Note that the releases are accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.
Single nozzle for three types of beam irradiation lightens burden on patients
The nozzle's high-speed scanning electromagnet, previously used only for scanning, now can be used for broad-beam as well as layer-stacking irradiation. Scanning speed has been increased by a factor of five, from 20 mm to 100 mm per millisecond, compared to the conventional speed. The nozzle can provide arbitrary beam scanning according to the tumor's shape without having to widen the beam, thereby minimizing the dose blocked by the multi-leaf collimator (MLC). As a result, a particle therapy system integrated with the nozzle can irradiate a beam with a higher dose for greater efficiency, reducing irradiation time to as short as approximately 1/3 that of a conventional system.
Conventionally, the high-speed scanning magnet has been used to create an illumination field by scanning a pencil beam over the tumor shape without using a MLC. Mitsubishi Electric's new multi-function nozzle makes it possible to use a MLC for scanning to outline the irradiation field more distinctly. As a result, the nozzle can achieve accurate beam irradiation for complicated shapes near vital organs.
Currently, 13 medical institutions in Japan are utilizing particle therapy systems for treatment and clinical research. Mitsubishi Electric has supplied such systems to eight of these facilities, and they have been used to treat some 20,000 people. The medical facilities have requested Mitsubishi Electric's assistance in helping to realize faster and more effective treatments, as well as the ability to switch irradiation method flexibly depending on tumor shapes or locations. In response, the company has now developed its new multi-function irradiation nozzle.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
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