COLLIMATOR FOR REDIRECTING COMPTON SCATTERED RADIATION IN STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY

摘要

A collimator assembly for use with radiation therapy systems, in particular stereotactic radiosurgery (“SRS”) systems, is provided. In general, the collimator assembly includes a collimator in which a plurality of concentric, conical slits is formed. Each conical slit is oriented along a different slit angle, such that radiation impinging on the top surface of the collimator is redirected along each conical slit towards a common target isocenter located at a distance away from the bottom surface of the collimator. The conical slits can be referred to as “Compton slits” because they are designed to increase the radiation output at the isocenter of the collimator by redirecting Compton scattered radiation towards the isocenter in the target region. The collimator assembly thus improves the efficiency of a radiation treatment system by utilizing Compton scattered radiation that would otherwise be lost.

主权项

1. A collimator assembly comprising:
a collimator having a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of concentric conical slits formed in the collimator, each conical slit extending from the top surface of the collimator to the bottom surface of the collimator and having a different slit angle oriented such that radiation impinging on the top surface of the collimator is redirected along the conical slit towards a common target isocenter positioned a distance away from the bottom surface of the collimator.