Reducing dark current in a standing wave linear accelerator
US6366641B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N5/10
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods for reducing dark current levels in a standing wave linear accelerator without sacrificing operating performance are described. In a radiation mode, the standing wave linear accelerator is operated to produce a pulsed therapeutic photon beam having a characteristic pulse width. In an electron mode, the standing wave linear accelerator is operated to produce a pulsed therapeutic electron beam having a characteristic pulse width that is shorter than the characteristic pulse width of the therapeutic photon beam. In some embodiments, assuming a uniform dark current level, the dark current level may be reduced in proportion with the beam pulse width reduction in the electron mode of operation. A system for implementing this therapeutic beam generation method also is described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.