US 9,931,522 B2 · Methods and systems for beam intensity-modulation to facilitate rapid radiation therapies

Abstract

Methods and system for facilitating rapid radiation treatments are provided herein and relate in particular to radiation generation and delivery, electron source design, beam control and shaping/intensity-modulation. The methods and systems described herein are particularly advantageous when used with a compact high-gradient, very high energy electron (VHEE) accelerator and delivery system (and related processes) capable of treating patients from multiple beam directions with great speed, using all-electromagnetic or radiofrequency deflection steering is provided; or when used with a high-current electron accelerator system of energy range more conventionally used in photon radiation therapy to produce much faster delivery of intensity-modulated photon radiation therapy, that can in both cases deliver an entire dose or fraction of high-dose radiation therapy sufficiently fast to freeze physiologic motion, yet with a equal or better degree of dose conformity or sculpting compared to conventional photon therapy.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A photon collimation assembly comprising:

one or more photon generating layer;
and
a substantially planar collimator block having an upstream side towards an electron source when included in a treatment system for treating a targeted tissue and downstream side towards the targeted tissue, the upstream side being disposed adjacent the photon generating layer,
wherein the collimator block includes a plurality of channels, each extending from an inlet opening at the upstream side to an outlet opening at the downstream side of the collimator block, wherein the channels and outlet openings and a thickness of the block are dimensioned so as to suitably maintain resolution and contrast of an intensity-modulation pattern of a beam at the targeted tissue when collimated through the channels,
wherein the collimator is of sufficient density and thickness for transmission of a high energy treatment beam therethrough while maintaining resolution and contrast of the intensity-modulation pattern of the high energy treatment beam at the targeted tissue.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and systems for beam intensity-modulation to facilitate rapid radiation therapies

Life of this patent

Methods and systems for beam intensity-modulation to facilitate rapid radiation therapies

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25