Particle therapy system and method for operating the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a particle therapy system (10), in particular a hadron therapy system, comprising a particle source (1), a pre-acceleration device (2) which is connected to the particle source (1) for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source (1), a synchrotron (4) having an orbital particle path (5) with an injection site (6) and an extraction site (7), a transfer beam guide (3) leading from the pre-acceleration device (2) to the injection site (6) for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device (2) into the particle path (5) of the synchrotron (4), characterised in that that the pre-acceleration device (2) is arranged above or below the path plane (B) of the synchrotron (4), wherein the pre-acceleration device (2) vertically overlaps with a first path section (11) of the orbital particle path (5) of the synchrotron (4).

Description

[0001] PARTICLE THERAPY SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A SYSTEM

[0002] The invention relates to a particle therapy system, in particular a hadron therapy system, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a hospital and a method for operating a particle therapy system.

[0003] State-of-the-art synchrotron-based particle therapy systems require a lot of space and can therefore only be installed in dedicated buildings. The size of such systems is determined by the individual components and their spatial arrangement relative to one another. The individual components, in particular the ion source, the pre-accelerator, and the synchrotron, are arranged side by side on a single plane. Also located on this plane are the necessary infrastructure for power supply and cooling, as well as other components for beam guidance, in particular the beam guidance from the extraction point in the synchrotron to the treatment site.

[0004] The space required by such an arrangement prevents the installation of such particle therapy systems, especially hadron therapy systems such as proton therapy systems, directly in hospitals.

[0005] In contrast to conventional radiation therapy with photons, particles, especially protons, can penetrate significantly deeper into human tissue (up to approximately 30 cm). Thus, hadron therapy can effectively treat even deep-seated tumors with minimal side effects.

[0006] The objective of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a particle therapy system and a method for operating such a system that significantly reduces space requirements. This should also enable the installation of such a particle therapy system in smaller spaces, particularly in hospitals. The system should be characterized by its compactness and a significantly reduced footprint.

[0007] This object is achieved by a particle therapy system according to claim 1. The particle therapy system according to the invention, in particular a hadron therapy system, comprises a particle source, a pre-acceleration device connected to the particle source for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source, a synchrotron with a circulating particle track with an injection point and an extraction point, and a transfer beam guide leading from the pre-acceleration device to the injection point for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device into the particle track of the synchrotron.

[0008] The particle therapy facility is characterized in that the pre-acceleration device is arranged above or below the orbital plane of the synchrotron (main accelerator), wherein the pre-acceleration device overlaps vertically - at least partially - with a first orbital section of the circulating particle orbit of the synchrotron.

[0009] This arrangement places the space-consuming pre-accelerator, which typically comprises a linear accelerator with a length of more than 1 m, usually several meters, in a plane outside the synchrotron's orbital plane, significantly reducing the facility's footprint. The vertically overlapping arrangement of the pre-accelerator and a first segment of the synchrotron's orbiting particle path also ensures that the space enclosed by the synchrotron's ring is not occupied by the pre-accelerator, thus providing space for additional components, such as the power supply system, vacuum generation system, cooling system, and control system.

[0010] The particle source, particularly in the form of an ion source, provides the particles intended for irradiation. These are preferably hadrons, particularly protons.

[0011] The particles coming from the ion source are accelerated in the pre-acceleration device (e.g. an energy of 7 MeV) before they are injected into the synchrotron.

[0012] The pre-acceleration device can comprise several components that, in addition to acceleration, also perform beam shaping / focusing. The pre-acceleration device preferably comprises at least one linear accelerator (LINAC), preferably in the form of a quadrupole radio frequency accelerator (RFQ-LINAC).

[0013] A synchrotron is a particle accelerator in the form of a ring accelerator. Charged elementary particles or ions can be accelerated to very high speeds, thereby acquiring very high kinetic energies. The energy or energy distribution of the particles, which are then guided via the extraction point toward the treatment site, can preferably be variably adjusted in a synchrotron.

[0014] Vertically overlapping means that the pre-acceleration device and the synchrotron's particle path are positioned vertically above one another. In other words, viewed from above, one of these components (e.g., the pre-acceleration device) obscures the other component (the synchrotron's particle path). It is possible to arrange the pre-acceleration device above the particle path or below it. As already mentioned above, this reduces the required footprint. It is therefore preferred if the pre-acceleration device is arranged vertically above or below the first path section.

[0015] It is preferred if the pre-acceleration device vertically overlaps the first track section along at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 100%, of its longitudinal extent or the longitudinal extent of its beam path. The overlap in the specified area preferably occurs continuously, ie, without interruption.

[0016] If the first path section is an (exclusively) linear path section, it is preferred that the ratio between the length of the beam path within the pre-acceleration device or within a linear accelerator of the pre-acceleration device and the length of the first (linear) path section be between 0.7 and 1.3, preferably between 0.85 and 1.15. This demonstrates that the coordinated dimensions can lead to maximum burst savings.

[0017] The particle path of the synchrotron is formed by a vacuum-filled tube, in which the particles are held in the beam path by appropriate beam guidance components, particularly magnets. A preferred embodiment is characterized by the extraction point being located in the first track section, and the pre-acceleration device vertically overlapping the extraction point. This allows for a particularly compact design, since the pre-acceleration components and those for extraction (including the extraction beam guidance) can be housed in a very small space, thus ensuring optimal use of space.

[0018] A preferred embodiment is characterized by the particle source at least partially vertically overlapping the first segment of the synchrotron's orbiting particle track. This measure also ensures that the particle or ion source contributes little or nothing to the facility's footprint.

[0019] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first track section is a linear track section and the pre-acceleration device comprises a linear accelerator, wherein the beam path of the first track section and the beam path of the linear accelerator are substantially parallel to one another or have a deviation from a parallel alignment of at most 20°. In other words, the respective (linear) beam paths are parallel to one another or inclined at an angle of at most 20°. This measure achieves the greatest possible overlap.

[0020] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the transfer beam guide overcomes a height difference between the pre-acceleration device and the injection point.

[0021] A preferred embodiment is characterized by the fact that the transfer beam guide extends laterally beyond the outer contour of the synchrotron's rotating particle path. This allows, on the one hand, the pre-accelerator device to be housed entirely on one side of the synchrotron, and, on the other hand, the pre-accelerated particles to be injected into the synchrotron in a direction—either horizontal or with a horizontal directional component. The latter further reduces the horizontal space requirement because no deflection magnets need to be provided in the area of ​​the injection site.

[0022] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the transfer beam guide has a first track section with which the height difference between the pre-acceleration device and the track plane of the synchrotron is overcome, and a second track section which runs between the first track section and the injection point in the track plane of the synchrotron.

[0023] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the transfer beam guide opens into the injection site with a horizontal directional component, preferably from an area outside the area enclosed by the particle path.

[0024] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the injection site is arranged in a second, preferably linear, track section of the synchrotron, wherein the beam direction defined by the second track section and the beam direction defined by the first track section are inclined to each other by an angle that is preferably at least 60° and at most 120°, particularly preferably 90°. Due to this geometry, the particles do not need to be deflected further in the transfer beam guide, so that it can be designed to be significantly shorter and thus more space-saving.

[0025] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first path section, which is a linear path section, directly transitions into an arcuate path section, and the arcuate path section directly transitions into the second path section, which is a linear path section, wherein the arcuate path section is preferably a 90° arc. This measure allows the transfer beam guide to be guided in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0026] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that an electromagnetic shield, preferably in the form of a plate, foil, grid, or mesh made of electrically conductive material, is arranged between the pre-accelerator device and the first track section. This efficiently prevents adverse mutual interference between the superimposed components, particularly due to stray fields.

[0027] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pre-accelerator device is at least partially supported by the same frame that also supports the synchrotron. This eliminates the need for additional components, allowing the system to be implemented with greater material and cost savings. A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the pre-accelerator device and / or the particle source are supported by at least one, preferably at least two, support columns extending from bottom to top, with at least one support column being arranged on the outside of an arcuate track section of the synchrotron. This also allows the (otherwise mostly unused) corner area to be utilized to support the pre-accelerator device / particle source, further increasing the compactness of the design.

[0028] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the particle system comprises an extraction beam guide extending from the extraction site to a treatment station, wherein the extraction beam guide preferably has a curved path section, preferably in the form of a 90° arc. At the treatment station itself, it is preferred for the patient to be immobilized and treated in a sitting position on a movable element. The patient and / or the particle beam are aligned so that they impinge on the site to be treated.

[0029] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the projection of the transfer beamline into the synchrotron's orbital plane lies—at least in part—between the synchrotron's particle path and the extraction beamline. This also allows the otherwise unoccupied area between the extraction beamline and the synchrotron to be utilized.

[0030] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that a contour drawn in a horizontal plane around the arrangement of synchrotron, particle source, pre-acceleration device, extraction beam guide and treatment station has an area of ​​at most 100m 2 , preferably no more than 85m 2 , enclosing it. This allows particle therapy systems according to the invention to be installed in existing hospitals.

[0031] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the particle therapy system comprises a power supply device, a vacuum generation device, a cooling device, and a control device, wherein at least one, preferably at least two, of these components is / are arranged above and / or below the synchrotron and / or within the circulating particle path of the synchrotron. The required floor space can thus be further reduced.The object is also achieved with a particle therapy system, in particular hadron therapy system, preferably according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a particle source, a pre-acceleration device connected to the particle source for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source, a synchrotron with a circulating particle path with an injection point and an extraction point, a transfer beam guide leading from the pre-acceleration device to the injection point for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device into the particle path of the synchrotron, characterized in that the particle therapy system has a control device with an operating mode for feeding the energy stored in the magnets provided for guiding or deflecting the particles back into an electrical energy store (e.g. buffer storage, battery, etc.) or into the power grid.

[0032] This measure (in addition to energy savings) also allows the system to be designed more compactly. Feeding back the energy stored in the magnetic fields allows the cooling systems – which would otherwise have to dissipate all the energy converted into heat – to be smaller, thus contributing less to the system's footprint.

[0033] The object is also achieved with a particle therapy system, in particular a hadron therapy system, preferably according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a particle source, a pre-acceleration device connected to the particle source for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source, a synchrotron with a circulating particle path with an injection point and an extraction point, a transfer beam guide leading from the pre-acceleration device to the injection point for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device into the particle path of the synchrotron, characterized in that the particle therapy system comprises a control device with an operating mode for decelerating the particles in the synchrotron, wherein the operating mode is set up to reduce the speed of the particles by controlling at least one cavity of an acceleration section of the synchrotron,by generating a force acting on the particles through the at least one cavity in a direction opposite to their direction of travel. This can be achieved by applying pressure to the high-frequency coil(s) of the cavity 26 in such a way that the high-frequency electromagnetic waves accelerate (i.e., actively decelerate) the particles in the direction opposite to their direction of travel.

[0034] The active reduction of particle energy in the synchrotron (main accelerator) significantly reduces radiation exposure, which also allows for a reduction in radiation protection measures and consequently also reduces space requirements.

[0035] The invention also relates to a hospital in which a particle therapy system according to the invention is arranged.

[0036] The invention also relates to a method for operating a particle therapy system according to the invention, in which method the particles emerging from the particle source are accelerated by the pre-acceleration device and injected into the synchrotron by means of the transfer beam guide. The particles are guided from a first plane (plane of the pre-acceleration device) into the orbit plane of the synchrotron, with the particles overcoming a vertical height difference (upward or downward).

[0037] The object is also achieved by a method for operating a particle therapy system, preferably according to claim 21, wherein the particle therapy system comprises a particle source, a pre-acceleration device connected to the particle source for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source, a synchrotron with a circulating particle path with an injection point and an extraction point, and a transfer beam guide leading from the pre-acceleration device to the injection point for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device into the particle path of the synchrotron. The object is also achieved by a method for operating a particle therapy system,Preferably according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the particle therapy system comprises a particle source, a pre-acceleration device connected to the particle source for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source, a synchrotron with a circulating particle path with an injection point and an extraction point, a transfer beam guide leading from the pre-acceleration device to the injection point for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device into the particle path of the synchrotron, characterized in that in one operating mode, the particles in the synchrotron are decelerated by controlling at least one cavity of an acceleration section of the synchrotron in order to reduce the speed of the particles by generating a force acting on the particles counter to their direction of movement through the at least one cavity.

[0038] The advantages described above in connection with the particle therapy system can also be applied to the procedures.

[0039] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0040] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a particle therapy system according to the invention from above;

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a particle therapy system in perspective view;

[0043] Fig. 3 shows a section of a particle therapy system from the side;

[0044] Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a particle therapy system according to the invention from the side;

[0045] Fig. 5 schematically shows a hospital with a particle therapy system. By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or identical component designations. The disclosures contained throughout the description can be applied analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or identical component designations. Furthermore, the positional information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and these positional information must be applied analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0046] The embodiments show possible embodiments, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments with each other are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in the art in this technical field due to the teaching of technical action by means of the objective invention.

[0047] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the various embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be derived from the description.

[0048] All information on value ranges in this description is to be understood as including any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the information 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges starting from the lower limit of 1 and the upper limit of 10, ie all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0049] For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, in order to better understand the structure, some elements have been shown out of scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

[0050] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a particle therapy system 10 according to the invention, in particular a hadron therapy system. A pre-acceleration device 2 connected to the particle source 1 serves to accelerate the particles emerging from the particle source 1. A transfer beam guide 3 leads from the pre-acceleration device 2 to the injection point 6 of the circulating particle track 5 of the synchrotron 4. There, the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device 2 are injected into the particle track 5 of the synchrotron 4.

[0051] In synchrotron 4, the particles are further accelerated. For this purpose, synchrotron 4 has at least one acceleration section 8, which includes a cavity 26 (cavity resonator). In the cavity, the particles are accelerated using electric fields by being exposed to high-frequency standing electromagnetic waves.

[0052] The particles, brought to the desired kinetic energy, are extracted from the synchrotron at an extraction point 7 and guided to a treatment station 16 by means of an extraction beam guide 17. The treatment station is located in a room separated from the synchrotron and features special radiation-absorbing walls.

[0053] According to the invention, the pre-acceleration device 2 is arranged above or below the track plane B of the synchrotron 4 (see also Figs. 3 and 4), wherein the pre-acceleration device 2 vertically overlaps with a first track section 11 of the circulating particle track 5 of the synchrotron 4 (see Figs. 1 and 2). The pre-acceleration device 2 can vertically overlap with the first track section 11 along at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 100%, of its longitudinal extent or the longitudinal extent of its beam path. In the illustrated embodiment, the overlap occurs continuously along almost the entire length of the pre-acceleration device 2.

[0054] The pre-acceleration device 2 can be arranged vertically above (Fig. 1) or vertically below (Fig. 4) the first track section 11.

[0055] From Fig. 1 and 2 it can be seen that the extraction point 7 can be arranged in the first track section 11 and the pre-acceleration device 2 can vertically overlap with the extraction point 7. The particle source 1 can also vertically overlap with the first track section 11 of the circulating particle track 5 of the synchrotron 4. In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the first track section 11 is a linear track section and the pre-acceleration device 2 comprises a linear accelerator L. The beam path S1 of the first track section 11 and the beam path SL of the linear accelerator L are substantially parallel to one another. Alternatively, the beam paths S1 and SL can be inclined to one another, preferably by an angle of at most 20° (i.e. with a deviation from a parallel alignment of at most 20°).

[0056] The transfer beam guide 3 overcomes a height difference between the pre-acceleration device 2 and the injection point 6. The deflection is achieved using appropriately dimensioned magnets. In the illustrated embodiments, the transfer beam guide 3 extends laterally beyond the outer contour of the rotating particle path 5 of the synchrotron 4.

[0057] The transfer beam guide 3 preferably opens into the injection point 6 with a horizontal directional component, preferably from an area outside the area enclosed by the particle path 5 (see Figs. 1 and 4).

[0058] The transfer beam guide 3 can have a first track section 13, with which the height difference between the pre-acceleration device 2 and the track plane B of the synchrotron 4 is overcome, and a second track section 12, which runs between the first track section 11 and the injection point 6 in the track plane B of the synchrotron 4.

[0059] As can be seen in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 4, the injection site 6 can be arranged in a second, preferably linear, track section 12 of the synchrotron 4. The beam direction S2 defined by the second track section 12 and the beam direction S1 defined by the first track section 11 are inclined to one another by an angle that is preferably at least 60° and at most 120°, particularly preferably 90°. The first track section 11, which is a linear track section, merges directly into an arcuate track section 9, and the arcuate track section 9 merges directly into the second track section 12, which is a linear track section. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate track section 9 is a 90° arc.

[0060] From Fig. 2 it can be seen that between the pre-accelerator device 2 and the first

[0061] An electromagnetic shield 8, preferably in the form of a plate, foil, grid, or mesh made of electrically conductive material, can be arranged in track section 11 to eliminate mutual influences between the superimposed components. It is further preferred if the pre-accelerator device 2 is at least partially supported by the same frame that also supports the synchrotron 4.

[0062] The pre-acceleration device 2 and / or the particle source 1 can be supported by at least one, preferably at least two, support pillars 15 extending from bottom to top. To optimally utilize the available space, at least one support pillar 15 is arranged on the outside of an arcuate track section 9 of the synchrotron 4 (i.e., in the corner region(s) left open by the arcuate track section(s) of an (imaginary) rectangular contour tightly enclosing the synchrotron 4).

[0063] As can be seen from the figures, the particle system 10 comprises an extraction beam guide 17 extending from the extraction point 7 and leading to a treatment station 16. This can have an arcuate path section 18 (here: in the form of a 90° arc). The special arrangement of the individual components in the preferred embodiment shown shows that optimal utilization of the available space can be optimized by locating the projection of the transfer beam guide 3 into the path plane of the synchrotron 4—at least partially (preferably entirely)—in a region between the particle path 5 of the synchrotron 4 and the extraction beam guide 17.

[0064] By these measures it can be achieved, and such an embodiment is particularly preferred, that an (imaginary) contour drawn in a horizontal plane around the arrangement of synchrotron 4, particle source 1, pre-acceleration device 2, extraction beam guide 17 and treatment station 16, has an area of ​​at most 100m 2 , preferably no more than 85m 2 , encloses.

[0065] From Figures 1, 2, and 4, it can further be seen that the particle therapy system 10 comprises an energy supply device 19 (in particular for supplying the particle or ion source, the pre-acceleration device, the cavity(ies), the (deflection) magnets, etc.), a vacuum generation device 20 (for generating a vacuum in the tube forming the particle path), a cooling device 21 (for cooling the aforementioned components), and a control device 22 (for controlling the process). For optimal use of space, at least one, preferably at least two, of these components is / are arranged above and / or below the synchrotron 4 and / or within the circulating particle path 5 of the synchrotron 4. In the illustrated embodiment, all of these components are arranged in the interior area enclosed by the ring accelerator.

[0066] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments illustrated in the figures and described above represent preferred embodiments of the invention. Of course, it is conceivable for the pre-acceleration device to be arranged above or below another track section of the synchrotron, as long as it vertically overlaps with this track section. It is also not absolutely necessary for the extraction point to be located in the first track section. Likewise, the injection can take place at a different location. The transfer beam path can be dimensioned accordingly, making it longer or shorter. Many other variants are possible.

[0067] In combination with or independently of the features described above, the particle therapy system 10 can have a control device 22 with an operating mode for feeding back the energy stored in the magnets 23 - provided for guiding or deflecting the particles - into an electrical energy storage device 24 or into the power grid 25.

[0068] Likewise, in combination with or independently of the features described above, the particle therapy system 10 can comprise a control device 22 with an operating mode for decelerating the particles in the synchrotron 4, wherein the operating mode is configured to reduce the speed of the particles by controlling at least one cavity 26 of an acceleration section 8 of the synchrotron 4 by generating a force acting on the particles counter to their direction of travel through the at least one cavity 26. This can be achieved by applying pressure to the radio-frequency coil(s) of the cavity 26 in such a way that the radio-frequency electromagnetic waves accelerate the particles counter to their direction of travel (i.e., actively decelerate them).

[0069] Finally, Fig. 5 schematically shows a hospital 27 containing a particle therapy system 10 according to the invention. As already mentioned at the beginning, the significantly reduced space requirement allows the installation of such a particle therapy system in smaller rooms, and thus also in the premises of a hospital. Finally, the invention also relates to methods for operating a particle therapy system 10, in which method the particles emerging from the particle source 1 are accelerated by the pre-acceleration device 2 and injected into the synchrotron 4 by means of the transfer beam guide 3.

[0070] In addition, in an operating mode of the particle therapy system 10, the energy stored in the magnets 23 provided for guiding or deflecting the particles can be fed into an electrical energy storage device 24 or into the power grid 25.

[0071] In a further operating mode, the particles in the synchrotron 4 can be decelerated (actively, ie by introducing electromagnetic energy) by controlling at least one cavity 26 of an acceleration section 8 of the synchrotron 4 in order to reduce the speed of the particles by generating a force acting on the particles opposite to their direction of movement through the at least one cavity 26.

[0072] Reference symbol list

[0073] Particle source 24 Electrical energy storage

[0074] Pre-acceleration device 25 power grid

[0075] Transfer beamline 26 cavity

[0076] Synchrotron 27 Hospital orbiting particle path 28 Shielding

[0077] Injection site B track level

[0078] Extraction site L linear accelerator

[0079] Acceleration section 51 Beam path of the first path arc-shaped path section 11 Particle path 5 52 Beam path of the first path

[0080] Particle therapy system section 12 first track section of the circulating SL beam path of the linear accelerator particle track 5 nigers L second track section of the circulating particle track 5 first track section of the transfer beam guide 3 second track section of the transfer beam guide 3 support

[0081] Treatment area

[0082] Extraction beam guide curved path section of the extraction beam guide 17

[0083] Energy supply facility

[0084] V acuum generation device

[0085] Cooling device

[0086] Control device

[0087] Magnets

Claims

Patent claims 1. Particle therapy system (10), in particular a hadron therapy system, comprising a particle source (1), a pre-acceleration device (2) connected to the particle source (1) for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source (1), a synchrotron (4) with a circulating particle track (5) with an injection point (6) and an extraction point (7), a transfer beam guide (3) leading from the pre-acceleration device (2) to the injection point (6) for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device (2) into the particle track (5) of the synchrotron (4), characterized in that the pre-acceleration device (2) is arranged above or below the track plane (B) of the synchrotron (4), wherein the pre-acceleration device (2) overlaps vertically - at least partially - with a first track section (11) of the circulating particle track (5) of the synchrotron (4).

2. Particle therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-acceleration device (2) is arranged vertically above or vertically below the first track section (11).

3. Particle therapy system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extraction point (7) is arranged in the first track section (11) and the pre-acceleration device (2) vertically overlaps with the extraction point (7).

4. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the particle source (1) vertically overlaps with the first track section (11) of the circulating particle track (5) of the synchrotron (4).

5. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first track section (11) is a linear track section and the pre-acceleration device (2) comprises a linear accelerator (L), wherein the beam path (S1) of the first track section (11) and the beam path (SL) of the linear accelerator (L) are substantially parallel to each other or have a deviation from parallel alignment of no more than 20°.

6. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer beam guide (3) between the pre-acceleration device (2) and the injection site (6) overcomes a height difference and / or that the transfer beam guide (3) is guided laterally beyond the outer contour of the circulating particle path (5) of the synchrotron (4).

7. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer beam guide (3) has a first track section (13) with which the height difference between the pre-acceleration device (2) and the track plane (B) of the synchrotron (4) is overcome, and a second track section (12) which runs between the first track section (11) and the injection point (6) in the track plane (B) of the synchrotron (4).

8. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer beam guide (3) opens into the injection site (6) with a horizontal directional component, preferably from a region outside the region enclosed by the particle path (5).

9. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the injection site (6) is arranged in a second, preferably linear, track section (12) of the synchrotron (4), wherein the beam direction (S2) defined by the second track section (12) and the beam direction (S1) defined by the first track section (11) are inclined to one another by an angle which is preferably at least 60° and at most 120°, particularly preferably 90°.

10. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first track section (11), which is a linear track section, merges directly into an arcuate track section (9) and the arcuate track section (9) directly into the second track section (12), which is a linear track section, wherein preferably the curved track section (9) is a 90° curve.

11. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electromagnetic shield (8), preferably in the form of a plate, a foil, a grid or a net, made of electrically conductive material is arranged between the pre-accelerator device (2) and the first track section (11).

12. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pre-accelerator device (2) is at least partially supported by the same frame which also supports the synchrotron (4).

13. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pre-acceleration device (2) and / or the particle source (1) is / are supported by at least one, preferably at least two, support(s) (15) extending from bottom to top, wherein at least one support (15) is arranged on the outside of an arcuate track section (9) of the synchrotron (4).

14. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the particle system (10) comprises an extraction beam guide (17) starting from the extraction point (7) and leading to a treatment station (16), wherein the extraction beam guide (17) preferably has an arcuate path section (18), preferably in the form of a 90° arc.

15. Particle therapy system according to claim 14, characterized in that the projection of the transfer beam guide (3) into the path plane of the synchrotron (4) lies - at least partially, preferably entirely - in a region between the particle path (5) of the synchrotron (4) and the extraction beam guide (17).

16. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - in a horizontal plane - around the arrangement of synchrotron (4), particle source (1), pre-acceleration device (2), extraction beam guide (17) and Treatment area (16) drawn contour, an area of ​​maximum 100m 2 , preferably no more than 85m 2 , encloses.

17. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the particle therapy system (10) comprises an energy supply device (19), a vacuum generation device (20), a cooling device (21) and a control device (22), wherein at least one, preferably at least two, of these components is / are arranged above and / or below the synchrotron (4) and / or within the circulating particle path (5) of the synchrotron (4).

18. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pre-acceleration device (2) vertically overlaps the first track section (11) along at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 100%, of its longitudinal extent or the longitudinal extent of its beam path.

19. Particle therapy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first track section (11) is an exclusively linear track section and that the ratio between the length of the beam path within the pre-acceleration device (2) or within a linear accelerator (L) of the pre-acceleration device (2) and the length of the first track section (11) is between 0.7 and 1.3, preferably between 0.85 and 1.

15.

20. Particle therapy system (10), in particular hadron therapy system, preferably according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a particle source (1), a pre-acceleration device (2) connected to the particle source (1) for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source (1), a synchrotron (4) with a circulating particle track (5) with an injection point (6) and an extraction point (7), a transfer beam guide (3) leading from the pre-acceleration device (2) to the injection point (6) for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device (2) into the particle track (5) of the synchrotron (4), characterized in that the particle therapy system (10) has a control device (22) with an operating mode for feeding back the energy stored in the magnets (23) provided for guiding or deflecting the particles into an electrical energy store (24) or into the power grid (25).

21. Particle therapy system (10), in particular hadron therapy system, preferably according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a particle source (1), a pre-acceleration device (2) connected to the particle source (1) for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source (1), a synchrotron (4) with a circulating particle path (5) with an injection point (6) and an extraction point (7), a transfer beam guide (3) leading from the pre-acceleration device (2) to the injection point (6) for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device (2) into the particle path (5) of the synchrotron (4), characterized in that the particle therapy system (10) comprises a control device (22) with an operating mode for decelerating the particles in the synchrotron (4), wherein the operating mode is set up,by controlling at least one cavity (26) of an acceleration section (8) of the synchrotron (4), to reduce the speed of the particles by generating a force acting on the particles opposite to their direction of movement through the at least one cavity (26).

22. Hospital (27), characterized in that a particle therapy system (10) according to one of the preceding claims is arranged in the hospital (27).

23. A method for operating a particle therapy system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 20, in which method the particles coming from the particle source (1) are accelerated by the pre-acceleration device (2) and injected into the synchrotron (4) by means of the transfer beam guide (3).

24. A method for operating a particle therapy system (10), preferably according to claim 23, wherein the particle therapy system (10) a particle source (1), a pre-acceleration device (2) connected to the particle source (1) for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source (1), a synchrotron (4) with a circulating particle path (5) with an injection point (6) and an extraction point (7), a transfer beam guide (3) leading from the pre-acceleration device (2) to the injection point (6) for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device (2) into the particle path (5) of the synchrotron (4), characterized in that in an operating mode of the particle therapy system (10), the energy stored in the magnets (23) provided for guiding or deflecting the particles is fed into an electrical energy store (24) or into the power grid (25).

25. Method for operating a particle therapy system (10), preferably according to Claim 23 or 24, wherein the particle therapy system (10) comprises a particle source (1), a pre-acceleration device (2) connected to the particle source (1) for accelerating the particles coming from the particle source (1), a synchrotron (4) with a circulating particle path (5) with an injection point (6) and an extraction point (7), a transfer beam guide (3) leading from the pre-acceleration device (2) to the injection point for injecting the particles accelerated by the pre-acceleration device (2) into the particle path (5) of the synchrotron (4), characterized in that in one operating mode the particles in the synchrotron (4) are decelerated by controlling at least one cavity (26) of an acceleration section (8) of the synchrotron (4) in order to reduce the speed of the particles by generating a force acting on the particles counter to their direction of travel through the at least one cavity (26).

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