Compact Superconducting Cyclotron Proton Therapy System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current proton therapy systems in China are large, costly, and dependent on foreign technology, leading to high procurement, maintenance, and construction costs, with inadequate radiation protection and inefficient tumor targeting.
Innovation Solution
A compact superconducting cyclotron-based proton therapy system incorporating a superconducting cyclotron system, energy selection system, beam transport system, and rotating frame therapy subsystem, which adjusts proton beam energy and intensity for precise tumor treatment, reducing system volume and cost while enhancing therapy precision and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional proton therapy systems are used, then effective tumor treatment is achieved, but system size and construction cost become excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the cyclotron accelerator inside the therapy room rather than outside. The cyclotron is positioned within the shielded therapy room structure, allowing the acceleration system to be nested within the treatment space. This eliminates the need for separate accelerator buildings and reduces overall system footprint while maintaining effective proton beam generation for tumor treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical space by positioning the cyclotron at a higher elevation within the therapy room and directing the proton beam downward onto the patient table. This vertical arrangement allows the accelerator to occupy overhead space rather than horizontal floor space, effectively using the third dimension to reduce the system's ground footprint while maintaining treatment capability.
2Reliability
If conventional proton therapy systems are used, then tumor treatment capability is achieved, but procurement and maintenance costs become extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing superconducting materials for the cyclotron magnets, which operate at cryogenic temperatures. This phase transition to superconducting state enables much higher magnetic field strengths with reduced energy consumption compared to conventional resistive magnets. The parameter change from room-temperature resistive magnets to cryogenic superconducting magnets reduces operational costs and maintenance requirements while maintaining effective proton acceleration for tumor treatment.
3Reliability
If conventional proton therapy systems are used, then radiation therapy function is provided, but radiation protection for personnel and environment becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the accelerator function with the treatment room structure by placing the cyclotron inside the shielded room. The therapy room shielding that protects personnel from scattered radiation also serves as protection for the cyclotron components and the integrated system. This merging of accelerator housing with radiation shielding structure eliminates gaps where radiation leakage could occur and provides comprehensive protection for both personnel and equipment.
4Reliability
If conventional proton therapy systems are used, then basic tumor irradiation is achieved, but therapy precision and efficiency remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the patient table movable and adjustable in multiple directions, and by enabling the cyclotron to produce variable energy proton beams. The combination of dynamic beam energy adjustment and dynamic table positioning allows real-time optimization of beam alignment with the tumor target, significantly improving therapy precision compared to fixed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the integrated imaging and treatment system. The imaging device detects tumor position and treatment progress, and this information feeds back to adjust beam parameters and table position in real-time. This closed-loop feedback control ensures precise delivery of proton beams to the tumor target while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
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 achieves precise and efficient tumor therapy with reduced costs and improved patient safety by enabling adjustable proton beam energy and intensity, minimizing damage to healthy tissues, and enhancing therapy precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting cyclotron system, an energy selection system, a beam transport system, a fixed therapy room subsystem and a rotating frame therapy subsystem; a fixed-energy proton beam extracted from a superconducting cyclotron of the superconducting cyclotron system
Implementation Method 2
proton therapy system based on a compact superconducting cyclotron
Implementation Method 3
a fixed-energy proton beam extracted from a superconducting cyclotron of the superconducting cyclotron system is adjusted into a continuous and adjustable proton beam of 70 MeV to 200 MeV by the energy selection system
Implementation Method 4
the continuous and adjustable proton beam is respectively transmitted to the fixed therapy room subsystem and the rotating frame therapy subsystem respectively by the beam transport system
Implementation Method 5
Proton therapy has a unique 'Bragg peak' biological effect. The dose loss is minimal on the track before reaching a target area. The most energy of protons can be released at a predetermined depth, forming an energy releasing track called 'Bragg peak' which can accurately cure a tumor area
Data Source
AI summary
A proton therapy system based on a compact superconducting cyclotron, including: a superconducting cyclotron system, an energy selection system, a beam transport system, a fixed therapy room subsystem and a rotating frame therapy subsystem; a fixed-energy proton beam extracted from a superconducting cyclotron of the superconducting cyclotron system is adjusted into a continuous and adjustable proton beam of 70 MeV to 200 MeV by the energy selection system, thus realizing a longitudinal adjustment for a proton range during treating a tumor, and the continuous and adjustable proton beam is respectively transmitted to the fixed therapy room subsystem and the rotating frame therapy subsystem by the beam transport system. The cooperative control of the superconducting cyclotron system, the energy selection system, the beam transport system and the therapy head realizes the transverse expansion of proton beams, thus realizing intensity modulated radiation therapy for the tumor.