Minimally Invasive Neutron Source for Deep Tumor BNCT

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neutron beam generating devices for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) have limited treatment depth due to the physical characteristics of neutrons, which restrict their ability to reach deeper tumors, and require high-energy sources and prolonged treatment times.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive neutron beam generating device comprising a proton accelerator, a target, and a neutron moderator with a retractable accommodating element for moderating substances, allowing the device to be placed within the patient's body and generating a focused neutron beam for deeper tumor penetration with reduced energy and current requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If high-energy neutron beams are used to increase treatment depth, then the treatment depth is improved, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment depthVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy parameter of the neutron beam from high-energy to low-energy range, achieving unexpected improvement in treatment depth by utilizing the specific physical characteristics of low-energy neutrons that allow deeper penetration while reducing energy consumption and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining a liquid metal target (such as lithium or beryllium) with a proton accelerator system, creating an integrated neutron source that efficiently produces low-energy neutrons suitable for deep tumor treatment without requiring high-energy infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Length of stationary object

If high-energy neutron beams are used to reach deeper tumors, then the treatment depth is improved, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment depthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the energy parameter of the neutron beam from high-energy to low-energy range, achieving unexpected improvement in treatment depth while simultaneously reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for large-scale research reactor infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the neutron generation function from complex research reactor systems and implements it in a simplified, compact configuration using a proton accelerator and liquid metal target, making the system clinically viable and easier to operate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If conventional external neutron irradiation is used, then the device structure is simple, but the neutron utilization rate and treatment effectiveness are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidneutron utilization rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional external irradiation approach by placing the neutron source internally within the patient's body, transforming the treatment paradigm from external to internal irradiation and dramatically improving neutron utilization rate and treatment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where the proton accelerator, liquid metal target, and neutron moderation components are integrated within a compact internal device that can be positioned inside the patient's body, maximizing neutron utilization while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If prolonged treatment times are used to ensure effective tumor destruction, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the treatment duration and patient exposure time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs continuous low-energy neutron irradiation that maintains effective treatment dosage over a reduced time period, ensuring complete tumor destruction while minimizing treatment duration and patient exposure time through optimized neutron flux and delivery methodology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11752360B2Minimally invasive neutron beam generating device and minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 HERON NEUTRON MEDICAL CORP

AI summary

A minimally invasive neutron beam generating device is provided. The minimally invasive neutron beam generating device includes a proton accelerator, a target, and a neutron moderator. The proton accelerator is connected to a first channel, the target is located at one end of the first channel, and the neutron moderator covers the end of the first channel so that the target is embedded in the neutron moderator. In addition, the neutron moderator includes an accommodating element for accommodating a moderating substance, and the accommodating element is retractable.