Radiation field detection

A radiation field detection system for use with a radiating device, the detection system comprising:

• a radiation detector configured to receive radiation and to provide radiation strength indicia of amounts of radiation received;
• a positioning mechanism connected to the radiation detector and configured to physically move the radiation detector;
• and
• a processor coupled to the positioning mechanism and coupled to the radiation detector to receive the radiation strength indicia, the processor being configured to:
• actuate the positioning mechanism to move the radiation detector to desired locations within a radiation field produced by the radiating device;
• analyze the radiation strength indicia from the radiation detector;
• correlate positions of the radiation detector with corresponding amounts of received radiation;
• determine a first location of maximum detected radiation;
• determine a first relationship between the first location of maximum detected radiation and a second location of maximum radiation;
• determine a first magnitude of maximum detected radiation;
• and
• determine a second relationship between the first magnitude of maximum detected radiation and a second magnitude of maximum radiation;
• and
• an output port configured to be coupled to a controller that determines an excitation arrangement for the radiating device, wherein the processor is further configured to provide an indication of the magnitude relation to the output port for conveyance to the controller;
• wherein the second magnitude of maximum radiation is one of (1) an expected magnitude of maximum radiation and (2) a determined magnitude of maximum radiation detected under a second radiation condition that is different than a first radiation condition in effect when the radiation was detected leading to the determination of the first location;
• and
• wherein the second radiation condition is a different angle of application of radiation by the radiating device, with the radiating device being a linear accelerator.

A radiation field detection system for use with a radiating device, the detection system comprising:

• an ionization chamber radiation detector configured to receive radiation and to provide, in real time, radiation strength indicia of amounts of radiation received;
• a positioning mechanism connected to the radiation detector and configured to physically move the radiation detector;
• and
• a processor coupled to the positioning mechanism and coupled to the radiation detector to receive the radiation strength indicia, the processor being configured to:
• actuate the positioning mechanism to move the radiation detector to a desired location within a radiation field produced by the radiating device;
• analyze the radiation strength indicia from the radiation detector in real time;
• correlate positions of the radiation detector with corresponding amounts of received radiation in real time;
• and
• determine, in real time, a location of maximum detected radiation;
• wherein the processor is configured to use the determined location of maximum detected radiation, knowledge of an excitation plan implemented by the radiating device, and an expected location of maximum radiation to determine a revised excitation plan to be implemented by the radiating device.

A computer-implemented method of using a radiating device, the method comprising using at least one processor to:

• apply radiation from the radiating device in accordance with a first excitation plan;
• actuate a positioning mechanism to move a radiation detector, configured to receive radiation and to provide radiation strength indicia of amounts of radiation received, in three dimensions within a volume to provide information regarding radiation strength in the volume from the radiating device;
• analyze the radiation strength indicia from the radiation detector;
• correlate positions of the radiation detector with corresponding amounts of received radiation;
• determine a first location of maximum detected radiation;
• determine a first relationship between the first location of maximum detected radiation and a second location of maximum radiation;
• and
• determine a second excitation plan based upon the first relationship.

A radiation field detection system for use with a radiating device, the detection system comprising:

• a radiation detector configured to receive radiation and to provide radiation strength indicia of amounts of radiation received;
• a positioning mechanism connected to the radiation detector and configured to physically move the radiation detector;
• a processor coupled to the positioning mechanism and coupled to the radiation detector to receive the radiation strength indicia, the processor being configured to:
• actuate the positioning mechanism to move the radiation detector to a desired location within a radiation field produced by the radiating device;
• actuate the positioning mechanism to alter an orientation of the radiation detector relative to the radiating device while at the desired location;
• analyze the radiation strength indicia from the radiation detector while in different orientations relative to the radiating device while at the desired location;
• and
• determine a desired orientation of the radiation detector for the desired location such that artifacts are reduced.