Quick regulation of the range of high-energy ion beams for precision irradiation of moving target volumes
First Claim
1. A device for adjusting the range of an ion beam (10), in particular for the therapeutic treatment of a patient using radiation of a target volume (20) by ions, containing:
- a range adjustment device (2, 109) for the ion beam (10) along an original beam axis (11), in which the ion beam (10) experiences different energy losses in the process of passing through different regions of the range adjustment device (2, 109),a sensor (6) for detecting a position (21, 22, 23) of the target volume (20), which provides data (30) corresponding to the position (21, 22, 23),a regulating device (7), which receives the data (30) of the sensor (6) and generates a control signal (31) correlating to the position (21, 22, 23) of the target volume (20), andan adjustable first deflection device (1, 103), which is located prior to the range adjustment device (2, 109) in the direction of the beam, for deflecting the ion beam (10) from its original beam axis (11) to a beam axis (11a, 11b, 11c) that is inclined to the original beam axis (11), in order that the ion beam (10) may be deflected towards different regions of the range adjustment device (2, 109) wherein the range adjustment device (2, 109) is located on the inclined beam axis (11a, 11b, 11c), and wherein the deflection of the ion beam (10) in regard to the control signal (30) is configured such that the ion beam (10) may pass through an appropriate region of the range adjustment device (2, 109), such that the range of the ion beam (10) is adjusted to the position (21, 22, 23) of the target volume (20) and the Bragg peak is placed within the region of the target volume (20).
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention concerns a device and a process for adjusting the range of an ion beam, in particular for irradiation in tumor therapy. For this purpose, first the reference position of a target volume to be irradiated is determined. Subsequently, the range of an ion beam is configured such that said beam is adjusted to the reference position of the target volume, in such a manner that the Bragg peak, i.e. the maximal energy loss and thereby the maximal damage occurs in the region of the target volume which is to be destroyed. In the case that it has been determined that the reference position has been altered by a movement of the target volume, the ion beam is then deflected from the beam axis such that the ion beam is directed to various regions of a range modulator, in order that the ion beam experience a correspondingly adjusted energy loss in passing through the range modulator. This energy loss is adjusted to correspond to the change in position of the target volume in such a manner that the change in position is compensated for by the adjustment of the range of the ion beam, and the Bragg peak is returned to the region within the target volume.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for adjusting the range of an ion beam (10), in particular for the therapeutic treatment of a patient using radiation of a target volume (20) by ions, containing:
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a range adjustment device (2, 109) for the ion beam (10) along an original beam axis (11), in which the ion beam (10) experiences different energy losses in the process of passing through different regions of the range adjustment device (2, 109), a sensor (6) for detecting a position (21, 22, 23) of the target volume (20), which provides data (30) corresponding to the position (21, 22, 23), a regulating device (7), which receives the data (30) of the sensor (6) and generates a control signal (31) correlating to the position (21, 22, 23) of the target volume (20), and an adjustable first deflection device (1, 103), which is located prior to the range adjustment device (2, 109) in the direction of the beam, for deflecting the ion beam (10) from its original beam axis (11) to a beam axis (11a, 11b, 11c) that is inclined to the original beam axis (11), in order that the ion beam (10) may be deflected towards different regions of the range adjustment device (2, 109) wherein the range adjustment device (2, 109) is located on the inclined beam axis (11a, 11b, 11c), and wherein the deflection of the ion beam (10) in regard to the control signal (30) is configured such that the ion beam (10) may pass through an appropriate region of the range adjustment device (2, 109), such that the range of the ion beam (10) is adjusted to the position (21, 22, 23) of the target volume (20) and the Bragg peak is placed within the region of the target volume (20). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19)
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14. A process for regulating an ion beam (10), in particular for the purpose of therapeutic irradiation, containing the following process steps:
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preparation of the ion beam (10) along an original beam axis (11), determination of a reference position (21, 22, 23) of a target volume (20) which is to be irradiated, configuration of the range of the ion beam (10) such that said is adjusted for the reference position of the target volume (20), wherein the Bragg peak lies within the region of the target volume (20), verification of a change in the reference position (21, 22, 23) as a result of movement of the target volume (20), deflection of the ion beam (10) from its original beam axis (11) to a beam axis (11a, 11b, 11c) that is inclined to the original beam axis (11), in order that the ion beam (10) be directed towards a point on a range adjustment device (2, 109), which is located on the inclined beam axis (11a, 11b, 11c) and upstream of the target volume (20) in the direction of the beam, such that the ion beam (10) experiences an energy loss at this point, which is adjusted such that the position change of the target volume (20) is compensated for by the adjustment of the range of the ion beam (10), in that the Bragg peak is placed in the region of the target volume (20). - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21)
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Specification