B dot Medical Inc. has conducted an energization test of the scanning magnet, which is designed and manufactured at its factory, for a compact proton cancer therapy system under development, and confirmed the generation of a magnetic field. That means a major step forward in the realization of high-speed scanning irradiation and respiratory-gated irradiation on a proton cancer therapy system.
In recent years, the scanning irradiation method has been commonly used in proton therapy. The method in which a narrow proton beam is scanned according to the shape of tumors can minimize damage to normal tissues and organs around the tumor. In addition, it is required for high-speed and accurate scanning to irradiate tumors that move with breathing (e.g. lung, liver).
Image: Scanning irradiation
B dot Medical has completed manufacturing a compact, high-speed scanning magnet that is the first of its kind in proton therapy. Conventional systems require two magnets and a long distance to scan the beam in horizontal and vertical directions to the tumor, but this magnet can scan in both directions, and the distance from the irradiation system to the irradiation position has been successfully reduced to about one-third that of the conventional one. The scanning magnet, which has been drastically downsized, has the same or higher level of capability to scan at high speed than conventional ones, and can also be used for respiratory-gated irradiation, which can irradiate tumors that move with breathing.
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