Particle Beam Therapy Vacuum Duct Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particle beam therapy systems require separate equipment units for scanning and broad beam irradiation methods, leading to increased costs and difficulty in manufacturing ridge filters due to space constraints between the scanning electromagnet and irradiation object.
Innovation Solution
A particle beam therapy system with a configurable vacuum duct arrangement that allows for the relocation of the vacuum duct for scanning irradiation to avoid the beam line, enabling the placement of a ridge filter for broad beam irradiation closer to the scanning electromagnet, thus reducing the required space and facilitating easy manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a vacuum duct is arranged right up to the irradiation object to suppress beam scattering for scanning irradiation, then beam scattering is suppressed and spot size is reduced, but space for installing ridge filter and other broad beam equipment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum duct is divided into two separate ducts: a first vacuum duct for scanning irradiation and a second vacuum duct for broad beam irradiation. This segmentation allows each duct to be optimized for its specific function without interfering with equipment installation space, resolving the contradiction between beam scattering suppression and equipment installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimensionality change by providing vacuum ducts at different positions relative to the beam line. The first vacuum duct is positioned to suppress scattering for scanning irradiation, while the second vacuum duct is positioned to accommodate ridge filter and other equipment for broad beam irradiation, effectively using three-dimensional space to resolve the space constraint.
2Reliability
If separate treatment rooms are provided for scanning and broad beam irradiation methods, then each method can be optimized, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal irradiation unit that can perform both scanning irradiation and broad beam irradiation by incorporating both vacuum ducts and equipment for both methods in a single system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate treatment rooms while maintaining optimization for both irradiation methods, thereby reducing system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the scanning irradiation system and broad beam irradiation system into a single integrated unit. By combining the vacuum ducts, ridge filter, scatterers, and other equipment into one unified structure, the system achieves both irradiation methods without the cost and complexity of separate treatment rooms.
3Ease of manufacture
If ridge filter is placed far from irradiation object to facilitate manufacturing, then manufacturing becomes easier, but beam scattering control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum duct system is segmented into two separate ducts, allowing the ridge filter to be installed in the second vacuum duct at an optimal position for manufacturing while maintaining proper beam scattering control. The separation enables independent optimization of manufacturing accessibility and beam control 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 use of easily manufactured ridge filters in a compact irradiation unit capable of switching between scanning and broad beam irradiation methods, reducing the overall system cost and space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning electromagnet for scanning a particle beam which travels in a vacuum duct
Implementation Method 2
a beam outlet window from which a particle beam comes out from a vacuum duct to the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
An particle beam therapy system comprises a scanning electromagnet for scanning a particle beam which travels in a vacuum duct so as to irradiate an irradiation object and an irradiation unit comprising a beam outlet window, wherein the irradiation unit is configured such that the vacuum duct can be divided by a flange surfacewhich is provided at a position closer to an irradiation object than a scanning electromagnet, in a case where a vacuum duct for a scanning irradiation method which is provided at a position closer to an irradiation object than the flange surface is moved so as not to overlap a beam line of the particle beam, a ride filter for a broad beam irradiation method can be provided at space where the vacuum duct for a scanning irradiation method was provided before it was moved.