RTT Accelerator Technology Options Study
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
Conventional and commercially available Radiation Therapy (RT) treatment systems utilise S-band linac technologies coupled to magnetron or klystron RF power sources, which invariably entails incorporation of the linac structure inside the rotating gantry for circumferential patient treatment. The theme of this activity is to assess a variety of different linac and RF source configuration options, taking advantage of recent technology developments in frequency ranges outside of the conventional provision. Advances in both Standing Wave and Travelling Wave linac operational performance and solid state, magnetron and klystron RF power delivery capabilities, have the potential to be able to define a new RT system configuration which can not only outperform, but also may offer a simpler, more efficient and robust system integration platform which can be more appropriately applied for ODA country exploitation.
Planned Impact
Conventional and commercially available Radiation Therapy (RT) treatment systems utilise S-band linac technologies coupled to magnetron or klystron RF power sources, which invariably entails incorporation of the linac structure inside the rotating gantry for circumferential patient treatment. The theme of this activity is to assess a variety of different linac and RF source configuration options, taking advantage of recent technology developments in frequency ranges outside of the conventional provision. Advances in both Standing Wave and Travelling Wave linac operational performance and solid state, magnetron and klystron RF power delivery capabilities, have the potential to be able to define a new RT system configuration which can not only outperform, but also may offer a simpler, more efficient and robust system integration platform which can be more appropriately applied for ODA country exploitation.
Publications
Setiniyaz S
(2021)
Pushing the capture limit of thermionic gun linacs
in Physical Review Accelerators and Beams
| Description | The work developed a novel radiotherapy machine aimed at solving the problems associated with radiotherpay provision in Africa. We also surveyed 28 African hospitals to understand what the challenges were and found the biggest issues were due to downtime raleated to repair and maintenance. Our design is easier to maintain and repair, and also is designed to fail less often. We also investigate the use of AI to aid technicians in hospitals |
| Exploitation Route | We are currently discussing with potential industrial partners to take this to market, throught the charity ICEC |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| URL | https://cerncourier.com/a/linacs-to-narrow-radiotherapy-gap/ |
| Description | The reserach was written up for a magazine (CERN courier) and our lead medical physicist has given a range of outreach talks |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Cultural |
| Description | A modular, integrated electron gun and RF cavity for radiotherapy treatment systems in developing countries |
| Amount | £57,849 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/S002081/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | High Reliability, Modular Radiotherapy Treatment Linac for cancer care in Developing Countries |
| Amount | £140,153 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/T002484/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2019 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | ICEC Linacs for LMIC countries |
| Organisation | International Cancer Expert Corps |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We are designing novel radiotherapy systems that are either cheaper or some simple to maintain. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They provide expertise on the problems faced by radiotherapy providers in LMI countries |
| Impact | We are now having our 3rd workshop in Botswana. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Title | Compact Linac |
| Description | Medical linac with 90%+ capture efficiency |
| IP Reference | JRP/NPT/P216545GB00 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | We are in the process of developing a licencing agreement wiith ICEC |
| Description | Botswana Radiotherapy worshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Was part of the planning group for an STFC worhop on radiotherapy in Botswana focussed on addressing the issues of providing radiotherapy in LMIC. the workshop was mostly attended by oncologists and radiologists from Africa |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | IMAEGMOOH |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I participated in the STFC sponsored I'm an engineer get me out of here competition, where I did live webchats with several schools all over the UK answering questions over a two week period. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://energym19.imanengineer.org.uk/ |