Achromatic Beamline Proton Therapy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proton therapy systems require frequent changes in beamline settings and structural adjustments to accommodate different proton beam energies, leading to inefficiencies and potential heat and eddy current issues in superconducting magnet systems.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting proton delivery system with achromatic bends and a power changing unit that allows proton beams of different energies to be transported through an achromatic beamline without changing settings, enabling incremental adjustments to bending magnet power to maintain accurate beam direction and reduce heat and eddy currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional beamline settings are used with frequent energy changes, then treatment flexibility is improved, but heat and eddy current issues worsen in superconducting magnet systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the energy of proton beams in real-time during treatment, allowing the beam energy to be varied without changing beamline settings. This dynamic energy adjustment enables treatment flexibility while avoiding the heat and eddy current problems associated with frequent physical reconfiguration of the beamline components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy parameter of the proton beam through electromagnetic field adjustments rather than physical reconfiguration. By modifying the beam energy parameter dynamically, the system achieves treatment adaptability while maintaining stable beamline settings, thereby preventing heat generation and eddy currents in superconducting magnets.
2Manufacturing precision
If beamline settings are changed frequently to accommodate different energies, then energy delivery accuracy is improved, but system stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic energy adjustment where the proton beam energy can be varied continuously during treatment without altering the physical beamline settings. This dynamic control mechanism maintains stable beamline configuration while achieving precise energy delivery to different treatment depths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If structural adjustments are made to accommodate energy changes, then treatment adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic energy control system that adjusts proton beam energy through electromagnetic field modifications rather than structural reconfiguration. This approach maintains fixed beamline settings while achieving treatment adaptability, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The beamline system is designed with universal settings that can accommodate a range of proton beam energies without requiring structural adjustments. The system achieves multi-functionality and treatment adaptability through a single, fixed beamline configuration that dynamically adjusts energy parameters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient delivery of proton beams to targeted areas with varying depths without significant beam losses or abrupt power changes, optimizing treatment accuracy and reducing operational challenges in superconducting systems.
Implementation Method 1
a system of achromatic bends which allow changing the direction of beam motion using identical settings for particles with different energies
Implementation Method 2
The charged protons may be generated in a particle accelerator, commonly referred to as a cyclotron and/or a synchrotron, and directed to the patient in the form of a beamline using a series of magnets
Implementation Method 3
Particle therapy leverages the Bragg Peak property of charged particles such that the majority of the energy is deposited within the last few millimeters of travel along the beamline
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods of controlling a proton beam in a proton therapy system, the system including a proton beam delivery system including at least one achromatic beamline having a first power setting to direct a proton beam having a first predetermined range of proton beam energies to a target treatment area, and a second power setting to direct a proton beam having a second predetermined range of proton beam energies to the target treatment area, and a power changing unit configured to control an energy level of the proton beam and a power setting of the at least one achromatic beamline such that the power changing unit changes the power setting of the at least one achromatic beamline between the first power setting and the second power setting based on changes in proton beam energy that occur within the first predetermined range of proton beam energies.