An x-ray beam control apparatus including at least one moveable x-ray attenuating member, and at least one position sensor, wherein the position sensor is configured to contactlessly detect movement of at least one of the attenuating members and to output a signal indicative of the position of the attenuating member.

Microsized devices operable to emit neutrons in a selective manner are provided. The devices are configured so that the rate of neutron emission can be varied, either actively or passively. The devices comprise an a-particle emitting material and a neutron producing target material that when aligned and/or positioned a predetermined distance apart emit neutrons. The rate of neutron emission can be slowed or stopped by taking the materials out of alignment and/or attenuating the α-particles being directed toward the neutron producing target material.

Microsized devices operable to emit neutrons in a selective manner are provided. The devices are configured so that the rate of neutron emission can be varied, either actively or passively. The devices comprise an a-particle emitting material and a neutron producing target material that when aligned and/or positioned a predetermined distance apart emit neutrons. The rate of neutron emission can be slowed or stopped by taking the materials out of alignment and/or attenuating the α-particles being directed toward the neutron producing target material.

The present disclosure provides a driving mechanism configured to drive a target object to perform a linear motion, wherein the target object includes at least one of a plurality of leaves of a multi-leaf collimator. The driving mechanism may include an output component including an output member. The driving mechanism may also include a transmission component configured to operably connect the output component and the target object. The transmission component may include an output end and an input end. The input end may be operably connected with the output member. The output end may be operably connected with the target object. A linear velocity of the output end may be larger than a linear velocity of the input end.

Some embodiments of a device comprise a shuttle member, wherein the shuttle member includes a body, wherein the body includes an opening that extends through the body, and wherein at least part of the shuttle is radiopaque; a first actuator; and a second actuator, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are positioned on opposite sides of the shuttle member, wherein the first actuator is configured to move the shuttle member in a first direction, and wherein the second actuator is configured to move the shuttle member in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Some embodiments of a device comprise a shuttle member, wherein the shuttle member includes a body, wherein the body includes an opening that extends through the body, and wherein at least part of the shuttle is radiopaque; a first actuator; and a second actuator, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are positioned on opposite sides of the shuttle member, wherein the first actuator is configured to move the shuttle member in a first direction, and wherein the second actuator is configured to move the shuttle member in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

The invention provides a charged particle irradiation apparatus including: a collimator apparatus provided in an irradiation nozzle that emits a charged particle beam to an irradiation target; and a collimator control unit that controls the collimator apparatus. The collimator apparatus includes a collimator mechanism having one or more arm-shape collimators extending from a base part and a drive mechanism that moves the collimator mechanism on a plane perpendicular to a traveling direction of a charged particle beam. The arm-shape collimator includes one or more movable leaves that rotate independently of each other on the perpendicular plane. By moving the collimator mechanism and/or rotating the movable leaves so that the arm-shape collimators are arranged along a shape of an edge of an irradiation target on the perpendicular plane, the collimator control unit causes the arm-shape collimators to block a charged particle beam that would otherwise irradiate outside of the edge of the irradiation target.

A leaf for a multi-leaf collimator comprises a leaf portion for delineating a beam of radiation, the leaf portion having first attenuation factor. The leaf also comprises a tail portion having a second attenuation factor, the first attenuation factor being greater than the second attenuation factor.

A leaf assembly for a multi-leaf collimator comprises a leaf and a leaf nut removably mounted within the profile of the leaf, the leaf nut comprising a threaded hole for receiving a leaf actuator screw oriented along a first axis in the plane of the leaf. The leaf nut is mounted within the leaf such that relative movement between the leaf nut and the leaf is prevented both linearly along the first axis and rotationally about the first axis.

The present disclosure provides a collimating body and a multi-source focusing radiation therapy head. The collimating body includes a first collimating portion and a second collimating portion. The first collimating portion and the second collimating portion are arranged side by side and closely fixed. The first collimating portion includes a first collimating hole set, and the second collimating portion includes a second collimating hole set. The first collimating portion and the second collimating portion are able to move oppositely in a direction perpendicular to a side-by-side direction, so as to align or stagger the first collimating hole set and the second collimating hole set.