Charged Particle Beam Motion Control for Tumor Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charged particle irradiation therapy systems lack the ability to individually control the position, direction, energy, intensity, and cross-sectional area or shape of charged particle beams relative to a patient, which are essential for precise tumor treatment.
Innovation Solution
A motion control system that uses multiple linked control stations to dynamically control the position and shape of charged particle beams, incorporating a tomography system and patient-specific tray inserts to adjust beam energy, focus depth, and shape, ensuring precise delivery of radiation to tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If charged particle beam therapy is used to treat tumors, then cancerous cells are damaged and killed, but precise control of beam position, direction, energy, intensity, and shape relative to patient motion is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts beam control parameters in real-time based on patient motion detection. The control system continuously monitors patient position and adapts beam direction, energy, and intensity to maintain precise tumor targeting despite patient movement, transforming a static therapy system into a dynamic one that responds to changing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by detecting patient motion and using this information to adjust beam parameters. The control system receives feedback on patient position and beam state, then modifies beam direction, energy, and intensity to compensate for motion and maintain accurate tumor delivery
2Reliability
If beam intensity and energy are increased to improve treatment efficacy, then tumor damage is enhanced, but exposure to surrounding healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different beam properties to different spatial locations. By controlling beam shape, direction, and energy distribution, the system delivers high intensity and energy specifically to the tumor region while reducing or eliminating exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, creating locally optimized treatment zones
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment beam is segmented and controlled in multiple dimensions (position, direction, energy, intensity, shape). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each parameter to maximize tumor dose while minimizing healthy tissue exposure, treating different spatial regions with appropriately tailored beam characteristics
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple control parameters are independently adjusted to achieve precise beam delivery, then treatment precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed as a universal multi-functional platform that simultaneously manages multiple beam parameters (position, direction, energy, intensity, shape) and patient motion compensation. This integrated approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate control systems into a single coordinated platform, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise control
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a system for controlling a charged particle beam shape and direction relative to a controlled and dynamically positioned patient and/or an imaging surface, such as a scintillation plate of a tomography system and/or a first two-dimensional imaging system coupled to a second two-dimensional imaging system. Multiple interlinked beam/patient/imaging control stations allow safe zone operation and clear interaction with the charged particle beam system and the patient. Both treatment and imaging are facilitated using automated sequences controlled with a work-flow control system.