Spot Scanning Proton Beam Routing for Tumor Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatments using radiation therapy often harm healthy tissue due to the inability to accurately target cancer cells, leading to debilitating side effects, and the equipment for proton therapy is extremely expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a cyclotron to generate a proton beam, which is then focused using a scanning system with adjustable magnetic fields and real-time targeting to deliver a precise, three-dimensional dose of radiation directly to the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue and allowing a single particle accelerator to serve multiple treatment rooms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional radiation therapy is used to treat cancer, then cancer cells can be targeted, but healthy tissue is damaged causing debilitating side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation beam is segmented into multiple discrete spots that can be independently controlled and directed at different locations within the tumor, allowing precise dose distribution while avoiding healthy tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system dynamically moves the proton beam across the treatment area in real-time, adjusting the position, energy, and intensity of each spot to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the tumor and minimize exposure to surrounding healthy tissue
2Measurement precision
If proton therapy equipment is deployed to provide precise radiation, then treatment precision is improved, but the cost becomes extremely expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A single cyclotron and scanning system can serve multiple treatment rooms by routing the proton beam through different paths, allowing one expensive accelerator to provide precise proton therapy to multiple patients across different locations, thereby reducing the per-patient cost
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
This approach enhances the precision of proton radiation therapy, reducing harm to healthy tissue and significantly lowering the per-patient costs by enabling efficient, targeted delivery of radiation and flexible proton beam routing across multiple treatment rooms.
Implementation Method 1
a proton beam is generated using a cyclotron
Implementation Method 2
the proton beam is guided to a location on the target determined by the second information using a magnet structure
Implementation Method 3
focused using a scanning system with adjustable magnetic fields
Implementation Method 4
the protons are a form of ionizing radiation that more strongly effect cells that are rapidly dividing
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for irradiating a target is disclosed. A proton beam is generated using a cyclotron. A first information is provided to an energy selection system. An energy level for the protons is selected using an energy selection system based on the first information. The first information comprises a depth of said target. The proton beam is routed from the cyclotron through a beam transfer line to a scanning system. A second information is provided to the scanning system. The second information comprises a pair of transversal coordinates. The proton beam is guided to a location on the target determined by the second information using a magnet structure. The target is irradiated with the protons.