The New Era of Proton Therapy: Rapid Beam Control and Skip Spots

Mayo Clinic Florida is upgrading its cancer care with a Hitachi particle therapy system that's a leap ahead. This new tech includes super-fast scan speeds and a powerful proton beam. One standout feature is the rapid beam off control (RBOC), which can quickly stop the beam when needed. There's a tricky part, though. When the beam stops suddenly, it can create an extra dose called a flap dose (FD). This hasn't been explored much for proton beams yet, but it could be a big deal for future high-intensity treatments.The new system also lets the beam skip spots, giving doctors more control over where the treatment goes. It's like having a precise paintbrush that can hit exactly where it's needed and skip the spots that don't. This is all part of a push to make proton therapy even safer and more effective.