Cyclotron and neutron therapy installation incorporating such a cyclotron
First Claim
1. A light, compact cyclotron suitable for use in neutron therapy, and capable of being moved to change the direction of an exiting neutron beam comprising:
- (a) a pair of opposed, spaced pole shoes having their adjacent inner surfaces defining an accelerator zone, the surfaces being adapted to constitute magnetic equipotential surfaces which establish a magnetic field configuration for the cyclotron during use,(b) an electromagnetic coil system around the pole shoes and adapted for connection to an electrical power source for generating the cyclotron magnetic field between the pole shoe surfaces,(c) a magnet yoke to provide a magnetic flux return path for the pole shoes, the magnet yoke together with the pole shoes providing a low magnetic resistance relatively to that of the accelerator zone, and the magnet yoke being shaped to substantially enclose the accelerator zone to constitute, together with the pole shoes, a neutron attenuation shield for neutrons produced in the cyclotron,(d) at least one hollow accelerating dee electrode positioned in the accelerator zone, and having a radio frequency resonator associated therewith,(e) a vacuum chamber enclosing the acclerator zone and each dee electrode,(f) means for providing charged particles for acceleration within the accelerator zone,(g) a target zone for a target device, and(h) a neutron beam outlet in the magnet yoke for emission of a neutron beam produced in the cyclotron.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cyclotron suitable for use in neutron therapy, and comprising a pair of opposed, spaced pole shoes having their adjacent inner surfaces defining an accelerator zone, an electromagnetic coil system, at least one hollow accelerating dee electrode positioned in the accelerator zone, and having a radio-frequency resonator associated therewith, a magnet yoke shaped to substantially enclose the accelerator zone and constitute a neutron attenuation shield for neutrons produced in the cyclotron, a vacuum chamber enclosing the accelerator zone and each dee electrode, means for providing charged particles for acceleration within the accelerator zone, a target zone for a target device, and a neutron beam outlet in the magnet yoke for emission of a neutron beam produced in the cyclotron. The cyclotron includes auxiliary neutron shield means in the forward peak zone of a neutron beam produced in the cyclotron to attenuate neutron and gamma radiation in the forward peak zone to a patient tolerable level. Each radio-frequency resonator is enclosed within the magnet yoke. The cyclotron may have pivot means for pivotally mounting the cyclotron to allow variation of the direction of a neutron beam during use. The disclosure further relates to a neutron therapy installation incorporating such a cyclotron.
92 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A light, compact cyclotron suitable for use in neutron therapy, and capable of being moved to change the direction of an exiting neutron beam comprising:
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(a) a pair of opposed, spaced pole shoes having their adjacent inner surfaces defining an accelerator zone, the surfaces being adapted to constitute magnetic equipotential surfaces which establish a magnetic field configuration for the cyclotron during use, (b) an electromagnetic coil system around the pole shoes and adapted for connection to an electrical power source for generating the cyclotron magnetic field between the pole shoe surfaces, (c) a magnet yoke to provide a magnetic flux return path for the pole shoes, the magnet yoke together with the pole shoes providing a low magnetic resistance relatively to that of the accelerator zone, and the magnet yoke being shaped to substantially enclose the accelerator zone to constitute, together with the pole shoes, a neutron attenuation shield for neutrons produced in the cyclotron, (d) at least one hollow accelerating dee electrode positioned in the accelerator zone, and having a radio frequency resonator associated therewith, (e) a vacuum chamber enclosing the acclerator zone and each dee electrode, (f) means for providing charged particles for acceleration within the accelerator zone, (g) a target zone for a target device, and (h) a neutron beam outlet in the magnet yoke for emission of a neutron beam produced in the cyclotron. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A neutron therapy installation comprising biological shielding means to define the installation, and having a light, compact cyclotron for use in neutron therapy, mounted therein, and capable of being moved to change the direction of an exiting neutron beam,. the cyclotron comprising:
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(a) a pair of opposed, spaced pole shoes having their adjacent inner surfaces defining an accelerator zone, the surfaces being adapted to constitute magnetic equipotential surfaces which establish a magnetic field configuration for the cyclotron during use, (b) an electromagnetic coil system around the pole shoes and adapted for connection to an electrical power source for generating the cyclotron magnetic field between the pole shoe surfaces, (c) a magnet yoke to provide a magnetic flux return path for the pole shoes, the magnet yoke together with the pole shoes providing a low magnetic resistance relatively to that of the accelerator zone, and the magnet yoke being shaped to substantially enclose the accelerator zone to constitute, together with the pole shoes, a neutron attentuation shield for neutrons produced in the cyclotron, (d) at least one hollow accelerating dee electrode positioned in the accelerator zone, and having a radio frequency resonator associated therewith, (e) a vacuum chamber enclosing the accelerator zone and each dee electrode, (f) means for providing charged particles for acceleration within the accelerator zone, (g) a target zone for a target device, and (h) a neutron beam outlet in the magnet yoke for emission of a neutron beam produced in the cyclotron. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification