Project Description
Lack of online range verification with direct correlation to underlying anatomy is a glaring “gap” in proton therapy. Treatment plans are created with millimeter precision based upon a planning "CatScan" acquired days earlier, but organs can move by centimeters. Although interlocks halt treatment immediately upon detecting equipment failure, no safety mechanism exists to defend against anatomical changes and patient motion.
Thermoacoustic emissions are generated when dose is deposited quickly, heating tissue and causing a rapid pressure jump. The initial pressure distribution travels outward and can be detected by receivers placed on the patient. We have obtained experimental results using low energy particle beams at National Laboratories. The next step is to develop acoustic hardware suitable for high energy particle beams.
Tasks and Responsibilites
2019 summer students will perform the following simulations and experiments:
- simulate thermoacoustic emissions from high energy beams
- quantify performance of a low frequency acoustic receive chain & compare to simulated emissions
- if appropriate, assist in collecting data at Los Alamos &/or Argonne National Labs
- fabricate tissue mimicking gelatin phantoms for use in our experiments
Desired Qualifications
None Listed