US 2007/0164239 A1 · Variable stop collimator

Abstract

A variable stop collimator for use in a radiation therapy machine having a radiation source for producing a radiation beam directed toward a patient. The variable stop collimator includes a plurality of radiation attenuating leaves, with each leaf having an opposing leaf to collimate a ray of the radiation beam. For each leaf, the collimator includes a pneumatic cylinder configured to independently move each leaf between the open and closed state and at points between the open and closed states. Each pneumatic cylinder is connected at one end to the leaf and, at the other end, to a variable stop. The stop may include a raised spiral projection that permits a smooth stop at any point deemed appropriate for the motor. The collimator includes a support configured to guide the plurality of radiation attenuating leaves transverse to the beam plane.

Claims14

Dependent claims

In a radiation therapy machine having a radiation source for producing a radiation beam plane directed toward a patient, a variable stop collimator comprising:

a plurality of radiation attenuating leaves;
for each leaf, a pneumatic cylinder operably coupled thereto, the pneumatic cylinder being configured to independently move each leaf;
a variable stop mechanism operably coupled to each pneumatic cylinder, the variable stop mechanism being configured to move the cylinder such that it causes a coupled leaf to move transverse to the beam plane at points between an open and closed state;
and
a motor coupled to each variable stop mechanism, the motor being configured to control each variable stop mechanism.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable stop collimator

Life of this patent

Variable stop collimator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14