Multi-field proton therapy beam delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current proton beam therapy systems face challenges in efficiently delivering energy to tumors with precise control over Bragg peak energy distribution and minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, particularly in conjunction with patient respiration and precise positioning.
Innovation Solution
A multi-field irradiation charged particle cancer therapy system that integrates a negative ion beam source, synchrotron with novel magnetic field design, and real-time patient positioning and respiration monitoring, allowing for precise control of proton beam energy, intensity, and timing to ensure targeted and controlled delivery of energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proton beam therapy is used to deliver energy to tumors, then cancer treatment efficacy is improved, but damage to surrounding healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the proton beam delivery into multiple separate fields or segments. Instead of using a single broad beam, the system employs multiple proton beams from different directions (e.g., anterior, posterior, lateral fields) that converge on the tumor. This segmentation allows each beam to be optimized for its specific entry path, reducing lateral scattering damage while maintaining cumulative tumor dose. The multi-field approach is explicitly described in the context of delivering protons from multiple directions to achieve better tumor control with reduced normal tissue toxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring the energy and parameters of each proton beam to its specific path and target requirements. Each beam field is independently optimized for its particular trajectory through the patient's body, with adjusted energies to account for varying tissue densities and depths. This localized optimization ensures maximum energy delivery to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding structures along each beam path, directly addressing the contradiction between treatment efficacy and tissue preservation.
2Manufacturing precision
If Bragg peak energy distribution is optimized for tumor treatment, then treatment precision is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the proton beam parameters adjustable and adaptable during treatment. The system dynamically modifies beam energy, intensity, and direction based on real-time patient positioning and respiration monitoring. This dynamic control allows the Bragg peak to be precisely positioned at the tumor interface while adapting to patient movement, maintaining treatment precision without requiring overly complex static system design. The ability to adjust parameters in real-time simplifies the overall control architecture compared to fixed, rigid systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through real-time monitoring of patient position and respiration, which feed back into the beam delivery control system. This feedback loop allows continuous adjustment of beam parameters to maintain optimal Bragg peak positioning despite patient movement. The feedback system works in conjunction with the treatment planning software to automatically adjust beam energies and trajectories, reducing the need for complex manual control while ensuring precise tumor targeting throughout the treatment process.
3Productivity
If multi-field irradiation is used to improve Bragg peak distribution, then energy delivery efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-field irradiation system where a single proton therapy apparatus can deliver beams from multiple directions through coordinated movement and positioning. Rather than requiring separate beam generators for each field, the system uses a universal proton source that can be positioned and oriented to deliver anterior, posterior, lateral, and other field configurations. This multi-functional capability improves energy delivery efficiency by consolidating multiple treatment modalities into one system while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent accelerators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the nesting principle by organizing the multi-field irradiation system in a hierarchical structure where smaller beam delivery components are nested within a larger coordinated system. Individual beam paths and positioning mechanisms are nested within the overall treatment platform, with each component optimized for its specific function while integrating smoothly into the whole. This nested architecture allows complex multi-field delivery to be achieved through coordinated simple components rather than a single complex monolithic system, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
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 enables efficient, accurate, and precise noninvasive treatment of solid cancers with minimized damage to surrounding tissue by optimizing Bragg peak energy distribution and synchronizing with patient respiration, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
synchrotron with novel magnetic field design, and real-time patient positioning and respiration monitoring, allowing for precise control of proton beam energy
Implementation Method 2
synchrotron with novel magnetic field design
Implementation Method 3
These particles damage the DNA of cells, ultimately causing their death
Implementation Method 4
All protons of a given energy have a certain range, defined by the Bragg peak, and the dosage delivery to tissue ratio is maximum over just the last few millimeters of the particle's range
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to treatment of solid cancers. More particularly, the invention relates to a combined rotation/raster method, referred to as multi-field charged particle cancer therapy. The system uses a fixed orientation proton source relative to a rotating patient to yield tumor irradiation from multiple directions. The system combines layer-wise tumor irradiation from many directions with controlled energy proton irradiation to deliver peak proton beam energy within a selected tumor volume or irradiated slice. Optionally, the selected tumor volume for irradiation from a given angle is a distal portion of the tumor. In this manner ingress Bragg peak energy is circumferentially spread about the tumor minimizing damage to healthy tissue and peak proton energy is efficiently, accurately, and precisely delivered to the tumor.