Neutron Capture Therapy Beam Current Detection via Insulated Wall Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neutron capture therapy apparatuses face challenges in detecting whether the target is irradiated with a charged particle beam at a normal position and suffer from beam position monitor deterioration due to high current values, making it difficult to use existing beam position monitors effectively.

Innovation Solution

A neutron capture therapy apparatus with a current detection portion integrated along the inner wall of the beam transport path, insulated from the inner wall, allows for detection of charged particle beam current values in low current regions, minimizing exposure to high current regions and enabling normal position detection and control of beam irradiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a wire grid beam position monitor is used to detect beam position, then beam position detection is possible, but the monitor deteriorates due to high current value exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam position detection capabilityVSAvoidmonitor durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a current detection portion as an intermediary device that indirectly measures beam characteristics by detecting current values at specific positions, rather than directly exposing a beam position monitor to the high current beam. This mediator approach allows measurement while protecting the monitoring device from deterioration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent places the current detection portion at a specific location where the beam current value is lower than the central beam region. By selecting a local position with different current characteristics (lower current), the monitoring device can operate without exposure to the high current that causes deterioration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If an ammeter is used to detect total amount of charged particle beams, then total beam amount is detected, but the position at which the target is irradiated cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal beam amount detectionVSAvoidirradiation position information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the beam detection function into multiple segments: the ammeter detects the total beam amount, while the current detection portion detects the beam position by measuring current at a specific location. This segmentation allows both total amount and position information to be obtained simultaneously through different detection devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The current detection portion acts as an additional intermediary device that provides position information without interfering with the ammeter's total beam amount measurement. Together, these two intermediary devices provide complete beam characterization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively detects and controls the irradiation position of the charged particle beam, preventing monitor deterioration and ensuring accurate and safe operation by distinguishing between normal and abnormal irradiation positions based on current values.

Implementation Method 1

a current detection portion 60 which detects a current value of the charged particle beam P

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2946809B1Neutron capture therapy apparatus and nuclear transformation apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2946809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2946809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2946809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a neutron capture therapy apparatus (lA) including: an accelerator (10) which emits a charged particle beam (P); atarget (T) which is irradiated with the charged particle beam (P)to generate a neutron beam (N); a beam transport path (48) that transports the charged particle beam(P), which is emitted from the accelerator (10), to the target (T) ; and a current detection portion (60) which detects a current value of the charged particle beam (P). The current detection portion (60) is provided inside the beam transport path (48) along an inner wall (48a) of the beam transport path (48) in a state of being insulated by the inner wall (48a).