Devices and methods for delivering non-coplanar radiotherapy
Inventors
WIBERG, Kristian • Carlsson, Per
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12661527-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A radiotherapy apparatus is described. The radiotherapy apparatus comprises a radiation source, a beam shaping apparatus, a beam receiving apparatus, and a controller configured to control the beam shaping apparatus. The radiation source is configured to deliver radiation in each of a coplanar configuration and at least one non-coplanar configuration. The beam shaping apparatus is configured to direct the radiation produced by the radiation source towards the beam receiving apparatus in each of the coplanar configuration and the at least one non-coplanar configuration. The controller is configured to control the beam shaping apparatus to apply a limit on a field of radiation produced by the radiation source based on whether the radiation source is configured in the coplanar configuration or the at least one non-coplanar configuration.
Core Innovation
The radiotherapy apparatus delivers radiation in coplanar and non-coplanar, tilted configurations while the beam receiving apparatus remains in the same place relative to the rotatable gantry. In the tilted configuration, the radiation field is directed at an oblique angle and the controller applies a limit to prevent the field from extending beyond the beam receiving apparatus. The limit is removed in the coplanar configuration.
The described system uses a beam shaping apparatus to direct radiation towards the beam receiving apparatus in both configurations. Limiting the field in the non-coplanar configuration avoids or reduces movement of the beam receiving apparatus and supports a smaller, simpler apparatus with fewer moving components.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three inventive features directed to an apparatus, a method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium for configuration-dependent radiation field control.
Configuration-dependent radiation field limit
The apparatus delivers radiation in coplanar and non-coplanar, tilted configurations while the beam receiving apparatus remains in the same place relative to the gantry. The controller applies a limit in the tilted configuration to prevent the radiation field from extending beyond the beam receiving apparatus, and removes the limit in the coplanar configuration.
Method of controlling the radiation field
The method switches the radiation source between coplanar and non-coplanar configurations while the beam receiving apparatus remains in the same place relative to the gantry. It applies a limit in the non-coplanar configuration to prevent the field from extending beyond the beam receiving apparatus and removes the limit in the coplanar configuration.
Computer-readable medium for configuration-dependent field control
The non-transitory computer-readable medium contains instructions that cause processors to switch the source between coplanar and non-coplanar configurations, apply a limit in the non-coplanar configuration to prevent the field from extending beyond the beam receiving apparatus, and remove the limit in the coplanar configuration.
The claims comprehensively protect the apparatus, method, and executable instructions for managing configuration-dependent radiation field limits while keeping the beam receiving apparatus in the same place relative to the gantry.
Stated Advantages
Avoids or reduces movement of the beam receiving apparatus.
Supports a smaller, simpler apparatus with fewer moving components.
Documented Applications
A radiotherapy apparatus for delivering radiation in coplanar and non-coplanar, tilted configurations.
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