Researchers from the University of Granada have developed a neutron beam production device useful for neutron capture cancer therapies, and more particularly, for boron therapies. The present invention produces, moderates and shapes neutrons more adequately than existing designs, providing more appropriate and safer energy ranges for their therapeutic application.
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a type of experimental radiotherapy against cancer, with the uniqueness of being selective at the cellular level. It is based on the irradiation of the patient with neutrons, who has previously been administered a boron compound. Boron binds preferentially to cancer cells, so that when a neutron interacts with it, a nuclear reaction occurs that destroys or severely damages the cancer cell, leaving adjacent tissue cells with little damage.
In order to put this therapy into practice, it is necessary to have a neutron beam with specific qualities. To date, the energy sources used (nuclear reactors, low-energy, high-intensity accelerators) and the production reactions tested have resulted in higher energies than is required in a BNCT treatment. Therefore, a device (BSA) is necessary that adapts the neutrons produced to the therapeutic needs.
The invention consists of a device through which a proton beam is inserted, which interacts with a target to generate a neutron beam, a moderator that allows the neutrons to be brought up to energies in the epithermal range and a filtering stage that allows reducing the fast neutrons, thermal neutrons and gamma radiation.
After comparing the values obtained with those recommended by the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) and with two of the main BNCT facilities (the FiR-1 reactor in Helsinki, currently dismantled, and the C-BENS in Kyoto) it is demonstrated that, thanks to the filtering stage, the device presented improves the previous designs and would be the answer to the problems and needs existing in the market.
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Granada University is one of the most important universities of Spain. The main goal is to transfer technology that our research groups, more than 500, are developing to the industries and companies which are able to take profit from them. It is a general University so Research and Development are offered in different fields like Health Science and Technology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, Environment and Natural Resources, Biotechnology, Information and Communication Technologies, Social, Economic and Legal Sciences....
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