A compact dose delivery system for proton radiation therapy

描述（由申请人提供）：与标准x射线治疗相比，质子治疗允许增加对肿瘤的辐射剂量，并减少对健康组织的辐射量。因此，它提供了使用辐射来控制和消除肿瘤的最佳选择，并且具有最小的短期和长期毒副作用。目前，只有不到1%的放射治疗患者接受质子治疗，而根据目前的方案，将从质子治疗中获益的患者数量估计超过30%。质子治疗的主要障碍是设备的大小和成本。目前质子治疗中心的布局主要是由等中心门架的大小决定的，这些门架在患者周围旋转质子束剂量输送系统。这个项目的重点是发明一种新的龙门架概念，使用现代机器人和高温超导磁体，这将大大减少龙门架的尺寸和质量，操作它所需的电力，从而减少这些龙门架对设施成本的贡献。采购建议研究新技术，以减少一个数量级的龙门质量和成本的三倍。第一阶段的研究将允许采购确定一个紧凑和低成本的龙门架的最佳设计和组件，该龙门架基于新颖的光束扫描概念，并使用高温超导磁体技术用于强度调制质子治疗。在第二阶段的前12个月，采购将为选定的龙门架概念建造原型磁铁，建造关键的临时磁铁支撑和喷嘴组件，在第二阶段的接下来的6个月，采购将在印第安纳大学回旋加速器设施最近委托的质子剂量测定测试设施中使用全尺寸系统进行实验。在第三阶段，采购将在IUCF完成磁性和喷嘴操作的测试，并向FDA提交初步报告。采购公司将为龙门建造一个完整的旋转机械支持系统的第一个原型，并为机械系统测试安装完整的系统。与此同时，采购将启动将要安装的第一个系统的采购过程。最后，将进行FDA完整的系统测试，以获得FDA 510k的全面批准。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In comparison to standard x-ray therapy, proton therapy allows an increased dose of radiation to a tumor and by reducing the amount of radiation to healthy tissue. As a result, it provides the best possible option for using radiation to control and eliminate tumors with the least short and long term toxic side effects. Currently less than 1% of all radiation therapy patients receive proton therapy while the number of patients that would benefit substantially from their use with current protocols is estimated to be over 30%. The major barriers to greater utilization of proton therapy are the size and cost of the facilities. The layout of the current proton therapy treatment centers is dominated by the size of the iso-centric gantries that rotate the proton beam dose delivery system around the patient. ProCure's focus for this project is to invent a new gantry concept using modern robotics and high temperature superconducting magnets that will greatly reduce the gantry size and mass, the power needed to operate it and consequently the contribution of these gantries to the facility cost. ProCure proposes to research new technology that would reduce the gantry mass by an order of magnitude and cost by a factor of three. Phase I research will allow ProCure to determine the optimal design and components needed for a compact and low cost gantry based on novel beam scanning concepts and the use of high temperature superconducting magnet technology for use in Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy. In the first 12 months of Phase II, ProCure will work on constructing prototype magnets for the selected gantry concept, build key temporary magnet supports and nozzle components and in the next six months of Phase II, ProCure will carry out experiments using a full scale system in the Proton Dosimetry Test Facility recently commissioned at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility. In Phase III, ProCure will complete the tests of the magnetic and nozzle operation at IUCF and make initial submission to the FDA. ProCure will construct a first prototype of the full rotating mechanical support system for the gantry and install the full system for mechanical system tests. In parallel, ProCure will start the acquisition process for the first systems that will be installed. Finally, FDA complete system testing for full FDA 510k approval will be performed. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Proton therapy provides the best possible option for using radiation to control and eliminate tumors with the least short and long term toxic side effects; however, only less than 1% of all radiation therapy patients receive proton therapy. The major barriers to greater utilization of proton therapy are the size and cost of the facilities. ProCure's new proton beam delivery concept will greatly reduce the size and mass of the system and the power needed to operate it, and consequently, help to bring this highly effective form of cancer treatment to the mainstream of radiation therapy.