Automated delivery of treatment fields

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to radiation therapy devices, and more particularly, to the automated delivery of radiation therapy.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#The exact nature of this invention, as well as its objects and advantages, will become readily apparent from consideration of the following specification as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is diagram illustrating a radiation therapy device;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating portions of the radiation therapy device of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

#Turning now to the drawings and, with particular attention to FIG. 1, a radiation therapy device 10 pursuant to embodiments of the present invention is shown. According to one embodiment of the present invention, radiation therapy device 10 includes a beam shielding device (not shown) within a treatment head 24, a control unit in a housing 30 and a treatment unit 32. An accessory tray 25 is mounted to an exterior of treatment head 24. Accessory tray 25, in one embodiment, is configured to receive and securely hold attachments used during the course of treatment planning and treatment (such as, for example, reticles, wedges, or the like).

#Radiation therapy device 10 includes a gantry 26 which can be swiveled around a horizontal axis of rotation 20 in the course of a therapeutic treatment. Treatment head 24 is fastened to a projection of the gantry 26. A linear accelerator (not shown) is located inside gantry 26 to generate the high energy radiation required for the therapy. The axis of the radiation bundle emitted from the linear accelerator and the gantry 26 is designated by beam path 12. Electron, photon or any other detectable radiation can be used for the therapy. Embodiments of the present invention permit the controlled delivery of both primary electron and primary photon beams to a treatment zone 18 during the course of a prescribed treatment. Embodiments of the present invention also permit the automated control of elements of radiation therapy device 10 during testing or quality assurance cycles, allowing the verification of a prescribed course of treatment.