Radiation Therapy Nozzle Fast-Switching Magnets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy techniques, such as intensity modulated particle therapy (IMPT), face challenges in delivering high therapeutic doses quickly due to the slow magnetic hysteresis of dipole magnets, leading to unnecessary exposure of healthy tissues and motion-related uncertainties during dose delivery.
Innovation Solution
A radiation therapy system with a nozzle equipped with dynamically variable range shifters and modulators that quickly adjust beam energy and range, allowing for precise and rapid delivery of high doses along target line segments, minimizing exposure to healthy tissues and compensating for target volume motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If dipole magnets are used to adjust beam energy in IMPT, then the beam can be directed to the target volume, but the magnetic hysteresis is slow causing extended treatment time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam energy adjustment function from the slow dipole magnets and relocates it to fast-switching magnets positioned downstream near the nozzle. This separation allows the dipole magnets to maintain their beam steering function while the new fast magnets handle energy modulation, resolving the time delay caused by magnetic hysteresis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fast-switching magnets as an intermediary component between the accelerator and the target volume. These magnets act as a mediator that can rapidly adjust beam energy without the hysteresis limitations of the dipole magnets, enabling quick energy changes during treatment.
2Manufacturing precision
If raster scanning is used to deliver dose layer by layer, then the beam can cover the target volume, but healthy tissue is exposed to radiation over an extended period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the continuous layer-by-layer raster scanning with periodic pulse delivery. Each pulse delivers a complete therapeutic dose to the target volume in a single rapid event, eliminating the prolonged exposure of healthy tissues that occurs during sequential layer delivery in conventional raster scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment planning system performs preliminary calculations to determine the optimal single-pulse parameters (energy, intensity, duration) that will deliver the complete therapeutic dose in one event, eliminating the need for sequential layer delivery and reducing healthy tissue exposure.
3Measurement precision
If treatment time is extended to adjust beam energy with dipole magnets, then beam energy can be precisely controlled, but target volume motion increases causing hot spots and cold spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dipole magnet system with electromagnetic fast-switching magnets. This substitution enables rapid beam energy adjustment that can track and compensate for target volume motion in real-time, preventing the formation of hot spots and cold spots caused by motion during prolonged treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic beam energy adjustment capability through fast-switching magnets that can rapidly change magnetic field strength. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to target volume motion during treatment, maintaining dose delivery reliability by preventing hot spots and cold spots.
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 delivery of an entire therapeutic dose in a short period, reducing healthy tissue exposure to a single burst of radiation and minimizing motion-induced uncertainties, resulting in more precise and effective tumor irradiation with reduced 'hot spots' or 'cold spots'.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerator and beam transport system that generates a beam of charged particles
Implementation Method 2
at least one scanning magnet that guides the beam toward various locations within a target volume
Implementation Method 3
The range shifter is configured to place different thicknesses of material in the path of the beam to affect the distance that the particles penetrate into the object
Implementation Method 4
The range modulator is configured to place different thicknesses of material in the path of the beam to decrease the energies of at least a portion of the particles by varying the exiting beam particle energy over time, to spread out the Bragg peak
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation therapy system includes an accelerator and beam transport system that generates a beam of particles. The accelerator and beam transport system guides the beam on a path and into a nozzle that is operable for aiming the beam toward an object. The nozzle includes a scanning magnet operable for steering the beam toward different locations within the object, and also includes a beam energy adjuster configured to adjust the beam by, for example, placing different thicknesses of material in the path of the beam to affect the energies of the particles in the beam.