Integrated RF Accelerator for Proton Therapy Beam Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an accurate and efficient radio-frequency (RF) accelerator system used in conjunction with a negative ion beam source and synchrotron for precise control of charged particle cancer therapy, particularly in terms of energy, intensity, and timing, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue during cancer treatment.
Innovation Solution
A proton radio-frequency accelerator system is developed, incorporating a negative ion beam source, ion beam focusing system, tandem accelerator, and magnetic field control elements, which allows for tight control of the charged particle beam and patient positioning, enabling efficient and precise treatment of solid tumors with reduced tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a proton beam therapy system is used to deliver protons to tumors, then cancer treatment effectiveness is improved, but damage to surrounding healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using imaging systems and respiration monitoring to identify and target specific tumor locations while avoiding healthy tissue. The system adjusts beam parameters locally based on real-time patient position and tumor characteristics, delivering protons precisely to the tumor site while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through imaging systems and respiration monitors that continuously track patient position and tumor movement. This real-time feedback allows the system to adjust proton beam delivery dynamically, correcting for any displacement and ensuring accurate targeting while avoiding healthy tissue throughout the treatment process.
2Manufacturing precision
If an RF accelerator system is used to accelerate protons, then beam energy and treatment precision are improved, but system complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating multiple functions into the RF accelerator system, including acceleration, imaging, and respiration monitoring capabilities. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated platform, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high beam energy control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the RF accelerator with imaging systems and respiration monitoring equipment into a unified treatment system. This consolidation combines multiple functions into a single integrated apparatus, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving the high precision beam control capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If real-time imaging and monitoring are integrated into the treatment system, then treatment accuracy and safety are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the treatment system to perform multiple functions including acceleration, imaging, and monitoring within a single integrated platform. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate standalone systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for treatment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines imaging and monitoring capabilities with the proton therapy system into a unified integrated system. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate devices required, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving the high accuracy measurement capabilities needed for precise treatment delivery.
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 provides accurate and efficient delivery of protons to tumors, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue by allowing continual acceleration and precise control of proton beams during extraction, with reduced magnetic field size and power requirements, and integrated patient imaging and respiration monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a radio-frequency accelerator operating to enhance accuracy and efficiency of a synchrotron, used in conjunction with charged particle cancer therapy beam injection, acceleration, extraction, and/or targeting methods and apparatus
Implementation Method 2
magnetic field control elements, which allows for tight control of the charged particle beam
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a radio-frequency accelerator method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle radiation therapy of cancerous tumors. An RF synthesizer provides a low voltage RF signal, that is synchronized to the period of circulation of protons in the proton beam path, to a set of integrated microcircuits, loops, and coils where the coils circumferentially enclose the proton beam path in a synchrotron. The integrated components combine to provide an accelerating voltage to the protons in the proton beam path in a size compressed and price reduced format. The integrated RF-amplifier microcircuit/accelerating coil system is operable from about 1 MHz, for a low energy proton beam, to about 15 MHz, for a high energy proton beam.