Neutron Capture Therapy Beam Shaping Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radiotherapy faces limitations in effectively treating radioresistant malignant tumors due to damage to normal tissues and varying sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation.
Innovation Solution
A neutron capture therapy system is developed, comprising a neutron generating device and a beam shaping assembly. The system includes a moderator to decelerate neutrons to an epithermal energy region, a reflector to guide stray neutrons back to the main axis, and a radiation shield to reduce normal tissue exposure. The moderator is adjustable, with a frame accommodating the moderator to enhance neutron flux and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional photon or electron therapy is used, then tumor cells can be destroyed, but normal tissues on the beam path will be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The therapy approach is segmented into two distinct phases: a training phase where the tumor is irradiated with radiation to induce apoptosis, and a killing phase where a second radiation source delivers a higher dose to the now-vulnerable tumor cells. This temporal segmentation allows the tumor to be made more sensitive between the two phases, reducing damage to normal tissues while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic adjustment of radiation parameters during the treatment process. The radiation source adjusts the energy and dose delivery dynamically - first delivering a lower dose to train the tumor, then switching to a higher dose for killing. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to the changing biological state of the tumor cells throughout the treatment process.
2Reliability
If high RBE radiation sources like proton or heavy particle therapy are used, then radioresistant tumor cells can be treated, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance - a boron-containing compound - that accumulates in the tumor cells and mediates the radiation effect. When thermal neutrons interact with the boron-10 in the tumor cells, they produce alpha particles and lithium nuclei that cause localized damage. This intermediary approach allows conventional neutron therapy to achieve high RBE effects against radioresistant tumors without requiring complex proton or heavy ion delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the radiation parameters by using thermal neutrons instead of high-energy protons or heavy ions. The neutron therapy system modifies the energy spectrum and delivery parameters to optimize the boron neutron capture reaction, achieving effective treatment of radioresistant tumors through parameter optimization rather than system complexity.
3Reliability
If neutron capture therapy is used, then treatment effectiveness improves, but the flux and quality of the neutron source is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple neutron generation and modulation components into an integrated system. The cyclotron-generated charged particle beam interacts with a target to produce neutrons, which then pass through a moderator to thermalize. The system combines the neutron generation, moderation, and delivery functions in a unified architecture, optimizing the overall neutron flux and quality for effective BNCT treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes neutron flux and quality by changing the energy parameters through the moderator, which thermalizes the neutrons to the optimal energy range for boron capture. The cyclotron parameters and target configuration are adjusted to maximize neutron production efficiency, thereby improving the overall productivity of the neutron source for effective tumor treatment.
4Productivity
If the moderator is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the flux and quality of the neutron source cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The moderator is designed with adjustable and movable components that allow dynamic optimization of neutron flux and quality. The moderator can be positioned and configured to best suit different treatment requirements, enabling the system to adapt to varying clinical scenarios while maintaining an relatively simple overall structure through modular design.
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
The system improves the flux and quality of the neutron source, allowing for more precise and effective treatment of radioresistant tumors while minimizing damage to normal tissues.
Implementation Method 1
the moderator decelerates the neutrons generated from the target to an epithermal neutron energy region
Implementation Method 2
the reflector surrounds the moderator and guides neutrons deviating from the main axis back to the main axis
Implementation Method 3
the radiation shield is used for shielding leaking neutrons and photons, to reduce a dose of a normal tissue not exposed to irradiation
Implementation Method 4
an accelerator and a target, a charged particle beam generated through acceleration by the accelerator interacts with the target to generate neutrons
Implementation Method 5
a charged particle beam generated through acceleration by the accelerator interacts with the target to generate neutrons
Data Source
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AI summary
A neutron capture therapy system can prevent deformation and damage of a material of a beam shaping assembly (20), thereby improving flux and quality of a neutron source. A boron neutron capture therapy system (100) includes a neutron generating device (10) and a beam shaping assembly (20), where the neutron generating device (10) includes an accelerator (11) and a target (T), a charged particle beam (P) generated through acceleration by the accelerator (11) interacts with the target (T) to generate neutrons, the neutrons form a neutron beam (N), the neutron beam (N) defines a main axis (X); the beam shaping assembly (20) includes a moderator (231), a reflector (232), and a radiation shield (233); and the beam shaping assembly (20) further includes a frame (21) accommodating the moderator (231).