Beamline control and security system for a radiation treatment facility
US5895926A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2005/1087
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for beamline security in radiation beam treatment facilities. The system monitors and controls the radiation beam steering system to safeguard against wrong-path and multiple-path conditions which could otherwise lead to accidental radiation exposure. One aspect of the method involves comparing the beam path configuration signals to signals corresponding to a requested beam configuration to check for agreement, as well as singular path configuration. Controller checks are performed using complimentary-redundant logical communication paths applied to the state of the beam steering system. Upon detection of any one of several possible error conditions, such as over-heating, communication link failure, unauthorized personnel entry and multiple path condition, the beamline power supplies are disabled, preventing transfer of the radiation beam to the treatment room.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.