U.S. patent application number 15/705992 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-14 for reducing absorption of radiation by healthy cells from an external radiation source.
This patent application is currently assigned to HJ Laboratories, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is HJ Laboratories, LLC. Invention is credited to Jaron Jurikson-Rhodes, Harry Vartanian.
Application Number | 20180161597 15/705992 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45933334 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180161597 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vartanian; Harry ; et
al. |
June 14, 2018 |
REDUCING ABSORPTION OF RADIATION BY HEALTHY CELLS FROM AN EXTERNAL
RADIATION SOURCE
Abstract
A semi-flexible rod may have a rounded tip having exposed metal
conductor elements that produce an adaptive electrical field or an
adaptive magnetic field. The adaptive electrical field or the
adaptive magnetic field may be adjusted in order to capture a stray
x-ray photon near an in-vivo target area of cancer cells.
Inventors: |
Vartanian; Harry;
(Philadelphia, PA) ; Jurikson-Rhodes; Jaron;
(Philadelphia, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HJ Laboratories, LLC |
Bryn Mawr |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HJ Laboratories, LLC
Bryn Mawr
PA
|
Family ID: |
45933334 |
Appl. No.: |
15/705992 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13337595 |
Dec 27, 2011 |
9764160 |
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15705992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N 2005/1094 20130101;
A61N 5/1042 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61N 5/10 20060101
A61N005/10 |
Claims
1. A method performed by a semi-flexible rod, the method
comprising: providing, by a substantially round tip having metal
conductor elements in a fractal pattern, an adaptive electrical
field or an adaptive magnetic field; adjusting, based on a control
signal by a controller electrically coupled to the elements, energy
of the adaptive electrical field or the adaptive magnetic field;
and attracting, based on the adjustment of the energy, a stray
x-ray photon near an in-vivo target area of cancer cells.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/337,595, filed Dec. 27, 2011, which is
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This application is related to an apparatus and method for
reducing absorption of radiation by healthy cells from an external
radiation source provided to a living organism by using a smart or
adaptive medical device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Treatment of diseases, such as cancer, and cells using
radiation therapy, radiotherapy, radiosurgery, or radiation
oncology has improved over the last few decades. Doctors can treat
problem areas in patients, or any living organism, using proton,
heavy ion, charged ion, photon, x-ray, or gamma ray radiation
therapy with relative precision and accuracy. In some cases,
radiation therapy is preferred over chemotherapy or surgery as a
non-invasive lower risk treatment. Even with advances in medicine,
radiation treatments still present high risks to patients by
potentially damaging healthy cells or not killing enough diseased
cells.
[0004] Healthy cells may be damaged during radiation therapy due to
uncertainty relating to beam widths, beam scattering, the true
internal position of the target, real time internal movement,
patient movement, patient breathing, limits of medical imaging
technologies, human error, or machine targeting uncertainty. This
may result in overtreating or undertreating a target area.
Moreover, the treatment costs for radiation therapy can accumulate
due to the number of sessions, equipment expenses, repeated medical
imaging tests, or labor costs.
[0005] The use of micro-medical devices, either implantable or
provided externally, is a quick growing field in medicine. With
continued miniaturization and advances in nanotechnology, some
medical systems now have the added advantage of having tools or
machines work in vivo providing practitioners with another
dimension of treatment.
[0006] It is desirable to reduce damage or exposure to healthy
cells from an external radiation source while effectively treating
more cells in a target area of a living organism.
SUMMARY
[0007] An apparatus and method for reducing absorption of radiation
by healthy cells from an external radiation source provided to a
living organism is disclosed. A smart device or apparatus with a
smart antenna implanted near a target area in the living organism
or provided externally proximate to the target area is provided to
absorb any excess radiation. With the decrease of radiation or
protection of healthy cells, higher radiation to the target area or
diseased cells may be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A more detailed understanding may be had from the following
description, given by way of example in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an apparatus and system for reducing
damage or exposure to healthy cells from an external radiation
source;
[0010] FIGS. 2a-2c are diagrams of probe, electrode, rod, or
catheter implantation devices for reducing damage or exposure to
healthy cells from an external radiation source;
[0011] FIG. 2d is a diagram of an external device used for reducing
damage or exposure to healthy cells from an external radiation
source;
[0012] FIGS. 3a-3d are diagrams of probes, electrodes, rods,
catheters, or implantation devices for reducing damage or exposure
to healthy cells from an external radiation source;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a radiation system device;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a smart antenna device for reducing
damage or exposure to healthy cells from an external radiation
source; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a process for reducing damage or exposure to
healthy cells from an external radiation source.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present embodiments will be described with reference to
the drawing figures wherein like numerals represent like elements
throughout. For the methods and processes described below, steps
recited may be performed out of sequence in any order and sub-steps
not explicitly described or shown may be performed. In addition,
"coupled" or "operatively coupled" may mean that objects are linked
between zero or more intermediate objects. Also, any combination of
the disclosed features/elements may be used in one or more
embodiments. When referring to "A or B", it may include A, B, or A
and B, which may be extended similarly to longer lists. In the
diagrams and figures forthcoming, in order to provide easier
illustrations, the components, devices, apparatuses, or blocks
shown are not drawn to scale. Different power or energy levels may
be given in the embodiments below. However, the present embodiments
may be configured to use any energy or power levels sufficient
enough to achieve the therapeutic goals to a target area.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an apparatus and system 100 for
reducing damage or exposure to healthy cells from an external
radiation source. As previously mentioned, the components in FIG. 1
are not drawn to scale. Radiation system 102 is a device that
provides a radiation beam 104 to treatment or target area 106
internal or external to patient 108 on treatment table 110.
Radiation system 102 may be a proton therapy, proton beam therapy,
particle therapy, hadron therapy, heavy ion radiation therapy,
charged ion therapy, electron therapy, photon therapy, x-ray
therapy, gamma ray therapy, gamma knife therapy, cyber knife
therapy, radio frequency therapy, radiosurgery, thermal ablation
therapy, acoustic therapy, ultrasonic therapy, laser therapy, or
radio frequency ablation therapy system. Although a single
radiation beam 104 is shown, radiation system 102 may be configured
to emit radiation beams from multiple sources and multiple
directions to treat target area 106.
[0018] Radiation system 102 may be configured to provide treatment
or operate by changing or damaging deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
synthesis in the cells of target area 106. On a molecular level,
this change or damage may be related to causing the break of
chemical bonds in the cells in target area 106. The damage in the
DNA structure or sequence weakens the cell and typically leads to
cell death. Cell death is sometimes called apoptosis, also known as
programmed cell death or self destruction. The radiation from
radiation system 102 may also weaken the cells in target area 106
to a point that they will have reproductive problems or the cells
will be unable to repair it's DNA. If the cells die, an area of
dead tissue may form in target area 106 or white blood cells may
take care of replacing the area with healthy cells. With respect to
changing DNA of a cell, this may be desired for a cell that is
mostly healthy but needs altering.
[0019] For a cancerous cell, triggering the cell death sequence is
desired since most cancerous cells have mutations in DNA that evade
apoptosis or other death sequences. Evasion is a result of cancers
genes, or oncogenes, suppressing apoptosis mechanisms. In addition
to apoptosis, cancer cells contain other mechanisms and
characteristics, such as metastasis, that cause fast growth of a
tumor, lesion, or any other mass.
[0020] With respect to proton therapy, proton beam therapy,
particle radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, hydrogen protons are
accelerated, typically by a cyclotron or any other particle
accelerator, by radiation system 102 creating radiation beam 104.
The resolution of beam 104, such as a pencil beam, may be on the
order of centimeters (cms) or millimeter (mms). A benefit of proton
therapy over other radiation therapies is that the maximum
delivered energy or power occurs millimeters or centimeters within
a patient or living organism causing little or no damage to cells,
bone, or tissue at entry point 107. This maximum energy is also
known as the Bragg peak. The maximum delivered energy in proton
therapy may be on the order of 10 s or 100 s of mega electron volts
(MeVs).
[0021] Another benefit of proton beam therapy is low exit beam
exposure since after the Bragg peak, the energy level drops for
many particles. The exit beam is in reference to radiation that
goes through patient 108 after treating target area 106. Examples
of proton or proton beam therapy include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,866,912,
6,814,694 , 6,873,123, 7,348,579, 7,755,068, 7,791,051, 7,801,988,
and 8,067,748 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/127,443 all
herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
[0022] Although proton therapy is relatively accurate and precise,
many healthy cells around target area 106, such as the prostate,
may be damaged, killed, or mutated by radiation beam 104 since
human cells are only on the scale of micrometers (.mu.ms) while
radiation beams may be order of magnitudes larger. Moreover, there
is uncertainty to where radiation beam 104 stops with proton
therapy. Using radiation reduction explained below will protect or
ensure against unintentional damage to healthy tissue caused by
inaccuracies of beam end points in proton and other therapies.
[0023] Heavy ions beams provided by radiation system 102 may
operate similarly to proton therapies except that carbon or some
other ions may be used. Unlike proton therapy, carbon ions may not
have a Bragg peak drop off causing exit beam radiation exposure to
healthy cells or tissue. However, other ions may be used with
similar profiles of hydrogen protons by radiation system 102. An
advantage of heavy ion therapy over proton therapy is the ability
to provide higher dosages ensuring damage to diseased, cancer, or
tumor cells. In addition to some of the references provided above
for proton therapy that also describe heavy ion therapy, examples
of heavy ion therapies include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,693,283, 7,138,771,
8,030,627, and 8,076,657 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos.
2010/187,446 all herein incorporated by reference as if fully set
forth.
[0024] Unlike particle therapy photon, x-ray, or gamma ray
therapies provided by radiation system 102 to target area 106 use
electromagnetic radiation. The photon, x-ray, or gamma ray
radiation may use two dimensional (2D) or three dimensional (3D)
beam sources to treat target area 106. The beams may or may not be
modulated. Power levels of these beams may be on the order of
kilovolts 100's of (kVs) or 10's of megavolts (MVs). Examples of
photon therapies include U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,559,945, 7,835,492, and
7,902,530 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2009/063,110,
2010/074,400, 2010/272,241, 2011/085,640, and 2011/240,874. Unlike
particle or proton therapies, photon beams provided by radiation
system 102 may damage healthy cells, tissue, or bones on entry and
exit of radiation beam 104.
[0025] Moreover, radio frequency, thermal ablation, acoustic,
ultrasonic, laser, or radio frequency ablation therapies provided
by radiation system 102 may use electromagnetic radiation, such as
microwave, to heat up target area 106. Unlike previously explained
therapies, radiation system 102 may be configured to provide
exposure to target area 106 in vivo using a probe (not shown) for
radio frequency, thermal ablation, acoustic, ultrasonic, laser, or
radio frequency ablation therapies. Examples of these therapies
include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,322,560, 6,936,046, 7,419,500, 7,792,566
and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006/280,689, 2008/082,026,
2009/294,300, 2009/306,654, 2010/125,225, 2010/179,522,
2010/298,821, 2011/125,143, 2011/166,437, and 2011/306,881. Unlike
particle or proton therapies, these treatments provided by
radiation system 102 may damage healthy cells, tissue, or bones on
entry and exit of radiation beam 104.
[0026] Target area 106 may include diseased cells, viral cells,
infected cells, cancer cells, healthy cells, normal cells, abnormal
cells, infected tissue, normal tissue, abnormal tissue, deep
tissue, a benign tumor, a malignant tumor, a cancerous tumor,
neoplasm, cyst, or a lesion. Target area 106 may be internal,
partially internal, external, or partially external to patient 108.
Although shown in the chest area of patient 108, target area 106
may be located anywhere in patient 108 such as the head, brain,
spine, neck, any organ, bones, limbs, breasts, reproductive areas,
hands, feet, etc. Target area 106 may also be of any size. For
instance, a tumor may be 1 cm-10 cm.
[0027] Flexible or semi-flexible probe, electrode, rod, or catheter
devices 114.sub.1 and 114.sub.2 having devices 112.sub.1 and
112.sub.2 may be implanted directly into patient 108 through points
118.sub.1 and 118.sub.2, respectively. Devices 114.sub.1 and
114.sub.2 may also be rigid or semi-rigid. Alternatively, devices
114.sub.1 and 114.sub.2 may be thin surgical needles or biopsy
needles used to implant or inject devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2.
Devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 may be implanted temporarily during
a pre-radiation outpatient procedure or during the first radiation
treatment. Devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 may be left in the body
for the days or weeks needed for the radiation treatment.
[0028] Before each subsequent treatment, devices 114.sub.1 and
114.sub.2 may be repositioned in order to ensure proper radiation
absorption around target area 106 by devices 112.sub.1 and
112.sub.2. Moreover, local anesthesia may be used at points
118.sub.1 and 118.sub.2 of patient 108 during implantation.
Implantation may be assisted by ultrasound, functional magnetic
resonance imaging (FMRI), computed tomography (CT) scan, computed
axial tomography (CAT) scan, positron emission tomography (PET)
scan, or any other medical imaging technologies to ensure proper
placement near target area 106. Devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 are
eventually removed using a similar medical procedure used for
implantation.
[0029] General anesthesia or sedation of patient 108 may be used
during implantation. Points 118.sub.1 or 118.sub.2 may be veins or
arteries used to access target area 106 in order to not cause
damage to organs or tissues while implanting device 112.sub.1 and
112.sub.2. In addition, devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 may be
implanted via the nose, mouth, or anus cavity of patient 108.
Devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 may be placed proximate, adjacent,
next to, or within target area 106. With some tumors or diseased
cell areas care should be taken when positioning devices 112.sub.1
and 112.sub.2 to not disturb and spread the cells to other areas
around target area 106. Moreover, devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2
may be provided in any shape suitable for implantation.
[0030] In the case of ion particle radiation, device 112.sub.1 is
configured to reduce, mitigate, or absorb radiation power of
healthy cells around, near, at a close distance, proximate,
adjacent, or within target area 106 from radiation system 102 by
using smart antennas, an adaptive antenna, an adaptive antenna
array, a phased antenna array, sectored antennas, a switched
antenna array, a switched phased conducting array, beamforming,
beamsteering, beam shaping, or multiple antennas. A smart antenna
array on device 112.sub.1 dynamically generates or produces receive
beams to capture, disperse, nullify, harvest, or collect excess
scattered particles, scattered molecules, excess ions, excess
charge, excess energy, partial excess energy, near-field energy,
rogue particles, free radicals, stray particles, misguided
particles, off target particles, electromagnetic radiation, or
residual radiation caused by radiation beam 104. The smart antenna
array may include capacitive, inductive, magnetic device elements
or fields for capturing excess protons or electromagnetic radiation
power, as will be explained further below. The capturing may be
done in part or substantially to reduce radiation levels enough to
where chemical bonds are kept in tact in cells around target area
106 keeping them unharmed.
[0031] FIG. 3d is an implantable smart antenna array 333 that may
be used on device 1121. Excess particles or radiation energy may be
captured or received by adaptive receive beam 330 generated by
antennas 334. Although receive beam 330 is shown from a two
dimensional (2D) side view in FIG. 3d, the lobe expands and exists
in three dimensions (3D). Adaptive receive beam 330 may be
generated by controlling or varying amplitude and phase weights 335
such that energy or particles 332 in the direction of beam 330 are
mostly captured while energy or particles outside of the area of
receive beam 330 are minimally disturbed. Weights 335 may also be
configured as a mixer used to tune into different frequencies in
order to capture maximum scattered energies. Weights 335 may be
software programmable or hardware configurable by control signal
336. The received energy by antennas 334 is summed by summer 338
based the different values of phase and weights 335 and outputted
as current or signal 340.
[0032] The captured radiation energy or power of smart antenna
array 333 is roughly given by equation 1:
P.sub.captured=S*A.sub.e (WATTS)
where S is the power density (W/m.sup.2) of energy or particles 332
and A.sub.e (m.sup.2) is the antenna effective aperture. The
ability to capture energy by smart antenna array 333 is greatest
when the effective aperture value is large. This is the case when
using low resistance and highly conductive materials.
Directionality of adaptive receive beam 330 increases receive gain
and a higher aperture value resulting in a higher
P.sub.captured.
[0033] Smart antenna array 333 may be implemented as multiple
pronged elements, a spherical antenna, a curved antenna, a crescent
shaped antenna, a satellite shaped antenna, a directional antenna,
programmable fractal elements, a patch antenna array, or a
nanoantenna array. Moreover, smart antenna array 333 may be a
printed antenna array of medically safe implantable metals,
electromagnets, nanomagnets, minimagnets, nanoreceptors, or
nanoparticles. An example of a safe implantable metal may be gold.
Examples of nanomagnets are given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,786 herein
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. Smart antenna
array 333 may produce beams of different sizes and shapes depending
on the radiation therapy system and treatment.
[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1, devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2
are controlled by one or more controller device 126 in radiation
reduction device 116. Coupled to one or controller device 126 via
bus or interconnectors 125 are one or more sensors 124, one or more
processors 128, one or more memory devices 130, one or more network
adapters 132, and power source 134. Radiation reduction device 116
may have other components or subcomponents not shown in FIG. 1 or
may be configured without one or more of the components shown in
FIG. 1.
[0035] One or more network adapters 132 may be configured as an
Ethernet, 802.x, fiber optic, Frequency Division Multiple Access
(FDMA), single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), Time Division Multiple
Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Orthogonal
Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Orthogonal
Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Global System for
Mobile (GSM) communications, Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), IS-856,
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio
Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS),
cdma2000, wideband CDMA (W-CDMA), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access
(HSDPA), High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), High-Speed Packet
Access (HSPA), Evolved HSPA (HSPA+), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE
Advanced (LTE-A), 802.11x, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Ultra-WideBand (UWB),
802.16x, 802.15, Wi-Max, mobile Wi-Max, Bluetooth, radio frequency
identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), near-field
communications (NFC), or any other wireless or wired transceiver
for modulating and demodulating signals.
[0036] One or more sensors 124 may be motion, proximity, light,
optical, chemical, environmental, moisture, acoustic, heat,
temperature, radio frequency identification (RFID), biometric,
image, photo, or voice recognition sensors. One or more sensors 124
may also be an accelerometer, an electronic compass (e-compass),
gyroscope, a 3D gyroscope, or the like. Moreover, one or more
controllers 126 may include a display controller for controlling a
display device, a touch screen display device, a multi-touch
display device, or a three dimensional (3D) display device.
[0037] One or more network adapters 132 may communicate via wired
or wireless link 120 with radiation system 102 to provide feedback,
beamforming information, calibration, targeting assistance, or
coordination in conjunction with device 112.sub.1. For instance,
smart beams produced by device 112.sub.1 may be timed to be
synchronized with the expected maximum proton energy time at target
area 106. This may insure that any fields generated by device
112.sub.1 do not distract or interfere with the path of radiation
beam 104. Radiation system 102 may also provide feedback on the
beamforming pattern of device 112.sub.1. This may be based on
real-time medical imaging feedback obtained by radiation system
102. In addition, link 120 may be used to configure or calibrate
radiation system 102 or assist radiation system 120 with adjusting
radiation given to target area 106.
[0038] In the case of photon radiation provided by radiation system
102, device 112.sub.2 may be configured with one or more miniature
photo diodes, photo detectors, or photo sinks. This configuration
will be explained in more detail below. Alternatively, device
112.sub.2 may be configured similar to device 112.sub.1 for
providing radiation absorption from another angle or position
relative to target area 106. Providing coverage from multiple
points around target area 106 may be increased by using a plurality
of devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2.
[0039] In addition, devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 may be
configured to be implanted with devices 114.sub.1 and 114.sub.2
being detached after implantation as shown in FIG. 3c. Device 315
comprises one or more controller devices 320 coupled to, via bus or
interconnectors 317, one or more sensors 318, one or more
processors 324, one or more memory devices 326, one or more network
adapters 322, and power storage 328. Device 315 may have other
components or subcomponents not shown in FIG. 3c or may be
configured without one or more of the components shown in FIG. 3c.
One or more network adapters 322 or one or more sensors 318 may be
configured as described above for radiation reduction device 116.
Device 315 may be configured to activate or energize, similar to a
radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, by using the
electromagnetic near-field energy around target area 106 using one
or more collector devices 316. One or more collector devices 316
may act as an energy source for device 315 and be configured with
smart antennas to generate receive beams to collect excess energy
from radiation system 102 as previously explained. The smart
antenna beamforming information may be preprogrammed on device 315
or dynamically programmed using an RFID programmer or writer.
Moreover, tissue safe barbs or fasteners may be used to keep device
315 proximate to target area 106.
[0040] Referring again to FIG. 1, for some treatments flexible or
semi-flexible probe, or electrode device 122 with radiation
reduction device 123 may be used. Radiation reduction device 123
may be a patch that attaches externally to patient 108 that is
configured similar to devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 explained
above with smart antennas or conductors. Device 123 may be useful
when target area 106 is near the epidermal or dermis layers of
patient 108. Since placed externally, although device 123 may not
prevent exit beam radiation exposure, it is less invasive than
implanting devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2.
[0041] FIG. 2d is a diagram of an external device 214 used for
reducing damage or exposure to healthy cells from an external
radiation source. External device 214 may be attached to patient
108's skin. Adaptive fields, electric or magnetic, emitted by
phased array devices 216 are used to guide or absorb ions, such as
protons, from radiation beam 104 for target area 106 through hole
or pin hole 218. Control of external device 214 may be provided by
wire, line, or cable 220. External device 214 helps to ensure that
radiation beam 104 does not miss target area 106 by guiding ions
through hole or pin hole 218 by emitting an adaptive field by
phased array devices 216. If an ion is off target, such as due to
patient 108 movement or target modeling errors, it is absorbed by
phased array devices 216 as explained below and prevented from
damaging any healthy tissue by the entry or exit of radiation beam
104.
[0042] FIGS. 2a-2c are diagrams of probes, electrodes, rods, and
catheter implantation devices for reducing damage or exposure to
healthy cells from an external radiation source. In FIG. 2a, device
200 may be flexible, semi-flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid and
includes protective sheath or outer layer 201. Device 206 may
include of one or more antenna or exposed conductor elements that
have controllable receive beams. Exposed conductor elements may be
coated or sealed with a conducting polymer or material to protect
metal, such as gold, silver, or copper, used to make the conductor
elements in device 206 against contaminating target area 106 or
tissue around target area 106. One or more lead lines, cables, or
wires 204.sub.1 and 204.sub.2 are coupled to one end of device 206
to provide control signals to device 206 from one or controller
device 126. One or more lead lines, cables, or wires 202.sub.1 and
202.sub.2 are coupled to the other end of device 206 for providing
a drain or sink for the excess radiation power captured device 206
to one or controller device 126. Alternatively, the functionality
and purpose of one or more lead lines, cables, or wires 204.sub.1
and 204.sub.2 may be switched with one or more lead lines, cables,
or wires 202.sub.1 and 202.sub.2.
[0043] In one embodiment, device 206 may provide a current or
voltage for attracting excess scattered particles, scattered
molecules, excess ions, excess charge, excess energy, partial
excess energy, near field energy, rogue particles, stray particles,
misguided particles, off target particles, or residual radiation
caused by radiation beam 104 to tissue around target area 106.
Attraction may be caused by controllable net negative or net
positive currents or voltages provided by one or more lead lines,
cables, or wires 204.sub.1 and 204.sub.2 to generate controllable
magnetic or electric fields. When ionizing radiation beam 104 is
positive, a net negative current or voltage source may be used to
provide a force to attract stray or excess proton radiation. The
power level of the net negative current or voltage may depend on
the positive charge level of the protons.
[0044] Conversely, when the ionizing radiation beam 104 is
negative, a net positive current or voltage source may be used to
provide a force to attract stray or excess electron radiation. The
power level of the net positive current or voltage may depend on
the negative charge level of the electrons. The net positive or
negative currents may be provided on a modulated or sinusoidal
signal to device 206 by one or more lead lines, cables, or wires
204.sub.1 and 204.sub.2. The frequency of the modulated or
sinusoidal signals may be related to that of radiation beam 104. In
addition, the net positive or negative currents may be direct or
alternating currents and modulated such that it provides adaptive
magnetic fields to capture excess radiation. The antenna array may
be an array of coils that are phase controlled to provide adaptive
magnetic fields. For using electric fields, device 206 may be
configured as an array of minicapacitors or nanocapacitors that
provide Coulomb forces to capture or slow down stray particles from
radiation beam 104.
[0045] Moreover, net magnetic fields or electromagnetic fields
provided and made directional using smart antenna receive
beamforming by device 206 may be used for energy transfer from
stray particles. These fields may be adjustable or adaptive by
providing control signals to device 206 via one or more lead lines,
cables, or wires 204.sub.1 and 204.sub.2 to provide different
Lorentz forces. Moreover, an array of magnets, nanomagnets, or
electromagnets in device 206 in combination with a smart antenna
array may be used to generate an adaptive magnetic field pattern
for capturing stray ions. Antenna elements or portions 205 and 207
may be used with device 206 to adjust electric or magnetic fields.
In the examples above, when an attracted ion, such as a proton,
hits conductor elements in device 206 current, heat, or light is
generated due to the energy transfer and/or chemical bonding of the
ions to the conductor elements. For instance, a hydrogen proton may
bond to an electron in the conductor elements of device 206.
[0046] In addition to absorption, magnetic or electric fields
adaptively provided by device 206 may slow down, catch, or deflect
a stray ion or proton by absorbing some of its energy without
removing the particle. By slowing down the particle, enough energy
may be absorbed where the ion no longer can cause damage to cells
around target area 106. For instance, if a proton with energy in
radiation beam 104 is slowed from 200 MeV to 10 MeV damage to
healthy cells may be prevented. The particle or proton may then
harmlessly bond with a cell in patient 108.
[0047] With respect to deflection, device 206 may use magnetic
fields similar to those used in radiation system 102 for deflecting
stray ions or protons back to target area 106 and away from health
tissue around target area 106. This may be done such that the
energy level of the ions or protons is maintained thereby still
treating diseased cells within target 106.
[0048] For device 112.sub.2, device 206 may be configured with
photo diodes, photo detectors, or photo sinks to capture any excess
or stray photons from damaging any healthy tissue around target
area 106 or causing exit beam damage. When an x-ray or gamma ray
hits the photo diodes, photo detectors, or photo sinks, a current
is generated during the energy transfer. With device 206 having
smart antenna systems, the photo diodes are provided directionality
and focus such that they do not interrupt photons that are needed
to treat target area 206.
[0049] In addition, devices 112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 may be combined
so that any stray photons caused by proton scattering are captured
before exposure to healthy cells. The beam generated by devices
112.sub.1 and 112.sub.2 may be coordinated by one or more
controller device 126 for this and other configurations.
[0050] In FIG. 2b, device 209.sub.1 may be used with probe,
electrode, rod, or catheter implantation device 208 for absorbing
any excess radiation on entry of radiation beam 104 by using smart
antenna receive beamforming. The adaptive receive beams for device
209.sub.1 may be provided by one or more lead lines or wires
209.sub.2. Device 208 may be placed at selective gaps or openings
along the radiation beam 104 path depending on the configuration of
radiation system 102 and position of target area 106. Via link 120,
the adaptive beam pattern provide by device 2091 may be timed such
that it is activated slightly after particles in radiation beam 104
have passed on the way to target area 106. This may prevent any
disruption to radiation beam 104 while providing the benefits of
absorbing any excess radiation, as explained in part above.
[0051] FIG. 2c shows a different configuration where device 206 is
implanted by probe, electrode, rod, or catheter implantation device
212. Tip or point 210 encapsulates device 206 with smart antenna
array 211 in an elongated, capsule like structure.
[0052] FIGS. 3a and 3b show interior views of probe, electrode,
rod, or catheter implantation devices. In FIG. 3a, device 300
comprises of lead lines or wires 302 or 304, signaling line 306,
and fiber optic camera device 308. Fiber optic camera device 308
may be used to assist the physician or surgeon during implantation
and repositioning of devices 206, 208, or 210.
[0053] In FIG. 3b, a layer of electroactive polymer (EAP) material
315 may be placed between safety layer or lining 312 and interior
layer or lining 314 of probe, electrode, rod, or catheter
implantation device 310. EAPs are polymers that exhibit a change in
size or shape when stimulated by an electric field. The size and
shape can be controlled such that device 310 can moves within
patient 108. One or more controllers 126 may control the initial
placement and possible subsequent movement of devices 112.sub.1 and
112.sub.2.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a diagram of radiation system device 400 that may
be used for the examples provided above. Radiation source 402 is
coupled via bus or network 401 to beam guidance system 404, one or
more controller devices 406, imaging system 408, one or more
sensors 410, one or more network adapters 412, one or more
processors 414, one or more memory devices 416, and power source
418. Device 400 may have other components or subcomponents not
shown in FIG. 4 or may be configured without one or more of the
components shown in FIG. 4. One or more network adapters 412 or one
or more sensors 410 may be configured as described above for
radiation reduction device 116.
[0055] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a device 504 for reducing damage or
exposure to healthy cells from an external radiation source. As
previously noted, the components shown in FIG. 5 are not drawn to
scale. Device 504 is placed near target area 502. In the example
shown in FIG. 5, smart antenna array 505 generates adaptive receive
beams 506.sub.1-506.sub.5 via control signals sent over line or
wire 508 by one or more controllers 126. The adaptive receive beams
shown in FIG. 5 may be generated by adaptive voltage sources,
current sources, magnetic fields, or electric fields as explained
above. Beams 506.sub.1 and 506.sub.2 may protect healthy cells
lateral to target area 502 by absorbing excess radiation power from
radiation beam 104, as explained above. Similarly, beams 506.sub.3
and 506.sub.4 may protect healthy cells on the top or bottom of
target area 502. Beam 506.sub.5 may protect healthy cells located
behind target area 502. An example of a protected area is area
509.
[0056] In order to protect healthy cells from other angles, a
second device 510, configured similar to device 504, may be placed
near target area 502. The beam generated by devices 504 and 510 are
coordinated by one or more controllers 126. Although device 504 is
drawn to be substantially planar, it may be in any shape suitable
for implantation. Example shapes include, spherical, cylindrical,
capsule shaped, cubical, an elongated sphere, etc.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a process 600 for reducing damage or exposure to
healthy cells from an external radiation source. Adaptive receive
beams on an implanted device having a smart antenna array are
initialized in part depending on the 3D modeling of a target area
(602). The adaptive receive beams may be generated by adaptive
voltage sources, current sources, magnetic fields, or electric
fields as explained above. A radiation system provides a radiation
beam to the target area (604). The impact area of the radiation
beam is determined in part based on medical imaging or information
collected by the implanted device (606). An external medical
imaging system may also assist in determining the impact area of
the radiation beam. If the radiation beam was off target, the
receive beams are adjusted (610) on the smart antenna array.
Subsequently, the radiation beam of the radiation is adjusted
(612). If the radiation beam was accurate, the radiation system may
increase or decrease the power level of the current or next
radiation beam (608).
[0058] In the examples provided above, since tissue around target
area 106 may be protected, such as from overshooting target area
106, higher power ions or photons may be used by radiation beam
104. The higher power or dosages may help to treat target area 106
quicker and more efficiently. This may result in lower costs due to
less treatment time length per patient and less number of repeat
visits per patient while increasing treatment success rates. In
addition, for very sensitive areas like the brain or eyes, less
damage is caused to organs surrounding target area 106. As an
example, treatment of the brain may result in less memory loss for
patient 108. Also, areas that may otherwise not be treatable due to
vital organs surrounding target area 106, such as the pancreas, may
now be treatable using the embodiments given above.
[0059] Moreover, reduction of radiation exposure due to patient
movement is desirable since patient movement can move target area
106 0.5 cm-2 cm, causing offshoots when proton beam sizes are on
the order of millimeters. This is especially important for
pediatric oncology where a young patient needs to be sedated in
order to stay still. With the embodiments above, sedation of young
patients may not be necessary. In addition, certain pediatric
tumors that were untreatable due to the possible threat of
radiation exposure to still developing or growing organs may be
feasible with the embodiments given above.
[0060] With respect to cosmetic or therapeutic treatments, the
radiation reduction system provided above may be used to treat
surface cells, epidermal cells, or modify nerves in patient 108.
This may be useful for neurosurgical, orthopedic, or other similar
procedures.
[0061] Although features and elements are described above in
particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any
combination with the other features and elements. In addition, the
methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program,
software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium
for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of
computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted
over wired or wireless connections) and computer-readable storage
media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are
not limited to, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory
(RAM), flash memory, a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory
devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable
disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM
disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs).
* * * * *