Particle Beam Irradiation Apparatus Position Error Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current particle beam irradiation systems lack a method to intuitively display irradiation position accuracy and errors, making it difficult to maintain and adjust the scanning accuracy over time.

Innovation Solution

A detector and data processing apparatus that displays measured irradiation position relevant values and errors relative to desired values, using deformation coefficients to visualize the correspondence between irradiation positions and errors within the irradiation region, allowing for intuitive understanding and maintenance of irradiation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If scanning irradiation method is used to improve flexibility and conform to diseased site shape, then adaptability is improved, but irradiation position accuracy deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidirradiation position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the actual irradiation position using position monitors and compares it with the desired position. The scanning electromagnet control is adjusted based on this feedback to correct deviations, thereby maintaining irradiation accuracy over time while preserving the flexibility of the scanning method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If scanning electromagnet is used to scan pencil-shaped beam, then adaptability to diseased site shape is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconformity to diseased site shapeVSAvoidscanning electromagnet control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A data processing apparatus serves as an intermediary between the position monitors and the scanning electromagnet control. This intermediary processes position data, calculates deviations, and generates correction signals, thereby managing the complexity of the scanning control system while maintaining the ability to conform to diseased site shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If irradiation position accuracy monitoring is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveirradiation accuracy maintenanceVSAvoidmonitoring and display system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data processing apparatus performs multiple functions: it processes position data from monitors, calculates irradiation position deviations, generates correction signals for the scanning electromagnet, and displays accuracy information. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the system improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables the user to easily grasp and maintain irradiation position accuracy by visually correlating irradiation positions and errors, improving the overall accuracy and maintenance of particle beam therapy systems.

Implementation Method 1

there is utilized an electromagnet, referred to as a scanning electromagnet or a 'so-sa' electromagnet (referred to as a 'scanning electromagnet', hereinafter), that makes a magnetic field change at high speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

a pencil-shaped thin charged particle beam is irradiated while being three-dimensionally scanned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2656878B1Particle beam irradiation apparatus, particle beam treatment apparatus and data display program
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2656878B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2656878B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2656878B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The objective is to obtain a particle beam irradiation apparatus in which an irradiation position relevant value related to the irradiation position of a charged particle beam and an irradiation position relevant value errorcan be displayed in such a way that the irradiation position relevant value and the irradiation position relevant value error correspond to each other. There is provided a data processing apparatus (19) that displays on a display unit (43) a measured irradiation position relevant value and an irradiation position relevant value error, which is the error of the measured irradiation position relevant value related to the irradiation position of charged particle beam (1) with respect to a desired irradiation position relevant value related to a desired irradiation position, in such a way that the measured irradiation position relevant value and the irradiation position relevant value error correspond to each other; and the data processing apparatus (19) has a calculation unit (42) that displays a desired value display figure (23) indicating a desired irradiation position relevant value at the coordinates of the desired irradiation position relevant value and a measured value display figure (24) at display coordinates, which are coordinates obtained by adding the desired irradiation position relevant value to the coordinates acquired by arithmetically operating an irradiation position relevant value error with deformation coefficients, and that displays a line (25) that connects the measured value display figure (24) with the desired value display figure (23).