SBIR-STTR Award

The long-range goal of this program is the development and commercialization of proton accelerators suitable for radiation therapy of cancer in hospital or clinical settings. For this purpose the accelerator should have an energy up to 250 Mev, and must be simple, reliable, and inexpensive compared to existing accelerators for physics applications. In addition, with sufficient innovation, it could have beam characteristics which would greatly enhance and simplify its use for therapy application.Conceptual ideas exist for accelerators with these characteristics and with an estimated construction cost of $1M to $1.5M. The Phase I study, carried out by experienced accelerator physicists and engineers, would demonstrate the feasibility of the present conceptual ideas and develop a reliable cost estimate for the medical accelerator. These results would be the basis for attracting capital to produce a prototype accelerator and 2 or 3 units intended for clinical studies in hospitals (such interest exists at present). A Phase II grant request will be submitted to install, commission, and develop the capability of the prototype accelerator, and to transfer the development results to the clinical units. Phase III, supported privately, would make available commercial units.National Cancer Institute (NCI)

The long-range goal of this program is the development and commercialization of proton accelerators suitable for radiation therapy of cancer in hospital or clinical settings. These can provide beams of protons up to 60 nA at 250 MeV in a smaller version of the accelerator. A larger version will produce helium ions to 250 MeV/(, or with lower magnetic field, 250 MeV protons from H- acceleration and charge-exchange extraction for precision current control. The latter could make possible the use of raster scanning beams of protons for delivery to the patient, reducing the size and cost of the gantry and significantly improving radiation treatment.The Phase I effort completed the conceptual design and cost estimate for these accelerators. The Phase II program will construct models of the magnets designed, assemble them in a section of a ring, and conduct a series of experimental demonstrations with an H- beam injected from a 300 KeV preaccelerator, including simulated charge-exchange extraction with feedback current control.These Phase II efforts will demonstrate the commercial feasibility of the design concepts. Phase III will make commercial units available.National Cancer Institute (NCI)