Accelerators for Medicine

Particle accelerators play a significant role in the field of medicine, particularly in the areas of cancer treatment and medical imaging. Accelerators produce high-energy beams of particles, such as electrons, protons and heavy ions, which are used in radiation therapy to target and destroy cancer cells with high precision.

Additionally, accelerators assist in producing medical isotopes essential for various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Medical Applications:

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Accelerators produce radioisotopes for PET scans, which create detailed images of metabolic activity in the body. This is crucial for detecting and monitoring conditions like cancer, neurological disorders, and heart disease.

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)

In SPECT imaging, accelerators generate isotopes that allow doctors to view blood flow and organ function, aiding in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, bone disorders, and infections.

Radiation Therapy

Linear accelerators (LINACs) generate high-energy x-rays or electrons that target and kill cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Medical Isotope Production

Accelerators are used to produce short-lived isotopes like Technetium-99m, which is essential for a wide range of diagnostic imaging procedures. These isotopes are critical for non-invasive imaging techniques that help diagnose and monitor various medical conditions.

Proton Therapy

Proton accelerators provide a form of radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays. This method delivers a precise dose of radiation to the tumour while sparing surrounding healthy tissues, making it particularly effective for treating certain types of cancer.

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT)

BNCT is an advanced radiation treatment that targets cancer cells selectively. Proton accelerators are used to produce neutron beams by striking Lithium or Beryllium targets. When boron-10 is introduced into cancer cells, the neutron beam interacts with the boron, leading to localized cell destruction while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Equipment Sterilization

Accelerators are used in the sterilization of medical equipment by emitting high-energy electrons or x-rays to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. This method is efficient, reliable, and leaves no chemical residue.

Stable Isotope Production

Accelerators produce medical stable isotopes, which are essential for various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, particularly in nuclear medicine.

X-ray Machines

X-ray machines in medical and dental settings utilize accelerators to generate X-rays by accelerating electrons to energies between 70 keV and 200 keV.

Cyclotron-Produced Radionuclides

Cyclotrons are used to produce many of the medical radioisotopes mentioned herein. These radionuclides are used for both imaging and treatment in nuclear medicine.

Electron Beam Therapy

Low-energy electron beams (~100 keV) generated by accelerators are used directly to treat skin cancer, offering a focused treatment option without converting the electrons to X-rays.