Multi-leaf Collimator With Variable Leaf Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) in radiation therapy systems are inefficient in material usage and manufacturing cost due to uniform leaf lengths, leading to unnecessary material usage and complexity, as they often include leaves that do not contribute to the therapeutic radiation field.
Innovation Solution
A multi-leaf collimator design with leaves of varying lengths, where shorter target leaves at the ends and longer reference leaves in the middle are used, allowing for a more conformal radiation field without unnecessary material, and a staggered arrangement of leaves to block inter-leaf radiation leakage, reducing material usage and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform leaf lengths are used in MLC, then the radiation field coverage is simplified, but material usage increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different leaves have different lengths according to their specific functional requirements. Leaves in the middle region are longer to cover the maximum radiation field, while leaves at the end portions are shorter since they don't need to cover the entire field. This localized differentiation optimizes material usage while maintaining radiation field coverage effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If all leaves have the same length, then the MLC structure is simpler, but leaves at end portions create unnecessary material without contributing to therapeutic radiation field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary portions from the leaves at the end portions of the MLC. By removing the excess length that does not contribute to the therapeutic radiation field, the design eliminates wasted material while maintaining the structural integrity and functional performance of the collimator.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform leaf lengths are used, then manufacturing is easier, but treatment precision is reduced due to inter-leaf radiation leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of leaf length from uniform to variable. By adjusting the length parameter of leaves at different positions, the design optimizes both the radiation field precision and material efficiency. Leaves are made longer only where needed to block inter-leaf radiation leakage and shorter where not needed, achieving precise radiation field control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a multi-leaf collimator. The multi-leaf collimator may include a set of leaves installed in a cavity, each leaf of the set of leaves having a length along a first direction. At least a portion of the set of leaves may extend beyond the cavity along the first direction. The set of leaves may be arranged along a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction. A length of a target leaf of the set of leaves may be less than a length of a reference leaf of the set of leaves. The target leaf may be located in an end portion of the set of leaves along the second direction. The length of the set of leaves may conform to the shape of a maximum therapeutic radiation field.