Superconducting Particle-Beam Control Electromagnet for Gantry Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In particle beam therapy, the large size of the rotating gantry supporting the irradiation portion of the particle beam apparatus leads to reduced controllability and precision in beam irradiation due to the lengthy transportation path required for beam trajectory control.
Innovation Solution
A particle-beam control electromagnet is designed with a first superconducting coil group forming bending and focus/defocus magnetic fields, and a second superconducting coil group providing correction magnetic fields, all housed within a vacuum vessel to shorten the beam transportation path and miniaturize the rotating gantry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lengthy transportation path with multiple electromagnets is used to control particle beam trajectory, then beam control precision is improved, but rotating gantry size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electromagnets (quadrupole electromagnet for focus/defocus control, bending electromagnet for trajectory bending, and steering electromagnet for trajectory correction) into a single integrated electromagnet structure. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components and shortens the transportation path while maintaining precise beam control capabilities through coordinated operation of the integrated magnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs superconducting coils that generate magnetic fields in multiple dimensions and orientations within a compact structure. By utilizing three-dimensional magnetic field configurations from superconducting coils, the system achieves effective beam control in multiple spatial dimensions without requiring proportionally longer transportation paths or larger gantry structures.
2Measurement precision
If a lengthy transportation path with multiple electromagnets is used to control particle beam trajectory, then beam control precision is improved, but rotating gantry size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electromagnets (quadrupole electromagnet for focus/defocus control, bending electromagnet for trajectory bending, and steering electromagnet for trajectory correction) into a single integrated electromagnet structure. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components and shortens the transportation path while maintaining precise beam control capabilities through coordinated operation of the integrated magnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes superconducting materials that enable the generation of strong magnetic fields with reduced physical dimensions. By changing the material parameter to superconducting coils, the system achieves the required magnetic field strength for precise beam control in a more compact space, reducing the rotating gantry size while maintaining control precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate electromagnets are used for beam trajectory control, then beam control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple electromagnets (quadrupole electromagnet for focus/defocus control, bending electromagnet for trajectory bending, and steering electromagnet for trajectory correction) into a single integrated electromagnet structure. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components and shortens the transportation path while maintaining precise beam control capabilities through coordinated operation of the integrated magnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated electromagnet structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: focus/defocus control, trajectory bending, and trajectory correction. By designing the electromagnet system to be multi-functional, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive beam control capability through a single unified structure.
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 configuration reduces the size and weight of the rotating gantry while maintaining precise control over the particle beam trajectory, enhancing irradiation precision and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first superconducting coil group 11, a second superconducting coil group 12
Implementation Method 2
forming at least one of a bending magnetic field 15 and a focus/defocus magnetic field 16
Implementation Method 3
a second superconducting coil group 12
Implementation Method 4
form correction magnetic fields 17 (17x and 17y shown in FIG. 3) for correcting the trajectory of the particle beam 14
Implementation Method 5
The vacuum vessel 18 hermetically houses the first superconducting coil group 11, the second superconducting coil group 12
Data Source
AI summary
A particle-beam control electromagnet capable of shortening a transportation path of a particle beam and an irradiation treatment apparatus which contributes to miniaturization and weight reduction of the rotating gantry supporting this control electromagnet are provided. The electromagnet includes a first superconducting coil group, a second superconducting coil group, and a vacuum vessel. The first superconducting coil group forms at least one of a bending magnetic field and a focus/defocus magnetic field. The second superconducting coil group is placed around the trajectory of the particle beam at the end of the first superconducting coil group and forms correction magnetic fields for correcting the trajectory of the particle beam. The vacuum vessel hermetically houses the first superconducting coil group, the second superconducting coil group, and a cooling medium, and insulates from the outside air.