Proton tracking for medical imaging and dosimetry

Area of Science:

• Medical physics
• Particle physics
• Detector technology

Background:

• Silicon micro-strip detectors are established tools in particle and nuclear physics.
• Particle therapy, using charged particles like protons, offers advantages over conventional X-ray radiotherapy.
• The growing demand for particle therapy necessitates advanced monitoring and imaging technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel silicon micro-strip detector system for high-speed proton tracking in particle therapy.
• To enable proton computed tomography (pCT) for precise dose delivery and beam monitoring.
• To characterize the performance of large-area sensors and readout electronics.

Main Methods:

• Development of a multi-station detector array with large-area silicon micro-strip sensors in an x-u-v configuration.
• Implementation of fast proton tracking for high-energy protons entering and exiting patients.
• Proton counting and position measurement at high fluences and energies.

Main Results:

• The system provides information on proton paths for pCT applications.
• The tracker facilitates monitoring of beam profiles and total dose during treatment.
• Initial sensor characterization and readout electronics performance will be presented.

Conclusions:

• The developed silicon micro-strip detector system is suitable for advanced particle therapy applications.
• This technology can significantly improve the accuracy of radiotherapy delivery.
• Further characterization and testing are ongoing at leading facilities.