Hiletron fast-neutron therapy equipment

Abstract

The Hiletron fast-neutron therapy equipment is designed and manufactured by the Elliott Neutron Division of Marconi-Elliott Avionic Systems, Ltd., Borehamwood, England. Equipment has been installed at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, and at the Belvidere Hospital, Glasgow. Both units have produced neutron outputs of 10 12 n sec −1 during the testing of experimental neutron tubes, and with the design completed, clinical trials have commenced. The initial development of the type “Q” neutron tube was carried out at the Services Electronic Research Laboratory, Baldock, and taken over by Elliott Neutron Division in February 1972, where the number of states have been increased and the electrode shapes modified. All tubes made since the end of 1975 have had useful operational lives and have achieved neutron outputs of 10 12 n sec −1. During this time, no tube life has ended through dilution of the target; there has been adequate ion source input power to generate a beam current of 30 mA. After prolonged operation at full power, however, some overheating of the drift tube and electron back-stop was observed. The cooling of these sections of the tube has been improved, and life-testing is in progress. During the tube development, tuft at both hospitals, in parallel with neutron testing at Borehamwood, has provided information on tube performance, neutron beam profiles, and residual activities.