Integrated Proton Tomography for Real-Time Tumor Beam Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charged particle irradiation therapy systems face challenges in accurately and precisely delivering a uniform radiation dose to tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue, requiring improved patient positioning, imaging, and control systems for effective and safe cancer treatment.
Innovation Solution
A multi-axis and multi-field charged particle cancer therapy system that integrates a synchrotron with advanced imaging and patient positioning technologies, using a negative ion beam source and X-ray imaging to deliver precise and uniform radiation doses, with real-time control of beam energy, intensity, and timing to ensure accurate tumor targeting and minimal healthy tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional charged particle irradiation therapy is used, then cancer treatment can be provided, but the radiation dose delivery lacks accuracy and precision, causing damage to surrounding healthy tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (X-ray radiography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography) with the charged particle irradiation therapy system into an integrated platform. This merging allows real-time visualization and precise localization of tumors during treatment, enabling accurate radiation dose delivery while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues through image-guided beam positioning and monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time imaging feedback mechanisms where X-ray images are acquired during the irradiation process to monitor beam position, tumor location, and patient anatomy. This feedback loop allows dynamic adjustment of beam parameters and positioning to maintain precise targeting throughout treatment, ensuring accurate dose delivery while avoiding healthy tissues
2Measurement precision
If advanced imaging and control systems are integrated, then treatment accuracy and precision are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the imaging system to perform multiple functions using shared hardware components. The same X-ray source and detector assembly used for radiography can also perform fluoroscopy and computed tomography by varying operational parameters. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each imaging modality, while still providing comprehensive imaging capabilities for accurate tumor targeting
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system is divided into modular functional segments including the charged particle accelerator module, imaging module with X-ray source and detector, patient positioning system, and control module. Each segment can be independently optimized and maintained, reducing the complexity burden of the overall integrated system while enabling precise coordination between components for accurate tumor targeting
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 efficient, accurate, and precise non-invasive tumor treatment with reduced damage to surrounding healthy tissue by utilizing advanced imaging and control systems to optimize radiation delivery, enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-axis and multi-field charged particle cancer therapy system that integrates a synchrotron with advanced imaging and patient positioning technologies
Implementation Method 2
using a negative ion beam source and X-ray imaging to deliver precise and uniform radiation doses
Implementation Method 3
using a negative ion beam source and X-ray imaging to deliver precise and uniform radiation doses
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining actual points along a positively charged particle beam path and/or vectors of the charged particle beam path, where the determined points and vectors aid tomographic construction of a three-dimensional image of a tumor and surrounding tissue. Further, the determined points and vectors of the positively charged particle beam are used in beam control safety, to modify a tumor treatment plan in real time, and/or in combination with co-gathered X-ray images to form a hybrid proton tomography—X-ray three-dimensional image. Preferably, common elements, such as an injector, accelerator, beam transport system, and/or patient positioning system are used for both tumor treatment and tumor imaging.