KR20240106761A - Bundled electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is an accelerating tube that extends in the longitudinal direction and has an internal space defined as an acceleration path of a pair of particle beams, and is provided at predetermined intervals along the length of the accelerating tube. A bundle-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy including a plurality of electrodes on one side of which are exposed to the internal space to accelerate the particle beam, and at least some of the plurality of electrodes including protrusions extending in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the particle beam. It's about.
The bundle-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy according to the present invention can maximize the beam current drawn from the accelerator by simultaneously accelerating the electron beam using multiple ion sources. Therefore, it is possible to increase the flux of neutrons and the irradiated area according to the increase in flux, which has the effect of increasing treatment efficiency.

Description

{Bundled electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy}

The present invention relates to a multiple electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy, and more specifically to an accelerator capable of expanding the power and irradiation area of a neutron beam.

Boron neutron capture therapy is a treatment method that injects a material containing boron in advance to accumulate boron in cancer cells, then irradiates neutrons to cause nuclear fission within the cancer cells, and kills the cancer cells by releasing particles due to nuclear fission. Boron neutron capture therapy is known to be effective for brain tumors, head and neck cancer, and skin cancer, and is attracting attention as a next-generation cancer treatment method because it can minimize side effects caused by radiation exposure of normal cells compared to conventional radiation treatment methods.

US Patent No. US10124192 is disclosed in relation to this conventional boron neutron capture treatment.

However, this conventional boron neutron capture treatment was unable to extract a particle beam of sufficiently high current for large-area irradiation, so the treatment area was limited, which limited clinical application and had low treatment efficiency.

US registered patent US10124192

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bunch-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy that can solve the above-mentioned problems, increase treatment efficiency, and expand the scope of clinical application.

As a means of solving the above problem, an accelerating tube is formed extending in the longitudinal direction and has an internal space defined as an acceleration path of a pair of particle beams, and the accelerating tube is provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction, A plurality of electrodes connected in series with a certain resistance, each of which is exposed to the internal space on one side to accelerate a pair of particle beams, and at least some of the plurality of electrodes include a protrusion extending in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the particle beam. A bunch electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy may be provided.

Meanwhile, the electrodes each form an equal potential and may be configured to simultaneously accelerate a pair of particle beams.

Meanwhile, the protrusion may be configured so that the equipotential surface formed within the particle beam acceleration space appears concave in a direction opposite to the acceleration path of the particle beam.

Meanwhile, one end of a plurality of electrodes is connected in series to an external high-voltage direct current power supply, and may be configured to generate a predetermined potential difference with adjacent electrodes.

Meanwhile, each of the plurality of electrodes may be hollow to allow a pair of particle beams to pass through in the thickness direction.

Additionally, each of the plurality of electrodes consists of a pair of hollows, and the hollows may be configured so that each particle beam can be accelerated as it passes through.

Meanwhile, each of the plurality of electrodes forms a hollow, and may be configured so that a pair of particle beams can be accelerated while passing through the single hollow.

Meanwhile, the electrode includes an electrode plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of passage of the particle beam, the hollow is formed in the thickness direction of the electrode plate, and the protrusion is formed at a portion of the boundary where the hollow of the electrode plate is formed to allow the particle beam to pass through. It may be configured to extend in one direction.

Additionally, the protrusion may be configured to vary in extension length along the circumference of the hollow.

Meanwhile, the protrusion may be configured symmetrically in the width direction, and may be configured to have an extension length that increases as the protrusion increases in the width direction.

The bundle-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy according to the present invention can maximize the beam current drawn from the accelerator by simultaneously accelerating the electron beam using multiple ion sources. Therefore, the flux of neutrons and the irradiated area due to an increase in the flux are increased, which has the effect of increasing treatment efficiency.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the concept of a boron neutron capture treatment device.
Figure 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a bunch-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the electrode in the first embodiment.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing an equipotential surface in the first embodiment.
Figure 5 is a diagram visualizing the speed and path of the particle beam in the first embodiment.
Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the exit of the accelerator and the particle beam in the first embodiment.
Figure 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a bunch electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy, which is a second embodiment according to the present invention.
Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the electrode in the second embodiment.
Figure 9 is a diagram showing an equipotential surface in the second embodiment.
Figure 10 is a diagram visualizing the speed and path of the particle beam in the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, a multiple electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. And in the description of the following embodiments, the names of each component may be referred to by different names in the art. However, if there is functional similarity and identity between them, they can be viewed as equivalent configurations even if modified embodiments are adopted. Additionally, symbols added to each component are described for convenience of explanation. However, the content shown in the drawings in which these symbols are written does not limit each component to the scope within the drawings. Likewise, even if an embodiment in which the configuration in the drawing is partially modified is adopted, it can be viewed as an equivalent configuration if there is functional similarity and identity. Additionally, if it is recognized as a component that should naturally be included in light of the general level of technicians in the relevant technical field, the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the concept of a boron neutron capture treatment device.

As shown, in the boron neutron capture treatment device, the particle beam generated from the ion source 2 is irradiated to the target through an acceleration tube. When the particle beam is irradiated to the target, neutrons are generated, and the neutrons can be irradiated to the affected area through the beam forming device 11.

The particle beam generated from the ion source (2) is irradiated to the accelerator (1) through the ion source chamber (3). A beam focusing solenoid electromagnet (5) and a beam steering electromagnet (4) will be provided between the ion source chamber (3) and the accelerator (1) to control and focus the direction of the particle beam before it enters the accelerator (1). You can. In addition, a beam focusing quadrupole electromagnet (8) and a wobbling electromagnet (9) may be provided to control and focus the particle beam accelerated through the accelerator (1) before it enters the target chamber (10). there is.

A high-voltage direct current power supply 6 is connected to the accelerator 1 to form an electric field within the accelerator 1. The high-voltage direct current power supply 6 may be equipped with a widely known configuration.

The accelerator 1 may be provided with a multiple stripping tube 7 that can change the polarity of the particle beam generated from the ion source and convert it into a positron.

Neutrons generated when the particle beam is irradiated from the target in the target chamber 10 include fast neutrons with an energy of 10 keV or more, epithermal neutrons from 0.5 eV to 10 keV, and thermal neutrons with an energy of 0.5 eV or less ( It can be classified into thermal neutron and is equipped with a beam shaping device to convert internal neutrons into external neutrons suitable for treatment.

The neutron beam that has passed through the beam shaping device 11 is configured to pass through a desired area by a collimator, and is finally irradiated to the affected area of the patient (P) to cause a nuclear reaction.

In the present invention, a bunch-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy may be provided in an insulating chamber. In addition, the bundle type electrostatic accelerator (1) is configured to emit particle beams from two or more ion sources (2) at the same time and accelerate the particle beams at the same time. Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, the accelerator 1 may be an acceleration tube provided in the entire section where the particle beam is accelerated or applied to a partial section. Additionally, in the present disclosure, the accelerator may be one end connected to a multiple stripping pipe or may be part of an acceleration pipe connected to the target.

Hereinafter, the bundle electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

Figure 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a bunch electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the electrode in the first embodiment.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the bundle electrostatic accelerator 1 for boron neutron capture therapy according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include an accelerator tube 100 and an electrode 200. The acceleration tube 100 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction, and an internal space through which a particle beam passes in the longitudinal direction may be defined inside. The internal space can become an acceleration path for a pair of particle beams.

The electrodes 200 may be comprised of a plurality of electrodes and may be spaced apart at a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction. The electrode 200 at one end is connected to the above-described high-voltage direct current power supply, and a constant potential difference may appear between adjacent electrodes 200 connected with a certain resistance.

One side of the acceleration tube 100 becomes an inlet 101 through which the particle beam enters, and the other side in the longitudinal direction becomes an outlet 102 through which the particle beam is withdrawn. At this time, one side of the acceleration tube 100 may be configured to allow particle beams from a plurality of ion sources to enter the inner acceleration path. For example, one side of the acceleration tube may be configured to allow a pair of particle beams to enter from a pair of ion sources spaced apart at a predetermined interval. Additionally, an acceleration path of a pair of particle beams may be defined inside the acceleration tube 100.

The plurality of electrodes 200 may have electric potential in stages from the inlet 101 side of the acceleration tube 100 to the outlet 102 side. Each electrode 200 may be exposed to the inside and outside of the acceleration tube 100. The portion of the electrode 200 exposed to the outside of the acceleration tube 100 may be connected to a high-voltage direct current power supply. The portion of the electrode 200 exposed to the inside of the acceleration tube 100 is configured to form an electric field in the interior space of the acceleration tube. A hollow 230 may be formed in the portion of the electrode 200 exposed to the inside of the acceleration tube 100 to prevent interference with the acceleration path of the particle beam. The hollow 230 may be formed as a pair corresponding to the acceleration path of the particle beam. A pair of hollows 230 may be formed to be spaced apart in the left and right directions on the electrode plate. Therefore, a pair of particle beams can be simultaneously accelerated while passing through the hollow 230 by the potential formed by one electrode.

When a pair of ion sources are arranged side by side in the left and right directions and are respectively connected to the acceleration tube 100, the pair of particle beams move along the acceleration tube 100 at points spaced a predetermined distance apart to the left and right. At this time, the hollow formed in the electrode 200 may also be formed to be spaced apart in the left and right directions.

The electrode 200 may include an electrode plate 210 and a protrusion 220. The electrode plate is composed of a flat plate and may be formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the acceleration path. Hollows 230 may be formed in the electrode plate 210 in the thickness direction (extension direction of the accelerator) at points spaced apart in the left and right directions.

The protrusion 220 may be provided on at least some of the plurality of electrode plates 210 . In this embodiment, two electrode plates 210 of the electrodes 200 provided on the inlet 101 side of the acceleration tube are provided with protrusions 220.

The protrusion 220 may extend from the boundary portion of the hollow 230 of the electrode plate 210 to a predetermined length along the direction of travel of the particle beam. The protrusion 220 may be provided at a portion of the boundary portion of the hollow 230. For example, it may be provided in an area that is biased outside in the left and right directions in the cross-sectional area of the accelerator 100. The protrusion 220 provided around one hollow 230 may extend longer as it moves away from the other hollow 230, and the end of the protrusion 220 in the direction of the outlet 102 is connected to the electrode plate 210. It may be configured to be inclined in the direction of extension.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an equipotential surface in the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the electrodes 200 at both ends of the accelerator tube 100 are connected by a high potential difference generated from a high-voltage direct current power supply, the plurality of electrodes 200 have different potentials. The electric field formed by the plurality of electrodes 200 accelerates the particle beam flowing into the inlet of the acceleration tube toward the outlet. A pair of particle beams may be accelerated through a pair of hollows formed in the electrode plate 210. At this time, the voltage applied to the electrodes at both ends of the acceleration tube can be determined based on the charge and acceleration direction of the particle beam.

The protrusion 220 is configured to change the shape of the equipotential surface when a voltage is formed on the electrode 200. When a pair of particle beams are incident parallel to each other into the acceleration tube 100, the particle beams have the same charge and are bent in a direction away from each other due to a repulsive force. Therefore, if the path of the particle beam becomes farther away, the points irradiated on the target become farther away from each other, lowering treatment efficiency. Therefore, it is desirable that a pair of particle beams are accelerated without moving away from each other in order to increase the beam current and prevent a decrease in treatment efficiency.

In the enlarged area in FIG. 4, the equipotential surface (Se) according to the presence or absence of the protrusion 200 is shown. The equipotential surface (Se) within the acceleration tube is formed generally parallel to the acceleration path by the electrode (I) without protrusions. On the other hand, the equipotential surface within the acceleration tube 100 appears in a concave shape due to the electrode 200 provided with the protrusion 220 (II). That is, the protrusion 220 slightly changes the equipotential surface in the acceleration direction outside the pair of electron beams in the acceleration area. Therefore, the equipotential surface (Se) within the acceleration tube 200 is slightly biased toward the inlet side. Due to this change in the equipotential surface (Se), when the particle beam passes through the electrode 200 provided with the protrusion 220, a pair of particle beams receive force in a direction that brings them closer to each other. Therefore, ultimately, a pair of particle beams parallel to each other can be irradiated to the target through the exit. However, the force received on the protrusion 220 in the direction in which a pair of particle beams approach each other can be adjusted mainly by being influenced by the size and potential difference of the protrusion 220. In various embodiments, the size of the protrusion 220 and the potential applied to each electrode may be applied differently.

FIG. 5 is a diagram visualizing the speed and path of the particle beam in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram visualizing the exit of the accelerator and the particle beam in the first embodiment.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, in the first embodiment, even if a pair of particle beams 1000 enter the inlet 101 in parallel, a repulsive force is generated by their respective charges in the process of passing through the accelerator 1. They bend in a direction away from each other. However, the electric field in the hollow 230 is changed by the electrode provided with the protrusion to be different from the direction in which the electrode plate 210 extends, so that the pair of particle beams 1000 can transmit force in a direction that approaches each other. Accordingly, the pair of particle beams 1000 can be accelerated by at least some of the adjusted equipotential surfaces within the acceleration tube 100 and then irradiated toward the target in parallel with each other. Therefore, the current of the particle beam 1000 can be increased by accelerating a pair of particle beams 1000 at the same time, so the beam output can be improved by configuring a plurality of ion sources without increasing the output of the ion source. Additionally, according to the present invention, it would be possible to modify the configuration so that more than one pair of ion beams accelerated in the acceleration tube can be accelerated.

Hereinafter, the bundle electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

This embodiment may also include the same components as the above-described embodiment, and to avoid redundant description, description thereof will be omitted and differences in configuration will be described.

Figure 7 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a bunch electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy, which is a second embodiment according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the second embodiment, the protrusion 220 can adjust the equipotential surface so that a pair of particle beams do not move away from each other at the exit side, as in the above-described embodiment. At this time, if most of the electrode plates 210 provided have protrusions 220, the acceleration path of the pair of particle beams can be adjusted to a greater extent.

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the electrode in the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, one hollow 230 may be formed in the electrode plate 220. One hollow 230 may be configured to have a generally long inner diameter in the left and right directions. An acceleration path through which a pair of particle beams passes may be formed in one hollow 230. The protrusion 220 may be provided at the border in the left and right directions of the electrode plate where one hollow is formed. The shape of the protrusion 220 may be similar to the first embodiment so that the height of the protrusion 220 increases as it moves outward in the left and right directions from the end where the hollow 230 of the electrode plate 210 is formed.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an equipotential surface in the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the equipotential surface Se formed on one electrode plate 210 according to the second embodiment can be adjusted to the exit side on both sides across the acceleration path of a pair of particle beams. The equipotential surface (Se) at the center of the hollow 230 may be formed concave toward the entrance.

Accordingly, a pair of electron beams can be gathered by receiving force in a direction to approach each other while passing through the electrode 200 provided with the protrusion 220. At this time, since most electrodes are provided with protrusions 220, the pair of particle beams are bent more in a direction closer to each other in the acceleration tube than in the above-described embodiment.

Figure 10 is a diagram visualizing the speed and path of the particle beam in the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the bundle electrostatic accelerator 1 according to the second embodiment overlaps at least a portion of the target with the electric field formed within the accelerating tube despite the repulsive force of a pair of particle beams pushing each other within the accelerating tube. You can do it. In this embodiment, even if the pair of particle beams 1000 are irradiated in parallel to the inlet 101, the pair of particle beams 1000 are bent in a direction closer to each other in the acceleration tube until they pass through the outlet 102. You lose.

As described above, the multiple electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy according to the present invention has the effect of operating two or more accelerators, and treatment efficiency can be improved by increasing the particle beam current and the flux of extrathermal neutrons. .

1: Bundle type electrostatic accelerator
100: acceleration tube 200: electrode
210: electrode plate 220: protrusion
230: hollow 1000: particle beam

Claims (10)

an acceleration tube extending in the longitudinal direction and defining an internal space that serves as an acceleration path for a pair of particle beams;
a plurality of electrodes provided at predetermined intervals along the length of the accelerating tube and having one side exposed to the internal space to accelerate the pair of particle beams; and
A bunch-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy, wherein at least some of the plurality of electrodes include protrusions extending in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the particle beam. According to claim 1,
The electrodes each form an equal potential, and the bundle electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy is configured to simultaneously accelerate the pair of particle beams. According to clause 2,
The protrusion is,
A bunch-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy configured so that the equipotential surface formed within the particle beam acceleration space appears concave in a direction opposite to the acceleration path of the particle beam. According to clause 3,
The plurality of electrodes are each connected to an external high-voltage direct current power supply, and are configured to generate a predetermined potential difference with adjacent electrodes. According to clause 4,
A bunch-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes is hollow to allow the pair of particle beams to pass through in the thickness direction. According to clause 5,
Each of the plurality of electrodes consists of a pair of hollows,
The hollow is a bunch-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy that is configured to accelerate each of the electron beams as they pass through. According to clause 5,
Each of the plurality of electrodes is formed with one hollow,
A multiple-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy configured to accelerate the pair of particle beams while passing through the single hollow. According to clause 4,
The electrode includes an electrode plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of passage of the particle beam,
The hollow is formed in the thickness direction of the electrode plate,
The protrusion is configured to extend in the direction of passage of the particle beam from a portion of the boundary where the hollow of the electrode plate is formed. A bunch-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy. According to clause 7,
The protrusion is a bundle-type electrostatic accelerator for boron neutron capture therapy in which the extension length is configured to vary along the circumference of the hollow. According to clause 7,
The protrusion is configured symmetrically in the width direction, and the extension length becomes longer as the distance in the width direction increases.

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