Programmable Particle Scatterer For Radiation Therapy Beam Formation

• US 20130131424A1
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mevion Medical Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mevion Medical Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Sliski, Alan, Gall, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US13/618,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20130131424A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1095 Elements inserted into the radiation path within the system, e.g. filters or wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1077 Beam delivery systems
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/08 Deviation, concentration or focusing of the beam by electric or magnetic means electron-optical arrangements in electric discharge tubes H01J29/46; details, e.g. electric or magnetic deviating means for direct voltage accelerators or in accelerators using single pulses H05H5/02; arrangements for injecting particles into orbits H05H7/08; arrangements for ejecting particles from orbits H05H7/10
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 5/04 with beam-forming means
• CPC Class Codes: H05H 7/00 Details of devices of the types covered by groups H05H9/00, H05H11/00, H05H13/00

Abstract

Interposing a programmable path length of one or more materials into a particle beam modulates scattering angle and beam range in a predetermined manner to create a predetermined spread out Bragg peak at a predetermined range. Materials can be “low Z” and “high Z” materials that include fluids. A “high Z” and, independently, a “low Z” reservoir, arranged in series, can be used.

Claims

1. A charged particle beam scatterer/range modulator comprising:

a fluid reservoir having opposing walls in a particle beam path;

a drive to adjust the distance between the walls of the fluid reservoir; and

a programmable controller for the drive to adjust the distance between the walls of the reservoir during exposure of a target to the beam.

2-32. -32. (canceled)