Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates, generally, to systems and methods for treating a patient using particle therapy. More specifically, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for treating a patient using particle therapy without the use of a gantry.

Particle therapy systems are currently being used to treat various medical conditions including, for example, several types of cancer. Generally, particle therapy involves directing a beam of energized particles (e.g., protons, neutrons, ions) toward a target tumor. The energized particles then interact with molecules in the cancerous tissue cells within the target tumor, eventually destroying or otherwise damaging the cancerous cells and treating the patient.

Although effective at treating some medical conditions, the cost and space requirements involved with current particle therapy systems have prevented more widespread use. Machines can cost tens of millions of dollars and can require several rooms to house all of the necessary equipment. Due to the space requirements of current particle therapy systems, treatment centers are often required to build new and specialized accommodations for these systems. The financial burden associated with owning a particle therapy system has severely restricted its use.

The type and location of cancerous tissue in a patient can affect where and at what angle particle beams are optimally introduced towards the patient at. Therefore, to create different particle beam orientations, gantries have been used. However, the gantry structures can also be very large and expensive, which has made these treatments inaccessible to many. International patent application <CIT>, which is not relevant to the question of inventive step, discloses a particle therapy delivery system comprising a support structure and a particle delivery line. The support structure defines at least a partial enclosure within which a patient is positioned and is rotatable about a patient. The particle delivery line delivers particles to a patient and comprises at least one linear particle accelerator mounted to the support structure such that particles travelling along the particle delivery line complete at least one revolution about an axis of the support structure. International patent application <CIT> discloses a particle therapy system for cancer therapy of a patient comprising a synchrotron based accelerator and a beam transport line. The synchrotron based accelerator is mounted on a rotatable gantry and configured for receiving a low energy pre-accelerated beam from an injector and accelerating the low energy pre-accelerated beam to an accelerated beam. The synchrotron based accelerator comprises a synchrotron that energizes the beam to a desired energy level, wherein the desired energy level is defined within a target energy level interval and may be changed during use of the system. The beam transport line directs the accelerated beam in a desired direction inside the gantry and is wrapped around the gantry in a helical and/or axial geometry. The beam transport line is further arranged for directing said accelerated beam to a beam position outside of a plane of the synchrotron. German patent application <CIT> discloses an apparatus to direct a beam of charged particles from a source through an inlet guide and an accelerator into a target zone. The accelerator is arranged around the axis of the source beam and can be rotated about the axis of the source beam. An exit guide is fixed to the accelerator and the path of the accelerated beam intersects the axis of the source beam. Japanese patent application <CIT> discloses a charged particle apparatus composed of an incidence part, a circular part, and an emission part which is mounted on a rotary supporting stand. The rotary stand can be rotated on a rotary axis in order to make the emission direction of the charged particle beam of the emission part variable, and the emission direction is set to converge on one point in the rotary axis. Consequently, since the charge particle beam is converged on one point, if the beam is rotated and radiated while a diseased part being conformed with the converged point at the time of radiotherapy, the diseased part is radiated with high dose of the beam and at the same time radiation to other parts is diffused in the rotary face and the exposure of the normal tissue parts to the beam can be suppressed to the minimum level. Japanese patent application <CIT> describes a particle beam irradiation apparatus including an incident accelerator, an annular accelerator and an irradiation field formation unit, wherein the annular accelerator, the incident accelerator, the irradiation field formation unit and an irradiation part are rotating.

To promote more widespread and effective particle therapy solutions, a need exists for a smaller, more cost effective particle therapy system that can provide optimized treatments to individual patients.

The present invention provides a particle therapy system according to claim <NUM> and a method of creating a particle therapy system according to claim <NUM>.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Generally, the present invention provides systems and methods for providing gantry-less particle therapy systems.

<FIG> illustrate non-limiting examples of a particle therapy system <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The particle therapy system <NUM> includes, generally, a charged particle generating system <NUM> that generates an ion beam, a beam transport system <NUM> to focus and direct the ion beam, and a beam delivery device <NUM> to direct charged particles in the ion beam toward a patient for treatment. The particle therapy system <NUM> can operate using a variety of particles, including protons and heavier composite particles, which are used to then treat various types of cancers that may be present within a patient. The particle therapy system <NUM> can be used to perform proton therapy and heavy ion therapy, for example. In some non-limiting examples, the particle therapy system <NUM> is a proton beam therapy system.

The charged particle generating system <NUM> energizes particles, which can then be transported rapidly toward and into a patient to treat a variety of medical conditions, including many types of cancers. In accordance with the invention, the charged particle generating system <NUM> includes a particle energizer in the form of an ion source <NUM>, which is used to produce positively (or negatively) charged particles. In such embodiments, a gas source can feed gas (e.g., pure hydrogen) into the ion source <NUM>, where the electrons in the gas molecules can be removed. The ion source <NUM> can strip the gas molecules of electrons using lasers, catalysts, radiation, or other suitable ionization techniques to produce positively charged particles. As one example, the ion source <NUM> may include a linear accelerator. As another example, the ion source <NUM> may include an electron cyclotron resonance ("ECR") ion source.

An injector <NUM> is coupled to the ion source <NUM> to inject charged particles into the beam transport system <NUM>. The injector <NUM> may include, for example, a combination of septa and kicker magnets. The septa may be electrostatic or magnetic. The injector <NUM> can be configured to provide single-turn (e.g., fast) injection, multi-turn injection, charge-exchange injection, and so on. Hydrogen or carbon ions, for example, can be generated in the ion source <NUM> and passed into the injector <NUM>, which accelerates the ions to form an ion beam (i.e., a charged particle beam). The injector <NUM> then directs the ion beam into the beam transport system <NUM>, where the ion beam can be further energized and eventually directed toward a patient.

The beam transport system <NUM> is coupled to the charged particle generating system <NUM>, and receives and direct the charged particles (e.g., the ion beam) outwardly away from the injector <NUM> and ion source <NUM>. The beam transport system <NUM> includes a beam tube <NUM>, which defines a beam track extending therethrough. For instance, the beam tube <NUM> can be a metal pipe that, in accordance with the invention, is evacuated to a vacuum. Alternatively, in embodiments not being part of the invention, the beam tube <NUM> can include sections or air or helium contained therein. Magnets <NUM> can be positioned about the beam tube <NUM> to energize ion beams (e.g., by accelerating or heating the ions or charged particles), bend ion beams, and focus ion beams as they pass along the beam track.

The beam transport system <NUM>, and thus the beam tube <NUM>, includes three distinct segments that together define the beam track. Specifically, the beam track includes an energizing segment <NUM> formed in a first plane <NUM>, an extracting segment <NUM> formed in a second plane <NUM> parallel and away from the first plane <NUM>, and a transition segment <NUM> extending away from the energizing segment <NUM> toward the extracting segment <NUM>. As will be described, the energizing segment <NUM> circumscribes, or otherwise extends around, a volume to which the ion beam will be delivered by the beam delivery device <NUM>. The extracting segment <NUM> terminates at a terminal end <NUM>, at which the beam delivery device <NUM> is coupled. In operation, an ion beam is delivered to the energizing segment <NUM> from the charged particle generating system <NUM>, where it is delivered to the extracting segment <NUM> via the transition segment <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the energizing segment <NUM> is, in accordance with the invention, positioned upon a platform <NUM> proximate a mounting surface <NUM> (e.g., a floor, as shown in <FIG>, a ceiling, as shown in <FIG>, or a side wall of a room), and extends approximately parallel to the mounting surface <NUM>. The extracting segment <NUM> is positioned away from the energizing segment <NUM>, and also extends parallel to the mounting surface <NUM>.

The energizing segment <NUM> can be an accelerator. For example, the energizing segment <NUM> can be a synchrotron having a substantially annular shape and defining a substantially circular outer perimeter. One or more radio frequency (RF) acceleration cavities <NUM> can be formed in the energizing segment <NUM> as well. The RF acceleration cavity <NUM> can include an RF applying electrode that is disposed on the circulating orbit of the accelerator and an RF power source that is in electrical communication with the RF applying electrode by way of a switch. In some aspects, one or more stacked ferrite components can be used to produce an electric field within the energizing segment <NUM> to accelerate particles therein.

The substantially annular shape of the energizing segment <NUM> can be defined by a radius of between about <NUM> meters and about <NUM> meters, for example. In some non-limiting examples, the energizing segment <NUM> is defined by a radius of about <NUM> meters. The beam tube <NUM>, along with the RF acceleration cavity <NUM> and magnets <NUM>, can define a treatment area <NUM> formed inwardly from the beam track. Accordingly, the energizing segment <NUM> circumscribes or otherwise surrounds a volume containing the treatment area <NUM>, unlike gantry-based particle therapy systems where the synchrotron or cyclotron is located remotely (e.g., in a separate room) from the treatment area. In some instances, the energizing segment <NUM> circumscribes a treatment isocenter. A patient positioner <NUM> can be situated within the treatment area <NUM>. The patient positioner <NUM> can orient a patient relative to the beam delivery device <NUM>, which can further allow the beam delivery device <NUM> to effectively supply an ion beam to different areas of the patient (e.g., the head or the stomach) to treat different types of medical conditions. In some non-limiting examples, an imaging device <NUM> can also be positioned within the treatment area <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> can be used for imaging or locating the treatment target (e.g., a tumor) within a patient on the patient positioner <NUM>. The imaging device <NUM> can be an X-ray machine or a CT scanner, for example. By placing the treatment area <NUM> inward from the beam track, the footprint of the particle therapy system <NUM> is reduced significantly. For example, the entire particle therapy system <NUM> can be stored and operated within the same room. As one example, the entire particle therapy system <NUM> can be contained within a <NUM><NUM> room.

In use, the energizing segment <NUM> is supplied with an ion beam from the injector <NUM>. If the energizing segment <NUM> is designed as a synchrotron, magnets <NUM> (e.g., quadrupole and dipole magnets) can be positioned about the beam tube <NUM> to steer the ion beam about the energizing segment <NUM> a number of times so that the ion beam repeatedly passes through the RF acceleration cavity <NUM>, which increases the energy of the ion beam. Once the energy of the ion beam traveling in the energizing segment <NUM> has reached a preselected, desired energy level (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> MeV), the ion beam is extracted from the energizing segment <NUM> into the transition segment <NUM>. Extraction may occur by way of bumping or kicking the ion beam to an outer trajectory so that it passes through a septum, or by way of resonance extraction.

The transition segment <NUM> can extend tangentially and angularly away from the energizing segment <NUM> to direct the ion beam out of the plane (e.g., the first plane <NUM>) of the energizing segment <NUM>, to the elevation of the patient within the treatment area <NUM> (e.g., the elevation of the second plane <NUM>). In accordance with the invention, the transition segment <NUM> angles obtusely away from the energizing segment <NUM> to form an angle of between about <NUM> degrees and about <NUM> degrees with respect to the first plane <NUM>, which includes the energizing segment <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the transition segment <NUM> extends upwardly away from the first plane <NUM> at an angle of between about <NUM> degrees and about <NUM> degrees.

In an example not forming part of the present invention, the first plane <NUM> and the second plane <NUM> can be coplanar, as shown in <FIG>. The extracting segment <NUM> can extend arcuately and radially inward from the energizing segment <NUM> into the treatment area <NUM> and toward the patient positioner <NUM> and the imaging device <NUM>. A plurality of magnets <NUM> can direct and focus the ion beam as it passes into the beam delivery device <NUM> and toward a patient, as described below. In these aspects, which are not part of the present invention, transition segment <NUM> can extend inwardly away from the energizing segment <NUM> within the same plane as the extracting segment <NUM>. In some aspects, not being part of the invention, the transition <NUM> is omitted from the beam tube <NUM> entirely. In another example not forming part of the present invention, the first plane <NUM> and the second plane <NUM> can be oriented approximately perpendicular to one another. In yet another example not forming part of the present invention, the first plane <NUM> is obliquely oriented (e.g., oriented nonparallel) with the second plane <NUM>. In yet another example not forming part of the present invention, the extracting segment <NUM> can be provided with a helical shape that extends along multiple planes.

The transition segment <NUM> guides a highly energized ion beam from the energizing segment <NUM> into the extracting segment <NUM>, which resides in the second plane <NUM> parallel and away from the first plane <NUM>. The extracting segment <NUM> can have an arcuate shape that extends, initially, outward beyond the circular outer perimeter of the energizing segment <NUM>. The extracting segment <NUM> can then spiral inwardly within the second plane <NUM>, such that the beam track extends back inside the circular outer perimeter of the energizing segment <NUM>, toward the treatment area <NUM> and the patient positioner <NUM> received inwardly from the energizing segment <NUM>. The beam delivery device <NUM> is coupled to the extracting segment <NUM>, which is positioned inward from the outer perimeter of the energizing segment <NUM>, within the treatment area <NUM>. In some non-limiting examples, legs <NUM> can extend away from the extracting segment <NUM> to help support the extracting segment <NUM> upon the mounting surface <NUM> or the platform <NUM>. The legs <NUM> can extend perpendicularly between the platform <NUM> and the extracting segment <NUM>, and can be coupled to the mounting surface <NUM> or platform <NUM> using fasteners, adhesives, or other mechanical couplings, for example.

The extracting segment <NUM> directs highly energized ion beams from the transition segment <NUM> into the beam delivery device <NUM> using one or more magnets. For example, the beam transport system <NUM> can include a plurality of magnets <NUM> (e.g., focusing magnets and steering magnets), which direct, energize, and shape the ion beam as it passes through the beam transport system <NUM> toward the beam delivery device <NUM>. As an example, the magnets <NUM> can include focusing magnets that are quadrupole magnets, and steering magnets that are dipole magnets. The magnets <NUM> are used to contain the ion beam within the beam track and to deliver the ion beam to the beam delivery device <NUM> that is situated within the treatment area <NUM>. In some non-limiting examples, a magnetic system of dipoles, quadrupoles, sextupoles, octupoles, multipoles, or combinations of some or all of these magnet types can be used to both focus and direct highly energized ion beams toward the treatment area <NUM>. The placement and parameters (e.g., strength, number of magnetic poles) of the magnets <NUM> are designed to capture, with high efficiency, an ion beam extracted from the energizing segment <NUM>. Although specific magnetic system layouts that can direct ion beams effectively along the beam track are described, the magnetic systems can be optimized to include more or less magnets of varying polarity and strength to retrofit the particle therapy system <NUM> for a room within a hospital. In the examples provided, the particle therapy system <NUM> has been adapted to fit in a room conventionally used to house a linear accelerator ("LINAC") treatment system, within an area of about <NUM> meters by <NUM> meters.

With specific reference to <FIG>, a specific combination of magnets <NUM> kept at room temperature or superconducting temperature can be used to extract and bend an ion beam toward the beam delivery device <NUM> and treatment area <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows one example configuration for the magnets <NUM> in the extracting segment <NUM>, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that different configurations of magnets <NUM> along the beam tube <NUM> in the extracting segment <NUM> can be used depending on the geometries involved with the particular installation of the particle therapy system <NUM>. The ion beam can be first extracted from the energizing segment <NUM> using two superconducting dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, which are positioned within the transition segment <NUM>. The superconducting dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM> can bend the ion beam angularly away (e.g., upward in <FIG>, downward in <FIG>, or sideways, depending on the orientation of the particle therapy system <NUM>) from the energizing segment <NUM> and out of plane (i.e., the first plane <NUM>) from the energizing segment <NUM>. In some non-limiting examples, the beam is bent upward at an angle of about <NUM> degrees. The two superconducting dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM> direct the ion beam to the extracting segment <NUM>.

The extracting segment <NUM> can include a number of magnets bending magnets, such as ten (as well as additional focusing magnets), for example, which are positioned about the second plane <NUM> to transport ion beams to a position of about <NUM> meters away from the patient positioner <NUM> within the treatment area <NUM>. In this particular and non-limiting example, after being directed out of plane from the energizing segment <NUM> and through the transition segment <NUM>, the ion beam passes through a beam drift tube <NUM> of about <NUM> meters before passing through a first dipole magnet <NUM>. The first dipole magnet <NUM> can have a <NUM> meter dipole length that produces a <NUM> T magnetic field to bend the ion beam about <NUM> degrees. Next, the ion beam passes through another <NUM> meter beam drift tube <NUM>, which can also include an ion beam focusing quadrupole magnet <NUM>. The ion beam is then transported to a second dipole magnet <NUM>, which has a <NUM> dipole length and produces a <NUM> T magnetic field to bend the ion beam by about <NUM> degrees. The second dipole magnet <NUM> can also include pole phase rotation. The ion beam can then pass through another <NUM> meter beam drift tube <NUM> having another focusing quadrupole magnet <NUM>, to a third dipole magnet <NUM>. Like the second dipole magnet <NUM>, the third dipole magnet <NUM> can have pole phase rotation, as well as a dipole length of <NUM> meters that produces a <NUM> T magnetic field to bend the ion beam by about <NUM> degrees. Another beam drift <NUM> of <NUM> meters extends from the third dipole magnet <NUM>, and includes a focusing quadrupole magnet <NUM> as well.

The ion beam then passes towards fourth and fifth dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM> having similar characteristics, and which are spaced apart from one another by a <NUM> beam drift tube <NUM> that can include a focusing quadrupole magnet <NUM>. The fourth and fifth dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM> each have a <NUM> meter dipole length and each produce a <NUM> T magnetic field to separately bend the beam <NUM> degrees. A beam drift tube <NUM> of about <NUM> meters extends away from the fifth dipole magnet <NUM>, and can include two focusing quadrupole magnets <NUM>, <NUM>. A sixth dipole magnet <NUM> having a <NUM> meter dipole length and producing a <NUM> T magnetic field is positioned away from the beam drift tube <NUM>. The sixth dipole magnet <NUM> can include pole phase rotation, and can bend the ion beam by about <NUM> degrees. The ion beam then passes through another beam drift <NUM> of <NUM> meters having a focusing quadrupole magnet <NUM>, to a seventh dipole magnet <NUM>. The seventh dipole magnet <NUM> bends the ion beam by about <NUM> degrees, and has a <NUM> meter dipole length used to produce a magnetic field of <NUM> T. Again, the seventh dipole magnet <NUM> can have pole phase rotation. A beam drift <NUM> of <NUM> meters having a focusing quadrupole magnet <NUM> extends from the seventh dipole magnet <NUM> toward the eighth dipole magnet <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the eighth and ninth dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM> have similar characteristics, and are spaced apart from one another by a beam drift tube <NUM> of <NUM> meters. The eighth and ninth dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM> each have a <NUM> meter dipole length, and can each produce a magnetic field of <NUM> T. In some non-limiting examples, the eighth and ninth dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM> are cryogenically cooled to superconducting temperatures, and act as superconductors. The eighth and ninth dipole magnets <NUM>, <NUM> can each bend the ion beam by about <NUM> degrees. A final beam drift tube <NUM> of about <NUM> meters extends away from the ninth dipole magnet <NUM> toward a tenth dipole magnet <NUM>. The tenth dipole magnet <NUM> can include pole phase rotation and can have a dipole length of <NUM> meters. The tenth dipole magnet <NUM> can produce a magnetic field of about <NUM> T, which bends the ion beam by about <NUM> degrees.

Once the ion beam has passed beyond the tenth dipole magnet <NUM>, it can be directed to the beam delivery device <NUM> coupled to the extracting segment <NUM> of the beam track. The beam delivery device <NUM> extends inwardly into the treatment area <NUM> defined within the annular shape of the energizing segment <NUM>, and can act as a nozzle to direct a beam either in plane or at an angle relative to the plane in which the extracting segment <NUM> of the beam track is arranged (i.e., the second plane <NUM>).

The beam delivery device <NUM> is designed to deliver precise dose distributions to a target volume within a patient. The beam delivery device <NUM> can include components that may either modify or monitor specific properties of an ion beam in accordance with a treatment plan. In some instances, the beam delivery device <NUM> provides for pencil beam scanning of the ion beam. The beam delivery device <NUM> can include a beam spreading device to spread or otherwise modify the ion beam position and profile, a dispersive element to modify the ion beam energy, and/or a plurality of beam sensors to monitor such properties. The beam spreading device can transform the beam from the energizing segment <NUM> and the extracting segment <NUM> into a beam that is suitable for patient treatment. In some non-limiting examples, the beam spreading device can bend the beam up or down (or right or left) by about <NUM> degrees, which helps create different treatment angles for patients. Mechanical or magnetic elements can be used to spread the beam to the appropriate shape (e.g., to conform to the patient target), for example. In some aspects, the beam delivery device <NUM> can include a range shifter. In some non-limiting examples, the beam delivery device <NUM> can magnetically scan the ion beam and can provide pencil beam scanning for patient treatment.

As an example, the beam delivery device <NUM> can include a nozzle at which the beam tube <NUM> terminates. The nozzle generally includes an end through which the ion beam exits and is directed towards the patient. As noted, the nozzle can include components that can shape, steer, or otherwise modify or modulate the ion beam. For instance, the nozzle can include scanning electromagnets (e.g., wobbler magnets), a scatterer, a range shifter, a collimator (e.g., a multileaf collimator), a ridge filter, and so on.

The particle therapy system <NUM> can be controlled by a central controller that includes a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM> in communication with the processor <NUM>. A beam track controller <NUM> is in communication with the processor <NUM> and is configured to control operational parameters of the charged particle generating system <NUM>, the energizing segment <NUM>, and the extracting segment <NUM> of the beam track. A positioner controller <NUM> can be in electrical communication with the processor <NUM>, and can be used to control the position and orientation of the patient positioner <NUM> within the treatment area <NUM>. A scanning controller <NUM> can be in communication with the processor <NUM> to control the beam delivery device <NUM>. An imaging controller <NUM> can be in communication with the processor <NUM> as well, to control the imaging device <NUM>. The memory <NUM> can store treatment plans prescribed by a treatment planning system <NUM> that is in communication with the processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM>, as well as control parameters or instructions to be delivered to the beam track controller <NUM>, the positioner controller <NUM>, the imaging controller <NUM>, and/or the scanning controller <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may also store relevant patient information that can be accessed during a treatment session.

Using the combination of features described above, the particle therapy system <NUM> has been simulated to effectively treat tumors in patients regardless of location. Using the scanning beam delivery modality (e.g., pencil beam scanning) incorporated by the beam delivery device <NUM>, optimal combinations of beam-to-patient geometries can be achieved without a gantry. Further, effective treatments can be achieved by the particle therapy system <NUM>, which is much smaller, more compact, and less expensive than conventional gantry-based systems currently being used to perform particle therapy. By locating the treatment area inside the outer perimeter of the beam track, substantial space is saved.

Various different treatment processes were simulated both using the particle therapy system <NUM> and compared to simulation using a proton therapy system incorporating a gantry. Based on the results presented in <FIG>, the particle therapy system <NUM> proved as or nearly as effective as the proton therapy system incorporating a gantry in nearly every treatment simulation performed. As shown in <FIG>, target dose levels can be delivered to various different tumor types using the gantry-less particle therapy system described in the present disclosure. The gantry-less system is thus able to deliver the same dose to the treatment volumes, while in some instance reducing the dose delivered to organs-at-risk.

While the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

Claim 1:
A particle therapy system for treating a patient, comprising:
a charged particle generating system (<NUM>) comprising:
an ion source (<NUM>);
an injector (<NUM>) that injects an ion beam from the ion source (<NUM>) into a beam track;
a beam transport system (<NUM>) defining the beam track and coupled to the charged particle generating system (<NUM>), the beam transport system (<NUM>) comprising:
a beam tube (<NUM>) evacuated to a vacuum and defining the beam track, the beam tube (<NUM>) comprising:
an energizing segment (<NUM>) circumscribing a volume to which the ion beam is to be delivered, an extracting segment (<NUM>) terminating at a terminal end (<NUM>), and a transition segment (<NUM>) that connects the energizing segment (<NUM>) to the extracting segment (<NUM>), wherein the ion beam is received in the energizing segment (<NUM>) from the injector (<NUM>);
a plurality of magnets (<NUM>) that adjust a trajectory of the ion beam in the beam tube (<NUM>) as the ion beam passes through each of the plurality of magnets (<NUM>);
an acceleration cavity (<NUM>) that accelerates the ion beam as the ion beam passes through the acceleration cavity (<NUM>); and
a beam delivery device (<NUM>) coupled to the terminal end (<NUM>) of the extracting segment (<NUM>) and positioned inward from an outer perimeter of the energizing segment (<NUM>), the beam delivery device (<NUM>) configured to direct the ion beam from the extracting segment (<NUM>) toward a treatment area (<NUM>) in the volume circumscribed by the energizing segment (<NUM>),
wherein
the energizing segment (<NUM>) is positioned upon a platform (<NUM>) proximate a mounting surface (<NUM>) and extends in a first plane (<NUM>) that is approximately parallel to the mounting surface (<NUM>);
the extracting segment (<NUM>) extends in a second plane (<NUM>) that is parallel to the first plane (<NUM>) and away from the first plane (<NUM>); and characterised in that
the transition segment (<NUM>) angles obtusely away from the energizing segment (<NUM>) to form an angle of between about <NUM> degrees and about <NUM> degrees with respect to the first plane (<NUM>).