Real-time quality assurance of high precision proton therapy using prompt gamma imaging
Themes: Life Science & Health, High Tech
Early lab scale demonstration
A TRL is a measure to indicate the matureness of a developing technology. When an innovative idea is discovered it is often not directly suitable for application. Usually such novel idea is subjected to further experimentation, testing and prototyping before it can be implemented. The image below shows how to read TRL’s to categorise the innovative ideas.
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Why?
In proton therapy, the radiation dose is delivered at a specific location (the Bragg peak). This location is sensitive to small anatomical changes and therefore real-time quality assurance of the delivered dose is paramount.
How?
Protons undergo nuclear interactions that result in emission of prompt gamma rays. These can be detected and give insight in the delivered dose distribution. This research investigates how to translate this signal into a dose.
When?
HollandPTC plans to commence treatment of patients before the end of 2017. Prompt gamma imaging will be developed and validated at HollandPTC within the next few years. Thereafter, commercial development will be pursued in collaboration with Varian Medical Systems
Dr. ir. Dennis Schaart