COLLIMATED ELECTRON BEAM STERILIZATION DOSE

Abstract

A collimator to control and/or focus radiation originating from an electron beam source, comprising at least a first absorber comprising a first side configured to allow the beam entry and a second side opposite to the first side; and at least one recess in the first absorber wherein a first contour of the recess at the first side is larger than a second contour of the recess at the second side. Further, a to control and/or focus radiation originating from an electron beam source, comprising the steps of providing at least a first collimator according to any of the preceding collimator claims; providing a product to be sterilized; arranging or assembling the collimator with the respect to the product so that the collimated electrons are oriented towards at least one part of the product to be sterilized and electrons are absorbed towards at least another part of the product that to be not harmed by those

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A collimator to control and/or collimate radiation originating from an electron beam source, comprising at least a first absorber comprising a first side configured to allow the beam entry and a second side opposite to the first side; and at least one recess in the first absorber wherein a first contour of the recess at the first side is larger than a second contour of the recess at the second side and wherein the size of the first contour is larger than the size of the second contour; and/or the recess comprises at least one of a truncated conical shape and a truncated pyramid shape and/or wherein the first contour is a circle defining the first recess opening at the first side and having a diameter of D.sub.1 and the second contour is a circle defining the second recess opening at the second side and having a diameter d.sub.1.

29. The collimator according to claim 28 wherein the size of the first and the second contour are configured so that the dose ratios P.sub.0/P.sub.e are optimized at constant L, whereby D.sub.1 and d.sub.1 are configured to optimize dose contributions, preferably electronic dose contributions, to P.sub.0 and P.sub.1, wherein P.sub.0 being the dose ratio at the first side, P.sub.e the dose ratio at the second side and P.sub.1 being the dose ratio at a given distance behind the second side.

30. The collimator according to claim 28 wherein the ratio D.sub.1/d.sub.1 is at least 1.25, and at most 5.

31. The collimator according to claim 28 wherein the first absorber has more than one layer that are made of different materials.

32. The collimator according to claim 28 wherein the recess comprises at least one of a truncated conical shape and a truncated pyramid shape in each layer with convergent inclination towards the second side.

32. The collimator according to claim 28 wherein at least a second absorber is provided behind or downstream with respect to the second side.

34. The collimator according to claim 33 wherein the second absorber is attached to and/or integrated into the first absorber and has preferably an annular shape.

35. The collimator according to claim 33 wherein the second absorber is separate from the first absorber and is configured to protect and/or encapsulate an element, such as an integrated circuit of a product to be sterilized.

36. The collimator according to claim 33 wherein the at least second absorber comprises a material with a higher average atomic number than the first absorber and comprises at least one of a polymer; an electrically conducting polymer; a polymer comprising metal particles; a polymer comprising at least one metal piece; a semiconductor; and a metal, preferably stainless steel, aluminum, tantalum, tungsten or lead.

37. The collimator according to claim 33 wherein the first absorber comprises at least 2 layers with the thickness of the first layer L.sub.1 is selected based on the range of electrons beams at the selected electron beam energy in the same material without recess, and wherein the thickness of the successive layers L.sub.2+ . . . L.sub.n is configured for the absorption of scattered electrons and x-rays generated by the electron interaction with all materials.

38. The collimator according to claim 33 wherein the first and/or second absorber(s) is/are configured so that the dose ratios P.sub.0/P.sub.e and/or P.sub.0/P.sub.1 are simultaneously configured at a constant L, whereby D.sub.1 and d.sub.1 are configured to enhance radiation dose contributions to P.sub.0 and P.sub.1 wherein P.sub.e is the dose at the first side of the first absorber and P.sub.0 is the dose at the second side of the absorber in the region of the recess and P.sub.1 is the dose at the second side of the absorber away from the region of the recess.

39. The collimator according to claim 33 wherein the first and/or second absorber(s) has/have more than one layer and at each layer the diameter at the more open side is D.sub.x and at the more closed side is d.sub.x and the ratio(s) of D.sub.x/d.sub.x are configured to enhance remaining electron scatter and x-ray dose contributions to P.sub.0 and P.sub.1 wherein P.sub.0 is the dose at the second side of the absorber in the region of the recess and P.sub.1 is the dose at the second side of the absorber away from the region of the recess.

40. An assembly of the collimator according to claim 33 and a product to be sterilized wherein the collimator and the product are attached and/or assembled to each other.

41. Method to control and/or focus radiation originating from an electron beam source, comprising the steps of providing at least a first collimator according to any of the preceding collimator claims; providing a product to be sterilized; arranging or assembling the collimator with the respect to the product so that the collimated electrons are oriented towards at least one part of the product to be sterilized and electrons are absorbed towards at least another part of the product that to be not harmed by those electrons. irradiating the product with electrons from the electron beam source.

42. The method according to claim 41 with the further steps of conveying the product continuously and simultaneously irradiating it from top and/or from bottom and/or from one or both sides.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] FIG. 1 depicts the geometrical properties of one embodiment of a collimator.

[0036] FIG. 2 depicts an alternate embodiment with a plurality of layers.

[0037] FIG. 3 depicts a graphical representation of determined values.

[0038] FIG. 4 depicts a graphical illustration of properties as achieved by a cylindrically shaped collimator

[0039] FIG. 5 depicts the difference of a conical collimator compared to the embodiment in FIG. 4.

[0040] FIG. 6 depicts, as in FIG. 5, a conical collimator, however with different dimensions and properties.

EMBODIMENTS

[0041] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and non-restrictive; the disclosure is thus not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0042] As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0043] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to fulfill aspects of the present invention. The present technology is also understood to encompass the exact terms, features, numerical values or ranges etc., if in here a relative term, such as “about”, “substantially”, “ca.”, “generally”, “at least”, “at the most” or “approximately” is used in this specification, such a term should also be construed to also include the exact term. That is, e.g., “substantially straight” should be construed to also include “(exactly) straight”. In other words, “about 3” shall also comprise “3” or “substantially perpendicular” shall also comprise “perpendicular”. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be considered as limiting the scope.

[0044] In the claims, the terms “comprises/comprising”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components. Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or method steps may be implemented. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality.

[0045] Whenever steps were recited in the above or also in the appended claims, it should be noted that the order in which the steps are recited in this text may be the preferred order, but it may not be mandatory to carry out the steps in the recited order. That is, unless otherwise specified or unless clear to the skilled person, the order in which steps are recited may not be mandatory. That is, when the present document states, e.g., that a method comprises steps (A) and (B), this does not necessarily mean that step (A) precedes step (B), but it is also possible that step (A) is performed (at least partly) simultaneously with step (B) or that step (B) precedes step (A). Furthermore, when a step (X) is said to precede another step (Z), this does not imply that there is no step between steps (X) and (Z). That is, step (X) preceding step (Z) encompasses the situation that step (X) is performed directly before step (Z), but also the situation that (X) is performed before one or more steps (Y1), . . . , followed by step (Z). Corresponding considerations apply when terms like “after” or “before” are used.

[0046] It will be appreciated that variations to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention can be made while still falling within scope of the invention. Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0047] Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless so claimed. Any steps described in the specification may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All of the features and/or steps disclosed in the specification can be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of the features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination.

[0048] Reference numbers and letters appearing between parentheses in the claims, identifying features described in the embodiments and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, are provided as an aid to the reader as an exemplification of the matter claimed. The inclusion of such reference numbers and letters is not to be interpreted as placing any limitations on the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0049] FIG. 1 depicts a single layer of material that is adapted to absorb radiation doses of an electron beam source that emits near parallel pathways of electrons. D.sub.1 represents the area of a recess integrated in the first side of the absorbing material. The recess may have various shapes or geometries; one shape of the recess may substantially show up as a truncated cone. However, any shape may be advisable, such as a truncated pyramid with a random number of corners, regularly or irregularly. The dimension d.sub.1 represents the area of the recess at the exit (or second) side of the absorbing material. The dashed line between P.sub.e and P.sub.0 with its extensions represents an imaginary axis that may be considered to be the center of area of D.sub.1 and/or d.sub.1. P.sub.e is the reference point of entry of the electron beam, the point where the intensity of the emitted electron beam is defined as the reference value for further comparisons. P.sub.0 shall represent the point of exit of the electron beam at the second side of the absorbing layer. P.sub.1 represents any point on the second side of the absorbing material, representing the region of interest for the radiation sensitive part of the device to be irridated.

[0050] In other words, a single layer of absorbing material with a truncated conical hole (recess) is displayed. D.sub.1 represents the size of the beam facing contour of the recess, d.sub.1 represents the size of the beam exit side contour of the recess, L.sub.1 represents the thickness of the absorber material layer. P.sub.e represents a reference point at which the entrance dose is determined, P.sub.0 represents the maximum exit dose location and P.sub.1 represents the control point at which the maximum tolerable dose shall be achieved.

[0051] FIG. 2 represents an embodiment of the absorbing material with a collimator. The absorbing material may comprise more than one layer. One purpose to supply a further layer may be to reduce X-rays being emitted from particles of the layer with the thickness L.sub.1 once they have been hit by an electron. The total thickness of the absorbing material may be formed by the sum of the thicknesses of the various layers. L.sub.2 shall represent the thickness of a second layer; however, even more than two layers may be advisable to receive individual results. Such, a first layer may be optimized to reduce the dose of the electron beam, while the second layer may be optimized to reduce X-rays further. Further layers (L.sub.2 . . . L.sub.n) may be applied to receive further properties depending on the application. The recess acting as a collimator can have different shapes in the distinct layers. As explained in FIG. 1, D.sub.1 is the area of the collimator opening to a recess on the first side of the absorber material and may comprise different shapes; one shape may be circular to form the larger diameter of a truncated cone. However, other shapes may be comprised like an n-edged truncated pyramid, regularly or irregularly. The distant side (or the second side) of the first absorber has an area of d.sub.1 that is substantially smaller than area D.sub.1. However, although area d.sub.2 in this representation is displayed as being smaller than area d.sub.1, it may anyhow have the same size as d.sub.1 or even be larger. The area at d.sub.2 may be considered similar to d.sub.1 in this embodiment.

[0052] P.sub.e is, as described in FIG. 1, the reference point at the side of the collimator that is closer to the source of the electron beam, P0 remains the reference point at the exit of the collimator as a whole. This relation remains constant no matter how many layers if absorber materials are applied. Reference points P.sub.0 and also P.sub.1 are always understood to be located on the second side of the absorber, the second side being the exit side of the electron beam after is has passed through the collimator.

[0053] To put this in short words, a plurality of layers of materials with the same reference dimensions and dose points is shown. P.sub.0 and P.sub.1 are always chosen at the exit side of the last layer. The total thickness of the absorber is the sum of the thicknesses of the individual layers (L=L.sub.1+ . . . +L.sub.n).

[0054] FIG. 3 shows 3 curves. The rhombic measuring points (standing on a tip) that form the steady line indicate the ratio of beam intensities in a percent value (left scale). For instance, the left most rhomb shows that at a ratio of conical diameters between the first side of the absorbing material (i.e. P.sub.e, see FIG. 1 or 2) to the second side of the collimator at P.sub.0 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of D.sub.1/d.sub.1 is 40/4. At this ratio of diameters an output of 34% of the intensity of the electron beam at P.sub.e (the entrance point of the beam) can be detected at P.sub.0. This intensity remains approximately constant over the ration D.sub.1/d.sub.1of 20/4 till the point D.sub.1/d.sub.1=10/4. The values reduce to 22% at D.sub.1/d.sub.1=10/3 and nearly vanish if the conical recess comprises a near cylindric shape (D.sub.1/d.sub.1=3/3).

[0055] Surprisingly, the value of collimated electron beam ratio (P.sub.0/P.sub.e) remains nearly constant for a diameter ration of D.sub.1/d.sub.1=40/4 up to a reduction of D.sub.1 to a ratio D.sub.1/d.sub.1 of 10/4. Only if the secondary side of the diameter is further reduced, the ration decreases significantly as can be seen from the curve.

[0056] In the following and throughout the whole document, the abbreviation DR (dose ratio) and DFR (dose factor ratio) are meant to be interchangeable, they reference the same phenomenon.

[0057] The dotted line that connects the quadratic points represents that the reduction rate (DFR=dose factor ratio) is as low values between 5 and around 10, if the distance between P.sub.0 and P.sub.1 is around 5 mm. Thus, the DFR at point P.sub.0 related to the dose at point P.sub.1 is between 5 and 10 at a 5 mm distance between the points P.sub.0 to P.sub.1.

[0058] Again, surprisingly, if a distance between the points P.sub.0 and P.sub.1 is increased to 10 mm, the resulting curve, represented by triangles and connected with a dashed line, show an entirely different behavior. At a ratio of the diameters of D.sub.1 to d.sub.1 of 10/4, a sudden high reduction of the ratio P.sub.0/P.sub.1 can be observed. A reduction of nearly a ratio of 50 (P.sub.0/P.sub.1) means that the shape and dimension of the cone that forms the collimator at P.sub.1 is observed related to P.sub.0. Thus, the radiation beam at P.sub.0 is nearly 50 times stronger than at P.sub.1 (that is 10 mm away from P.sub.0 in either (planar) direction, as long as the second side of the absorber is observed).

[0059] Thus, the trends with changing D.sub.1/d.sub.1 values at constant L P.sub.0/P.sub.1 and P.sub.0/P.sub.e and are reached with D.sub.1/d.sub.1=10/4.

[0060] FIG. 4 depicts the situation provided a generally cylindric recess is selected, an embodiment that is used widely. While the (nearly) steady line with the rhombic points indicate a widely constant radiation beam at the first side, the transmission to P0 at the second side of the (cylindric) collimator reaches up to some 67% of the dose at the entrance point Pe. The center line at x=0 (of the coordinate system) represents the axis running through Pe and P0 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), thus, the axial center of the recess. Further, the x-axis in the coordinate system shows the reduction of the doses if point P.sub.1 is moved away perpendicular to the virtual axis from P.sub.0 (the exit point of the collimator). The further P.sub.1 is distant from P.sub.0 the less dose is received of the dose becomes; this could be expected. When point P.sub.0 and the corresponding points P.sub.1 are shifted in a certain distance from the surface of the second side of the absorber, thus forming a parallel flat area in distance T from the surface of the second side of the absorber (see FIG. 3), the dose distribution broadens and flattens; the peak value is reduced substantially.

[0061] In this example representation, an input dose of 76 kGy at Pe results in a reduced Dose of 67% at P.sub.0. If P.sub.0 is relocated to a distant (parallel) plane with the distance T to the surface of the second side of the absorber, the Dose is reduced to nearly 16% of the value at P.sub.e.

[0062] The goal is to optimize 2 parameters: 1) the transmission P.sub.0/P.sub.e and 2) the dose ratio at the protected location (P.sub.0/P.sub.1).

[0063] FIG. 5 depicts the dose distribution if a conical recess is integrated into the first absorber material followed by a cylindrical recess with 4 mm diameter in a second absorber. Here, a bore relation of 10/4 is selected; i.e., the ratio of D1 to d1 is 10/4 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Again, same as in FIG. 4, a steady source radiation dose of around 75 kGy is input into the system. An overshooting value has been determined, surprisingly, thus, a value on the secondary side of more than what was input. This may have statistical reasons; however, likely is also a concentration (or focusing) effect. The rays entering the collimator via D.sub.1 may be reflected or concentrated to the diameter at d.sub.1. At least, at the virtual axis running through P.sub.e and P.sub.0 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) the resultant values on the secondary side are significantly higher compared to a configuration where the collimator recess has only a cylindric shape. The overshoot effect is quickly reduced when the Dose is analyzed further away from P.sub.0, at the same distance T as used FIG. 4. However, transmission at T and dose ratio are much improved.

[0064] FIG. 6 depicts the dose distribution if a conical recess is integrated into the first absorber material followed by a cylindrical recess with 3 mm diameter in a second absorber. Here, a bore relation of 10/3 is selected; i.e., the ratio of D.sub.1 to d1 is 10/3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Again, same as in FIG. 4, a steady source radiation dose of around 75 kGy is input into the system. A transmission value P.sub.0/P.sub.e=90% has been determined, thus, a value on the secondary side of nearly what was input. At the virtual axis running through Pe and P.sub.0 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) the resultant values on the secondary side are significantly higher compared to a configuration where the collimator recess has a cylindric shape. At the distances at t.sub.2 and t.sub.4 reduced values follow, however, both of them show roughly a bell curve, only slightly improved from FIG. 4.