Charged Particle Beam Control Tray for Patient-Specific Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charged particle irradiation therapy systems lack the ability to individually control the energy, cross-sectional beam shape, and focal point of charged particle beams, which are essential for precise treatment of different patients and tumor shapes.
Innovation Solution
A charged particle beam control system that includes a control tray with patient-specific inserts, such as range shifters, compensators, and apertures, which can be inserted into the beam path to customize the energy, focus depth, and shape of the beam, and a treatment delivery control system to manage various aspects of the therapy, including imaging, positioning, and radiation delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard charged particle beam delivery is used, then treatment can be provided to patients, but the beam energy, cross-sectional shape, and focal point cannot be individually controlled for different patients and tumor shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The beam control system is segmented into multiple independent components including range shifters for energy control, compensators for depth dose distribution, and apertures for cross-sectional shaping. Each component can be independently adjusted to customize the beam parameters for individual patients and tumor geometries without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control mechanisms that allow real-time adjustment of beam parameters during treatment delivery. The control system can modify energy, intensity, and spatial distribution of the charged particle beam dynamically to adapt to different treatment scenarios and tumor movements while maintaining precise focal point control.
2Manufacturing precision
If patient-specific beam control inserts are added, then precise and personalized beam delivery is enabled, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal beam control inserts that can be used across different treatment scenarios and patient geometries. The range shifters, compensators, and apertures are designed with standardized interfaces and adjustable parameters that allow a single set of components to serve multiple treatment purposes, reducing the need for entirely separate component sets for each patient while maintaining personalized control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating physically different components for each patient, the system achieves customization by changing parameters of existing components. The inserts can be adjusted to modify beam energy, intensity distribution, and spatial characteristics through parameter variation rather than physical redesign, thereby achieving high manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Enables precise and personalized delivery of charged particle beams to tumors, minimizing damage to healthy tissue by independently controlling beam energy, intensity, and distribution, thereby improving the effectiveness of cancer treatment.
Implementation Method 1
Proton therapy works by aiming energetic ionizing particles, such as protons accelerated with a particle accelerator, into a target tumor. These particles damage the DNA of cells, ultimately causing their death.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a system for patient specific control of charged particles in a charged particle beam path using one or more trays inserted into the charged particle beam path, such as at the exit port of a gantry nozzle in close proximity to a tumor of a patient. Each tray holds an insert, such as a patient specific insert for controlling the energy, focus depth, and/or shape of the charged particle beam. Examples of inserts include a range shifter, a compensator, an aperture, a ridge filter, and a blank. Trays in a tray assembly are optionally retracted into an output nozzle of a charged particle cancer treatment system. Optionally and preferably, each tray communicates a held and positioned insert to a main controller of the charged particle cancer therapy system.