Linac neutron therapy and imaging
OwnerNabil Adnani, Gino Falloneinventors
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Abstract
A high energy electron accelerator (LINAC) can be employed for neutron-based therapy and imaging methods. Methods and systems are described for producing a thermal neutron image of a subject using a LINAC. Methods are also described for treating diseased tissues by neutron capture therapy or neutron capture enhanced photon therapy using a LINAC.
Claims69
A method for producing thermal neutrons in a target tissue comprising:
- (a) producing a beam comprising photons and fast neutrons from a high energy electron accelerator;
- (b) passing the beam through a shield to minimise the photon content of the beam;
- (c) directing the resulting beam on to the tissue, whereby at least a portion of the fast neutrons of the beam are reduced in energy to produce thermal neutrons in the tissue.
An apparatus comprising a high energy electron accelerator adapted to emit a monodirectional beam of photons and fast neutrons and a moveable shield located in the path of the emitted beam to minimise the photon content of the beam while permitting emission of a fast neutron beam.
A method for producing a thermal neutron image of an object, wherein the object has a low capacity for thermalising fast neutrons comprising:
- (a) producing a beam comprising photons and fast neutrons from a high energy electron accelerator;
- (b) passing the beam through a shield to minimise the photon content of the beam;
- (c) directing the resulting beam, through a medium for thermalising fast neutrons, on to the object;
- and
- (d) detecting thermal neutrons which pass through the object, to produce an image of the object.
A system for producing a thermal neutron image of an object, wherein the object has a low capacity for thermalising fast neutrons, comprising:
- (a) a high energy electron accelerator;
- (b) a shield to minimise photon emission from the accelerator;
- (c) a medium for thermalising fast neutrons emitted by the accelerator;
- (d) a thermal neutron detector.
A method for producing a thermal neutron image of a human or non-human animal subject comprising:
- (a) producing a beam comprising photons and fast neutrons from a high energy electron accelerator;
- (b) passing the beam through a shield to minimise the photon content of the beam;
- (c) using the resulting beam to irradiate the human or non-human animal subject, whereby at least a portion of the fast neutrons of the beam are reduced in energy to produce thermal neutrons in the subject;
- and
- (d) detecting thermal neutrons which pass through the human or non-human animal subject to produce an image of the subject.
A system for producing a thermal neutron image of a human or non-human animal subject comprising:
- (a) a high energy electron accelerator;
- (b) a shield to minimise photon emission from the accelerator;
- and
- (c) a thermal neutron detector.
A method of treating a diseased tissue in a human or non-human animal subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a subject having a diseased tissue in need of treatment;
- (b) incorporating a thermal neutron capture agent into the diseased tissue;
- (c) producing a beam of fast neutrons from a high energy electron accelerator;
- and
- (d) irradiating the subject with the fast neutron beam,
- whereby the energy level of at least a portion of the fast neutrons is reduced within the subject to yield thermal neutrons and the capture agent, on interaction with the thermal neutrons, emits radiation to destroy the diseased tissue.
A method of treating a diseased tissue in a human or non-human animal subject, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a subject having a diseased tissue in need of treatment;
- (b) incorporating a thermal neutron capture agent into the diseased tissue;
- (c) producing a beam of photons and fast neutrons from a high energy electron accelerator;
- (d) irradiating the subject with the beam,
- whereby the energy level of at least a portion of the fast neutrons is reduced within the subject to produce thermal neutrons and the capture agent, on interaction with the thermal neutrons, emits radiation which, together with the photons, destroys the diseased portion of the tissue.
A method for producing a fast neutron image of subject comprising:
- (a) producing a beam comprising photons and fast neutrons from a high energy electron accelerator;
- (b) passing the beam through a shield to minimise the photon content of the beam;
- (c) irradiating the subject with the resulting beam;
- and
- (d) detecting fast neutrons which pass through the subject to produce an image of the subject.
A phantom comprising:
- a base of a material of low capacity to interact with thermal neutrons;
- a plurality of cylinders supported within the base, each cylinder being selected to simulate the thermal neutron absorption capacity of a tissue of a human or non-human animal subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.