Patent Number: 
Section: description

Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art radiation modulating device 100 is shown. The radiation modulating device 100 has a housing 110 and a core area 106. The housing 110 includes a top 102, a bottom 104, and side walls 112. The core area 106 has a plurality of segments 108 generally configured to partially or completely block one or more portions of a radiation beam. As stated above, a problem exist in that one has to frequently change out the radiation modulating device 100 between the radiation source and the target area. This generally is fairly time consuming and causes too much treatment down time. Thus, referring now to FIGS. 2-4, an apparatus 10 which is coupled to a radiation device 12 which will allow the radiation device 12 to alter the amount of radiation delivered to a treatment area is shown. The apparatus 10 has a plate member 14. In the Figures, the plate member 14 is circular in shape. However, this is just given as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. The plate member 14 will have a plurality of openings 16 located thereon. Each opening 16 is used to house and hold a radiation modulating device 100. As may be seen most clearly in FIG. 3, the openings 16 are located around the periphery of the plate member 14. The plate member 14 is of a sufficient size to have a plurality of radiation modulating device 100 positioned around the periphery thereof. The plate member 14 may have one or more handles 17. The handles 17 may be positioned anywhere on the plate member 14. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the handles 17 are located on the outer periphery of the plate member 14. However, this should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. The handles 17 are provided to allow one to hold and move the plate member 14. The apparatus 10 has a frame member 18. The frame member 18 is similar in shape to the plate member 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame member is semi-circular in shape. However, this should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. The frame member 14 just has to be able to support the plate member 18 in a horizontal position. In the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the frame member 18 fits around approximately half of the outer perimeter of the plate member 14. A channeling 20 runs along an inner circumference of the frame member 18. When the frame member 18 is used to support and hold the plate member 14, the plate member 14 will slide into the channeling 20. Thus, the channeling 20 is also used to support and hold the plate member 14 within the frame member 18. Located within the channeling 20 is a plurality of rollers 21. As may be seen more clearly in FIG. 4, the rollers 21 may be located on a top surface, a bottom surface, and/or a side surface of the channeling 20. The rollers 21 are used to rotate the plate member 14 within the channeling 20. In general, the rollers 21 will have a rubberized surface in order to grip and rotate the plate member 14. However, this should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. Any type of rollers 21 may be used as long as the rollers 21 are able to rotate the plate member 14 within the channeling 20. The rollers 21 may be coupled to a control mechanism. The control mechanism may be a computer or the like. The control mechanism is used to control the movement of the rollers 21. By controlling the movement of the rollers 21, one can rotate the plate member 14 within the channeling 20. Alternatively, one can manually rotate the plate member 14 within the channeling 20. The frame member 18 has a cross bar 22. The cross bar 22 runs from a first end of the frame member 18 to a second end of the frame member 18. The cross bar 22 is used to provide additional support for the frame member 18 so that the frame member 18 can hold and support the plate member 14. A rotatable arm 24 is coupled to the cross bar 22. The rotatable arm 24 is rotatably coupled to a cental area of the cross bar 22 by a peg member 25. The rotatable arm 24 will rotate about the peg member 25 in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise fashion. The rotatable arm 24 is also used to support and hold the plate member 14 in the frame member 18. Located on one end of the rotatable arm 24 is a raised member 26. The raised member 26 is perpendicular to the rotatable arm 24. The raised member 26 is used to secure the plate member 14 within the frame member 18 so that the plate member 14 is free to rotate within the frame member 18 but cannot be removed without rotating the rotatable arm 24 to an open position. A pair of arms 30 extend up from each end of the frame member 18. The pair of arms 30 are used to secure the apparatus 10 to a radiation source 12. In operation, the pair of arms 30 are used to secure the apparatus 10 to a radiation source 40. The rotatable arm 24 will be moved so that a plate member 14 may be inserted into the channeling 20 of the frame member 18. In order to proper align the plate member 14 within the frame member 18, an opening 32 may be formed within the center of the plate member 14. The opening 32 is then positioned over the peg member 25 to ensure that the plate member 14 is proper aligned within the frame member 18. Once the plate member 14 is positioned in the channeling 20 of the frame member 18, the rotatable arm 24 is moved so that the rotatable arm 24 is perpendicular to the cross bar 22. This will lock the plate member 14 within the frame member 18. The plate member 14 is then rotated either by a control mechanism or by hand so that the proper radiation modulating device 100 is in position directly below the radiation beam. The plate member 14 can be rotated so that different radiation modulating device 100 may be used to provide different levels of radiation treatment. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.