Integrated Multi-Leaf Collimator Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing multi-leaf collimator systems for radiation therapy require time-consuming and potentially risky procedures for mounting and demounting miniature collimators, and they struggle to deliver combined radiation fields effectively, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased risk of damaging healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A fully-integrated LINAC-mounted multi-leaf collimator system with a primary and secondary MLC, where the secondary MLC is designed to be smaller and less deep, allowing it to partially block the radiation beam and reduce intensity in the penumbra, while maintaining sufficient clearance and reducing weight, enabling more efficient beam shaping and delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a miniature multi-leaf collimator is mounted onto the LINAC head for finer confirmation, then beam shaping precision is improved, but treatment time increases and patient safety risk increases due to mounting and demounting procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both the primary MLC and secondary MLC into a single integrated assembly mounted on the LINAC head. The secondary MLC with thinner leaves (2-4 mm) is integrated alongside the primary MLC with thicker leaves, allowing both collimators to remain mounted throughout treatment without requiring time-consuming mounting and demounting operations. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining high beam shaping precision while eliminating treatment time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated MLC assembly serves multiple functions: the primary MLC handles broader radiation fields while the secondary MLC provides finer confirmation for narrow fields. Both collimators can be used simultaneously or independently within the same treatment session, enabling the system to adapt to different treatment requirements without requiring separate mounting operations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by maintaining precision across various treatment scenarios while reducing time loss.
2Manufacturing precision
If a miniature multi-leaf collimator is mounted onto the LINAC head for finer confirmation, then beam shaping precision is improved, but patient safety risk increases due to mounting and demounting procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both the primary MLC and secondary MLC into a single integrated assembly mounted on the LINAC head. The secondary MLC with thinner leaves (2-4 mm) is integrated alongside the primary MLC with thicker leaves, allowing both collimators to remain mounted throughout treatment without requiring time-consuming mounting and demounting operations. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining high beam shaping precision while eliminating treatment time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated MLC assembly is designed beforehand to include both primary and secondary collimators in a fixed, secure configuration. This pre-integrated design eliminates the need for separate mounting and demounting operations that could compromise patient safety. The assembly is installed once and remains in place throughout treatment, providing prior cushioning against safety risks associated with repeated mounting and demounting procedures.
3Measurement precision
If a miniature multi-leaf collimator is used for narrow conformal fields, then treatment accuracy is improved, but the ability to deliver combined fields with broader coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the primary MLC and secondary MLC into a single integrated assembly where both collimators coexist. The primary MLC handles broader radiation fields while the secondary MLC provides finer confirmation for narrow fields. Both collimators can be used simultaneously or independently within the same treatment session, enabling the system to adapt to different treatment requirements without requiring separate mounting operations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by maintaining precision across various treatment scenarios while reducing time loss.
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 system allows for more precise and efficient radiation beam shaping, reducing the time and risk associated with collimator changes and enabling the delivery of varied radiation patterns, including narrow and broader fields, thereby improving treatment accuracy and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
each leaf has a second depth (e.g., between 20 and 40 mm as measured along the direction of the radiation beam) sufficient to partially block a portion of the first radiation beam field, thereby defining a second radiation beam field. The second radiation beam field includes a first subfield and a second subfield (which may include the penumbra of the first beam field) having lower intensity than the first subfield.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient's lesion is localized for the purpose of administering radiation treatment by obtaining a beam shape representation along one or more beam directions of a radiation treatment device. An image corresponding to the lesion is obtained from each beam direction, and the beam shape and image are fixed to a common coordinate system to facilitate alignment.