Vertical Synchrotron Ring for Compact Particle Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current teletherapy systems using synchrotrons require large treatment rooms due to the need for increased beam energy, which adds complexity and cost when attempting to reduce the synchrotron ring's radius using intensity feedback loops.
Innovation Solution
The system positions the synchrotron ring, treatment irradiation source, and patient support member within a vertically defined space, allowing for a reduced treatment room size by angling or embedding portions of the synchrotron ring, and positioning the treatment irradiation source and imager accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the synchrotron ring radius is reduced to decrease treatment room size, then the treatment room size is reduced, but the beam energy is insufficient for deep target volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The synchrotron ring is reconfigured from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane, utilizing the vertical dimension of the treatment room. This allows the ring to fit within the existing vertical space without requiring a larger horizontal footprint, thereby maintaining beam energy while reducing treatment room area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic adjustment of the synchrotron ring's orientation and positioning within the treatment room. The ring can be angled or embedded in the floor/ceiling to optimize space utilization, allowing the same beam energy to be achieved in a compact vertical configuration rather than a fixed horizontal layout.
2Area of stationary object
If intensity feedback loops are added to reduce synchrotron ring radius, then treatment room size is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex feedback control systems, the invention uses geometric reconfiguration - changing the synchrotron ring from horizontal to vertical orientation. This spatial transformation achieves space reduction without introducing additional control complexity, feedback loops, or sophisticated adjustment mechanisms.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the synchrotron ring is positioned horizontally, then beam energy is maintained, but treatment room size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The synchrotron ring is reoriented from a horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension of the treatment room instead of horizontal space. This allows the same beam energy to be maintained while significantly reducing the horizontal footprint and overall treatment room area required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic positioning and angling of the synchrotron ring within the vertical space, enabling flexible configuration that maintains beam energy requirements while optimizing the use of vertical treatment room space.
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 overall size of the treatment room while maintaining the necessary beam energy, simplifying the system and reducing costs without compromising the precision of the irradiation treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a field control unit arranged to adjust an electric and magnetic field such that the injected charged particle beams are accelerated within the synchrotron ring
Implementation Method 2
a field control unit arranged to adjust an electric and magnetic field such that the injected charged particle beams are accelerated within the synchrotron ring
Implementation Method 3
the particles must be charged to be accelerated at all, but charged particles under acceleration emit photons, thereby losing energy. The beam energy limit is reached when the energy lost to the lateral acceleration required to maintain the beam path in a circle equals the energy added each cycle
Data Source
AI summary
An irradiation treatment system comprising: a synchrotron ring defining a border extending vertically from the synchrotron ring; a particle beam generator, an output of the particle beam generator coupled to an inlet of the synchrotron ring and arranged to inject charged particle beams into the synchrotron ring; a field control unit arranged to adjust an electric and magnetic field such that the injected charged particle beams are accelerated; a treatment irradiation source positioned within the defined border, the input of the irradiation source coupled to the outlet of the synchrotron ring and arranged to receive the accelerated particle beams from the synchrotron ring; and a patient support member positioned within the defined border and arranged to support a patient in a predetermined relationship with the output of the treatment irradiation source, the treatment irradiation source arranged to irradiate the supported patient with the accelerated particle beams.