Gantry-less Particle Therapy System Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Current particle therapy systems are hindered by high costs and large space requirements, limiting their widespread use due to the expense and space needed for gantry structures.

Innovation Solution

A gantry-less particle therapy system is developed, which includes a charged particle generating system, a beam transport system, and a beam delivery device, allowing for optimized particle beam orientations without the need for a gantry, thus reducing system size and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gantry structure is used to create different particle beam orientations, then treatment versatility is improved, but system cost and space requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle beam orientation capabilityVSAvoidsystem space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the beam delivery function into separate segments: a fixed particle accelerator and multiple movable beam delivery devices. Each beam delivery device can be independently positioned and angled to deliver beams from different orientations, eliminating the need for a large gantry structure while maintaining treatment versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional gantry rotation model to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement where multiple compact beam delivery devices surround the treatment area. This allows beam orientation changes by adding or repositioning devices in space rather than rotating a large structure, significantly reducing footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a gantry structure is used to create different particle beam orientations, then treatment versatility is improved, but system cost worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle beam orientation capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the beam delivery function into separate segments: a fixed particle accelerator and multiple movable beam delivery devices. Each beam delivery device can be independently positioned and angled to deliver beams from different orientations, eliminating the need for a large gantry structure while maintaining treatment versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses multiple relatively simple, movable beam delivery devices instead of one complex, expensive gantry. These smaller devices can be manufactured at lower cost and replaced or reconfigured more easily, reducing overall system cost while achieving the same functional versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If conventional particle therapy systems are used, then effective cancer treatment is achieved, but accessibility worsens due to high costs and space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer treatment effectivenessVSAvoidsystem accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the beam delivery function into separate segments: a fixed particle accelerator and multiple movable beam delivery devices. Each beam delivery device can be independently positioned and angled to deliver beams from different orientations, eliminating the need for a large gantry structure while maintaining treatment versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable beam delivery devices are designed to be multi-functional, capable of delivering particle beams from various orientations and positions around the patient. This universal design allows a single device to replace multiple fixed positions, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining comprehensive treatment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The gantry-less system effectively delivers precise and optimized particle beams for treating various tumors, achieving comparable treatment outcomes to gantry-based systems while significantly reducing space and financial burdens.

Implementation Method 1

a charged particle generating system that generates an ion beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParticle acceleration:

Implementation Method 2

The beam transport system includes a beam tube that extends away from the incident accelerator and defines a beam track

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field deflection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3618922B1System and method for gantry-less particle therapy

Publication Date: 2025.04.02 THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A gantry-less particle therapy system is provided. Charged particles are extracted from an ion source and accelerated in a beam transport system having an annular portion extending in a first plane and that circumscribes a volume, an arcuate portion extending in a second plane, and a transition portion that connects the annular portion and the arcuate portion. The arcuate portion terminates at a beam nozzle extending radially inward from the annular portion to deliver an ion beam to a treatment area contained in the volume circumscribed by the annular portion.