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.
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 scintillation 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 detector transitions from single-wavelength detection to multi-wavelength detection by incorporating scintillation materials with different emission wavelengths. This adds a spectral dimension to the detection, enabling differentiation of residual energies through color analysis.
2Productivity
If rapid imaging is implemented, then the productivity increases, but the measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of charged particle energies at multiple depth levels before final image reconstruction. By pre-measuring residual energies at different layers, the system accelerates the overall imaging process while maintaining precision through cumulative data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer detector continuously collects energy information as charged particles pass through each layer sequentially. This continuous detection process eliminates the need for repeated measurements, thereby improving imaging speed without sacrificing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If fiducial markers are used for precise positioning, then the manufacturing precision of positioning improves, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to additional materials
Solution Approach 1:
Fiducial markers are designed with specific color properties that enable their detection through optical or electromagnetic signals. The markers' color characteristics allow differentiation from surrounding tissues, achieving precise positioning while minimizing interference through selective signal detection.
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.