Electron beam radiation system with collision detection functionality
AssigneeIntraop Medical Corporation
InventorsRichard L. Johnson, Michael F. Turk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the field of electron beam machines, such as linear straight through machines, and methods used for therapeutic uses. More particularly, the present invention relates to electron beam machines that incorporate a rotary coupling system to easily attach and manually or automatically rotate field defining members such as applicators and/or shields to the electron beam machines. The rotary coupling systems also incorporate functionality to automatically detect collisions involving the electron beam machines such as between an electron beam machine and other equipment or a patient.
Claims25
An electron beam radiation system that emits an electron beam, comprising:
- a) an electron beam unit having a unit outlet, wherein the electron beam unit produces the electron beam and emits the electron beam from the unit outlet to a target site;
- b) at least one sensor capable of sensing at least one of force and torque, wherein the sensor is coupled to the electron beam unit in a manner effective to detect at least one of force and/or torque readings associated with the electron beam unit;
- and
- c) a control system comprising at least one hardware processor operatively coupled to at least one memory, wherein the hardware processor is configured to execute steps comprising the following instructions stored in the at least one memory:
- i) receiving the force and/or torque readings from the sensor;
- ii) smoothing the force and/or torque readings;
- iii) using the smoothed force and/or torque readings to determine rate of change information indicative of a rate of change of at least one of the force and/or torque readings as a function of time;
- and
- iv) using the rate of change information to determine a collision status of the electron beam unit.
A method of detecting a collision status of an electron beam radiation unit that emits an electron beam, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an electron beam unit having a unit outlet, wherein the electron beam unit produces the electron beam and emits the electron beam from the unit outlet;
- b) providing at least one sensor that measures at least one of torque and/or force, wherein the sensor is coupled to the electron beam radiation system in a manner effective to sense readings indicative of at least one of force and/or torque encountered by the electron beam radiation system;
- c) using the sensor to sense force and/or torque readings associated with the electron beam unit;
- d) smoothing the sensed force and/or torque readings;
- e) using the smoothed readings to determine rate of change information indicative of a rate of change of at least one of the torque and/or force readings as a function of time;
- and
- f) using the rate of change information to determine a collision status of the electron beam radiation unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.