Programmable Particle Scatterer For Radiation Therapy Beam Formation

Abstract

Interposing a programmable path length of one or more materials into a particle beam modulates scattering angle and beam range in a predetermined manner to create a predetermined spread out Bragg peak at a predetermined range. Materials can be “low Z” and “high Z” materials that include fluids. A “high Z” and, independently, a “low Z” reservoir, arranged in series, can be used.

1 . A charged particle beam scatterer/range modulator comprising:
 a fluid reservoir having opposing walls in a particle beam path;   a drive to adjust the distance between the walls of the fluid reservoir; and   a programmable controller for the drive to adjust the distance between the walls of the reservoir during exposure of a target to the beam.   
     
     
         2 - 32 . (canceled)