# SBIR TOPIC 415: Design and Construction of a Novel Electron Brachytherapy Source Driven by a Laser Plasma Accelerator

> **NIH NIH N43** · WOODTOGA HOLDINGS COMPANY · 2021 · $399,779

## Abstract

A. Background Information
The long-term objective of this proposal is to advance the treatment of cancer using laser plasma
accelerator physics breakthroughs at LBNL to build a miniature electron accelerator as a variable Xrays
source with clinically relevant dose-rates of ~0.7 Gy/min and energies between 0.25 – 5 MeV.
This electronic particle brachytherapy source is powered by a commercial, laser system, operating up
to 1000 Hz and 7 W of average power. The flexibility of the laser driver allows treatment with
radioisotope-free operation and variable x-ray energy on a pulse-by-pulse basis. This confers extra
degrees of freedom for the treatment planning process thus providing the clinician the ability to
improve the dose delivery. Unwanted dose to nearby healthy tissue and critical structures is reduced.
This proposal brings a world-class team together: LBNL in laser plasma accelerators and optical
fiber-based delivery systems, Woodtoga to translate the technology into clinically relevant products
with expertise in bonding and the creation of miniature X-ray devices, and Varian Medical Systems as
the commercial partner. Integrating the technology with clinical practice, treatment planning, into a
radiation oncology platform transforming the field of brachytherapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10496713
- **Project number:** 75N91021C00032-0-9999-1
- **Recipient organization:** WOODTOGA HOLDINGS COMPANY
- **Principal Investigator:** STEVE GOURLAY
- **Activity code:** N43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $399,779
- **Award type:** —
- **Project period:** 2021-09-16 → 2022-06-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10496713

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10496713, SBIR TOPIC 415: Design and Construction of a Novel Electron Brachytherapy Source Driven by a Laser Plasma Accelerator (75N91021C00032-0-9999-1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10496713. Licensed CC0.

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