Academic Training Lecture Regular Programme: Particle Therapy

Particle Therapy using Proton and Ion Beams - From Basic Principles to Daily Operations and Future Concepts

by Andreas Peter (Head of Accelerator Operations, Heidelberg Ion Beam Theraps Centre (HIT), Germany)

Part I: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 from 11:00 to 12:00 (Europe/Zurich)
at CERN ( 222-R-001 - Filtration Plant )
• An introduction about the historical developments of accelerators and their use for medical applications: tumour treatment from X-rays to particle therapy
• Description of the underlying physics and biology of particle therapy; implications on the requirements for the needed beam parameters (energy, intensity, focus, beam structure)
• Accelerator technology used for particle therapy so far: cyclotrons and synchrotrons
• Particle therapy facilities worldwide: an overview and some examples in detail: PSI/Switzerland, Loma Linda/USA, HIMAC/Japan, HIT/Heidelberg, CNAO/Italy

Part II: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 from 11:00 to 12:00 (Europe/Zurich)
at CERN ( 222-R-001 - Filtration Plant )
• A proton and ion beam facility in detail: ion sources, linear pre-accelerator, synchrotron and transfer lines
• Aspects of a control system and the linked diagnostic equipment for beam tuning and daily quality checks
• Movable transfer lines: Gantry concepts and realizations for proton and ion beams

Part III: Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 11:00 to 12:00 (Europe/Zurich)
at CERN ( 222-R-001 - Filtration Plant )
• Daily operations of a particle therapy centre: Experiences from the first five years at HIT in Heidelberg, from commissioning to the treatment of the first 1000 patients so far
• Future enhancements for synchrotron-driven particle therapy facilities: Magnetic field control and feedback, dynamic spill shaping and multi-energy operation within one synchrotron cycle
• Outlook to new accelerator concepts proposed for particle therapy: FFAGs, laser plasma accelerators, dielectric wall accelerators and others