arXiv subjects

Jacinta Yap

Publications and source records attributed to Jacinta Yap.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Toward Ultra-fast Treatments: Large Energy Acceptance Beam Delivery Systems and Opportunities for Proton Beam Therapy

Treatment delivery is largely determined by capabilities of the beam delivery system (BDS), where faster delivery can have many potential benefits including improved dosimetric quality, utility, cost effectiveness, patient throughput and comfort. Despite significant developments in accelerators, delivery methodologies, dose optimisation and more, the energy layer switching time (ELST) is still a persisting limitation in existing BDS. The ELST can contribute significantly to beam delivery time (BDT) and extend treatment times, requiring compensation by optimisation planning approaches, motion mitigation strategies, or active beam modification. This fundamental constraint can be addressed by increasing the narrow energy acceptance range of conventional beamlines to minimise the ELST, enabling ultra-fast delivery. A large energy acceptance (LEA) BDS has the potential to revolutionise PBT through immediate improvements to current treatment delivery and emerging delivery modalities: the complete exploitation of PBT - and unlocking its full potential - can only be made possible with advances in beam delivery technologies. We review the abundant opportunities offered by an ultra-fast BDS: shorter treatment times, reduced motion induced dose degradation, improved effectiveness of motion management techniques, possibilities for volumetric rescanning, bidirectional delivery, further planning optimisation, and novel delivery strategies. We overview the design concepts of several LEA proposals, technology requirements, and also discuss the remaining challenges and considerations with realising a LEA BDS in practice. There are multiple avenues requiring further development and study, however the clinical potential and benefits of this enabling technology are clear: ultra-fast delivery offers both immediate and future improvements to PBT treatments.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2021

Future Developments in Charged Particle Therapy: Improving Beam Delivery for Efficiency and Efficacy

The physical and clinical benefits of charged particle therapy (CPT) are well recognised and recent developments have led to the rapid emergence of facilities, resulting in wider adoption worldwide. Nonetheless, the availability of CPT and complete exploitation of dosimetric advantages are still limited by high facility costs and technological challenges. There are extensive ongoing efforts to improve upon these, which will lead to greater accessibility, superior delivery, and therefore better treatment outcomes. Several of these aspects can be addressed by developments to the beam delivery system (BDS) which determine the overall shaping and timing capabilities to provide high quality treatments. Modern delivery techniques are necessary but are limited by extended treatment times. The energy layer switching time (ELST) is a limiting constraint of the BDS and a determinant of the beam delivery time (BDT), along with the accelerator and other factors. This review evaluates the delivery process in detail, presenting the limitations and developments for the BDS and related accelerator technology, toward decreasing the BDT. As extended BDT impacts motion and has dosimetric implications for treatment, we discuss avenues to minimise the ELST and overview the clinical benefits and feasibility of a large energy acceptance BDS. These developments support the possibility of delivering advanced methodologies such as volumetric rescanning, FLASH and arc therapy and can further reduce costs given a faster delivery for a greater range of treatment indications. Further work to realise multi-ion, image guided and adaptive therapies is also discussed. In this review we examine how increased treatment efficiency and efficacy could be achieved with an improved BDS and how this could lead to faster and higher quality treatments for the future of CPT.

physics.med-ph↗