Expanding, monitoring, or adapting a particle energy distribution of a therapeutic particle beam installation

• US 7,579,610 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Use, Tim, Grozinger, Sven Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIET TUAN
• Application Number:
  US11/502,000
• Publication Number:
  US 20070034815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 250/505.1, 250/492.3
• US Class Current: 250/505.1
• 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 5/10 X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/10 Scattering devices; Absorbing devices; Ionising radiation filters

Abstract

A device for expanding a particle energy distribution of a therapeutic particle beam installation and method of producing the same is provided. The device for expanding a particle energy distribution of a therapeutic particle beam installation comprises an expansion element with a structured surface. The expansion element comprises a flexible material. The method for producing an expansion element of a device for expanding a particle beam distribution of a therapeutic particle installation includes forming a negative mold that is a rigid material, filling the negative mold with liquid or jelly material; processing the material into a solid state; and removing the solid state material from the negative mold.

Claims

1. A device for expanding a particle energy distribution of a therapeutic particle beam installation comprising an expansion element with a structured surface, wherein the expansion element comprises a flexible material.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible material has a density of approximately 1 g/ccm.

3. The device in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the flexible material has properties similar to water with respect to interaction with the particle beam.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible material has a density of 1.03 g/ccm.

5. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the flexible material has properties similar to water with respect to interaction with the particle beam.

6. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises elastic properties.

7. The device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the flexible material is deformable.

8. The device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the flexible material is free of hysteresis.

9. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the flexible material contains silicon, gel or paraffin.

10. The device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a first operating state for irradiation by the particle beam, the expansion element arranged in an irradiation position; and

a second operating state in a parked position wherein the expansion element has a deformed state during a change between the first and second operating states.

11. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the expansion element is at least partially rolled up in the second operating state.

12. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the device has a frame, guide rails, or the combination thereof.

13. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the frame holds the expansion element and is displaceable along the guide rails.

14. A beam monitoring unit of a therapeutic beam therapy installation, comprising an expansion element with a structured surface, wherein the expansion element comprises a flexible material.

15. The beam monitoring unit of claim 14 further comprising:

a first operating state for irradiation by a particle beam, the expansion element arranged in an irradiation position; and

a second operating state in a parked position wherein the expansion element has a deformed state during a change between the first and second operating states;

wherein the unit has a frame, guide rails, or the combination thereof; and

wherein the frame holds the expansion element and is displaceable along the guide rails.

16. A beam adaptation unit of a therapeutic beam therapy installation, comprising an expansion element with a structured surface, wherein the expansion element comprises a flexible material.

17. The beam adaptation unit of claim 16 further comprising:

a first operating state for irradiation by a particle beam, the expansion element arranged in an irradiation position; and

a second operating state in a parked position wherein the expansion element has a deformed state during a change between the first and second operating states;

wherein the unit has a frame, guide rails, or the combination thereof; and

wherein the frame holds the expansion element and is displaceable along the guide rails.