Optimization and evaluation of multiple gating beam delivery in a synchrotron-based proton beam scanning system using a real-time imaging technique

Abstract Purpose To find the optimum parameter of a new beam control function installed in a synchrotron-based proton therapy system. Methods A function enabling multiple gated irradiation in the flat top phase has been installed in a real-time-image gated proton beam therapy (RGPT) system. This function is realized by a waiting timer that monitors the elapsed time from the last gate-off signal in the flat top phase. The gated irradiation efficiency depends on the timer value, T w . To find the optimum T w value, gated irradiation efficiency was evaluated for each configurable T w value. 271 gate signal data sets from 58 patients were used for the simulation. Results The highest mean efficiency 0.52 was obtained in T W  = 0.2 s. The irradiation efficiency was approximately 21% higher than at T W  = 0 s, which corresponds to ordinary synchrotron operation. The irradiation efficiency was improved in 154 (57%) of the 271 cases. The irradiation efficiency was reduced in 117 cases because the T W value was insufficient or the function introduced an unutilized wait time for the next gate-on signal in the flat top phase. In the actual treatment of a patient with a hepatic tumor at T w  = 0.2 s, 4.48 GyE irradiation was completed within 250 s. In contrast, the treatment time of ordinary synchrotron operation was estimated to be 420 s. Conclusions The results suggest that the multiple gated-irradiation function has potential to improve the gated irradiation efficiency and to reduce the treatment time.