Proton Therapy Beam Path Tuning With Magnetic Field Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charged particle cancer therapy systems face challenges in achieving safe, accurate, and precise imaging and treatment of tumors using charged particles, particularly in terms of rapid imaging and precise targeting.
Innovation Solution
A charged particle beam therapy system that employs a method and apparatus for tuning the beam path, using fiducial markers and detectors to determine the relative positions of objects in the treatment room, and a tomography system for imaging and treatment, which includes a scintillation detector and X-ray detector system to generate images and deliver radiation effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a charged particle beam therapy system is used for cancer treatment, then tumor targeting capability is improved, but imaging speed and precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using a single charged particle beam system to perform both imaging and therapy functions. The same accelerator and beam delivery infrastructure is used for both diagnostic imaging and tumor treatment, eliminating the need for separate imaging equipment and enabling rapid transition between imaging and therapy modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical imaging systems with a charged particle-based imaging system. Instead of using separate X-ray or MRI machines, the system uses charged particles to generate images through interactions with the patient's anatomy, allowing the imaging function to be integrated into the therapy delivery system.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional separate imaging and therapy systems are used, then system complexity is reduced, but targeting accuracy and treatment precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging system and therapy delivery system into a single integrated charged particle beam system. The same beam line, accelerator, and control infrastructure serve both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic functions, eliminating alignment errors between separate systems and improving targeting accuracy through unified calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single charged particle beam apparatus to perform both imaging and therapy. The beam can be configured for imaging mode or therapy mode using the same hardware infrastructure, reducing the number of separate systems needed while maintaining high precision for both functions.
3Productivity
If rapid imaging is implemented, then imaging speed is improved, but measurement precision and targeting accuracy worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated charged particle system enables rapid switching between imaging and therapy modes without requiring physical reconfiguration. The same beam delivery infrastructure can quickly transition between imaging parameters and therapy parameters, achieving fast imaging speeds while maintaining the precision calibration of the therapy system.
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 enables precise and accurate targeting and treatment of tumors by dynamically determining the positions of treatment room objects and using a common injector and accelerator for both imaging and therapy, allowing for effective and uniform radiation delivery while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillation detector and X-ray detector system to generate images
Implementation Method 2
a scintillation detector and X-ray detector system to generate images
Implementation Method 3
operating windings of the magnet pair at a first power level to generate a first magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
adjusting a correction magnetic field by driving voltage of a correction coil at a second power level, the second power level less than five percent of the first power level, where the first magnetic field and the correction magnetic field combine to yield an operational magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for tuning a charged particle beam path of a charged particle beam system used to treat a tumor of a patient, comprising the steps of: positioning a two-dimensional charged particle detector in a beam line downstream from a magnet pair; operating windings of the magnet pair at a first power level to generate a first magnetic field; measuring a beam position with the first two-dimensional charged particle detector; adjusting a correction magnetic field by driving voltage of a correction coil at a second power level, the second power level less than five percent of the first power level, where the first magnetic field and the correction magnetic field combine to yield an operational magnetic field; and the steps of measuring and adjusting the correction magnetic field changing the operational magnetic field to adjust a measured beam position toward a target beam position.