Proton-arc Beam Delivery System

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention relates to a novel proton (or ion) beam therapy system for cancer treatment that can direct therapeutic particle beams at a patient's tumor from a wide variety of angles, using a unique configuration of fixed magnetic fields, rather than physically rotating heavy gantries around the patient. By electronically adjusting the strength and configuration of magnets and coils arranged in a cylindrical structure, the system can quickly and precisely change the direction of the beam for optimal dose distribution, offering arc therapy capabilities similar to those used in photon-based treatments but with the advantages of particle therapy.

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

• Cancer treatment centers using proton or ion beam therapy for tumors requiring precise radiation delivery.
• Medical facilities seeking to upgrade existing particle therapy systems for faster, more flexible treatment sessions.
• Research institutions developing advanced radiotherapy techniques, including arc-based dose modulation in particle therapy.
• Facilities treating tumors located near sensitive or critical tissues where sparing healthy tissue is essential.
• Specialized pediatric cancer treatment centers to reduce exposure to radiation in growing children.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Eliminates the need for large, heavy, and slow-moving gantry systems, reducing system footprint and mechanical complexity.
• Enables rapid and continuous adjustment of beam angles (arc therapy), reducing treatment time from several minutes to seconds.
• Enhances dose conformity and optimizes delivery, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue and increasing cancer cell kill rates.
• Improves patient comfort and throughput by reducing setup and treatment times.
• Allows for more flexible and precise treatment planning, with the ability to target tumors from a greater range of directions.
• Applicable to various particle beams (proton, carbon, helium), increasing versatility of use.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention discloses a particle beam therapy system (2) comprising a configuration of magnetic fields to enable the delivery of a particle beam (12) for particle radiation therapy to a target volume in a patient from a variety of different treatment angles (26), said system (2) comprising: a) a particle beam (12) directed towards an active static magnetic field region (40) wherein the direction of the incoming particle beam (12) is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field (H) in the active magnetic field region (40); b) said active magnetic field region (40) comprising a plurality of magnets (4, 4a to 4c) and/or coils (6, 8, 10) being disposed to generate a cylindrically shaped magnetic field system filled with magnetic fields being oriented substantially in the axial direction of the cylindrically shaped magnetic field system, said active magnetic field region (40) comprising an outer radial guiding field region (16) and an inner radial bending field region (18); c) the plurality of magnets (4, 4a, 4b) and/or coils (6, 8, 10) are distinguished into: c1) an arc scan magnet system (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) being located at an outer edge of the cylindrically shaped magnetic field system; said arc scan magnet system (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) effecting a radial displacement and angle to the particle beam (12), determining the location where the particle beam (12) enters the guiding field region (16); c2) a first number of coils (6), optionally embedded in an iron enclosure (36), generating a static magnetic guiding field for the incoming particle beam (12) that has been initially deflected by the arc scan magnet system (4, 4a, 4b), said magnetic guiding field being predominantly effective in the outer radial guiding field region (16) of the cylindrically shaped magnetic field system and enclosing the inner radial bending field region (18); c3) a second number of coils (8, 10), optionally embedded in an iron enclosure (36), generating a static magnetic bending field for the particle beam (12) leaving the magnetic guiding field region (16), said magnetic bending field being predominantly effective in the inner radial bending field region (18) of the cylindrically shaped magnetic field system; d) a central region (20) encompassing a treatment table (22) for the patient, said central region (20) being surrounded by the inner radial region (18)of the cylindrically shaped magnetic field system; e) components for particle beam dosimetry and/or particle beam monitoring and/or range compensation (34) and/or pencil beam scanning (28, 30), said components being disposed in the central region (20), preferably in a nozzle system (32) being moveable relative to the treatment table (22); and f) a treatment control system to control the plurality of magnets (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) and/or coils (6, 8, 10) in order to bring the particle beam (12) into the desired treatment angles (26) according to a treatment plan determining dose information to be deposited by the particle beam (12) in the target volume of the patient.