Phase-Frequency Microwave Distribution for Fast Multi-Angle Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiotherapy and industrial CT systems using mechanical motion accelerators are inefficient for high-speed, multi-angle irradiation due to limitations in mechanical movement speed, which is unsuitable for FLASH radiotherapy and stationary CT applications.
Innovation Solution
A microwave power distribution network and method based on phase-frequency hybrid control, utilizing a combination of phase-controlled and frequency-controlled subnetworks to efficiently distribute high-power microwaves to corresponding output ports without mechanical changes, enabling fast switching of multi-angle irradiation fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mechanical motion accelerator systems are used for multi-angle irradiation, then the system structure is relatively simple, but the scanning speed is limited and time consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical motion accelerator system with a stationary accelerator combined with a microwave power distribution network. Instead of mechanically rotating the accelerator to achieve multi-angle irradiation, the system uses phase-controlled microwave signals distributed through a network to illuminate multiple angles simultaneously. This substitution eliminates mechanical movement limitations and enables irradiation times of less than 1 second, meeting FLASH radiotherapy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic phase control of microwave signals to achieve time-varying multi-angle illumination. By dynamically adjusting the phase of microwave signals fed to different antenna elements in the array, the system can electronically steer the radiation pattern and illuminate different angular sectors without mechanical movement. This dynamic control enables rapid switching between irradiation fields.
2Speed
If mechanical motion accelerators are used for radiotherapy, then the device complexity is low, but the switching speed of multi-angle irradiation fields is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microwave power distribution into multiple independent channels, each feeding a specific antenna element or group of elements in the array. Each channel can be independently controlled with its own phase and amplitude, enabling selective illumination of different angular sectors. This segmentation allows rapid electronic switching between irradiation fields by simply changing the phase distribution across channels without mechanical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary accelerator combined with the microwave power distribution network serves multiple functions: it can illuminate multiple angles simultaneously, rapidly switch between different irradiation fields, and maintain consistent beam quality. The same hardware infrastructure supports both conventional and FLASH radiotherapy modes, as well as industrial CT applications, providing universal functionality without requiring mechanical reconfiguration.
3Productivity
If high-power microwave distribution networks are implemented, then the irradiation speed is improved, but the frequency band requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple microwave signals with different phases into a single high-power output through constructive interference. By coordinating the phase of signals from multiple antenna elements, the system merges their power to achieve high-intensity irradiation at target locations. This combining approach enables high-power delivery without requiring proportionally higher frequency band resources, as the power is achieved through coherent addition rather than simply increasing individual channel power.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a microwave power distribution network (10) and method based on phase-frequency hybrid control, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The microwave power distribution network (10) includes a first-stage microwave combining and distribution subnetwork (100) based on phase control and a second-stage microwave distribution subnetwork (200) based on frequency control. The microwave power distribution network (10) is a passive device and does not require additional signals to change its state or mechanical structure. High-power microwaves generated by power sources with a certain relationship between phases and frequencies are distributed to corresponding output ports after entering the microwave distribution network (10), thereby meeting the needs of fast switching of multi-angle irradiation fields in technologies such as FLASH radiotherapy and stationary CT.