US20070181815A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High resolution proton beam monitor
Assignee: Lexitek Inc
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Filing: 2005-06-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2025-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for monitoring a scanning beam of penetrating radiation, such as a scanning proton beam used to irradiate tissue. The position of the beam is tracked in real time by interposing a scintillator film between a source and an object of irradiation. An imaging detector, in optical communication with the scintillator, provides an output that is indicative of the position of the radiation and its variation with time. The accumulated dose over a scan may also be monitored.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven Ebstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/02; G01T1/023; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/201; G01T1/29; G01T1/2914; A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N2005/1085; A61N2005/1087; A61N5/1048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
1 . A radiation detector for determining spatial distribution of penetrating radiation characterized generally by a propagation direction between a source and an object of irradiation, the radiation detector comprising: a scintillator, disposed between the source and the object of irradiation, for emitting photons in response to the radiation; and an imaging detector in optical communication with the scintillator for providing an imaging detector output indicative of the position of the radiation and its variation with time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
1 . A radiation detector for determining spatial distribution of penetrating radiation characterized generally by a propagation direction between a source and an object of irradiation, the radiation detector comprising: a scintillator, disposed between the source and the object of irradiation, for emitting photons in response to the radiation; and an imaging detector in optical communication with the scintillator for providing an imaging detector output indicative of the position of the radiation and its variation with time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
2 . The radiation detector as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a processor for receiving the imaging detector output and for tracking any variation with time of the spatial distribution of radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
3 . The radiation detector as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a substrate material for supporting the scintillator in a path between the source and the object of irradiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
4 . The radiation detector as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the scintillator is a film deposited upon the substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
5 . The radiation detector as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the scintillator is chosen from a group of inorganic phosphors including P11, P46, and praseodymium-doped Gadox.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
6 . The radiation detector as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the substrate is substantially transparent to visible light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
7 . The radiation detector as set forth in claim 1 , further including transfer optics for optically coupling the scintillator to the imaging detector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
8 . The radiation detector as set forth in claim 1 , further including a dosimetric sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
9 . The radiation detector as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a processor for receiving the imaging detector output and calculating one or moments of the spatial distribution of the penetrating radiation beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
10 . A method for determining a spatial distribution of a beam of penetrating radiation characterized generally by a propagation direction between a source and an object of irradiation, the method comprising: disposing a film of scintillator material between the source and the object of irradiation, for emitting photons in response to the radiation; and imaging visible light emitted by the scintillator in response to traversal of the scintillator by penetrating radiation on a path toward the object of irradiation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
10 . A method for determining a spatial distribution of a beam of penetrating radiation characterized generally by a propagation direction between a source and an object of irradiation, the method comprising: disposing a film of scintillator material between the source and the object of irradiation, for emitting photons in response to the radiation; and imaging visible light emitted by the scintillator in response to traversal of the scintillator by penetrating radiation on a path toward the object of irradiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
11 . A method as set forth in claim 10 , further comprising generating a imaging output signal characterizing the spatial distribution of the beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
12 . A method as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising integrating the imaging output signal over time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
13 . A method as set forth in claim 10 , further comprising calculating an instantaneous position of the beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
14 . A method as set forth in claim 10 , further comprising calculating a first moment of the spatial distribution of the beam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
15 . A method as set forth in claim 10 , further comprising calculating a second moment of the spatial distribution of the beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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