Configurable Collimator Linear Motor Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle therapy systems face challenges in precisely controlling the particle beam to minimize exposure to healthy tissue while effectively treating tumors, due to limitations in collimator technology.
Innovation Solution
A configurable collimator system utilizing linear motors to control the movement of leaves, allowing for precise adjustment of the beam's path and shape to block or allow radiation, thereby optimizing treatment precision and minimizing healthy tissue exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a configurable collimator system is implemented to precisely control the particle beam, then treatment precision is improved and healthy tissue exposure is minimized, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple linear motors and controllable leaves
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple independent leaves (first leaf, second leaf, third leaf, fourth leaf) that can be individually controlled by separate linear motors. This segmentation allows precise independent positioning of each leaf to create customized beam patterns while blocking radiation from specific directions, thereby achieving high treatment precision without requiring a single complex moving mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The collimator leaves are designed to be dynamically controllable during the particle beam scanning process. The linear motors enable real-time adjustment of leaf positions as the beam scans across the irradiation target, allowing the collimator configuration to adapt dynamically to different treatment zones and maintain optimal precision throughout the treatment sequence
2Ease of operation
If linear motors are used to control collimator leaves, then ease of operation is improved through automated positioning, but use of energy increases due to the electromagnetic actuation of multiple leaves
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical actuation systems (such as cables, pulleys, or manual adjustment mechanisms) are replaced with linear motors that use electromagnetic fields to directly actuate the collimator leaves. This substitution provides automated, precise positioning control through electronic signals, significantly improving ease of operation and enabling dynamic reconfiguration during treatment, though it increases energy consumption compared to passive mechanical systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The configurable collimator system enables precise control of the particle beam, allowing for effective treatment of tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue, thereby improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
a linear motor including a movable component and a stationary component. The stationary component includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The movable component includes a coil configured to conduct a current to produce a magnetic field to move the leaf along the direction of movement
Data Source
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AI summary
An example device for trimming a particle beam includes: structures made of material that blocks passage of the particle beam, with the structures being configurable to define an edge that is movable into a path of the particle beam; and linear motors that are controllable to configure the structures to define the edge.