Multi-Axis Charged Particle Beam Therapy Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charged particle cancer therapy systems face challenges in effectively positioning tumors relative to charged particles, leading to inefficiencies in delivering precise and targeted treatments with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A patient positioning and incident beam control system that utilizes a multi-axes incident charged particle beam therapy apparatus, incorporating a rotatable targeting magnet, patient rotation platforms, and synchrotron design features like turning magnets, edge focusing magnets, and magnetic field concentration to achieve precise tumor treatment with reduced Bragg peak tail energy delivery to healthy tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single-axis beam delivery system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the treatment precision and dimensionality of tumor targeting are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-axis to multi-axis (dual-axis) beam delivery, enabling irradiation from multiple directions (anterior, posterior, lateral, oblique angles) to converge on the tumor. This dimensional expansion allows precise tumor targeting while distributing radiation dose to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple functions into a unified dual-axis platform: patient positioning, multi-directional beam delivery, real-time imaging guidance, and dynamic beam control. This multi-functional integration achieves high treatment precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If the charged particle beam energy is increased to penetrate deeper into the tumor, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the damage to surrounding healthy tissue increases due to Bragg peak tail energy
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment approach segments the radiation delivery into multiple discrete beam angles and energies. Instead of using a single high-energy beam that penetrates deeply and damages surrounding tissue, the system divides the treatment into multiple lower-energy beams from different directions, each targeting specific portions of the tumor while sparing adjacent healthy structures
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the Bragg peak phenomenon - normally causing tail energy damage - by converting it into a benefit through multi-angle delivery. The Bragg peaks from multiple angles converge precisely on the tumor volume, while the tail energies diverge and cancel out in surrounding healthy tissue, transforming a harmful effect into a therapeutic advantage
3Ease of operation
If the patient positioning system is simplified, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning precision relative to the beam is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning adjustments with an integrated imaging-guided system. Instead of requiring precise manual mechanical alignment, the system uses real-time imaging (X-ray, CT, or MRI) to automatically guide and verify patient positioning, achieving high precision through optical/electronic guidance rather than mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring patient position through imaging systems and comparing it with the planned treatment geometry. Real-time feedback allows for immediate corrections, ensuring precise positioning without requiring overly complex mechanical positioning mechanisms
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 system enhances the dimensionality of tumor treatment angles, reduces tissue damage, and allows for efficient, accurate, and precise noninvasive tumor treatment by dynamically controlling the charged particle beam based on tumor shape and position, minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable targeting magnet
Implementation Method 2
synchrotron design features like turning magnets, edge focusing magnets, and magnetic field concentration
Implementation Method 3
magnetic field concentration to achieve precise tumor treatment with reduced Bragg peak tail energy delivery to healthy tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-field cancer therapy apparatus and method of use thereof is described increasing dimensionality of incident tumor treatment angles while minimizing distance between a final beamline focusing magnet and the patient. Increased dimensionality of incident tumor treatment angles is achieved through coordinated use of one or more of: a rotatable targeting magnet; a first patient rotation platform rotating the patient around, without intersecting, a vertical axis; a second patient rotation platform rotating a body part through a movable vertical axis; and patient tilt. The increased charged particle incident angle dimensionality distributes Bragg peak tail energy about the tumor. Dynamic energy and/or intensity control of the charged particle beam as a function of efficiency of beam delivery based on tumor shape further reduces Bragg peak tail energy delivered to healthy tissue about the tumor.