SBIR-STTR Award

The long-range goal of this program is the development and commercialization of a proton therapy delivery system that will lead to a substantial advancement over existing methods of cancer treatment with protons. Delivery system components will include raster scanning magnets, small aperture bending magnets, gantry systems, and permanent magnet transport systems of wide momentum acceptance. Such equipment will require considerable innovation in order to complement the characteristics of the new proton medical accelerators presently being designed for hospital use. This equipment will however, make it possible to more fully realize the potential of these accelerators for proton beam therapy.Conceptual ideas exist for delivery system components that will accomplish these goals. Detailed engineering designs and cost estimates are required to confirzn their feasibility, and to provide prospective developers of new proton therapy facilities a complete system capability (along with the accelerator). The Phase I study would be carried out by experienced physicians and engineers. A Phase II grant request would be submitted to commission, construct, install, and develop the capabilities of prototype systems on an operating accelerator. Extended research, supported privately, would make commercial units available.National Cancer Institute (NCI)

The long-range goal of this program is the development and commercialization of a proton therapy delivery system that will lead to a substantial advancement over existing methods of cancer treatment with protons. The most important tasks of the innovative development required to accomplish this goal are associated with the raster scanning system with 3-D contouring capability and an isocentric delivery system, or alternative, to allow significant flexibility in the treatment direction. The Phase I effort completed the conceptual design and cost estimate for components of a beam delivery system including raster scanning magnets, small-aperture bending magnets, modular achromatic bending magnet systems, a variable-angle vertical magnet system, and permanent magnet transport systems of wide momentum acceptance. The design of these components was matched to the high-beam quality of the proton accelerator being developed for this application. The Phase II program will construct and provide demonstration, with low-energy beams, of the raster scanning system and rotatable 900 achromatic bending system.

Anticipated Results:
There is strong worldwide interest in the application of protons for radiation treatment of cancer. If such facilities can be shown to be economically viable, their use will be very widespread.National Cancer Institute