      


Current particle beam cancer
treatment facility

Laser-driven compact proton beamcancer treatment apparatus concept
Proton beamirradiator

Laser equipment

PrMiniaturization
Cost reduction

oton

beam〜
10m

About 1/10
Patient lieson this table
Building size (about 50m×50m),
more than 10 billion yen





      The Photo Medical Research Center (PMRC) of JAEA is
promoting the innovative development of a more compact
cancer treatment apparatus based on laser-driven ion beams(Fig.11-1). This is in contrast to the present conventional
accelerator-based facilities that are typically larger and morecostly. Our goal is for this innovation to facilitate wider
access to ion beam cancer treatment (Fig.11-2). We
conducted the following activities in fiscal 2008.
(Cf. http://wwwapr.kansai.jaea.go.jp/pmrc_en/)



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
   This PMRC project is being pursued in collaboration withten partners (clinical research: Hyogo Ion Beam MedicalCenter (HIBMC), laser development: Hamamatsu Photonics
K.K. and Ushio Inc., irradiation technology development:
Toshiba Corporation, monitor device development: theShimadzu Corporation, activation device development:
Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc., minimally invasive medical
device development: HOYA Corporation and Fujikura Ltd.,
human resource development: Nippon Advanced TechnologyCo., Ltd. and HOC). We are associated with the JAEA
Research Common Initiative and receive cooperation fromorganizations such as the Keihanna New Industry Creationand Interactive Community Center and twenty-one medical
device/facility companies (members of the ITBS ResearchSociety) and thirteen laser technology companies (membersof the Society for Study of Laser Microfabrication).
     
To advance development of a laser driven compact
irradiation device, we carried out research and development
to increase the number of protons accelerated by a laser andimprove beam quality. To increase proton energy we madetests with various target materials and laser-irradiation
parameters. In separate gas cluster target studies we also
verified acceleration of heavier ions to a maximum energy of18MeV per nucleon. We also began a study of proton
irradiation effects on human cancer cells.
Using a conventional accelerator source of protons at  

Contribution to a medical revolution
by laser driven quantum beams(year)
10

General cancer
treatment, etc.
Ep〜200MeV

7

Eye treatment(Age-related Macular
Degeneration)
Ep〜50-80MeVIsotope production for PET
Ep〜10MeV3

New developments in
Photo-Medical care(such as endoscopic therapy)

Proton radiography(non-medicalapplication)
Activation
measurement
apparatus

X-ray source

Ep : Proton energy

Laser acceleration
technology        

HIBMC we have fabricated an irradiation chamber for
phantom target tests and animal experiments.
As part of our industrial applications efforts, we examined
application of proton-induced radio-activation to studying
wear on metal surfaces. We also fabricated a minimallyinvasive fiber-based medical device was and used it in animalexperiments. Furthermore, we developed a technique forfocusing light to a small radius and a technique for measuring
blood flow. We have also considered collaborative researchwith the Fukui Prefectural Hospital, and have started researchin preparation for clinical tests.
We have begun development of a prototype compact
ytterbium-doped YAG laser system. We aim to achieve highpower and high-repetition rated operation that is stable andreliable.