Are FFAGs Being Overlooked in Proton Therapy Technology?

[physnerdonpiano]

Hi everyone,

I'm new at Physics Forum.

I'm looking at the different accelerator technologies being used in proton therapy across the world. One of the more recent technologies I have come across is FFAG (fixed field, alternating gradient). It seems to have a lot of advantages over synchrotrons and cyclotrons.

FFAG exists for several decades, and I would think that the technology would be more or less mature by now. So my question is, why is it not as prevalent as, say, cyclotrons and synchrotrons in the realm of proton therapy machines?

If you guys have any references on the topic, I will be really, really, really (x1000) grateful.

Thanks!

physnerdonpiano

 

[Simon Bridge]

http://www.bnl.gov/isd/documents/31130.pdf
Basically they tend to be expensive, bulky, and complicated.