ANTIPROTON PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY FOR IMAGING AND TERMINATION OF UNDESIRABLE CELLS

• US 20120108958A1
• Filed: 12/26/2011
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gerald P. Jackson
• Original Assignee: Gerald P. Jackson
• Inventors: Jackson, Gerald P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,630,021 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/427
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/583 using calibration phantoms
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1052 using positron emission tomography [PET] single photon emission computer tomography [SPECT] imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1048 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1079 Sharing a beam by multiple treatment stations
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 5/04 with beam-forming means
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 13/04 Synchrotrons

Abstract

Systems and methods for using antiprotons for terminating unwanted or undesirable cells which can be used in the treatment of conditions caused by the existence and/or proliferation of such undesirable cells. Such conditions include cardiovascular ailments, Parkinson'"'"'s disease, wet macular degeneration, endocrine disorders, dermatological ailments, and cancer. Because of the unique nature of antiprotons and their annihilation characteristics, the preferred antiproton delivery device (1010, 1015, 1030) embodiments further incorporate detector arrays (1050a), capable of detecting characteristic emissions in the course of treatment.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method to treat a patient having undesirable cells, the method comprising:

inserting antiprotons into an accelerator;

controlling said accelerator so as to control temperature of said antiprotons while accelerating said antiprotons to a predetermined, therapeutic energy level;

reducing the temperature of said antiprotons at said therapeutic energy level;

extracting said antiprotons from said accelerator at said therapeutic energy level; and

exposing at least a portion of the undesirable cells to said antiprotons at said therapeutic energy level.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said reducing is carried out so as to comprise stochastic cooling.

5. The method of claim 2, further including forming an image with an imaging system to identify a location in a patient of the undesirable cells and thereby facilitate said exposing.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the exposing includes accepting said antiprotons at a therapeutic energy level an entry port;

and further including;

immobilizing the patient with a fixture; and

scanning, with a positron emission tomography scanner proximate to the fixture, so as to image positron production within the patient without substantially moving the patient after exposure to antiprotons.

9. The method of claim 6, further including detecting positrons generated within the undesirable cells by said exposing with at least one positron emission tomography scan after said exposing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said imaging comprises tomographical x-ray (CT) scanning.

11. The method of claim 9, where said imaging comprises performing an MRI scan.

7. A method to treat a patient having undesirable cells, comprising:

imaging a patient with undesirable cells with an imaging system;

inserting antiprotons into an accelerator;

controlling said accelerator so as to control temperature of said antiprotons while accelerating said antiprotons to a predetermined, therapeutic energy level;

extracting said antiprotons from said accelerator at said therapeutic energy level; and

exposing, consistent with said imaging, at least a portion of the undesirable cells to said antiprotons at said therapeutic energy level.

4. The method of claim 7, wherein said reducing is carried out so as to comprise electron cooling.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said inserting is carried out with the accelerator comprising a synchrotron.

12. An apparatus configured to treat a patient having undesirable cells, the apparatus including;

an entry port accepting antiprotons from an accelerator at a therapeutic energy level;

a fixture immobilizing a patient having undesirable cells;

a positron emission tomography scanner placed in proximity to the fixture so as to image positron production within the patient without substantially moving the patient after exposure to antiprotons.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fixture is either a fixture that immobilizes said patient in a seated position or is a fixture that immobilizes said patient in a standing position.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the positron emission tomography scanner performs tomographical x-ray (CT) scans on the patient.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the positron emission tomography scanner performs MRI scans of the patient.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further including gamma-ray and pi-meson detectors which detect antiproton annihilation location.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, further including a computer system that controls the antiproton energy, position, and angle.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the computer system triggers commencement of positron emission tomography scans.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the computer system is adapted to monitor dosage of the antiprotons to the patient.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the computer system also controls the altitude, reclining angle, and rotation of the patient in the fixture with respect to the entry port.