Apparatus and method for delivering radiation to an object and for displaying delivered radiation

A system for delivering and displaying radiation delivered to an object, the system comprising:

• a radiation source with an output beam;
• beam-shielding means including at least one movable plate positioned between the radiation source and the object for delimiting the output beam to at least one predetermined irradiation field of the object;
• a plate position sensor for sensing the position of at least one plate of a plate arrangement;
• sensing means for sensing radiation output delivered to the field via the shielded output beam and for generating radiation output signals corresponding to radiation delivered to predetermined portions of the field;
• processing means for accumulating the radiation output signals;
• and
• display means for displaying the accumulated dose signals as a function of plate position on at least a portion of a display screen and for updating the display throughout the delivery of radiation;
• input means for inputting to the processing means a predetermined prescribed dose profile, wherein the display means is further provided for displaying an indication of the prescribed dose profile simultaneously with the display of the accumulated dose signals;
• and
• a memory unit that is connected to the processing means for storing parameters of the predetermined prescribed dose profile and the accumulated dose signals.

A method for delivering and displaying radiation delivered to an object, comprising the following steps:

• selecting at least one irradiation field of the object;
• generating an output beam of radiation from a radiation source;
• shielding the beam and thereby delimiting the output beam to irradiating each field;
• sensing radiation output directed towards the field from the radiation source;
• generating radiation output signals corresponding to radiation delivered to predetermined portions of the field;
• accumulating the radiation output signals;
• displaying the accumulated dose signals and updating the display throughout the delivery of radiation;
• inputting to the processing means a predetermined prescribed dose profile;
• and
• displaying an indication of the prescribed dose profile simultaneously with the display of the accumulated dose signals.