Multi-color Scintillation Detector for Charged Particle Residual Energy Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for safe, accurate, precise, and rapid imaging and treatment of tumors using charged particles in cancer therapy, as existing technologies face challenges in achieving these requirements effectively.
Innovation Solution
A charged particle beam energy detector system that utilizes a multi-layer multi-color scintillation detector to image tumors by determining residual energies of positively charged particles after they pass through the patient, combined with a fiducial marker system for precise positioning and a tomography system for sectioning imaging, allowing for accurate targeting and treatment without relying on an isocenter point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single-color scintillation detector is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of residual energy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is segmented into multiple layers, with each layer containing scintillation materials of different colors (wavelengths). This segmentation allows simultaneous detection of multiple energy levels of charged particles, improving measurement precision without requiring multiple separate detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a wavelength dimension to the detection system by incorporating scintillation materials that emit different colors. This transforms a single-dimensional (single-energy-level) detection into a multi-dimensional detection system, enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple residual energy levels.
2Productivity
If rapid imaging is implemented, then the productivity increases, but the measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer scintillation detector continuously captures charged particles across multiple energy levels simultaneously as they pass through the patient. This continuous multi-level detection enables rapid imaging without sacrificing precision, as all energy information is collected in real-time during a single particle traversal.
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 enables precise and accurate imaging and treatment of tumors by determining residual energies and using fiducial markers for precise positioning, improving the accuracy and safety of charged particle cancer therapy.
Implementation Method 1
detecting first and second secondary photons, resultant from passage of the positively charged particles, respectively from a first layer of a first scintillation material and a second layer of a second scintillation material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for using a multi-layer multi-color scintillation based detector element to image a tumor of a patient using a process of determining residual energies of positively charged particles after passing through the patient, the process comprising the steps of: (1) transmitting the positively charged particles at known energies through the patient and into a multi-layer detector element; (2) detecting first and second secondary photons, resultant from passage of the positively charged particles, respectively from a first layer of a first scintillation material and a second layer of a second scintillation material at two respective layer depths, where the first wavelength range differs from the second wavelength range; (4) determining residual energies of the positively charged particles, using output from the step of detecting; and (5) relating the residual energies to body densities to generate an image.