Magnetic field concentrating and / or guiding devices and methods

Abstract

A magnetic field concentrating or guiding device may include: one or more coils (110), and one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures (120, 125) disposed at one or more predetermined locations relative to the coils. The one or more superconductor structures may form one or more magnetic field carrying regions. During operation, current flowing through the one or more coils may generate one or more magnetic fields that are compressed or guided within the magnetic field carrying regions.

Description

Background of the Invention

[0002] Magnetic fields are used in numerous applications, including but not limited to radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), accelerator magnets for high-energy physics (HEP) research, and nuclear fusion. For example, magnetic fields can be used to guide and / or focus charged particles. Many applications utilize relatively large magnetic flux densities. However, increasing the magnetic flux density of an electromagnet typically leads to increases in magnet size, the amount of material used in the magnet, the magnet's weight, current requirements, cooling requirements, and manufacturing complexity. Therefore, there has always been a need for improved equipment and technologies to generate large magnetic flux densities. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present technology can be best understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present technology for magnetic field concentrating and / or guiding devices and methods.

[0004] In one embodiment, a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device may include one or more coils and one or more superconducting structures. The one or more coils may be configured to generate one or more magnetic fields. The one or more superconducting structures may be positioned at one or more predetermined locations relative to the one or more coils. The one or more superconducting structures may be shaped to concentrate or guide the one or more magnetic fields generated by the one or more coils.

[0005] In another embodiment, a method for concentrating or guiding a magnetic field may include providing a coil and providing a superconductor with channels that are oriented to the coil in a predetermined direction.

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, some concepts that will be further described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Embodiments of this technology are shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example rather than limitation, and wherein the same reference numerals denote similar elements, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An exemplary device for concentrating a magnetic field according to one embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0009] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An exemplary device for concentrating a magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0010] Figure 3An exemplary device for concentrating a magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0011] Figure 4 A device for generating a magnetic field according to conventional technology is shown.

[0012] Figure 5 An exemplary device for concentrating a magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0013] Figure 6 An exemplary device for concentrating a magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0014] Figure 7 An exemplary device for concentrating a higher-order magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0015] Figure 8 An exemplary device for concentrating a higher-order magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0016] Figure 9 A magnetic field concentration method according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0017] Figure 10 A method for shaping one or more magnetic fields according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0018] Figure 11A and Figure 11B An exemplary device for applying a concentrated magnetic field to charged particles according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0019] Figure 12 An exemplary device for applying a concentrated magnetic field to charged particles according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0020] Figure 13 An exemplary device for applying a concentrated magnetic field to charged particles according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown.

[0021] Figure 14 An exemplary particle therapy system, including one or more devices for concentrating one or more magnetic fields, is shown according to various aspects of the present technology. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present technology will be described in conjunction with these embodiments, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit the present technology to these embodiments. Rather, the invention is intended to cover substitutions, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description of the present technology to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, it should be understood that the present technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, processes, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present technology.

[0023] The following presents some embodiments of the present technology using routines, modules, logic blocks, and other symbolic representations of operations on data within one or more electronic devices. These descriptions and representations are means by which those skilled in the art most effectively convey the essence of their work to others skilled in the art. Routines, modules, logic blocks, etc., are generally considered herein to be self-consistent sequences of processes or instructions that lead to desired results. These processes are those that involve physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although not essential, these physical manipulations take the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, transmitted, compared, and otherwise manipulated within an electronic device. For convenience, and with reference to general usage, in relation to embodiments of the present technology, these signals are referred to as data, bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, items, numbers, strings, etc.

[0024] However, it should be remembered that these terms will be interpreted as references to physical operations and quantities, and are merely convenient notations, and will be further interpreted according to terminology commonly used in the art. Unless otherwise stated, as will be apparent from the following discussion, it should be understood that, through the discussion of this art, the use of terms such as "receiving" refers to the actions and processes of electronic devices such as electronic computing devices that manipulate and transform data. Data is represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the logic circuits, registers, memories, etc., of electronic devices, and is transformed into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the electronic device.

[0025] In this application, the use of disjunctive is intended to include conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, references to “the” object or “an” object are intended to also indicate one of a possible plurality of such objects. The use of terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etc., specifies the presence of the stated element but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements and / or groups thereof. It should also be understood that although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Here, these terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as “coupled” to another element, it may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Conversely, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” to another element, there are no intermediate elements. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more related elements. It should also be understood that the wording and terminology used here are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive.

[0026] Embodiments of this technology provide a device for concentrating and / or guiding a magnetic field. The device may include one or more conductive coils and one or more superconducting structures disposed at predetermined positions relative to the one or more conductive coils. The one or more conductive coils may be configured to generate one or more magnetic fields. The one or more superconducting structures may be configured to concentrate one or more magnetic fields. Various aspects of this technology will be further explained with reference to the following exemplary embodiments. However, various aspects of this technology are not limited to the following exemplary embodiments. Rather, various aspects of this technology can be applied to many other embodiments.

[0027] Now for reference Figure 1A and Figure 1B It illustrates an exemplary device for concentrating a magnetic field according to one embodiment of the present technology. Figure 1A The image shows an end view of the device. Figure 1BThe image shows a side view of the device taken along section line A-A. Device 100 may include a conductive coil 110 and one or more superconducting structures 120 disposed within the conductive coil 110. As used herein, a coil refers to one or more current-carrying elements arranged with respect to a volume in one or more rotations, the volume being configured to generate a magnetic field. The current-carrying elements may be arranged in any geometry, including but not limited to a single helical winding, multiple concentric helical windings, one or more tilted helical windings, or one or more cosθ (cosine-theta) windings. The conductive coil 110 may be, for example, a solenoid. The conductive coil 110 may be a metallic conductor (referred to herein as a resistive conductor) or a non-resistive conductor (referred to herein as a superconductor) disposed in a path around the length of the volume. Although the conductive coil 110 is shown as a cylinder, the conductive coil 110 may have any shape factor, such as, but not limited to, a cube, parallelepiped, pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, including curved versions of these shapes and other similar volume shapes. Similarly, the conductor of the conductive coil 110 can have any cross-sectional shape factor, such as, but not limited to, circular, oblong, square, or rectangular.

[0028] In one embodiment, one or more superconducting structures 120 may include one or more foil or strip superconducting structures. In another embodiment, one or more superconducting structures 120 may include one or more bulk superconducting structures. One or more superconducting structures 120 may be formed of intermediate-temperature or high-temperature superconducting materials. High-temperature superconducting materials may include, but are not limited to: rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO), such as yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO), or gadolinium barium copper oxide (GdBCO), or europium barium copper oxide (EUBCO), lanthanum barium copper oxide (LBCO), and various types of bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO). Intermediate-temperature superconducting materials may include, but are not limited to: magnesium diboride (MgB2) or iron (Fe)-based superconductors, also known as phosphorus group compounds. As used herein, the term bulk superconducting material refers to a superconducting material that is the opposite of a structure comprising a combination of a superconducting material and a resistive conductor (e.g., copper, silver, etc.), which is also commonly referred to as a superconductor and is typically manufactured in the form of strips, strips, or wires. The foil or strip superconducting structure used herein is generally referred to as a coated conductor, wherein a superconducting layer is applied to a substrate made of, for example, Hastelloy, stainless steel and similar alloys or nickel alloys (e.g., having tungsten (e.g., Ni-W5 with 5% tungsten)). As used herein, a high-temperature superconducting material refers to a material exhibiting superconductivity above about 40 Kelvin (K). As used herein, a mid-temperature superconducting material refers to a material exhibiting superconductivity above about 25 Kelvin (K). In one embodiment, one or more superconducting structures 120 may include a type I superconductor. A type I superconductor can substantially exclude magnetic fields from passing through the superconducting structure 120. In another embodiment, one or more superconducting structures 120 may include a type II superconductor. A mixed-state type II superconductor can allow a portion of the magnetic field to pass through the superconducting structure 120, while the remainder of the magnetic field is excluded from passing through the superconducting structure 120.

[0029] One or more foil or strip superconductor structures may include continuous superconducting paths in the plane of the foil or strip. For example, stacks of REBCO foils or strips may be used instead of or combined with bulk superconducting materials to similarly partially or completely expel magnetic flux, thereby concentrating the magnetic flux in regions where no superconducting foil or strip exists. In one embodiment, the foil or strip superconductor may have continuous paths in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic flux.

[0030] The shape of one or more superconducting structures 120 may, for example, form one or more channels 130 disposed longitudinally through one or more superconducting structures 120. The one or more channels 130 may have any shape factor. The one or more channels 130 may, for example, extend to at least one side of the coil 110, such as... Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown. In another example, one or more channels may also extend through foil, strip, and / or bulk superconducting material (e.g., in one or more lateral directions and along the entire length of coil 110). Figure 2A and Figure 2B (as shown), or extends through one or more sections of that length.

[0031] Device 100 may optionally include one or more magnetic shielding elements 140 disposed at one or more predetermined locations relative to coil 110. The one or more magnetic shielding structures 140 may, for example, include foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures. The one or more magnetic shielding structures 140 of the superconductor may be configured to reduce or even completely eliminate unwanted stray magnetic fields around device 100. For example, such as Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, one or more magnetic shielding structures 140 may be disposed around the outer side of the coil. Although the magnetic shielding structure 140 is shown as a cylinder surrounding the outer length of the coil 110, the magnetic shielding structure 140 may have any shape factor.

[0032] During operation of device 100, one or more superconducting structures 120, 125 are held at or below the critical temperature of the superconducting material. For example, one or more coolers (not shown) may be coupled to one or more superconducting structures 120, 125. The one or more coolers may be configured to cool the one or more superconducting structures 120, 125 below the critical temperature of the superconducting material before the coil 110 generates one or more magnetic fields. The one or more coolers may then hold the one or more superconducting structures 120, 125 below the critical temperature while the coil 110 generates one or more magnetic fields. The one or more coolers may include one or more cryocoolers, cryogen-baths, etc., thermally coupled to the one or more superconducting structures 120, 125. During operation of device 100, current flows through the coil 110 that generates one or more magnetic fields. The shape of the one or more superconducting structures 120, 125 is configured to concentrate the magnetic field generated by the coil 110. When operating at or below the critical temperature, the magnetic field generated by the coil 110 does not pass through, or only partially passes through, the one or more superconducting structures 120, 125. Conversely, the magnetic field 310 generated by coil 110 is concentrated by one or more superconducting structures 120, 125 into one or more channels 130 provided through one or more superconducting structures 120, 125, such as Figure 3 As shown.

[0033] In contrast. Figure 4A magnetic field 410 generated by a coil 420 according to conventional technology is shown. When current flows through the coil 420 (as shown by entering a page in the upper conductor and exiting a page in the lower conductor), a magnetic field 410 is generated, having a flux that passes through the center 430 of the coil 420 from left to right and winds around the outer perimeter of the coil 420. The magnetic field 410 is distributed throughout the entire center 420 of the coil 420.

[0034] Refer again Figure 3 The same magnetic field generated by coil 110 is concentrated by one or more superconducting structures 120, 125 into a smaller region through one or more channels 130 of the superconducting structures 120, 125. Therefore, for the same amount of current flowing through the same coils 110, 420, concentrating the magnetic field through one or more channels 130 provided by one or more superconducting structures 120, 125 can advantageously increase the magnetic flux density in a given region. For example, a 2–3 Tesla (T) magnetic field 410 generated by coil 420 can be concentrated by superconducting structures 120, 125 to obtain a 7T magnetic field in the channels 130 provided by the superconducting structures 120, 125 within coil 110.

[0035] Now for reference Figure 5 This illustration shows an exemplary device for concentrating a magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology. Device 500 may include a conductive coil 510 and one or more superconducting structures 515, 520 disposed outside the conductive coil 510. In other embodiments, the one or more superconducting structures 515, 520 may be arranged in any orientation relative to the coil 510 to condense, guide, etc., the magnetic field 525.

[0036] Now for reference Figure 6 This is an exemplary device for concentrating a magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology. Similarly, device 600 may include a conductive coil 610 and one or more superconducting structures 615, 620 disposed within the conductive coil 610. The one or more superconducting structures 615, 620 may also include one or more tapers 625 to further concentrate, guide, etc., the magnetic field 630. For example, the superconducting structures 615, 620 may also include wider inlets and outlets at the ends of the conductive coil 610. Furthermore, the superconducting structures 615, 620, arranged in any orientation relative to the coil, may include tapers of any shape factor to concentrate, guide, etc., the magnetic field.

[0037] In other embodiments, devices 100, 200, 300, 500, and 600 may further combine superconducting flux guidance with magnetic flux guidance. For example, magnetic materials, including but not limited to paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, and holmium materials, may be used in conjunction with the superconducting structure. The additional magnetic material may be disposed as a padding material: along one or more channels of the superconducting structure and / or on the exterior of the superconducting structure near the entrances and / or exits of one or more channels, etc. The additional magnetic material may, for example, be used to improve or modify: the magnetic flux distribution in one or more channels and / or discontinuities in the magnetic field at the entrances and / or exits of one or more channels, etc.

[0038] Implementations of various aspects of this technology may also include devices for concentrating, guiding, or otherwise controlling higher-order magnetic fields. For example, multiple coils can be used to generate higher-order magnetic fields, and one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures positioned relative to a predetermined location relative to a solenoid can concentrate higher-order magnetic fields. Higher-order magnetic fields may include quadrupole, hexapole, octupole, and higher.

[0039] Now for reference Figure 7 An exemplary device for concentrating a higher-order magnetic field according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown. Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary quadrupole device 700 comprising four conductive coils 710-725 is shown. One or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 730-765 may be disposed within each conductive coil 710-725. Furthermore, the conductive coils 710-725 may be resistive conductors or superconductors disposed in a helical path around the length of a volume. The conductive coils 710-725 may have any form factor. Similarly, one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 730-765 may be formed of an intermediate-temperature superconducting material or a high-temperature superconducting material.

[0040] Similarly, the shape of one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 730-765 can, for example, form one or more channels 770-785 disposed longitudinally through one or more superconductor structures 730-765. The one or more channels 770-785 can have any shape factor. Likewise, one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 730-765 can be disposed together with each coil 710-725 (e.g., Figure 7 (As shown), it can be set outside the coil (not shown), or it can be set inside and outside the coil (as shown). Figure 8 (As shown), to condense, guide, etc., one or more magnetic fields.

[0041] In addition, the device 700 may optionally include one or more magnetic shielding elements (not shown) disposed at one or more predetermined locations relative to the coils 710-725. The one or more magnetic shielding structures may, for example, include foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor shielding elements.

[0042] Now for reference Figure 9 This illustrates a magnetic field concentration method according to another embodiment of the present technology. The method may include providing a coil at 910. The coil may be a resistive conductor or a superconducting coil arranged in a helical path along the length of a volume. Alternatively, the coil may be a resistive conductor or superconducting coil arranged in a double helix, double racetrack, cosθ, inclined cosθ, etc. Providing the coil may further include providing a current through the resistive or superconducting coil. If the coil includes a superconductor, providing the coil may further include cooling the superconducting coil to below the critical temperature of the superconducting coil.

[0043] At 920, a foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor may be provided at one or more predetermined locations relative to the coil. The foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor may be a medium-temperature or high-temperature superconductor. Providing a foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor may further include providing one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures disposed at one or more predetermined locations relative to the coil and shaped to concentrate one or more magnetic fields. In one embodiment, the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor may comprise a type I superconductor. A type I superconductor can substantially exclude magnetic fields from passing through the superconductor, such that the magnetic field is concentrated or directed through one or more channels formed by one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures. In another embodiment, the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor may comprise a type II superconductor. A mixed-state type II superconductor may allow a portion of the magnetic field to pass through the superconductor structure, while the remaining magnetic field is concentrated or directed through one or more channels formed by one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures. Providing a foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor may further include cooling the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor below the critical temperature of the superconductor material. In one embodiment, the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor can be cooled below the critical temperature of the superconducting material before the coil generates one or more magnetic fields. The foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor can then be held below the critical temperature while the coil generates one or more magnetic fields.

[0044] The magnetic field concentration method can be further extended to providing multiple coils and one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures positioned relative to the coils at one or more predetermined locations.

[0045] Now for reference Figure 10This illustrates a method for shaping one or more magnetic fields according to another embodiment of the present technology. The method may include generating one or more magnetic fields at 1010. Generating one or more magnetic fields may include transmitting current in a spiral, double spiral, double orbit, cosθ, inclined cosθ, or other similar path. Transmitting current around a given path may include passing current through a resistive or superconducting coil having a given volume and length.

[0046] In 1020, one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures can be used to concentrate or guide one or more magnetic fields. The one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures can be positioned at one or more predetermined locations relative to one or more magnetic fields to concentrate or guide them. For example, the one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures can be positioned at one or more predetermined locations relative to a coil to concentrate or guide one or more magnetic fields through a continuous portion of a volume extending through the one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures. Confining or shaping one or more magnetic fields may also include providing one or more magnetic shielding elements positioned at one or more other predetermined locations relative to the coil.

[0047] The magnetic field concentrating and / or guiding devices and methods according to various aspects of this technology can be advantageously used in radiotherapy equipment, such as, but not limited to, radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and proton therapy. Magnetic field concentrating and / or guiding devices and methods can also be advantageously used in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), accelerator magnets for high-energy physics (HEP) research, and nuclear fusion. For example, devices for concentrating one or more magnetic fields can be used for bending magnets, focusing magnets, etc.

[0048] Now for reference Figure 11A and Figure 11B An exemplary device for applying a concentrated magnetic field to charged particles is shown according to another embodiment of the present technology. Figure 1A The image shows an end view of device 1100. Figure 1B The image shows a side view of device 1100 taken along section line A-A. Device 1100 may include one or more coils 1110 arranged with respect to the length of a volume. Device 1100 may also include a plurality of foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120 disposed within the internal volume of the coils 1110. A magnetic field carrying region 1125 may extend longitudinally and laterally through the volume between at least two of the plurality of foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120. One or more coil apertures 1130 may be provided through the one or more coils 1110. The one or more coil apertures 1130 may be aligned with the lateral ends of the magnetic field carrying region 1125.

[0049] The one or more coils 1110 can be configured to generate one or more magnetic fields in response to a current flowing through them. The one or more coils 1110 can be arranged as a single helix, double helix, double track, cosθ, inclined cosθ, etc. Although the one or more coils 1110 are shown as cylinders, they can have any form factor. The one or more coils 1110 can include resistive conductors or superconductors. In one embodiment, the one or more coils 1110 may include a separating coil having a gap between a first portion and a second portion of the separating coil. The gap in the separating coil may include one or more coil apertures 1130.

[0050] Multiple foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120 may be formed from intermediate-temperature or high-temperature superconductor materials. In one embodiment, the multiple foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductors 1115, 1120 may be arranged to fill the internal volume of one or more coils 1110 and form a magnetic field carrying region 1125. In one embodiment, the multiple bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120 may be machined to fill the internal volume of one or more coils 1110 and form a curved magnetic field carrying region 1125 between a first and a second bulk superconductor structure in the bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120. In another embodiment, bulk superconductor material may be molded to form the multiple bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120 to fill the internal volume of one or more coils 1110 and form a magnetic field carrying region 1125 disposed between a first and a second bulk superconductor structure in the bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120. In one embodiment, the magnetic field carrying region 1125 may be an open space filled with atmospheric gas or a selected gas within a selected temperature and / or pressure range, or under low vacuum pressure. In other embodiments, the magnetic field carrying region 1125 may be partially or entirely filled with mechanical reinforcement (e.g., glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin) to fix the position of the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120 and maintain a specified cross-sectional area of ​​the magnetic field carrying region 1125. Furthermore, magnetic materials, including but not limited to paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, holmium, etc., may be used in conjunction with the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120. Additional magnetic material may be provided as a pad along the magnetic field carrying region of the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120, and / or provided on the exterior of the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120 near the entrance and / or exit of the magnetic field carrying region 1125, etc. Additional magnetic materials can be used, for example, to improve or modify the magnetic flux distribution in the magnetic field-bearing region 1125, and / or the discontinuities in the magnetic field at the entrance and / or exit of the magnetic field-bearing region 1125, etc.

[0051] One or more magnetic fields generated by one or more conductive coils 1110 are partially or completely excluded from one or more foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1115, 1120 by superconducting material, thereby compressing or directing the one or more magnetic fields through a magnetic field-bearing region 1125 disposed longitudinally through one or more conductive coils. Compressing or directing the one or more magnetic fields generated by the one or more conductive coils 1110 advantageously increases the magnetic flux density within the magnetic field-bearing region 1125.

[0052] The one or more coil orifices 1130 can be configured to allow charged particles 1135 to pass through the one or more coils 1110 and enter the magnetic field carrying region 1125. Similarly, the one or more coil orifices 1130 can be configured to allow charged particles 1135 to exit through the one or more coils 1110 after passing through the magnetic field carrying region 1125. When charged particles 1135 pass through the magnetic field carrying region 1125 perpendicular to the compressive magnetic field, the compressive magnetic field causes the charged particles 1135 to deflect in a semi-circular arc, bow shape, semi-circular shape, compound arc, or similar path.

[0053] The magnetic field carrying region 1125 can have any uniform or non-uniform shape. For example, the magnetic field carrying region 1125 can vary along the length of the coil and / or across the coil, etc. In one embodiment, the geometry of the magnetic field carrying region 1125 can be based on: a specified energy range for allowing a charged particle to pass through the magnetic field carrying region 1125, a specified magnetic flux range for compressing the magnetic field, and a specified range of bending radii for the charged particle. In one embodiment, the magnetic field carrying region 1125 can pass substantially straight through the interior of one or more coils 1110 having a given width to accommodate the bending radius of the charged particle and various tolerances and deviations. In another embodiment, the magnetic field carrying region 1125 can have a curve substantially equal to the specified bending radius of the charged particle, and therefore the width of the magnetic field carrying region 1125 can be reduced compared to a straight magnetic field carrying region 1125 profile.

[0054] Now for reference Figure 12 An exemplary device for applying a concentrated magnetic field to charged particles according to another embodiment of the present technology is shown. Device 1200 is substantially similar to the device described above with reference to FIG11. Similarly, one or more coils 1210 may be single-helical, double-helical, double-track, cosθ, inclined cosθ, etc. However, the one or more coils 1210 may include one or more localized "wiggles" in these windings, which are configured to form one or more coil apertures 1230 aligned with the lateral ends of the magnetic field-bearing region 1225.

[0055] Similarly, one or more coil orifices 1230 may be configured to allow charged particles 1235 to pass through one or more coils 1210 and enter a magnetic field-bearing region 1225 disposed between foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structures 1215, 1220. Likewise, one or more coil orifices 1230 may be configured to allow charged particles 1235 to exit through one or more coils 1210 after passing through the magnetic field-bearing region 1225. When charged particles 1235 pass through the magnetic field-bearing region 1225 perpendicular to the compressive magnetic field, the compressive magnetic field deflects the charged particles 1235 in a semi-circular, bow-shaped, semi-circular, compound arc, or similar path.

[0056] Now for reference Figure 13 An exemplary device for applying a concentrated magnetic field to charged particles, according to another embodiment of the present technology, is shown. Device 1300 is substantially similar to the above reference. Figure 12 The described device. Device 1300 also includes one or more magnetic shielding structures 1340 disposed around one or more conductive coils 1310. The one or more magnetic shielding structures 1340 may, for example, comprise a bulk superconducting shielding material. The one or more magnetic shielding structures 1340 may have any shape factor configured to disperse or reduce one or more magnetic fields in the vicinity of device 1300. For example, as Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, one or more magnetic shielding structures 1340 may have a shape factor disposed around the outer side of one or more conductive coils 1310 and extending along the length of one or more conductive coils 1310. In another example, one or more magnetic shielding structures 1340 may have a shape factor disposed around the outer side of one or more conductive coils 1310 and extending radially outward from one or more conductive coils 1310, such as... Figure 13 As shown.

[0057] Similarly, the one or more coil orifices 1330 can be configured to allow charged particles 1335 to pass through the one or more coils 1310 and enter the magnetic field carrying region 1325 disposed between the bulk superconductor structures 1315, 1320. Likewise, the one or more coil orifices 1330 can be configured to allow charged particles 1335 to exit through the one or more coils 1310 after passing through the magnetic field carrying region 1325. When charged particles 1335 pass through the magnetic field carrying region 1325 perpendicular to the compressive magnetic field, the compressive magnetic field deflects the charged particles 1335 in a semi-circular, arc-shaped, semi-circular, compound arc, or similar path.

[0058] Now for reference Figure 14An exemplary particle therapy system according to various aspects of the present invention is illustrated, including one or more devices for concentrating one or more magnetic fields. The particle therapy system 1400 may include a particle source 1410, a transmission line 1415, a gantry 1420, a plurality of bending magnets 1425, a plurality of focusing magnets 1430, and a patient table 1435. The particle therapy system 1400 typically also includes many other components, such as beam scanning components, beam instrumentation components, vacuum components, power supply components, cooling components, mechanical support components, gantry drive components, etc., which are not essential for understanding various aspects of the present invention and are therefore not described further herein.

[0059] In one embodiment, particle source 1410 may be a cyclotron configured to generate a proton beam on delivery line 1415. Gland 1420 may be configured to rotate around patient stage 1435 to deliver charged particles to a target area, such as a patient's cancer or tumor. By rotating gantry 1420 around the patient on patient stage 1435, a given dose can be delivered to the target area while reducing the dose delivered to surrounding tissues. Typically, gantry 1420 may be configured to rotate ±180° around patient stage 1435.

[0060] Multiple curved magnets 1425 are configured to guide a stream of charged particles to a patient table 1435 at a defined angle along a transmission line 1415. Multiple focusing magnets are configured to focus the stream of charged particles as it propagates along the transmission line 1415 to compensate for various distortions along the transmission line 1415.

[0061] In one embodiment, according to various aspects of the present technology, one or more bent magnets 1425 can be configured to apply a concentrated magnetic field to charged particles. For example, the one or more bent magnets may include a solenoid configured to generate a dipole magnetic field. The one or more bent magnets may also include a bulk superconducting structure disposed within the solenoid. The bulk superconducting structure may include longitudinally and laterally extending slots within the solenoid, configured to concentrate the dipole magnetic field generated by the solenoid in the bent channel. The solenoid may include orifices aligned at the lateral ends of the bent channel for a proton beam to pass through the bent channel. The concentrated dipole magnetic field in the channel is used to bend the trajectory of the proton particle beam. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more bent magnets may be as referenced above. Figure 11A and Figure 11B , Figure 12 and / or Figure 13 The aforementioned, or one or more such bending magnets used to realize composite bending magnets.

[0062] Alternatively or additionally, according to various aspects of the present invention, one or more focusing magnets 1430 may be configured to apply a concentrated magnetic field. For example, the one or more focusing magnets may include four solenoids configured to generate a quadrupole magnetic field. The one or more focusing magnets may also include a bulk superconducting structure disposed in each solenoid, wherein the bulk superconducting structure is configured to concentrate quadrupole, hexapole, or other magnetic fields. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more focusing magnets may be quadrupole magnets (as referred above). Figure 7 (as described above), and is configured to focus a stream of charged particles.

[0063] In addition, as mentioned above Figure 1A and Figure 1B , Figure 2A and Figure 2B and / or Figure 13 As described with respect to one or more curved magnets 1425 and / or one or more focusing magnets 1430, the use of one or more superconducting shielding structures can reduce or even completely eliminate unwanted stray magnetic fields surrounding these magnets. This allows the curved magnets 1425 and / or focusing magnets 1430 to be placed closer to front-end components of the gantry, such as imaging and scanner components. Similarly, this allows the curved magnets 1425 and / or focusing magnets 1430 to be placed closer to the patient, which is important for a compact gantry.

[0064] The concentrated magnetic field provided by the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structure can advantageously reduce the weight and / or size of one or more bent magnets 1425 and / or one or more focused magnets 1430, etc. The reduced weight and / or size can also lead to a reduction in the cost of one or more bent magnets 1425 and / or one or more focused magnets 1430, etc. The reduced weight and / or size of one or more bent magnets 1425 and / or one or more focused magnets 1430, etc., can also lead to a reduction in the size and / or weight of the rack 1420. Furthermore, the concentrated magnetic field provided by the foil, strip, and / or bulk superconductor structure can advantageously reduce the current required to generate a given magnetic flux and / or the cooling required to operate one or more bent magnets 1425 and / or one or more focused magnets 1430, etc. The reduced current and / or cooling can lead to a further reduction in the weight and / or size of the rack 1420. The reduced current and / or cooling requirements can also lead to a reduction in the cost of power supplies and / or cooling components, etc. In addition, the reduced size and / or weight of rack 1420 can lead to a reduction in the cost of rack support structure.

[0065] The following embodiments relate to specific technical implementations and indicate specific features, elements, or steps that may be used or otherwise combined in implementing these embodiments.

[0066] Example 1 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device comprising: one or more coils for generating one or more magnetic fields; and one or more superconducting structures disposed at one or more predetermined positions relative to the one or more coils and shaped to concentrate or guide the one or more magnetic fields.

[0067] Example 2 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to Example 1, wherein the one or more superconducting structures include one or more bulk superconducting structures.

[0068] Example 3 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to Example 1, wherein the one or more superconducting structures include one or more foil or strip superconducting structures.

[0069] Example 4 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to Example 1, wherein the one or more superconducting structures include a combination of one or more bulk superconducting structures and one or more foil or strip superconducting structures.

[0070] Example 5 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of Examples 1-4, wherein the one or more superconducting structures include one or more high-temperature superconducting structures.

[0071] Example 6 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of Examples 1-4, wherein the one or more coils include a plurality of coils configured to generate a plurality of magnetic fields in a predetermined orientation.

[0072] Example 7 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of Examples 1-4, wherein the one or more superconducting structures form one or more channels longitudinally passing through the one or more coils.

[0073] Example 8 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to Example 7, wherein the geometry of the one or more channels is configured to shape the one or more magnetic fields.

[0074] Example 9 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of Examples 1-4, further comprising: a superconducting shielding structure disposed around the one or more coils.

[0075] Example 10 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device comprising: one or more conductive coils disposed with respect to the length of a volume; one or more structures disposed within the volume, wherein the one or more structures include a foil, strip, or bulk superconductor; a magnetic field carrying region extending longitudinally through the volume; and one or more orifices disposed through the one or more conductive coils and the magnetic field carrying region.

[0076] Example 11 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to Example 10, wherein the one or more orifices arranged through the magnetic field carrying region include the magnetic field carrying region extending laterally through the volume.

[0077] Example 12 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to Example 10, wherein: the magnetic field carrying region further extends laterally through the volume; and the one or more orifices are further configured to pass through the one or more conductive coils to the lateral end of the magnetic field carrying region.

[0078] Example 13 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to Example 10, further comprising: a superconducting shield disposed around the one or more conductive coils.

[0079] Example 14 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to Example 13, wherein the one or more orifices are further arranged to pass through the superconducting shield.

[0080] Example 15 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of Examples 10-14, wherein the geometry of the magnetic field carrying region is a function of: a specified energy range for causing a charged particle beam to pass laterally through the magnetic field carrying region, a specified magnetic flux range for passing longitudinally through the magnetic field carrying region, and a specified bending radius range for the charged particle beam.

[0081] Example 16 includes a magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of Examples 10-14, the magnetic field concentrating or guiding device further including one or more coolers coupled to the plurality of foil, strip or bulk superconductor structures.

[0082] Example 17 includes a method for concentrating or guiding a magnetic field, the method comprising: providing a coil; and providing a superconductor having a channel disposed at a predetermined position relative to the coil.

[0083] Example 18 includes the magnetic field concentration or guiding method of Example 17, wherein the channel extends longitudinally and laterally through the internal volume of the coil.

[0084] Example 19 includes the magnetic field concentration or guiding method of Example 17, wherein providing a superconductor includes providing a high-temperature superconductor disposed inside a coil.

[0085] Example 20 includes the magnetic field concentration or guiding method of Example 19, and further includes cooling the superconductor to below the critical temperature of the superconductor.

[0086] Example 21 includes a method for concentrating or guiding a magnetic field as described in any one of Examples 17-19, wherein providing the coil includes providing a current through a resistive or superconducting coil.

[0087] Example 22 includes the magnetic field concentration or guiding method of Example 21, and also includes cooling the superconducting coil to below the critical temperature of the superconducting coil.

[0088] Example 23 includes a method for concentrating or guiding a magnetic field, the method comprising: generating one or more magnetic fields; and concentrating or guiding the one or more magnetic fields.

[0089] Example 24 includes the magnetic field concentration or guiding method of Example 23, wherein generating the one or more magnetic fields includes: passing a current through a helical path around the length of the volume.

[0090] Example 25 includes the magnetic field focusing or guiding method of Example 24, wherein focusing or guiding the one or more magnetic fields includes: confining the one or more magnetic fields to a continuous portion of the volume, wherein the continuous portion extends the length of the volume.

[0091] Example 26 includes the magnetic field focusing or guiding method of Example 23 or 24, and further includes: passing a beam of charged particles through one or more magnetic fields that have been focused or guided.

[0092] Example 27 includes a magnetic field focusing or guiding method of Example 23 or 24, wherein the one or more magnetic fields comprise a plurality of magnetic fields arranged in a predetermined orientation relative to each other.

[0093] The above description of specific embodiments of the present technology has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. These embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise forms disclosed, and it will be apparent that many modifications and variations are possible in accordance with the foregoing teachings. These embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the present technology and its various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the intended particular use. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A magnetic field concentrating or guiding device, comprising: One or more coils are used to generate one or more magnetic fields, and the one or more coils are arranged around the length of the volume; as well as One or more superconducting structures are disposed at one or more predetermined locations relative to one or more coils and are shaped to concentrate or guide the one or more magnetic fields, the one or more superconducting structures being disposed within the volume. The device also includes: One or more coil orifices, the one or more coil orifices being configured to allow charged particles to pass through the one or more coils, enter a magnetic field-bearing region, and exit through the one or more coils after passing through the magnetic field-bearing region.

2. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more superconducting structures include one or more bulk superconducting structures.

3. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more superconductor structures comprise one or more foil or strip superconductor structures.

4. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more superconducting structures comprise a combination of one or more bulk superconducting structures and one or more foil or strip superconducting structures.

5. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the one or more superconductor structures include one or more high-temperature superconductor structures.

6. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more coils comprise a plurality of coils configured to generate a plurality of magnetic fields in a predetermined orientation.

7. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more superconducting structures form one or more channels longitudinally passing through the one or more coils.

8. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to claim 7, wherein the geometry of the one or more channels is configured to shape the one or more magnetic fields.

9. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8, wherein the one or more orifices configured to pass through the magnetic field carrying region comprise the magnetic field carrying region extending laterally through the volume.

10. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8, wherein: The magnetic field-bearing region further extends laterally through the volume; and The one or more orifices are further configured to pass through the one or more conductive coils to the lateral end of the magnetic field bearing region.

11. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8, further comprising: A superconducting shield is placed around the one or more conductive coils.

12. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device of claim 11, wherein the one or more orifices are further configured to pass through the superconducting shield.

13. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 12, wherein the geometry of the magnetic field carrying region is a function of: a specified energy range for causing a charged particle beam to pass through the magnetic field carrying region laterally, a specified magnetic flux range for passing through the magnetic field carrying region longitudinally, and a specified bending radius range for the charged particle beam.

14. The magnetic field concentrating or guiding device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 12, further comprising one or more coolers coupled to a plurality of foil or strip superconducting structures, or a plurality of bulk superconducting structures.

15. A method for concentrating or guiding a magnetic field, comprising: Provide coils; A superconductor with a channel is provided at a predetermined position relative to the coil; as well as One or more coil orifices are provided, the orifices being configured to allow charged particles to pass through one or more coils, enter a magnetic field-bearing region, and exit through the one or more coils after passing through the magnetic field-bearing region.

16. The magnetic field concentration or guiding method according to claim 15, wherein the channel extends longitudinally and laterally through the internal volume of the coil.

17. The method for concentrating or guiding a magnetic field according to claim 15 or 16, wherein providing the superconductor comprises: A high-temperature superconductor is provided within the coil.

18. The magnetic field concentration or guiding method according to claim 15 or 16 further includes cooling the superconductor to below the critical temperature of the superconductor.

19. The method for concentrating or guiding a magnetic field according to claim 15 or 16, wherein providing the coil comprises: It provides current through a resistive coil or a superconducting coil.

20. The magnetic field concentration or guiding method according to claim 19 further includes: The superconducting coil is cooled to below its critical temperature.

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