Beam test at Heidelberger Ionenstrahl-Therapiezentrum and collaboration with DKFZ
The ion therapy centre in Heidelberg (Heidelberger Ionenstrahl-Therapyzentrum, HIT) is one of the world leading institutions for proton and ion therapy. It currently offers treatment with protons, Helium and Carbon ions. Furthermore, HIT is one of only two centres in the world possessing a Carbon ion gantry.
On November 15th, a delegation from University College London consisting of OMA Fellow Laurent Kelleter, Dr Simon Jolly and Dr Raffaella Radogna travelled to Heidelberg in order to perform a joint experiment with Prof Joao Seco and Lennart Volz from DKFZ (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum). The aims of this collaboration are to test the range telescope for fast range quality assurance developed by UCL, to determine the energy resolution of a proposed Helium CT detector and to investigate the possibility of mixed Carbon-Helium beams at the HIT facility. The latter has recently attracted attention for the potential of simultaneous treatment and online range verification in carbon ion therapy (1). This technique is especially promising for the irradiation of lung tumours with carbon ion beams.
After a very successful beam test, the data analysis is running at full steam. The results will most likely be presented at the next OMA event.