System and method for in-layer synchronization for fast spot rescanning

US9789342B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. · US
• VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS PARTICLE THERAPY GMBH & CO. KG · DE

Inventors

• Markus Bach · Overath, DE
• Isabel Huth · Egerten, DE
• Juergen Heese · Schwerte, DE
• Franko Piskulich · Claremont, US
• Lei Dong · Cupertino, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 31, 2016
• Grant date: Oct 17, 2017
• Expiry date: Mar 31, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N2005/1087
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

To overcome the difficulties inherent in conventional proton therapy systems, new techniques are described herein for synchronizing the application of proton radiation with the periodic movement of a target area. In an embodiment, a method is provided that combines multiple rescans of a spot scanning proton beam while monitoring the periodic motion of the target area, and aligning the applications of the proton beam with parameters of the periodic motion. For example, the direction(s) and frequency of the periodic motion may be monitored, and the timing, dose rate, and/or scanning direction and spot sequence of the beam can be adjusted to align with phases in the periodic motion