Electromagnetically Actuated Multi-Leaf Collimator for Rapid Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multileaf collimators in radiation therapy are limited by slow leaf movement and insufficient control, which restricts the ability to achieve advanced simultaneous shaping and modulating beam patterns, hindering the development of sophisticated treatment plans.
Innovation Solution
A highly responsive multileaf collimator with magnetically actuated leaves that can move quickly between fully open and fully closed positions, allowing for precise control and arbitrary 2D patterns, combining the speed benefits of binary MLCs with the flexibility of conventional shaping MLCs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional mechanical actuation is used for multileaf collimator leaves, then structural simplicity is maintained, but leaf movement speed is slow and control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical actuation systems with electromagnetic actuators (motors) to drive the multileaf collimator leaves. This substitution enables significantly faster leaf movement speeds while providing precise control through electrical signal regulation, directly resolving the contradiction between speed and control precision without excessive mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs variable speed control of the electromagnetic actuators, allowing the leaves to move at different speeds depending on position and treatment requirements. The system can accelerate rapidly when needed and decelerate precisely at target positions, optimizing both overall speed and positioning accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through electronic parameter regulation
2Productivity
If conventional shaping MLC is used, then flexibility in beam shaping is achieved, but treatment time increases due to slow leaf movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic leaf movement where the leaves can change position and velocity continuously during treatment delivery. The electromagnetic actuators allow for arbitrary motion trajectories, enabling the system to rapidly transition between different beam shapes and maintain optimal shaping flexibility while dramatically reducing overall treatment time compared to conventional slow mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and pre-positions leaves for subsequent beam shapes during the delivery of current shapes. The high-speed electromagnetic actuators enable leaves to move to predetermined positions in advance, allowing for overlapping preparation and execution of multiple beam shaping operations, thereby increasing productivity without sacrificing shaping precision or flexibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If binary MLC is used, then leaf movement speed is improved, but ability to create arbitrary 2D patterns and intensity modulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal leaf actuation system that can perform both binary (fully open/closed) positioning and continuous multi-position positioning within the same system. The electromagnetic actuators provide multi-functional capability, enabling the leaves to operate in binary mode for high-speed applications or in continuous mode for complex 2D pattern creation and intensity modulation, thus achieving both speed and versatility through a single unified system
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
Enables more advanced radiation therapy treatments by allowing for rapid creation of complex beam shapes and intensity modulation, improving treatment planning and delivery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A highly responsive multileaf collimator with magnetically actuated leaves that can move quickly between fully open and fully closed positions
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-leaf collimator with electromagnetically actuated leaves. The multi-leaf collimator includes a plurality of leaves, a leaf guide configured to support the plurality of leaves, and a plurality of magnets. Each leaf includes a blocking portion that is radio opaque, a drive portion connected to the blocking portion, and a coil embedded in the drive portion. The coil is operatively connected to an electrical current source to generate a first magnetic field. The first magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field generated by the magnet to thereby move the leave to a desired state. The leaves have the capability of moving at speeds of 50 cm/s up to and higher than 1 m/s.