Systems, devices, and methods for variable collimation of a neutron beam

A method for collimating a neutron beam to a plurality of beam sizes using a neutron collimator assembly (NCA) comprising:

• a beam axis defining a path of the neutron beam;
• a plurality of neutron beam collimators each having an aperture of a different size;
• a mounting assembly mechanically supporting the neutron beam collimators;
• one or more electro-mechanical actuators mechanically coupled to the mounting assembly and configured to move the neutron beam collimators relative to the beam axis;
• and
• an electronic controller communicatively coupled with the one or more electro-mechanical actuators, the electronic controller programmed to generate control signals that cause the one or more electro-mechanical actuators to remove a first of the neutron beam collimators from the beam axis and align a second of the neutron beam collimators with the beam axis,
• the method comprising:
• propagating the neutron beam along the beam axis;
• and
• generating, using the electronic controller, the control signals that cause the one or more electro-mechanical actuators to remove the first of the neutron beam collimators from the beam axis and align the second of the neutron beam collimators with the beam axis,
• wherein the aperture of each neutron beam collimator corresponds to a respective beam size of the neutron beam.

A neutron collimator assembly (NCA), comprising:

• a beam axis defining a path of a neutron beam;
• a plurality of neutron beam collimators each having an aperture of a different size;
• an adjustable platform for positioning a patient relative to the beam axis to receive the neutron beam;
• a mounting assembly attached to the adjustable platform and configured to releasably secure any of the neutron beam collimators to the adjustable platform;
• one or more electro-mechanical actuators mechanically coupled to the adjustable platform;
• and
• an electronic controller communicatively coupled with the one or more electro-mechanical actuators, the electronic controller programmed to generate control signals that cause the one or more electro-mechanical actuators to move the adjustable platform relative to the beam axis to align a neutron beam collimator secured to the adjustable platform with the beam axis.

A method for treating a patient with BNCT using a neutron collimator assembly (NCA) comprising:

• a beam axis defining a path of a neutron beam;
• a plurality of neutron beam collimators each having an aperture of a different size;
• an adjustable platform for positioning the patient relative to the beam axis to receive the neutron beam;
• a mounting assembly attached to the adjustable platform and configured to releasably secure any of the neutron beam collimators to the adjustable platform;
• one or more electro-mechanical actuators mechanically coupled to the adjustable platform;
• and
• an electronic controller communicatively coupled with the one or more electro-mechanical actuators, the electronic controller programmed to generate control signals that cause the one or more electro-mechanical actuators to move the adjustable platform relative to the beam axis to align a neutron beam collimator secured to the adjustable platform with the beam axis,
• the method comprising:
• propagating the neutron beam along the beam axis;
• and
• generating, using the electronic controller, the control signals that cause the one or more electro-mechanical actuators to move the adjustable platform relative to the beam axis to align the neutron beam collimator secured to the adjustable platform with the beam axis.