阅读说明：本技术 微创型中子束产生装置及微创型中子捕获治疗系统 (Minimally invasive neutron beam generation device and minimally invasive neutron capture treatment system ) 是由 刁国栋 叶吉田 游镇帆 于 2020-04-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开一种微创型中子束产生装置及微创型中子捕获治疗系统,其中微创型中子束产生装置,包含质子加速器、靶材以及中子缓速体。质子加速器与第一通道连接,靶材位于第一通道的末端,且中子缓速体包覆第一通道的末端,使得靶材埋置于中子缓速体中。并且,中子缓速体包含容置元件,用于容纳缓速物质,且容置元件具有可伸缩性。本发明还提供一种包含前述微创型中子束产生装置的微创型中子捕获治疗系统。(The invention discloses a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device and a minimally invasive neutron capture treatment system. The proton accelerator is connected with the first channel, the target is positioned at the tail end of the first channel, and the neutron retarder covers the tail end of the first channel, so that the target is embedded in the neutron retarder. And, the neutron retarber contains the holding element for holding the retarber material, and the holding element has scalability. The invention also provides a minimally invasive neutron capture treatment system comprising the minimally invasive neutron beam generation device.)

1. A minimally invasive neutron beam generation device, which is characterized by comprising:

a proton accelerator connected to the first channel;

the target is positioned at the tail end of the first channel; and

the neutron slowing body coats the tail end of the first channel, so that the target is embedded in the neutron slowing body, wherein the neutron slowing body comprises an accommodating element used for accommodating slowing materials, and the accommodating element has scalability.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a retardation material provider connected to the second channel, wherein the retardation material provider delivers the retardation material into the accommodating element through the second channel.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the retardation material is a hydrogen-containing material.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the geometric centers of the target and the neutron moderator are not overlapped.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the neutron moderator is in a range of 3cm to 12 cm.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the material of the target comprises lithium (Li).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proton accelerator generates a proton beam with an energy ranging from 2MeV to 2.6 MeV.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proton accelerator uses a current in a range of 0.1mA to 5 mA.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cooling element disposed adjacent to the first channel and surrounding the target.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation joint between the proton accelerator and the first channel.

11. A minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system, comprising:

a neutron beam generating device, comprising:

a proton accelerator connected to the first channel;

the target is positioned at the tail end of the first channel; and

the neutron retardance body coats the tail end of the first channel, so that the target is embedded in the neutron retardance body, wherein the neutron retardance body comprises an accommodating element used for accommodating retardance substances, and the accommodating element is flexible; and

an endoscope device adjacent to the neutron beam generating device.

12. The minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system of claim 11, wherein the endoscope apparatus extends through the neutron moderator.

13. The minimally invasive neutron capture treatment system of claim 11, wherein the neutron moderator body has an aperture and the endoscope apparatus extends through the aperture.

14. The minimally invasive neutron capture treatment system of claim 13, wherein the aperture is located within the containment element.

15. The minimally invasive neutron capture treatment system of claim 14, wherein the neutron beam generation device further comprises a retardant provider connected to a second channel, wherein the retardant provider delivers the retardant into the containment element through the second channel.

16. The minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system of claim 11, wherein the target material and the geometric center of the neutron moderator do not overlap.

17. The minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system of claim 11, wherein the proton accelerator generates a proton beam with an energy ranging from 2MeV to 2.6 MeV.

18. The minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system of claim 11, wherein the proton accelerator uses a current in a range of 0.1mA to 5 mA.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a minimally invasive neutron beam generation device and a minimally invasive neutron capture treatment system.

Background

The principle of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is as follows: the boron-containing medicine is combined with tumor cells through blood circulation, and then irradiated by a neutron beam with the position of the tumor tissue as the center, so that the boron absorbs thermal neutrons to generate lithium and helium ions, and cancer cells are accurately destroyed without damaging other normal tissues.

Most of the current BNCT neutron beam source generators are derived from research atomic furnaces and accelerators. The neutron beam source generator is generally fixed on a wall, neutrons are irradiated from the outside of a patient body, and based on the physical characteristics of the neutrons, the neutrons can be rapidly decelerated after entering a human body and cannot reach a deeper position, only tumors close to the body surface can be treated, and the treatment depth is limited. For example, even if a higher energy hyperthermo neutron beam is used for treatment, the treatment depth cannot be more than 10 cm.

In view of the foregoing, while existing neutron beam generating devices for BNCT applications can generally satisfy their intended purpose, they have not been completely satisfactory in every aspect. Therefore, developing a neutron beam generating apparatus capable of further improving the neutron utilization rate and the treatment depth is still one of the subjects of research in the industry.

Disclosure of Invention

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device is provided, which includes a proton accelerator, a target material, and a neutron moderator. The proton accelerator is connected with the first channel, the target is positioned at the tail end of the first channel, and the neutron retarder covers the tail end of the first channel, so that the target is embedded in the neutron retarder. And, the neutron retarber contains the holding element for holding the retarber material, and the holding element has scalability.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system, comprising a neutron beam generating device and an endoscopic device adjacent to the neutron beam generating device. The neutron beam generating device includes a proton accelerator, a target, and a neutron moderator. The proton accelerator is connected with the first channel, the target is positioned at the tail end of the first channel, and the neutron retarder covers the tail end of the first channel, so that the target is embedded in the neutron retarder. And, the neutron retarber contains the holding element for holding the retarber material, and the holding element has scalability.

In order to make the features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Description of the symbols

10. 20, 30 micro-invasive neutron beam generating devices;

10S minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system;

a 100 proton accelerator;

102 a first channel;

102t end;

200 of a target material;

300 neutron moderators;

a 300p hole;

302 a housing element;

304 a retarding substance;

306 a retarding substance provider;

308 a second channel;

400 a cooling element;

402 a third channel;

404 a cooling source provider;

500 an endoscope apparatus;

500t end;

d distance;

GT geometric center;

a PT patient;

TP swivel joint.

Detailed Description

The following describes a minimally invasive neutron beam generation apparatus and a minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system according to embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the following description provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different aspects of embodiments of the invention. The specific elements and arrangements described below are merely illustrative of some embodiments of the invention for simplicity and clarity. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Moreover, similar and/or corresponding elements may be labeled with similar and/or corresponding reference numerals in different embodiments in order to clearly describe the invention. However, the use of such like and/or corresponding reference numerals is merely for simplicity and clarity in describing some embodiments of the invention and does not represent any correlation between the various embodiments and/or structures discussed.

The embodiments of the present invention can be understood together with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. It is to be understood that the drawings of the present invention are not to scale and that in fact any enlargement or reduction of the dimensions of the elements is possible in order to clearly show the nature of the invention.

Further, it should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, or sections, these elements, components, or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, or section from another. Thus, a first element, component, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

As used herein, the term "about" or "substantially" generally means within 10%, or within 5%, or within 3%, or within 2%, or within 1%, or within 0.5% of a given value or range. The quantities given herein are approximate quantities, that is, the meanings of "about" and "substantially" are implied unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, the term "range from a first value to a second value" means that the range includes the first value, the second value, and other values therebetween.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present invention and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a minimally invasive neutron beam generating apparatus 10 according to some embodiments of the invention. As shown in fig. 1, the minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 10 can be placed in a patient PT for treatment, in other words, the position where the neutron beam is generated (neutron source) can be moved into the patient PT, and the neutron beam can irradiate the tumor nearby, so that compared with a general neutron beam generating device that performs irradiation in vitro, the minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 10 can improve the utilization efficiency of the neutron beam, and can irradiate the tumor located at a deeper position or shielded by other organs and less accessible, thereby improving the effect of BNCT treatment. Furthermore, because the neutron source is close to the tumor, the required neutron intensity and energy are low, and a low-current and low-energy proton accelerator can be used, so that the radiation protection requirement of a hospital can be reduced.

The detailed structure of the minimally invasive neutron beam generating apparatus 10 is further described below. Fig. 2 shows a schematic structural diagram of a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 10 according to some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments, additional features may be added to the minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 10 described below.

As shown in fig. 2, according to some embodiments, the minimally invasive neutron beam generating apparatus 10 may include a proton accelerator 100, a target 200, and a neutron moderator 300. In some embodiments, the proton accelerator 100 may be connected to the first channel 102, and the target 200 may be disposed at the other end of the first channel 102. In some embodiments, the target 200 may be located at the end 102t of the first channel 102, and further, the neutron moderator 300 may coat the end 102t of the first channel 102 such that the target 200 is embedded in the neutron moderator 300.

In detail, the proton accelerator 100 may provide protons with a certain energy, the protons with a certain energy pass through the first channel 102, and generate fast neutrons (fast neutron) after the end 102t impacts the target 200, and then the neutron moderator 300 may convert the fast neutrons (thermal neutron) into thermal neutrons to treat the affected part. In some embodiments, the interior of the first channel 102 assumes a vacuum state.

In some embodiments, the target 200 may be located within the first channel 102, or outside the first channel 102 but connected to and in contact with the first channel 102. Further, in some embodiments, the neutron moderator 300 can coat a portion of the first channel 102 and the neutron moderator 300 can completely coat the target 200 such that the target 200 is entirely within the neutron moderator 300. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first channel 102, the target 200, and the neutron moderator 300 are hand-held structures.

In some embodiments, the proton accelerator 100 can produce a proton beam having an energy ranging from about 2MeV to about 2.6 MeV. In some embodiments, the proton accelerator 100 may use a current ranging from about 0.1 milliamperes (mA) to about 5 mA.

It is noted that, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the minimally invasive neutron beam generating apparatus 10 can be used in the direct vicinity of the affected part (e.g., the tumor), the energy (e.g., the current) consumed by the proton accelerator 100 can be greatly reduced compared to the conventional proton accelerator used in BNCT. For example, current proton accelerators used in BNCT provide a proton beam of about 3MeV at a current of greater than 10mA, and BNCT treatment times of about 30 to 60 minutes. In contrast, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the proton accelerator 100 of the minimally invasive neutron beam generation apparatus 10 can provide a neutron beam intensity of less than 10 minutes for BNCT treatment time with only less than 2mA in the case of providing a proton beam of about 2MeV to about 3 MeV.

In some embodiments, the material of the target 200 may include lithium (Li), beryllium (Be), or other suitable materials, but the invention is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, it should be understood that although not shown in the drawings, according to some embodiments, the proton beam generated by the proton accelerator 100 may first be focused by the quadrupole magnet, then adjusted by the collimator, the turning magnet, and the like, and then impinge on the target 200.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the neutron moderator 300 can include a containment element 302, and the containment element 302 can be used to contain a moderator material 304. In some embodiments, the minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 10 further comprises a retarding substance provider 306, and the retarding substance provider 306 can be used to provide the retarding substance 304. In detail, the retardant material supplier 306 may be connected to the second channel 308, and the retardant material supplier 306 may deliver the retardant material 304 into the accommodating element 302 through the second channel 308. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first channel 102 connected to the proton accelerator 100 and the second channel 308 connected to the neutron moderator 300 may be adjacent to or in contact with each other, for example, the first channel 102 and the second channel 308 may be co-configured (integrated), but the invention is not limited thereto. Further, in some embodiments, the second channel 308 may also be a handheld structure.

In some embodiments, containment element 302 of neutron moderator body 300 has scalability (retrievablefunction). In some embodiments, the receiving member 302 may be formed from a material having scalability, such as a thermoplastic type material. Specifically, in some embodiments, the material of the accommodating element 302 may include rubber, silicone, polyurethane (TPU), Polyimide (PI), Polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), other suitable materials, or a combination thereof, but the invention is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the retarder substance 304 of the neutron retarder 300 is a hydrogen-containing substance. For example, in some embodiments, the retardant 304 may comprise water, heavy water, or other suitable materials, but the invention is not limited thereto. According to the embodiment of the present invention, any material that can effectively reduce the velocity of the neutron beam can be used as the retardation material 304.

In some embodiments, the neutron moderator 300 can convert high energy fast neutrons into lower energy thermal neutrons for BNCT treatment. Specifically, in some embodiments, the neutron moderator 300 can reduce the range of neutron energies to about less than 10 keV. In some embodiments, the neutron moderator 300 can be in direct contact with the affected area (e.g., a tumor).

As mentioned above, according to some embodiments of the present invention, since the accommodating element 302 has scalability, the retardation material 304 may not be filled or only be filled in a small amount in the accommodating element 302 before the minimally invasive neutron beam generating apparatus 10 is placed in the patient PT, and after the minimally invasive neutron beam generating apparatus 10 is placed in the patient PT, more retardation material 304 is further filled in the accommodating element 302 to effectively decelerate fast neutrons into thermal neutrons. Thus, a large surgical wound does not need to be formed on the patient PT, and effective BNCT treatment can be performed in a minimally invasive surgery mode.

As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, after filling with the retardant material 304, the containment element 302 may have an oval spherical shape. In other embodiments, after filling the retarding substance 304, the containment element 302 may have a spherical shape, an egg shape, an irregular shape, or other suitable shape. In some embodiments, containment element 302 may have a shape that conforms to the in vivo environment (compliant shape). It should be understood that the receiving element 302 may have any suitable shape and is not limited to that shown in the figures. In various embodiments, the receiving element 302 can be adjusted to have a suitable shape according to actual needs and medical planning considerations.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, after the retarder substance 304 is filled in the receiving element 302, the target 200 does not overlap with a geometric center (not labeled) of the neutron moderator 300, i.e., the target 200 may be offset from the geometric center of the neutron moderator 300. Specifically, in some embodiments, the distance d between the target 200 and the geometric center GT of the neutron moderator 300 may range from about 0cm to about 2 cm. If the distance d is too small, the needed retarder needs to be enlarged, and enough retarders can be used for decelerating the fast neutrons into thermal neutrons; if the distance d is too large, the corresponding retarder size needs to be enough; therefore, if the distance d is too small or too large, the retarder will be too large and not suitable for being placed in the patient PT. According to some embodiments, the distance d refers to the minimum distance of the target 200 from the geometric center GT of the neutron moderator 300 in the direction of extension of the first channel 102.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the diameter of the neutron moderator 300 may range from about 3cm to about 12cm after the moderator material 304 is filled in the containment element 302, although the invention is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the diameter of the neutron moderator 300 refers to the maximum diameter of the containment element 302 after filling with the moderator material 304. Furthermore, it is understood that in various embodiments, the diameter (or size) range of the neutron moderator 300 can be adjusted based on the energy of the proton accelerator 100 to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

As shown in fig. 2, in some embodiments, the minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 10 may further include a rotation joint TP, which may be located between the proton accelerator 100 and the first channel 102. In particular, the position of the proton accelerator 100 generally cannot be moved arbitrarily, but the arrangement of the rotation joint TP makes the operation position of the minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 10 more flexible, facilitates tumor positioning, and enables treatment to be performed deep into the body in a specific direction.

Next, referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 20 according to another embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that the same or similar components or elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and the same or similar materials and functions are the same or similar to those described above, so that the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 3, in some embodiments, the first channel 102 connected to the proton accelerator 100 and the second channel 308 connected to the neutron moderator 300 may be separately provided. In some embodiments, the proton accelerator 100 and the neutron moderator 300 may operate independently. Similarly, in this embodiment, the neutron moderator 300 can coat the end 102t of the first channel 102 such that the target 200 is embedded in the neutron moderator 300. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, after filling the retarding material 304, the receiving element 302 may have a regular spherical shape.

Next, referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 30 according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 4, according to some embodiments, the minimally invasive neutron beam generating device 30 may further include a cooling element 400, and the cooling element 400 may be adjacent to the first channel 102 and surround the target 200.

In detail, in some embodiments, the cooling element 400 may include a third channel 402 and a cooling source provider 404 connected to the third channel 402, the cooling source provider 404 may provide a cooling source such as cooling water, and the third channel 402 may be used to convey or circulate the cooling source. In some embodiments, the third channel 402 surrounds most of the first channel 102 and is in contact with the first channel 102 and the target 200. In some embodiments, the third channel 402 is also in contact with the neutron moderator 300. In some embodiments, a cooling source may be circulated in the third channel 402 to carry away heat generated during the process of impinging protons on the target 200 to generate neutrons.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the first channel 102 connected to the proton accelerator 100 and the second channel 308 connected to the neutron moderator 300 may be disposed adjacent to but separated from each other. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the third channel 402 for delivering the cooling source and the second channel 308 for delivering the retardant material 304 may also be adjacent to or in contact with each other, for example, the third channel 402 and the second channel 308 may be co-formed (integrated), but the invention is not limited thereto.

In other embodiments, the retardant material 304 is the same as the cooling source, and thus the retardant material provider 306 and the cooling source provider 404 may be selectively positioned and connected to both the second channel 308 and the third channel 402. In still other embodiments, the second channel 308 loaded with the retardant material 304 has a cooling function, so that the cooling element 400 is not required to be additionally disposed.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system 10S according to some embodiments of the invention. According to some embodiments, the minimally invasive neutron capture therapy system 10S may include the neutron beam generation device 10 (not labeled) and the endoscopic device 500 as described above, and the endoscopic device 500 may be adjacent to the neutron beam generation device 10. The configuration of the neutron beam generating device 10 is the same as that described above, and thus, the description thereof is omitted. By this arrangement, a real-time image of the inside of the patient PT can be obtained, the position of the relevant organ or tumor can be identified in real time, and the correct neutron irradiation dose can be administered with more accurate positioning.

As shown in fig. 5, in some embodiments, the endoscope apparatus 500 may penetrate the neutron moderator 300 such that the distal end 500t of the endoscope apparatus 500 is positioned outside the neutron moderator 300, whereby images in front of the neutron moderator 300 can be viewed. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the neutron moderator body 300 can have a hole 300p and the endoscope apparatus 500 can be located in the hole 300p and through the hole 300 p. Specifically, in some embodiments, the hole 300p may be located within the receiving element 302.

As shown in fig. 5, in some embodiments, the endoscope apparatus 500 and the first channel 102 of the neutron beam generating apparatus 10 may be adjacent to or in contact with each other, for example, the endoscope apparatus 500 and the first channel 102 may be co-formed (integrated), but the invention is not limited thereto. Notably, such a configuration is particularly useful for surgical applications for esophageal, colorectal, or rectal cancer, among others.

Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, in other embodiments, the endoscope apparatus 500 and the neutron beam generating apparatus 10 can be separately disposed.

In summary, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a minimally invasive surgery type neutron beam generator is provided, which can move the position (neutron source) for generating the neutron beam to the patient, the neutron beam can irradiate the tumor nearby, the utilization efficiency of the neutron beam is improved, the risk of damaging other healthy cells is reduced, and the tumor located at a deeper position or shielded by other organs and less accessible can be irradiated, so as to improve the effect of BNCT treatment. Furthermore, because the neutron source is close to the tumor, the required neutron intensity and energy are low, and a low-energy proton accelerator can be used, so that the radiation protection requirement of a hospital can be reduced.

Furthermore, it should be understood that, according to some embodiments, the aforementioned minimally invasive neutron beam generating device may further include other auxiliary elements known to those skilled in the art, and these elements may be present in any suitable form.

In order to make the aforementioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.