Segmented Collimator for Particle Therapy Penumbra Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle therapy systems face challenges in improving penumbrae for both short-range and deep-range regions without increasing costs or operator burden, as existing solutions like energy absorbers and collimators complicate nozzle size and beam diameter, leading to inconsistent dose distribution.
Innovation Solution
A particle therapy system with a divided collimator structure and an energy absorber, where collimator A shields beam leakage and collimator B shapes the beam, attached to a support frame for easy handling, reduces the size and weight of the short-range applicator, allowing precise penumbrae improvement in the short-range region without increasing penumbrae outside this region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an energy absorber and collimator are installed in the irradiation nozzle to improve penumbrae in the short-range region, then penumbrae are improved for shallow targets, but the irradiation nozzle becomes larger in size, increasing beam diameter and penumbrae for deep targets
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into two separate components: collimator A for shielding beam leakage and collimator B for shaping the beam. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the overall size impact on deep target irradiation while maintaining penumbrae improvement for short-range targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects whether to attach the short-range applicator (energy absorber and collimator) based on the target depth. For shallow targets, the applicator is attached to improve penumbrae; for deep targets, it is detached to maintain beam diameter consistency, making the system adaptable to different treatment requirements.
2Ease of operation
If an energy absorber driving device and multileaf collimator are installed in the irradiation nozzle for automatic attachment and detachment, then operator burden is reduced, but the irradiation nozzle becomes larger in size and the rotating gantry increases in size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator components are segmented into separate attachable units (energy absorber and collimator) that can be manually attached and detached. This reduces the permanent size of the irradiation nozzle and gantry, lowering costs while still enabling automatic attachment/detachment mechanisms when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The irradiation nozzle is designed to accommodate both deep-range irradiation (without applicator) and short-range irradiation (with applicator) using the same base structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized nozzles, decreasing overall system complexity and cost.
3Manufacturing precision
If the irradiation nozzle is enlarged to accommodate energy absorber and collimator for short-range irradiation, then penumbrae are improved for shallow targets, but the beam diameter increases for deep targets due to longer drift distance inside the enlarged nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is segmented into two parts (collimator A and collimator B) positioned at different locations. Collimator A is placed upstream for shielding, while collimator B is positioned downstream closer to the beam exit, minimizing the beam drift distance within the nozzle structure and reducing beam diameter increase for deep targets.
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 effectively improves penumbrae in the short-range region without increasing costs or operator burden, maintaining dose uniformity and reducing the number of spots needed for the Bragg peak, enhancing intra-target dose uniformity and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
a high-energy beam is emitted to the target in the short-range region and is reduced in energy by the energy absorber immediately before entering the irradiated body
Implementation Method 2
the use of a collimator to block the beam that is incident outside the target, thereby improving the penumbrae
Implementation Method 3
Where the beam is to be moved for scanning in a direction (lateral direction) perpendicular to the beam advancing direction (depth direction), a scanning magnet is used
Implementation Method 4
When all spots at a given depth have been irradiated with the predetermined dose, the beam is moved for scanning in the depth direction. Where the beam is to be moved for scanning in the depth direction, the energy of the beam is changed by an accelerator
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a particle therapy system including an irradiation compensating device made up of an energy absorber, a first collimator, and a second collimator for use in a short-range region. The irradiation compensating device is characterized by a mechanism for attaching and detaching the first energy absorber, first collimator, and second collimator. The first collimator is located upstream where the beam diameter is small with a view to suppressing the width of the compensating device, thereby contributing to making the compensating device small and lightweight. The second collimator is located downstream to improve penumbrae.