Real time sensor for therapeutic radiation delivery

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The instant invention is an apparatus that allows a precise location and amount of dose to be read out in real time.
This alerts the treatment provider to any error before further tissue damage is done to the patient.
It also allows for real time dose and location to be controlled to an extent not achieved by the prior art.
Amount is determined by a probe inserted into, or placed near, the area to be treated.
The probe is a scintillation detector constructed of doped scintillation fiber optic material that creates a light signal for the particular type of radiation to be used in treatment.
For example, one probe can be used for high energy neutrons, and another for x-rays and gamma ray photons, and yet a third for thermal and epithermal neutrons.
It is also contemplated that multipurpose probes can be used.
An additional embodiment comprises a segmented probe to provide a more narrowly defined indication of the location of the radiation received by the patient.
The light signals from the probes are interpreted through standard equipment such as photo-multiplier tubes, solid-state detection devices, and multi-channel analyzers to provide the real time indications.
In another embodiment of the instant invention the location of the dose delivered to the patient is also determined by an element matrix of both horizontal and vertical sensing elements.
The vertical axis runs substantially the length of the area to be treated, or alternately for the entire length of the patient.
The horizontal axis runs the width of the area to be treated, or alternatively for the width of the patient.
The intersection of a vertical sensing element and a horizontal sensing element indicates the location that the radiation strikes the element matrix.
The relative position of the patient to the element matrix is easily used to calculate the impact point of the irradiation and the dose rate delivered to the patient to a high degree of accuracy and precision.
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification