Laser Ion Source for Bragg Peak Tumor Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation treatment methods, such as X-ray and electron beam therapy, often damage healthy cells due to non-selective energy distribution, while ion beam therapy requires precise control of ion energy to target tumors deeply within the body effectively, posing challenges in achieving uniform energy for deep-seated cancers.
Innovation Solution
An ion generating apparatus and treating method that uses a target with a high-purity first element and a small percentage of its radioactive isotope, ionized by a laser, to create ionized elements for tumor treatment, with an image photographing apparatus like PET to measure and confirm the positions of Bragg peaks within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If X-ray or electron beam treatment is used, then the treatment can be applied universally with simple apparatus, but healthy cells on the progress path are seriously damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the radiation source from photons (X-ray) or electrons to ions. This parameter change enables the Bragg peak effect, where ion beams deposit maximum energy at a specific depth determined by their initial energy and the material density. This resolves the contradiction by allowing deep tumor treatment with minimal damage to superficial healthy cells, as the ion beam can be tuned to deposit energy precisely at the tumor location rather than along the entire path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional X-ray or electron beam mechanism with an ion beam mechanism driven by laser acceleration. Instead of using complex accelerators or X-ray tubes, the invention uses laser-induced plasma acceleration to generate ion beams with controlled energy. This substitution maintains apparatus simplicity while achieving the desired selective tumor treatment capability through the inherent Bragg peak properties of ion beams.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ion beam treatment is used to reduce side effects, then selective treatment of tumors is feasible, but precise control of ion speed and energy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-regulating mechanism where the ion beam's energy loss and stopping depth are inherently determined by physics laws (Bragg peak). Once the ion beam is generated with a specific initial energy by the laser, its penetration depth and energy deposition profile are automatically determined by the interaction with the target material's density and composition. This self-service property reduces the need for complex external control systems, as the Bragg peak effect naturally provides the selective treatment capability without requiring continuous active adjustment of ion speed or energy during treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates PET imaging technology to provide real-time feedback on ion beam delivery and Bragg peak formation. By detecting the position and energy distribution of ionized elements in the patient's body, the system can verify that the ion beam is reaching the intended tumor location with the correct energy. This feedback mechanism allows for precise verification and adjustment if needed, ensuring accurate tumor targeting while maintaining the inherent precision advantages of ion beam therapy.
3Length of stationary object
If high energy ions are used to treat deep tumors, then the ions can permeate deeply into the body, but the energy distribution among ions must be uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-accelerating ions to the required high energy using laser-induced plasma acceleration before they enter the patient's body. The laser pulse is precisely controlled to generate a plasma environment that accelerates ions to the desired energy level in a single stage. This preliminary acceleration ensures that all ions in the beam start with uniform high energy, which is critical for achieving consistent penetration depth and uniform Bragg peak formation at the tumor location. The uniformity is established at the source rather than requiring adjustment during treatment.
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 approach allows for precise and localized tumor treatment by ensuring uniform energy distribution of ionized elements, minimizing damage to healthy cells and enabling real-time monitoring of tumor removal processes.
Implementation Method 1
a laser configured to allow a laser beam to be incident on the target and thus ionize the first element and the first isotope
Implementation Method 2
there is a laser driven ion acceleration method. If high power laser beam is irradiated on a thin film, ions or protons of the thin film escape with acceleration energy to the outside of the thin film
Implementation Method 3
Even though the speed of the ion beam is gradually reduced in the case where the ion beam permeates a predetermined material, immediately before the ion beam is stopped, the largest energy loss of ionizing radiation occurs. This phenomenon is called a Bragg peak
Implementation Method 4
a target including a first element and a first isotope that is a radioactive isotope of the first element
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a treating apparatus including an ion generating apparatus configured to inject ionized elements into a diagnosis subject to remove a tumor in the diagnosis subject, and an image photographing apparatus configured to measure positions of the ionized elements in the diagnosis subject. The ion generating apparatus includes a target including a first element and a first isotope that is a radioactive isotope of the first element, and a laser configured to allow a laser beam to be incident on the target and thus ionize the first element and the first isotope.