Hadron therapy offers superior dose localization compared to conventional radiotherapy, with over 140 facilities operational worldwide and exponential growth projected. However, two limitations constrain its clinical effectiveness. First, treatment planning based on X-ray CT introduces range uncertainties of 1–3%, necessitating conservative safety margins (up to 3.5% + 3 mm) that limit the precision advantage of proton beams. Second, secondary neutrons from beam-tissue interactions deliver unwanted dose outside the target volume, increasing secondary cancer risk, yet can only be estimated through modeling rather than directly measured.
The GNVISION project addresses both challenges through a dual neutron-gamma imaging system combining gamma-ray imaging for real-time proton range verification with thermal neutron imaging for secondary dose monitoring. The technology builds on the i-TED Compton camera platform developed during the PI's ERC Consolidator Grant (HYMNS) , whose stringent detection requirements—high efficiency, excellent energy and spatial resolution, fast timing, and neutron background suppression—translate directly to hadron therapy applications. The core innovation upgrades i-TED with neutron-gamma discriminating scintillators combined with a ⁶Li-enriched polyethylene collimator that enables neutron imaging while remaining transparent to gamma rays.
Preclinical validation of the ion-range assessement capabilities was conducted at major hadron therapy facilities covering both main cyclotron technologies, successfully imaging 100–125 MeV proton beams in polyethylene phantoms and achieving TRL6. Regarding neutron imaging, proof-of-concept tests were carried out at Institut Laue-Langevin achieving ~4° angular resolution with peak-to-background ratios of ~15. Neutron imaging reached TRL5, with dual imaging field tests completed at the LENA research reactor (Pavia, November 2025). Four peer-reviewed open-access publications document the results, with patent protection established (WO2021229132A1).
Commercialization prospects are being explored with industry and clinical partners. The rapidly expanding hadron therapy infrastructure provides immediate market opportunity, and GNVISION's unique dual imaging capability, cost-effective design, and demonstrated clinical compatibility position it competitively for adoption.
