Degrader Comprising Boron Carbide

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The patent describes a degrader device made with boron carbide (B4C) for use with particle beams, such as those in proton therapy. Unlike traditional degraders made from graphite or other materials, the B4C degrader provides better performance by increasing beam transmission, minimizing unwanted scattering, and avoiding issues associated with toxicity or increased radioactivity.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Proton therapy for cancer treatment, especially where beam energy needs to be reduced for shallow tumors or sensitive areas (e.g., eye melanoma).
• Particle accelerators and research facilities requiring precise energy modulation of proton or ion beams.
• Facilities seeking to upgrade existing graphite-based degraders for increased efficiency and safety.
• Other medical or industrial applications involving particle beam manipulation where low emittance and high transmission are beneficial.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Increases beam transmission by approximately 35% compared to graphite, reducing treatment times and improving efficiency.
• Reduces multiple scattering and emittance growth, resulting in tighter, more controllable beams.
• Non-toxic and safer than beryllium degraders, with no severe hazardous properties.
• Does not produce higher radioactivity than graphite, simplifying maintenance and reducing exposure risks.
• Offers potential reductions in machine downtime due to easier servicing and fewer safety concerns.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

It is the objective of the present invention to provide a degrader that has excellent degrading capabilities with, for the same energy loss in the degrader, a lower emittance increase as currently used materials, without generating a strong neutron flux and without having severe toxic characteristics. This objective is achieved according to the present invention by a degrader (2) for use in the field of the application of a particle beam (6), comprising degrading active material wherein the degrading active material comprises Boron Carbide B 4 C. This degrader has an amount of multiple scattering that is lower than in graphite for the same energy loss. The use of B 4 C increases the transmission by at typically 35% for the beam degradation to low energies, which is a significant and useful amount of beam intensity increase in particle therapy. The B 4 C-material does not become more radio-active than graphite, so that there will be no additional problems at service activities. Further, B 4 C as degrading active material does not have severe toxic properties.