Particle Therapy Beam Energy Modulation via Passive Absorbers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Particle therapy apparatuses experience significant dead times during energy level alterations, limiting irradiation efficiency and patient throughput due to the time required for active energy adjustments in accelerators.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a passive energy modulator with absorber elements to facilitate quicker energy level changes by combining active and passive energy modulation techniques, reducing dead times and optimizing irradiation times through iterative switching between active and passive energy adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active energy adjustment is used in the accelerator to change beam energy levels, then precise energy control is achieved, but significant dead time of 1-2 seconds occurs during energy alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and prepares energy alteration sequences using a look-ahead algorithm that determines optimal switching points between active accelerator adjustment and passive absorber-based modulation. This preliminary planning minimizes dead time by anticipating energy changes before they are needed, allowing the system to switch between active and passive modes at optimally timed moments.
Solution Approach 2:
A passive energy modulator using absorber material is introduced as an intermediary component between the accelerator and the treatment target. This absorber can rapidly adjust beam energy without the magnet adjustment delays inherent in active systems, serving as a fast-response mediator that complements the precision of the accelerator while avoiding its dead time limitations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the particle beam is switched off between target points during scanning, then precise dose control at each point is achieved, but treatment time increases due to repeated switching and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous or quasi-continuous scanning methods where the particle beam maintains continuous motion through the target region without complete shutdown between points. Energy modulation during continuous beam delivery allows precise dose control at each location while maintaining beam flow, eliminating the time losses associated with repeated beam switching and magnet repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beam energy and scanning parameters in real-time during continuous beam delivery. By continuously modulating energy levels while the beam is moving, the system maintains precise dose control without requiring the beam to stop, transforming the static switching approach into a dynamic continuous adjustment process.
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 significantly shortens energy alteration times, enhances patient throughput, and minimizes secondary radiation, allowing for more efficient and effective treatment by reducing the number of layers and raster points needed for irradiation.
Implementation Method 1
passive energy modulation, using energy absorption in particular, by means of the energy modulator
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a particle therapy apparatus having an accelerator for generating a particle beam, a passive energy modulator comprising an absorber element, and a control entity. The control entity is designed to switch between an active adjustment of the energy in the accelerator and a passive energy modulation by the energy modulator, for the purpose of changing the energy of the particle beam from a high energy level to a low energy level in a step-by-step manner. In particular, this has the effect of shortening the dead times when changing between the energy levels.