Tomographic images by proton Computed Tomography system for proton therapy applications

Proton therapy is a highly precise form of cancer treatment, which requires accurate knowledge of the dose delivered to the patient and verification of the correct patient position to avoid damage to critical normal tissues. The development of pCT (proton Computed Tomography) system represents an important feature for precise proton radiation treatment planning because it could permit the direct measurement of the proton stopping power distribution, improving the accuracy in dose calculus, and the patient's position. A pCT prototype was manufactured in order to demonstrate the capability to acquire, during treatments in proton therapy centers, radiographic and tomographic images according to clinical demands.