Proton beams are a promising alternative to X-rays for therapeutic purposes because they may also destroy cancer cells, but with a greatly reduced damage to healthy tissue. The energy dose in tissue may be concentrated at the tumor site by configuring the beam to position the Bragg Peak proximate the tumor. The longitudinal range of a proton beam in tissue is generally dependent upon the energy of the beam. However, after switching energies, the proton-beam system requires some time for the beam energy to stabilize before it may be used for therapy. A proton linear accelerator system is provided for irradiating tissue with an improved beam energy control, configured to provide RF energy from a first RF energy source during the on-time of the proton beam operating cycle for changing the energy of the proton beam, and to provide RF energy from a second distinct RF energy source during the off-time of the proton beam operating cycle for increasing or maintaining the temperature of the cavity. Each RF source is operated independently, allowing higher RF pulse rates to reach the cavity, supporting a smaller time between proton beam energy pulses. In addition, the peak power requirements for the second RF energy source may, in general, be less than for the second RF energy source, allowing a less costly type to be used for the second source. The use of a first and second RF source may reduce the cavity settling time from minutes to less than 10 seconds.
A linear accelerator system comprising a source arranged to produce a pulsed beam of charged particles, a linear accelerator string arranged to accelerate the pulsed beam up to a predetermined range of energies, and a pre-acceleration stage interposed between the source and the linear accelerator string and arranged to accelerate the pulsed beam up to an energy suitable for beam insertion into the linear accelerator string and perform bunching of the pulsed beam. An average current detector is arranged to measure an average current in the pulsed beam, the average current detector comprising at least one non-interceptive sensor placed at an input side of the linear accelerator string, downstream of the pre-acceleration stage, the sensor being responsive to the pulsed beam passing thereby.
One of the obstacles to the widespread use of proton therapy is the availability of affordable and compact proton sources and accelerators. The use of linear accelerators (Linacs) allow the construction of such a compact source which may be installed in existing medical facilities. However, instability occurs after accelerating units are turned on or off. A proton linear accelerator system configured to provide RF energy 132 during the off-time of the proton beam operating cycle 190 may be used for increasing or maintaining the temperature of cavities. A method of operating a proton beam is also provided which is suitable for irradiating tissue. These may provide an improved settling time.
Proton beams are a promising alternative to X-rays for therapeutic purposes because they may also destroy cancer cells, but with a greatly reduced damage to healthy tissue. The energy dose in tissue may be concentrated at the tumor site by configuring the beam to position the Bragg Peak proximate the tumor. The longitudinal range of a proton beam in tissue is generally dependent upon the energy of the beam. However, after switching energies, the proton-beam system requires some time for the beam energy to stabilize before it may be used for therapy A proton linear accelerator system is provided for irradiating tissue with an improved beam energy control, configured to provide RF energy from afirst RF energy source during the on-time of the proton beam operating cycle for changing the energy of the proton beam, and to provide RF energy from a second distinct RF energy source during the off-time of the proton beam operating cycle for increasing or maintaining the temperature of the cavity. Each RF source is operated independently, allowing higher RF pulse rates to reach the cavity, supporting a smaller time between proton beam energy pulses. In addition, the peak power requirements for the second RF energy source may, in general, be less than for the second RF energy source, allowing a less costly type to be used for the second source. The use of a first and second RF source may reduce the cavity settling time from minutes to less than 10 seconds.
PP,1PP,2PP,3122312RFQ23RFQφ12,φ13,φ23PP,1, νPP,2, νPP,3PP,1, νPP,2, νPP,3) of the detectors (1, 2, 3), and b) calculate energy (E) of the pulse based on the calculated phase shifts.
A linear accelerator system comprising a source (10) arranged to produce a pulsed beam of charged particles, a linear accelerator string (20) arranged to accelerate the pulsed beam up to a predetermined range of energies, and a pre-acceleration stage (30) interposed between the source (10) and the linear accelerator string (20) and arranged to accelerate the pulsed beam up to an energy suitable for beam insertion into the linear accelerator string (20) and perform bunching of the pulsed beam. An average current detector (40) is arranged to measure an average current in the pulsed beam, the average current detector comprising at least one non-interceptive sensor (41, 42, 43) placed at an input side of the linear accelerator string (20), downstream of the pre-acceleration stage (30), the sensor being responsive to the pulsed beam passing thereby.
A device for modulating the intensity of a charged particle beam emitted along an axis, comprises 4×N consecutive deflection systems, with N=1 or 2, with the deflection systems being positioned along the axis of said particle beam, and being capable of deflecting the beam relative to the axis in the same direction, with alternating directions of deflection, for two consecutive systems, means for applying a force for deflecting the beam for each deflection system and for varying the applied force; two collimators each having a slot with an opening that increases in width from the center towards the periphery, located respectively between the first and second deflection systems and between the third and fourth deflection systems, with the opening of the slot of the first collimator facing towards one side of the emission axis of the beam, with the opening of the slot of the second collimator facing towards the opposite side of the emission axis of the beam.
H05H 7/08 - Arrangements for injecting particles into orbits
G21K 1/087 - Deviation, concentration, or focusing of the beam by electric or magnetic means by electrical means
G21K 1/093 - Deviation, concentration, or focusing of the beam by electric or magnetic means by magnetic means
H01J 37/04 - Arrangements of electrodes and associated parts for generating or controlling the discharge, e.g. electron-optical arrangement, ion-optical arrangement
H01J 37/147 - Arrangements for directing or deflecting the discharge along a desired path
8.
DEVICE FOR MODULATING THE INTENSITY OF A PARTICLE BEAM FROM A CHARGED PARTICLE SOURCE
A device for modulating the intensity of a charged particle beam emitted along an axis (A0), comprising: 4xN consecutive deflection systems (21, 22, 23, 24), with N = 1 or 2, the deflection systems (21, 22, 23, 24) being positioned along the axis (A0) of said particle beam; for each deflection system ((21, 22, 23, 24), means for applying a force for deflecting the beam and for varying the applied force; two collimators (41, 42), each having a slot (61, 62) with an opening that increases in width from the centre towards the periphery, located respectively between the first and second deflection systems and between the third and fourth deflection systems, the openings of the slots ((61) (62) of the collimators (41) facing towards opposite sides of the emission axis A0 of the beam.
A linear proton accelerator includes a plurality of accelerator components arranged after one another, and a proton source and a plurality of accelerating units. The accelerator further includes a reticular support structure for supporting the accelerator components. The support structure is shaped as a prism with a polygonal cross-section, and has a plurality of side faces joining opposite ends of the prism. The support structure is arranged concentrically with respect to the accelerator components.
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