Abstract:
This invention relates to the field of miniature multileaf collimators for use in shaping a radiation beam used in stereotactic radiosurgery And radiotherapy. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of a computer-controlled miniature multileaf collimator capable of shaping a radiation beam for use in optimal treatment of nonspherical lesions by radiosurgery and radiotherapy.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of miniature multileaf collimators for use in shaping a radiation beam used in stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of a computer-controlled miniature multileaf collimator capable of shaping a radiation beam for use in optimal small field treatment of nonspherical lesions by radiosurgery and radiotherapy. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In the art of stereotactic radiosurgery, patients are bombarded with radiation beams aimed to deliver a lethal radiation dose to a small tumor or lesion in the brain with minimum dose exposure to normal tissue surrounding the tumor or lesion. Linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery is a technique that focuses a circular radiation beam of x-rays to deliver a single fraction of high dose to a precisely defined spherical target volume through multiple noncoplanar arcs that simulate isotropic radiation. Prior art methods of stereotactic radiosurgery use multiple overlapping spherical treatments to treat nonspherical target volumes. This method has many drawbacks, including significantly increased treatment times, and dose inhomogeneity in the target volume. Such inhomogeneity problems are discussed in Nedzi, L. A.; Kooy, H. M.; Alexander, E.; Gelman, R. S.; Loeffler, J. S. Variables Associated With the Development of Complications From Radiosurgery of Intracranial Tumors, Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. 21: 591-99, 1991. 
     In the past, attempts in the prior art to minimize the dose inhomogeneity problem have led to underdosing near the edge of the target volume just outside the overlapping region of the successive spheres. Such underdosing problems are discussed in Bova, F. University of Florida Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program (Abstr.). SSII 4: AAPM Annual meeting, Med. Phys. 16:511, 1989. 
     Other prior art devices have attempted to more precisely shape the radiation beam to conform to the geometry of the target volume by using four rectangular blocks in combination with a conventional circular collimator. Such a device is described in Leavitt, D. D.; Gibbs, F. A.; Heibrun, M. P.; Moeller, J. H.; Takach Jr., G. A. Dynamic Field Shaping to Optimize Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. 21:1247-55; 1991. The variety of nonspherical beam shapes achievable with such a device is extremely limited due to the fact that only four straight edges can be used in conjunction with the spherical configuration of the circular collimator to form a dynamically shaped beam. 
     Another drawback of the prior art multileaf collimators is that they are designed for large field treatments in the range of 40 centimeters by 40 centimeters. Such collimators have leaf widths of 1.0 to 1.25 centimeters at isocenter, the beam-shaping capabilities of such collimators are too coarse for radiosurgical use. An example of a prior art multileaf collimator intended for delivering radiation to a large treatment area is disclosed in. U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,847 to Leavitt, et al. (&#34;the Leavitt patent&#34;). 
     Prior art multileaf collimators lack leaf position-indicating devices that are sufficiently precise and accurate for use in small field treatment applications. Prior art multileaf collimator position-measuring devices have included potentiometers, as disclosed in the Leavitt patent. Potentiometer based position indicating devices are unreliable for measuring leaf movement of less than 0.2 millimeters. 
     During stereotactic radiosurgery, the radiation source is moved along an arc defined by a gantry. The point at which all radial lines defining this arc intersect is known as the isocenter of the radiation beam. Such movement of the radiation source is customarily employed to totally irradiate a tumor or lesion. Due to the nonuniform shape of tumors and lesions, it is desirable to change the beam geometry as the radiation source moves along the arc. This is known as dynamic shaping. Many prior art multileaf collimators have limited dynamic shaping capability because all of the leaves cannot be moved at one time. In order for dynamic shaping to be effective, the multileaf collimator must have the capability to reposition the leaves quickly. 
     The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a computer-controlled miniature multileaf collimator capable of dynamically shaping beam geometry to closely conform to nonspherical targets. Additionally, the present invention is designed for small field treatments, in the range of 6 centimeters by 6 centimeters at isocenter. The present invention further comprises position-indicating means sufficiently accurate and precise for use in small field treatments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a computer-controlled miniature multileaf collimator capable of dynamically shaping a radiation beam projected at isocenter from a radiation source. The present invention comprises a first bank of tapered leaves, arranged one behind the other. This configuration is referred to herein as a &#34;substantially stacked configuration.&#34; When used in conjunction with a radiation source, each leaf has a proximal edge nearest to the radiation source, a leading edge perpendicular to the proximal edge, and a distal edge, opposite the proximal edge. 
     In conventional uses of a collimator in stereotactic radiosurgery, the radiation source is usually placed above the leaves and the patient is positioned below the leaves. In this conventional configuration, the leaves in each bank are vertically oriented, with their proximal edges on top and their distal edges on the bottom. Each leaf in the first bank is sufficiently thin such that when the distal edge of each leaf is spaced approximately 75 centimeters from the radiation source projected at isocenter, the projected width of each leaf at isocenter is less than 5 millimeters. The term &#34;width&#34; as used in this specification refers to the distance between the distal and proximal edges of any leaf. 
     The present invention further comprises a second bank of tapered leaves arranged in a substantially stacked configuration. The second bank of leaves contains at least as many leaves as the first bank of leaves. When used in conjunction with a radiation source, each leaf in the second bank has a proximal edge Nearest to the radiation source, a leading edge perpendicular to the proximal edge and a distal edge opposite the proximal edge. Each leaf in the second bank is sufficiently thin such that when the distal edge of each leaf is spaced approximately 75 centimeters from the radiation source projected at isocenter, the projected width of each leaf at isocenter is less than 5 millimeters. The projected width at isocenter of the leaves in the first and second banks is a feature of the present invention that makes it suitable for small field treatment. 
     A drive shaft is attached to each leaf such that axial movement of the drive shaft results in movement of a leaf in one of the banks toward or away from a leaf in the other bank. 
     A reversible motor is coupled to each drive shaft. The motor is capable of axially displacing each drive shaft resulting in the displacement of each leaf along an axis parallel to the proximal edge of the leaf. The reversible characteristic of the motor allows it to move a leaf in one bank either toward or away from a leaf in the other bank. 
     The invention further comprises a motor controller electrically coupled to each motor. Each controller comprises a memory capable of receiving, storing, and transmitting a signal indicative of the position of the leaf coupled to the drive shaft that is coupled to the motor to which the controller is coupled. The controller is further capable of transmitting a signal to the motor to change the position of the drive shaft by a predetermined distance. 
     The present invention further comprises a first position-indicating device coupled to each motor and capable of detecting the position of each leaf, detecting axial movement of each leaf of less than 0.1 millimeters, and transmitting a first signal indicative of each leaf&#39;s position. 
     The present invention further comprises a programmable computer comprising a memory capable of storing desired position data for each leaf for a multiplicity of predetermined radiation beam shapes, and a display screen capable of indicating the position of each leaf. The computer further comprises a comparator electrically coupled to receive signals from the first position-indicating means, to compare those signals to desired position data stored in memory for each leaf, to transmit a message to the display screen if the difference between the position indicated by the position-indicating signal and the desired position for any leaf is not within a predetermined tolerance, and to transmit signals to the motor controller to move any of the leaves to a desired position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a leaf bank of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 3A-3B are top views of the present invention depicting a dynamic shaping sequence. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second position-indicating device of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed toward a computer-controlled miniature multileaf collimator capable of dynamically shaping a radiation beam projected at isocenter from a radiation source. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the miniature multileaf collimator comprises a first bank of tapered leaves 10 arranged in a substantially stacked configuration. Each leaf has a proximal edge 14 nearest to a radiation source 35, a leading edge 15-16 perpendicular to the proximal edge, and a distal edge 23 opposite the proximal edge. 
     The present invention further comprises a second bank of tapered leaves 12 arranged in a substantially stacked configuration and containing at least as many leaves as the first bank of tapered leaves. Each leaf in the second bank also has a proximal edge nearest to a radiation source, and a leading edge perpendicular to the proximal edge. The leaves in the first and second banks are sufficiently thin such that when the distal edges of each leaf are spaced approximately 75 centimeters from a radiation source projected at isocenter, the projected width of each leaf at isocenter is less than 5 millimeters. The projected width &#34;X&#34; in FIG. 2 is less than 5 millimeters. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the leading edge 16 of the leaves in the second bank of leaves face the leading edge 15 of the leaves in the first bank of leaves. In a preferred embodiment, each leaf is comprised of tungsten by over 90% on a weight basis. 
     In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the proximal edges of the leaves in each bank are arranged along an arc defined by the arc length of a circle whose radius equals the distance from a leaf in the center of the bank to a radiation source whose beam the collimator is intended to shape. In yet another embodiment, the number of leaves in each bank is sufficiently large such that the distance from the first leaf to the last leaf in each bank is at least 45 centimeters. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention further comprises a radiation source 35 capable of projecting a radiation beam at isocenter as shown in FIG. 2. The source is mounted above the intersection of said first and second leaf banks such that the proximal edges of said leaves are nearest to the radiation source. In another preferred embodiment, the radiation source is spaced approximately 75 centimeters from the distal edges of said leaves as shown in FIG. 2. In another preferred embodiment, the radiation source is contained within a radiation source housings 37. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the leading edges in one of the leaf banks are stepped down 16 and the leading edges of the leaves in the other leaf bank are stepped up 15. As shown in FIG. 1, when the leaves in each bank are moved toward each other as far as they can go, the stepped up portion of each leading edge overhangs the stepped down portion of a corresponding leading edge. 
     In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each leaf contains a front face 17 comprising a horizontal ridge 18 extending substantially across the front face. Each leaf further comprises a rear face 19 comprising a horizontal channel 20 extending substantially across the rear face and mounted at substantially the same height as said ridge such that each ridge protrudes into the channel of an adjacent leaf. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the invention further comprises a drive shaft 21 attached to each leaf such that axial movement of the drive shaft results in movement of the attached leaf in one of the banks toward or away from a leaf in the other leaf bank. In a preferred embodiment, the drive shaft is a rotatable drive screw, as shown in FIG. 1. 
     The invention further comprises a reversible motor 22 coupled to each drive shaft and capable of axially displacing each drive shaft, resulting in the displacement of each leaf attached to each drive shaft. In a preferred embodiment, the motor is a Model No. 1624, available from MicroMo Electronics, Inc. of St. Petersburg, Fla. 
     In another preferred embodiment, each motor comprises a rotatable motor shaft 29, a first drive gear 31 attached to the rotatable motor shaft, and a second drive gear 33 attached to the drive shaft and rotatably coupled to the first drive gear as shown in FIG. 5. This rotatable coupling may be by direct &#34;tooth-to-tooth&#34; engagement or by a mechanical linkage, such as a chain or belt. In this embodiment, the speed of axial movement of the drive shaft is predetermined by selecting the rotational speed of the motor shaft and the gear ratio of the first drive gear to the second drive gear. 
     The invention further comprises a first position-indicating device 24 capable of detecting the position of each leaf, detecting axial leaf movement of less than 0.1 millimeters, and transmitting a first signal indicative of each leaf&#39;s position, as shown in FIG. 1. In a preferred embodiment, the first position-indicating device comprises a magnetic encoder 25 coupled to the motor to send out a pulse signal at a set rate and at a predetermined phase angle when the motor is operating. In a preferred embodiment, the encoder generates 16 pulses per motor shaft rotation. The encoder changes the phase angle of its signal when the motor reverses direction. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic encoder is Model No. HEM1624E16, sold by MicroMo Electronics of St. Petersburg, Fla. The first position-indicating device further comprises a counter 26 capable of counting the pulses at each phase angle generated by the encoder. 
     In one embodiment, the motor shaft rotates at 700 revolutions per millimeter of leaf movement. The magnetic encoder measures each revolution, thereby having a resolution of 1/700 millimeters or 0.0014 millimeters. This fine resolution exceeds that achievable with potentiometer based measurement systems. 
     The invention further comprises a motor controller 30 electrically coupled to each motor as shown in FIG. 5. The controller comprises a memory 32 capable of receiving, storing, and transmitting a signal indicative of the position of the leaf coupled to the drive shaft that is coupled to the motor to which the controller is coupled. The controller is coupled to receive a position indicating signal from the position indicating device. The controller is further capable of transmitting a signal to the motor to change the position of the drive shaft a predetermined distance. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the motor controller is a Model No. PRV-0228A-01, sold under the name &#34;SRS Vane Driver Board,&#34; by the Parvus Corporation of Salt Lake City, Utah. In a preferred embodiment, all of the motor controllers for a single bank of leaves are mounted on a mother board, sold by the Parvus Corporation of Salt Lake City, Utah, under the trade name &#34;SRS Mother Board,&#34; bearing Model No. PRV-0227A-01. In another preferred embodiment, the mother boards associated with each bank of leaves can communicate with each other by use of an RS-422 Serial Driver Board, sold by the Parvus Corporation of Salt Lake City, Utah, under Model No. PRV-0105A-02. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first and second banks of leaves, drive shafts, motor, motor controllers, and position-indicating devices are contained in a portable collimator housing 43 as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the collimator housing is detachably mountable to the radiation source housing. 
     The invention further comprises a programmable computer 36 comprising a memory 38 capable of storing desired position data for each leaf for a multiplitity of predetermined radiation beam shapes as shown in FIG. 5. In a preferred embodiment, a computer program, referred to as the &#34;MMLC Setting Program,&#34; may be used to calculate the leaf positions that conform to a desired radiation field shape and graphically display the contour of the leaves. A listing of the MMLC Setting Program source code is presented at the end of this patent specification. The MMLC Setting Program provides desired leaf position coordinates to another program, known as the &#34;MMLC Control Program.&#34; 
     In a preferred embodiment, the MMLC Control Program receives position data for each leaf from the MMLC Setting Program and sends a signal to each motor controller memory, instructing each motor controller where to position its respective leaf. A listing of the MMLC Control Program source code is presented at the end of this patent specification. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the computer further comprises a display screen 40 capable of indicating the position of each leaf and a comparator 42 electrically coupled to receive signals from the first position-indicating device, to compare those signals to desired position data stored in memory for each leaf, and to transmit a message to the display screen that the difference between the position indicated by the position-indicating signal and the desired position for each leaf is not within a predetermined tolerance. In a preferred embodiment, the computer can also transit signals to each motor controller to move any leaf to a desired position. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the programmable computer can communicate with each of the mother boards via an asynchronous converter monitor, sold by the Parvus Corporation of Salt Lake City, Utah, under Model No. PRV-0011A-01. The software used to the allow programmable computer to communicate with each vane driver broad in a preferred embodiment is available from the Parvus Corporation of Salt Lake City, Utah, under the trade name &#34;PC ParvNET.&#34; 
     In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the invention further comprises a second position-indicating device 44 attached to each drive shaft and coupled to send a position-indicating signal to the programmable computer. The second position-indicating devices comprises a wiper blade 45 having a first end 46 attached to a drive shaft such that when the drive shaft moves, the wiper blade moves. Each wiper blade also comprises a second end 47. The second position-indicating device further comprises a potentiometer 48 comprising a variable resistor 49 coupled to the second end of the wiper blade such that movement of the wiper blade resulting from movement of the drive shaft results in a change in the resistance of said resistor. 
     Many modifications and variations may be made in the embodiments described herein and depicted in the accompanying drawing without departing from the concept of the present invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are illustrative only and are not intended as a limitation upon the scope of this invention. 
     The source code for the MMLC Setting Program and the MMLC Control Program are provided below. ##SPC1##