 may include a first bracket 141 and a second bracket 142. The first beam module 111, the second beam module 112, and the third beam module 113 may be mounted on the first bracket 141, and the fourth beam module 114 and the fifth beam module 115 may be mounted on the second bracket 142.

[0036] For example, the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100 disclosed herein is used to generate a radiation beam applicable to fields such as radiotherapy, container security inspection and industrial imaging, and can achieve radiation transfer at ultra-high dose rates (e.g., above 40 Gy / s), thereby completing the desired radiation in a very short time.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a schematic location of the calibration device, which may be located within the rotary drum 120. In some embodiments, the calibration device includes a calibration target assembly 130. The calibration target assembly 130 includes a target portion located within a predetermined radiation region of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100 during calibration; wherein the target portion is used as a reference to calibrate the convergence deviation of multiple radiation beams converging in the predetermined radiation region.

[0038] For example, the beam module may include a linear accelerator. The radiation beam may include an X-ray beam. The predetermined radiation area may be an area within the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100 that allows for radiotherapy, such as a space within the rotary drum 120 that can accommodate the target object to be radiotherapy. The predetermined radiation area may be a fixed area within the space, such as where the lesion of the patient being radiotherapy is placed before receiving radiotherapy.

[0039] In some embodiments, the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100 may include one or more predetermined radiation zones. In the case where the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100 includes multiple predetermined radiation zones, multiple calibration devices may be provided to provide calibration functions simultaneously or asynchronously, or a single calibration device may be provided to provide calibration functions by changing its position among multiple predetermined radiation zones.

[0040] In some embodiments, the beam emission positions of each of the multiple beam modules are approximately equidistant from the target. This is beneficial for ensuring that the radiation effect of each beam module on the radiotherapy area is essentially consistent, and also for improving calibration accuracy.

[0041] For example, the rotary drum 120 can rotate around its axis of rotation, thereby driving the first beam module 111, the second beam module 112, the third beam module 113, the fourth beam module 114, and the fifth beam module 115 to rotate. For instance, during calibration, the center of the target is located on the axis of rotation of the rotary drum 120. Thus, during rotation, the rotary drum 120 can rotate around a predetermined radiation area. By switching between different beam modules during rotation, radiation can be delivered to the same predetermined radiation area (e.g., a lesion) at different angles, where each beam module emits a radiation beam capable of achieving an ultra-high dose rate radiation effect. Multiple beam modules can emit beams sequentially and relative to the predetermined radiation area, or they can emit beams in a random order. Even when necessary, simultaneous beam emission can be used for treatment.

[0042] By arranging multiple beam modules (such as accelerating tubes, X-ray tubes, or other radiation generating devices) at different angles on a rotatable drum 120, and switching between the beam modules generating radiation, the goal of rapidly performing multi-angle irradiation treatment within a very short time, as required in flash radiotherapy, can be achieved. That is, after calibration, the combination of the rotary drum 120 and multiple beam modules enables ultra-high dose rate irradiation of a predetermined radiation area at multiple angles.

[0043] The target as a reference means that by simulating the output of multiple beam modules, it can be used as a reference to guide the simulated radiation beam to hit the predetermined radiation area, or by having multiple beam modules actually output beams, which can be used as a reference to guide multiple actual output beams to hit the predetermined radiation area.

[0044] Whether the target is struck by a simulated radiation beam or by an actual emitted beam, the convergence of multiple radiation beams within a predetermined radiation area can be characterized using either visual or non-visual methods. Non-visual methods can include data processing techniques such as signal detection or dose measurement. Visual or non-visual characterization allows for the calibration of convergence deviations of multiple radiation beams within the predetermined radiation area. These convergence deviations include the distance between the impact point of any one radiation beam within the predetermined radiation area and a specific location, or the distance between the impact points of any two radiation beams within the predetermined radiation area.

[0045] In some embodiments, the target is used as a reference to calibrate the intersection deviation of multiple beam modules converging in a predetermined radiation region, including at least one of the following:

[0046] Multiple visible light beams are simulated to emit beams from multiple beam modules, simulating multiple radiation beams hitting the target. The hitting position and intersection deviation of the multiple visible light beams are then manually tested or identified using images in a visual manner.

[0047] The actual beam is emitted by multiple beam modules, and the dose of the radiation beam in the predetermined radiation area is detected by dose detection. The intersection deviation is calibrated by the difference between the radiation beam doses.

[0048] The beams are actually emitted by multiple beam modules, and the radiation signals of the radiating beams in the predetermined radiation area are detected by the radiation signal detection method. The intersection deviation is calibrated by characterizing the radiation energy, the number of radiation rays, or the radiation scan image.

[0049] It is understandable that the above-mentioned methods of simulating multiple beam modules for beam output, dose detection, and X-ray signal detection can be used selectively or sequentially.

[0050] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a calibration target assembly 130 is provided, which uses its target portion as a reference to calibrate the convergence deviation of multiple radiation beams converging in a predetermined radiation region, enabling the multiple radiation beams to converge in the predetermined radiation region with the convergence deviation meeting expected requirements. This allows multiple calibrated beam modules to deliver ultra-high dose rate radiation to the same designated location from multiple angles.

[0051] The following describes various embodiments of a target used as a reference to calibrate the convergence deviation of multiple beam modules converging in a predetermined radiation region.

[0052] In some embodiments, the calibration device further includes multiple laser components. These multiple laser components are installed one-to-one at the respective beam emission positions of the multiple beam modules; wherein, the multiple laser components are used to emit multiple laser beams to the target to simulate the intersection position of multiple radiation beams converging in a predetermined radiation region.

[0053] Each laser component is installed at the beam emission position of its corresponding beam module, with its mounting axis coinciding with the beam axis of the corresponding beam module, for adjustment and positioning during installation. The laser components can be removed after calibration.

[0054] For example, the convergence point includes the area where multiple laser beams converge on the target, encompassing one or more points hit by each laser beam. The convergence deviation between the laser beams can be reflected by the distance between these points, or the distance between each laser beam's point and the target point. When the convergence deviation is unacceptable, one or more of the beam module's angle, height, position, collimation parameters, etc., can be adjusted, and then multiple laser components can be reused to emit multiple laser beams to the target.

[0055] According to embodiments of this disclosure, by providing a laser component to simulate the emission of multiple radiation beams, the intersection deviation can be efficiently measured in a low-cost and visual manner, and it is possible to quickly determine whether the intersection position meets the conditions and then determine whether the beam module needs to be adjusted.

[0056] For example, the target may include a structure such as a plane mirror, a multifaceted mirror, a plate, a cube, or a sphere that can visualize the point of impact of each laser beam.

[0057] For example, if the target includes a single plane mirror or plate, a target point can be marked on it. First, the laser component corresponding to the first beam module 111 is moved to a specific position and emits a laser towards the target, recording the position of its impact point. Then, by rotating the rotary drum 120, each of the remaining beam modules is sequentially moved to the same position, and its corresponding laser component emits a laser, recording the position of its impact point. After obtaining the impact point positions of all laser components, the distance between each impact point and the target point, as well as the distance between the impact points, can be calculated.

[0058] For example, when the target includes a multifaceted mirror, it can include a prism structure formed by multiple planar mirrors. Multiple laser components simultaneously emit lasers towards the multifaceted mirror to simulate the simultaneous output of multiple beam modules. The intersection deviation is measured by the impact points of each laser beam as presented by the multifaceted mirror.

[0059] For example, when the target includes a cube, it can be a cube, cuboid, or other polyhedron. Multiple laser components simultaneously emit lasers towards the cube to simulate the simultaneous output of multiple beam modules. The intersection deviation is measured by the impact points of each laser beam as perceived by the cube.

[0060] For example, in the case where the target includes a sphere 131, the explanation will be further elaborated below.

[0061] In some embodiments, the center of the sphere 131 is located on the axis of rotation of the rotary drum 120 during calibration.

[0062] The rotary drum 120 can rotate about its axis of rotation, and during rotation, it can rotate around a predetermined radiation area. Ideally, the rotary drum 120 always rotates around the same treatment center, and multiple beam modules are not calibrated during this process. The same treatment center can be the center location of the predetermined radiation area, which can be simulated by the center of a sphere. The sphere 131 can occupy part or all of the predetermined radiation area.

[0063] According to embodiments of this disclosure, by aligning the center of the sphere with the axis of rotation, an actual radiotherapy scenario can be simulated, improving calibration accuracy, reducing data deviation, and maintaining the accuracy and consistency between the calibration process and the actual radiotherapy process.

[0064] In some embodiments, the sphere 131 is decorated with interwoven meridians and parallels, wherein the meridians and parallels are used to characterize the intersection deviation between any two laser beams in a multi-beam laser array.

[0065] The meridians and parallels on sphere 131 can serve as a reference grid for detecting and adjusting the alignment of the laser beams. For example, if two laser beams are supposed to intersect at a point on sphere 131, but actually appear to intersect at different points on the grid, this discrepancy can be corrected by adjusting the position or angle of the laser emitter.

[0066] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the meridians and parallels provide a visual framework for accurately measuring the intersection deviation of each laser beam and visually simulating the intersection location.

[0067] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1, multiple beam modules are arranged in a ring around a rotating drum 120, and a sphere 131 is used as a reference to guide multiple laser beams to converge on the surface of the sphere. Further, the impact points of the multiple laser beams on the sphere 131 can be guided to be located at the same circular cross-section.

[0068] Multiple beam modules are evenly distributed around the rotating drum 120, capable of emitting radiation beams simultaneously or asynchronously from different angles. Through calibration, the impact points of all laser beams on the sphere 131 are aligned with the sphere itself. This allows for achieving the desired convergence point during actual radiotherapy by emitting multiple radiation beams. Maintaining a common circular cross-section facilitates closer impact points, thereby achieving ultra-high dose rate flash therapy.

[0069] In some embodiments, the radius of the sphere 131 is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and the center of the sphere 131 coincides with the target point in the predetermined radiation region, wherein the predetermined threshold is used to constrain the error between the hit position of any laser beam and the target radiotherapy position.

[0070] By controlling the radius and center position of sphere 131, the illumination range of the laser beam can be controlled. Specifically, when any laser beam can illuminate sphere 131, the distance between its impact point and the center of the sphere equals a predetermined threshold, thus being less than an error value equal to the predetermined threshold. If the predetermined threshold is less than or equal to the predetermined error value, it can be quickly and visually identified which laser beams meet the intersection deviation because they illuminate sphere 131, and which laser beams do not meet the intersection deviation because they do not illuminate sphere 131. This allows for adjustment of the beam modules corresponding to the laser beams that do not meet the intersection deviation.

[0071] For example, a predetermined threshold or predetermined error value can be determined based on the size of the lesion to be irradiated.

[0072] Therefore, the sphere 131 can be used to realize the convergence of multiple beam modules (such as multiple linear accelerators) in geometric space, and the error between each radiation beam and the intersection point is less than a predetermined error value, such as ±5mm, thereby achieving ultra-high dose irradiation at the specified lesion location.

[0073] For example, the sphere 131 can be made of plastic, iron, lead or stainless steel, and its diameter can be 10mm (for example only). The coaxiality error between the center of the sphere and the axis of rotation is ≤0.2mm. The machining error is guaranteed by precision machining of CNC machine tools.

[0074] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the calibration target assembly 130 also includes a support frame. The support frame includes: a base 132, mounted on the inner wall of the rotary drum 120, the curvature of the bottom surface of the base 132 matching the curvature of the mounting area on the inner wall of the rotary drum 120; and a connector 133, the first end of which is connected to the base 132 and the second end of which is connected to the sphere 131.

[0075] The bottom surface of the base 132 serves as the component mounting surface, which fits (i.e., the curvature matches) with the inner curved surface of the rotary drum 120, making it easy to install on the inner circle (inner arc surface) of the rotary drum 120. The inner circle mounting position is precision machined, and the machining error is guaranteed by CNC machine tool precision machining.

[0076] The following further explains how multiple beam modules actually output beams, and how dose detection is used to detect the dose of the radiation beam in a predetermined radiation area. The difference between the radiation beam doses is used to calibrate the intersection deviation.

[0077] In some embodiments, the target includes at least one dose detection module for detecting the first actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module; wherein the difference between the first actual dose and the first theoretical dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module is used to characterize the intersection deviation.

[0078] It is understandable that when multiple beam modules can converge within a predetermined radiation area, and the convergence deviation is less than a certain value, the dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module within the predetermined radiation area can be estimated, known as the first theoretical dose. Therefore, the difference between the actual measured dose and the theoretical dose can reflect the convergence deviation. For example, it can be estimated that there is a certain deviation in the distance between the radiation beam emitted by each beam module and the target point.

[0079] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a precise comparison between the actual dose and the theoretical dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module can be achieved, thereby effectively characterizing the intersection deviation, which can improve calibration efficiency and reliability, as well as improve the dose accuracy and consistency of radiotherapy.

[0080] In some embodiments, at least one dose detection module includes at least one dosimeter for detecting the first actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module.

[0081] A dosimeter is a device used to measure the dose of radiation (such as X-rays and gamma rays). For example, it can be based on a radiation-sensitive detector to measure radiation intensity. When radiation particles in the environment pass through the detector, they react with the radiation-sensitive medium, are collected by the detector, and converted into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is then further processed to calculate the radiation dose.

[0082] For example, at least one dosimeter may include a single dosimeter with a fixed angle for its radiation detection area. By rotating the rotary drum 120, each beam module is rotated sequentially to the same angle, emitting radiation beams to the radiation detection area of ​​the dosimeter, which serves as the target, thereby achieving dose detection of multiple radiation beams.

[0083] In some embodiments, at least one dosimeter includes multiple dosimeters, multiple beam modules are arranged in a ring around the rotating drum 120 of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100, and multiple radiation detection areas of the multiple dosimeters are arranged in a ring to correspond one-to-one with multiple beam emission positions of the multiple beam modules; wherein, the multiple dosimeters are used to detect the first actual dose of each of the multiple radiation beams in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0084] For example, a radiation detection zone is used to measure the radiation dose passing through the zone in response to radiation. Multiple dosimeters are independent dose detection devices.

[0085] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the dose of each beam module can be accurately measured, thereby enabling accurate assessment of the intersection deviation between each beam module and the target point or other beam modules.

[0086] In some embodiments, at least one dose detection module includes: at least one ionization chamber for detecting a second actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module; wherein the difference between the second actual dose and the first theoretical dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module is used to characterize the intersection deviation.

[0087] An ionization chamber contains a cavity filled with an inert gas and two electrodes, positive and negative. When radiation is incident on the chamber, it causes the gas inside to ionize. Under the influence of an electric field, electrons move towards the anode, and positive ions move towards the cathode. The electrons collected at the anode form a current in the circuit, which is recorded, thereby measuring the radiation dose.

[0088] For example, at least one ionization chamber may include a single ionization chamber with a fixed angle for its radiation detection area. By rotating the rotary drum 120, each beam module is rotated sequentially to the same angle, and a radiation beam is emitted to the radiation detection area of ​​the ionization chamber, which serves as the target, thereby achieving dose detection of multiple radiation beams.

[0089] In some embodiments, at least one ionization chamber includes multiple ionization chambers, and multiple beam modules are arranged in a ring around the rotating drum 120 of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100. Multiple ray incident angles of the multiple ionization chambers correspond one-to-one with multiple beam emission positions of the multiple beam modules, so as to receive multiple radiation beams one-to-one. The multiple ionization chambers are used to detect the second actual dose of each radiation beam in the multiple radiation beams one-to-one.

[0090] Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the rotating drum 120 and the calibration target assembly 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of the rotating drum 120 and the calibration target assembly 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 schematically shows an installation zero-position state diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The installation zero position is the initial state of the beam module installation.

[0091] Referring to Figures 1, 2(a), 2(b), 3, 4, and 5, the installation and calibration process of the beam module of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100 is described below.

[0092] With the rotary drum 120 installed, the first beam module 111, the second beam module 112, and the third beam module 113 are installed on the upper first support 141 on the working platform, and the fourth beam module 114 and the fifth beam module 115 are installed on the lower second support 142. The upper beam support is lifted with a hoist and connected to the rotary drum 120 assembly. After being positioned with fixing pins, it is tightened with screws. Then, the drive motor rotates the drum 180° to connect the lower beam module support to the rotary drum 120 assembly. It is also positioned with pins and tightened. After that, the drum is rotated back to the working zero position.

[0093] As shown in Figure 5, the first support 141 and the second support 142 include slots 510 for mounting the beam module. The mounting surfaces of the first support 141 and the second support 142 are coplanar, and the distance error between this surface and one end face of the roller is controlled to be ≤0.2mm. Multiple positioning screws 520 are reserved near the slots 510 to meet the four-way adjustment functions (front-back, left-right), which is beneficial for observing the positioning reference and adjusting the beam module during installation.

[0094] To facilitate installation and maintenance, multiple beam modules were modularly designed, which not only shortens the processing cycle but also facilitates compatibility with external interfaces and enhances interchangeability. The first support 141 or the second support 142 is made of aluminum and designed as an integrated structure to minimize weight while ensuring support strength and rigidity. The center hole of the accelerator tube mounting flange of the beam module is precision machined, and the tolerance between the center line of this hole and the bottom surface of the mounting support 140 is controlled to be ≤0.05mm to ensure the consistency of the beam center line height of each module.

[0095] A calibration target assembly 130 is installed on the central axis of the rotary drum 120, and its target part includes a sphere 131. The sphere 131 is made of stainless steel and has a diameter of 10 mm. It is installed on the rotation axis of the rotary drum 120, and the coaxiality error between the center of the sphere and the rotation axis is ≤0.2 mm. The bottom surface of the support frame is curved and fits the inner wall of the rotary drum. The machining error is ensured by precision machining of a CNC machine tool. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the calibration target assembly 130 is adjustable in the front and back direction along the rotation axis of the rotary drum 120 so that the center of the sphere 131 coincides with the intersection point of the five radiation beams, which can meet the installation and adjustment of the beam module on site.

[0096] Using the calibration target assembly 130 as the positioning reference, the positions of each beam module are adjusted sequentially by setting the positioning set screws 520 of each slot 510 on the first support 141 and the second support 142. After observing that multiple laser beams are approximately located on the same circular cross-section (preferably at the center of the sphere) on the spherical surface illuminated by the laser beam at the front end of each beam module, the beam modules are tightened.

[0097] A sphere 131 is used for calibration, with its center coinciding with the rotation axis of the rotary drum 120. This sphere 131 serves as a reference target for beam converging of each beam module, and can be used for multi-directional adjustment and positioning of the beam modules, allowing for the sequential installation of multiple beam modules. Ultimately, this achieves beam converging of multiple beam modules distributed in an array.

[0098] Based on the calibration equipment described above for the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100, a calibration method is also provided, which is further described below.

[0099] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a flowchart of a calibration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] As shown in Figure 6, the calibration method of this embodiment includes the following:

[0101] During operation S610, during the calibration process, the target of the calibration target assembly 130 is placed in the predetermined radiation area of ​​the ultra-high dose rate radiation device 100.

[0102] In operation S620, the target is used as a reference to calibrate the intersection deviation of multiple radiation beams converging in a predetermined radiation area.

[0103] The calibration process disclosed herein, for example, begins with the installation of each beam module and ends with the convergence deviation meeting expected requirements. Expected requirements include, for example, ensuring that multiple laser beams hit sphere 131 and that the radius of sphere 131 is less than or equal to a specific error, such as 5 mm.

[0104] In some embodiments, during the calibration process, the center of the target is positioned on the rotation axis of the rotary drum 120.

[0105] In some embodiments, multiple laser components are controlled to emit multiple laser beams to a target to simulate the intersection of multiple radiation beams at a predetermined radiation region.

[0106] In some embodiments, the target includes a sphere 131, the center of which is located on the rotation axis of the rotary drum 120 during calibration.

[0107] In some embodiments, the intersection deviation between any two laser beams in a plurality of laser beams is characterized by the interlacing meridians and parallels on the sphere 131.

[0108] In some embodiments, using sphere 131 as a reference, multiple laser beams are guided to converge on the surface of the sphere, including guiding multiple laser beams to converge at the same cross-section where the center of the circle is located.

[0109] In some embodiments, at least one dose detection module is used to detect the first actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module; the difference between the first actual dose and the first theoretical dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module is used to characterize the intersection deviation.

[0110] In some embodiments, at least one dose detection module includes at least one dosimeter or at least one ionization chamber.

[0111] In some embodiments, at least one dosimeter includes multiple dosimeters, and the multiple radiation detection areas of the multiple dosimeters are arranged in a ring to correspond one-to-one with the multiple beam emission positions of the multiple beam modules; so that the multiple dosimeters detect the first actual dose of each of the multiple radiation beams in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0112] In some embodiments, at least one ionization chamber includes multiple ionization chambers, and multiple ray incident angles of the multiple ionization chambers correspond one-to-one with multiple beam emission positions of multiple beam modules, so as to receive multiple radiation beams one-to-one; and enable the multiple ionization chambers to detect the second actual dose of each radiation beam in the multiple radiation beams one-to-one.

[0113] The above one or more embodiments have the following beneficial effects: providing a calibration target assembly, using its target portion as a reference to calibrate the convergence deviation of the multiple radiation beams converging in the predetermined radiation region, so that the multiple radiation beams can converge in the predetermined radiation region, and the convergence deviation meets the expected requirements. This enables multiple calibrated beam modules to perform ultra-high dose rate radiation on the same designated location from multiple angles.

[0114] For any parts not mentioned in the calibration method section, please refer to the various embodiments of the calibration equipment described above. That is, the calibration method section includes steps for controlling the execution of various structures in any of the device embodiments described above. Furthermore, the implementation methods, technical problems solved, functions achieved, and technical effects of each step in the calibration method section embodiments are the same as or similar to the implementation methods, technical problems solved, functions achieved, and technical effects of the corresponding structures in the calibration equipment section embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0115] Those skilled in the art will understand that the features described in the various embodiments of this disclosure can be combined and / or combined in various ways, even if such combinations or combinations are not explicitly described in this disclosure. In particular, the features described in the various embodiments of this disclosure can be combined and / or combined in various ways without departing from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure. All such combinations and / or combinations fall within the scope of this disclosure. Embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. However, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Although various embodiments have been described above, this does not mean that the measures in the various embodiments cannot be used advantageously in combination. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Various substitutions and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure, and all such substitutions and modifications should fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A calibration device for an ultra-high dose rate radiation device, the ultra-high dose rate radiation device comprising multiple beam modules for emitting multiple radiation beams, the calibration device comprising: A calibration target assembly, including a target portion, wherein the target portion is located in a predetermined radiation area of ​​the ultra-high dose rate radiation device during calibration; The target is used as a reference to calibrate the convergence deviation of the multiple radiation beams converging in the predetermined radiation region.

2. The calibration device according to claim 1, wherein, The multiple beam modules are mounted on the rotating drum of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device. During calibration, the target is located within the predetermined radiation area of ​​the ultra-high dose rate radiation device, including: During the calibration process, the center of the target is located on the rotation axis of the rotary drum.

3. The calibration device according to claim 2, wherein, The calibration equipment also includes: Multiple laser components are installed one-to-one at the beam emission positions of the multiple beam modules; The plurality of laser components are used to emit multiple laser beams to the target to simulate the intersection of the multiple radiation beams at the predetermined radiation region.

4. The calibration device according to claim 3, wherein, The target portion includes: A sphere, wherein the center of the sphere is located on the rotation axis of the rotary drum during calibration.

5. The calibration device according to claim 4, wherein, The sphere is decorated with interwoven meridians and parallels. The meridians and parallels are used to characterize the intersection deviation between any two laser beams in the multi-beam laser system.

6. The calibration device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The plurality of beam modules are arranged in a ring around the rotating drum. The sphere serves as a reference, guiding the multiple laser beams to converge on its surface.

7. The calibration device according to claim 6, wherein, The radius of the sphere is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and the center of the sphere coincides with the target point in the predetermined radiation region. The predetermined threshold is used to constrain the error between the hit position of any laser beam and the target radiotherapy position.

8. The calibration device according to claim 5, wherein, The calibration target assembly also includes a support frame, the support frame comprising: A base is installed on the inner wall of the rotary drum, and the curvature of the bottom surface of the base matches the curvature of the installation area on the inner wall of the rotary drum. The connector has a first end connected to the base and a second end connected to the sphere.

9. The calibration device according to claim 6, wherein, The beam emission positions of each of the multiple beam modules are approximately equal to the distances from the target.

10. The calibration device according to claim 1, wherein, The target portion includes: At least one dose detection module is used to detect the first actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module; The difference between the first actual dose and the first theoretical dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module is used to characterize the intersection deviation.

11. The calibration apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The at least one dose detection module includes: At least one dosimeter is used to detect the first actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module.

12. The calibration apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The at least one dosimeter includes multiple dosimeters, and the multiple beam modules are arranged in a ring around the rotating drum of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device. The multiple radiation detection areas of the multiple dosimeters are arranged in a ring shape to correspond one-to-one with the multiple beam emission positions of the multiple beam modules; The plurality of dosimeters are used to detect the first actual dose of each of the plurality of radiation beams in a one-to-one correspondence.

13. The calibration apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The at least one dose detection module includes: At least one ionization chamber for detecting a second actual dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module; The difference between the second actual dose and the first theoretical dose of the radiation beam emitted by each beam module is used to characterize the intersection deviation.

14. The calibration apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one ionization chamber includes multiple ionization chambers, and the multiple beam modules are arranged in a ring around the rotating drum of the ultra-high dose rate radiation device. The multiple incident angles of the multiple ionization chambers correspond one-to-one with the multiple beam emission positions of the multiple beam modules, so as to receive the multiple radiation beams one-to-one. The plurality of ionization chambers are used to detect the second actual dose of each of the plurality of radiation beams in a one-to-one correspondence.

15. A calibration method for an ultra-high dose rate radiation device, the ultra-high dose rate radiation device comprising a plurality of beam modules for emitting multiple radiation beams, the calibration method comprising: During the calibration process, the target of the calibration target assembly is placed in the predetermined radiation area of ​​the ultra-high dose rate radiation device; The target is used as a reference to calibrate the convergence deviation of the multiple radiation beams converging in the predetermined radiation region.

16. An ultra-high dose rate radiation device, comprising: Rotary drum; Multiple beam modules for emitting multiple radiation beams, wherein the multiple beam modules are distributed in a ring around the rotating drum; The plurality of beam modules are configured to be calibrated by the calibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, so as to converge the plurality of radiation beams into a predetermined radiation region.

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