Compact Proton Therapy System Using Rotating Magnet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional proton therapy systems are hindered by high costs and large size, limiting their widespread adoption due to the need for expensive and extensive infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A compact proton therapy system featuring a superconducting cyclotron and a 90-degree rotating bending magnet that directs the proton beam between multiple treatment rooms, along with an upright patient positioning mechanism allowing for six degrees of freedom, enabling efficient beam delivery and imaging without the need for a gantry system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating gantry wheel is used to direct the proton beam from any angle, then the ability to attack tumors from different angles is improved, but the system size and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam delivery angleVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the beam delivery system (gantry) around the patient, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the beam delivery nozzles fixed and rotating the patient positioning mechanism. This allows the patient to be positioned at different angles relative to the fixed beam source, achieving the same therapeutic effect without requiring a large rotating gantry structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a horizontal rotation paradigm (gantry rotating around patient) to a vertical dimension approach (upright patient positioning mechanism with six degrees of freedom). By enabling upright positioning and multi-axis patient movement, the system achieves angular versatility through patient orientation rather than beam source rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating gantry wheel is used to direct the proton beam, then multi-angle tumor treatment is improved, but the project and equipment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment angle flexibilityVSAvoidequipment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the patient positioning system movable rather than the beam delivery system. This eliminates the need for expensive rotating gantry mechanisms while maintaining the ability to deliver protons from multiple angles through patient repositioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical rotating gantry system with a more compact upright patient positioning mechanism that uses six degrees of freedom for patient movement. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and associated costs while achieving the same clinical objective of multi-angle beam delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional proton therapy systems are used, then effective cancer treatment is achieved, but the infrastructure requirements and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer treatment effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment room footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the patient positioning function from the beam delivery system. The upright patient positioning mechanism handles patient orientation and positioning, while fixed beam delivery nozzles handle proton delivery. This segmentation allows for a more compact treatment room layout compared to conventional integrated gantry systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By introducing upright positioning capability and six degrees of freedom for patient movement, the patent enables compact beamline delivery in a reduced footprint. The vertical dimension and multi-axis patient positioning replace the horizontal space requirements of large rotating gantries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration reduces project and equipment costs, simplifies imaging, improves clinical accuracy, and allows for more efficient treatment workflows by minimizing the treatment room footprint and equipment requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a proton accelerator structured to generate a proton beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic acceleration: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an achromatic superconducting magnet configured to change the direction of a proton beam by approximately 90 degrees

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS11369807B2Compact proton therapy systems and methods

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 PRONOVA SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A system proton treatment system including a proton accelerator structured to generate a proton beam, a plurality of beamline pathways configured to direct the proton beam from the proton accelerator to a corresponding plurality of treatment rooms, a rotatable bending magnet located between the proton accelerator and the plurality of treatment rooms, the rotatable bending magnet being structured to selectively rotate between multiple treatment rooms, and an upright patient positioning mechanism disposed in each of the treatment rooms, the upright patient positioning mechanism being structured to support a patient within a particular treatment room and to rotate the patient between a fixed imaging source and imaging panel.