Fluidically Coupled Energy Selection System for Compact Particle Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charged particle therapy systems face challenges such as the inability to quickly change energy levels, achieve high ion beam current at desired energy levels, and access shallow ranges without secondary devices, leading to long treatment times and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a charged particle beam delivery assembly with an annular gantry and beam transport magnets, an energy selection system with azimuthally distributed chambers filled with a liquid absorber, and a scanning magnet assembly to enable efficient energy selection and beam steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If energy of the ion beam is changed at the ion accelerator, then the desired energy level is achieved, but the magnet switching time limits the energy switching speed and requires additional technology
Solution Approach 1:
The energy selection function is extracted from the ion accelerator and placed in a separate energy selection system downstream. This allows the accelerator to operate at fixed energy while the ESS handles energy variation, eliminating the need for complex magnet switching at the accelerator.
Solution Approach 2:
An energy selection system with variable thickness absorbers is introduced as an intermediary between the ion accelerator and the patient. This mediator selects the desired energy level by absorbing excess energy, eliminating the need for complex magnet switching.
2Speed
If beam transport magnets are adjusted to account for energy change, then the beam trajectory is maintained, but the adjustment process is time prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The energy selection is performed in advance in the ESS before the beam enters the beam transport system. This preliminary energy selection eliminates the need for time-consuming magnet adjustments during treatment, as the beam is already at the correct energy level.
3Productivity
If conventional radiation therapy facilities are used, then the facility cost is lower, but the treatment cannot achieve high dose rate to clinical tumor volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical beam transport and energy selection systems with a more streamlined approach using variable thickness absorbers and simplified magnet configurations, reducing facility complexity and cost while maintaining high dose rate capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If range modulator wheel is used to vary ion beam energy at the nozzle, then energy variation is achieved, but the RM wheel would be prohibitively large for pencil-beam scanning over large field size
Solution Approach 1:
The energy selection system is segmented into multiple independent variable thickness absorbers arranged azimuthally, replacing the single large RM wheel. Each absorber can be independently adjusted, enabling energy variation without requiring a prohibitively large rotating wheel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional RM wheel approach to a multi-dimensional azimuthal arrangement of variable thickness absorbers. This spatial reconfiguration enables energy selection without the size constraints of a traditional RM wheel.
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 allows for rapid energy selection and beam steering, reducing treatment times, increasing efficiency, and decreasing the overall cost of charged particle therapy systems while maintaining high treatment quality.
Implementation Method 1
a charged particle beam entering the annular gantry along a first beam trajectory at an entrance point is bent towards the longitudinal axis by one or more magnetic fields generated by the beam transport magnets
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of chambers are fluidically coupled so as to define a closed fluid dynamic system that is filled with a liquid absorber
Data Source
AI summary
Compact charged particle therapy systems are described. An energy selection system (“ESS”) that can be positioned proximate the patient is provided and enables the use of a monoenergetic charged particle beam. Using a monoenergetic charged particle beam, the beam delivery gantry can be made more compact than conventional charged particle gantries. Various configurations of static or rotatable gantries can be used.