# US 2024/0198136 A1 · High bandwidth binary multi-leaf collimator design > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0198136 A1 - Document ID: US20240198136A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/490,732 - Filed: 2023-10-19 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-10 - Assignees: RefleXion Medical, Inc. - Applicants: RefleXion Medical, Inc. - Inventors: David LARKIN; William KNAPP; Eugene DUVAL; Layton HALE; David MEER; Matthew DIGGS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240198136A1 ## CPC - A61N 5/1045: {using a multi-leaf collimator, e.g. for intensity modulated radiation therapy or IMRT} - A61N 5/10: X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy (A61N5/01 takes precedence) - G21K 1/046: {varying the contour of the field, e.g. multileaf collimators} - A61N 2005/1074: {Details of the control system, e.g. user interfaces} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - G21K: HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES ## Abstract Described herein are multi-leaf collimators that comprise leaf drive mechanisms. The leaf drive mechanisms can be used in binary multi-leaf collimators used in emission-guided radiation therapy. One variation of a multi-leaf collimator comprises a pneumatics-based leaf drive mechanism. Another variation of a multi-leaf collimator comprises a spring-based leaf drive mechanism having a spring resonator. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1: A collimator comprising: a leaf movable between a first position and a second position; a leaf shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and wherein the distal portion of the shaft is attached to the leaf; a spring system coupled to the leaf shaft and configured to apply a force along a longitudinal axis of the leaf shaft; and an actuator system coupled to the leaf shaft wherein the force applied by the spring system and a force applied by the actuator system on the leaf shaft longitudinally translate the leaf shaft to move the leaf between the first and second positions, and wherein the actuator system is configured to selectively retain the leaf at the first position or the second position, and wherein the first position is a closed configuration and the second position is an open configuration, and wherein the spring system and the actuator system are configured to transition the leaf between the closed configuration and open configuration in about 7 ms or less. ### Claim at position 2 (depends on 1) 2: The collimator of claim 1, wherein the actuator system is configured to supply a motive force sufficient to overcome losses in the spring system. ### Claim at position 3 (depends on 1) 3: The collimator of claim 1, wherein the actuator system has a first configuration wherein the leaf is retained in the first position and a second configuration wherein the leaf is retained in the second position. ### Claim at position 4 4-14. (canceled) ### Claim at position 5 (depends on 1) 15: The collimator of claim 1, wherein the spring system comprises at least one coil spring. ### Claim at position 6 16-39. (canceled) ### Claim at position 7 (depends on 1) 40: The collimator of claim 1, wherein the actuator system comprises a linear actuator. ### Claim at position 8 (depends on 40) 41: The collimator of claim 40, wherein the actuator system comprises a voice coil. ### Claim at position 9 (depends on 3) 42: The collimator of claim 3, wherein when the actuator system is in the first configuration, the leaf is in the closed configuration and wherein when the actuator system is in the second configuration, the leaf is in the open configuration, and wherein the spring system and actuator system are configured to transition the leaf between the closed configuration and open configuration in about 7 ms or less. ### Claim at position 10 (depends on 1) 43: The collimator of claim 1, wherein the spring system comprises at least one torsion bar spring. ### Claim at position 11 (depends on 1) 44: The collimator of claim 1, wherein the spring system is coupled to the leaf shaft. ### Claim at position 12 (depends on 44) 45: The collimator of claim 44, wherein the spring system and the actuator system are coupled to the proximal portion of the leaf shaft. ### Claim at position 13 (depends on 45) 46: The collimator of claim 45, wherein the spring system and the actuator system are attached to the proximal portion of the shaft. ### Claim at position 14 (depends on 1) 47: The collimator of claim 1, wherein the force generated by the spring system and the force generated by the actuator system add constructively together to longitudinally translate the leaf from the second position to the first position. ### Claim at position 15 48: A collimator comprising: a leaf movable between a first position and a second position; a spring system coupled to the leaf; and an actuator system coupled to the leaf, wherein the spring system and actuator system work together to move the leaf between the first position and the second position within about 10 ms or less. ### Claim at position 16 (depends on 48) 49: The collimator of claim 48, wherein the actuator system comprises a pneumatic actuator. ### Claim at position 17 (depends on 48) 50: The collimator of claim 48, wherein the actuator system comprises a slotted-link mechanism. ### Claim at position 18 (depends on 48) 51: The collimator of claim 48, wherein the actuator system comprises an electromagnetic actuator. ### Claim at position 19 (depends on 48) 52: The collimator of claim 48, wherein the actuator system is configured to supply a motive force sufficient to overcome losses in the spring system. ### Claim at position 20 (depends on 48) 53: The collimator of claim 48, wherein a force generated by the spring system and a force generated by the actuator system add constructively together to longitudinally translate the leaf from the second position to the first position.