Funding to convert the IUCF K220 separated sector cyclotrons into a dedicated proton source for Cancer Therapy was released by Indiana University in August of 2000. Phase I of the Midwest Proton Radiation Institute (MPRI) will initially consist of the IUCF separated sector cyclotrons upgraded to operate at a fixed energy of 205 MeV, a treatment room containing both a general purpose large field horizontal fixed line and a small field line for the treatment of eye melanoma, a second treatment room with a 360 o rotating Gantry, and a comprehensive medical clinic. A third treatment room with a gantry is incorporated into the beam delivery system design as a future upgrade. The MPRI beam delivery system is now under construction and will incorporate a beam sharing system to allow simultaneous beam delivery to all medical treatment rooms, as well as to medical and commercial research facilities. Additional Funding is anticipated for the construction of a dedicated Radiation Effects Research (RERP) facility for NASA and other commercial users requiring beam similar to those used for proton therapy. This report will outline the goals and design of the MPRI medical and commercial facilities, its present construction status and projected completion schedules.

The Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) is in the process of designing and building the Midwest Proton Radiation Institute (MPRI) [1]. The design process includes the development of several patient treatment systems. This paper discusses the use of two such systems that provide for the high precision positioning of a patient. They are the Patient Positioner System and the X-ray system. The Patient Positioner System positions an immobilized patient on a support device to a treatment position based on a prescribed Treatment Plan. The X-ray system uses an industrial robot arm to position a Digital Radiography Panel to acquire an X-ray image to verify the location of the prescribed treatment volume in a patient by comparing the acquired images with reference images obtained from the patient's Treatment plan.

The IUCF cyclotrons ceased delivering particle beams for physics research and became dedicated medical proton beam accelerators in 1999. Removal of the beam lines and nuclear research facilities associated with the cyclotrons to make room for the new medical beam delivery systems was completed in October, 2000. A new achromatic beam line was completed, extending from the main stage cyclotron and ending at a temporary research platform. This beam line is being commissioned during ongoing applied research. The achromatic line will deliver 0.5 µA of 205 MeV protons from which the treatment room technician may draw current at any time via fast switching, laminated magnets located at the entrances to the energy selection systems upstream of each of the treatment rooms. Three treatment rooms are planned, one containing two fixed horizontal lines and two gantry rooms. The cyclotrons will also support full time research in radiation effects, single event upset, radiation biology and pre-clinical research. This contribution describes the status of the medical construction project.

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