MRI Cryostat Segmentation for Radiation Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image-guided radiation therapy, the radiation beam from a radiotherapy device can attenuate when passing through parts of an MRI device, leading to inaccurate radiation delivery and potential loss of superconductivity in the MRI's superconducting magnet due to radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A system with a cryostat containing a first and second cooling chamber in fluid communication through a connection conduit, positioned to keep these chambers outside the radiation beam's range, and equipped with a radiation protection component to shield superconducting wires, ensuring the MRI's superconductivity is maintained and radiation accuracy is improved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the radiation beam passes through the MRI device components (superconducting magnet, cooling medium), then the radiation treatment can be delivered, but the radiation beam attenuation occurs and the superconductivity may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cryostat is divided into multiple cooling chambers (first cooling chamber, second cooling chamber, third cooling chamber) that are in fluid communication through connection conduits. This segmentation allows the radiation beam to pass through designated pathways while the cooling medium is contained in separate chambers, preventing direct exposure of the superconducting magnet to the radiation beam and preserving superconductivity while enabling radiation treatment delivery.
2Productivity
If the cooling chambers are positioned in the radiation path, then radiation treatment is possible, but the cooling medium causes radiation beam attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
Connection conduits serve as intermediary pathways that allow fluid communication between cooling chambers while providing designated routes for the radiation beam. The conduits are positioned and configured to guide the radiation beam through specific pathways that bypass the cooling medium-containing chambers, eliminating radiation attenuation while maintaining the cooling function.
3Productivity
If the superconducting wire is exposed to the radiation beam, then the radiation treatment can proceed, but the superconducting wire loses superconductivity due to radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The superconducting wire is extracted from the radiation path and housed inside the connection conduits that connect the cooling chambers. This positioning removes the superconducting wire from direct exposure to the radiation beam, preventing radiation-induced loss of superconductivity while allowing the radiation treatment to proceed through the designated pathways.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures consistent and accurate radiation delivery while protecting the MRI's superconducting magnet from radiation-induced quenching, enhancing both the efficiency and reliability of the imaging and treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
a superconducting magnet housed inside the first cooling chamber and configured to generate a main magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber may be in fluid communication through a connection conduit
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure may provide a system. The system may include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device configured to perform an imaging of a subject. The MRI device may includes a cryostat. The cryostat may include a first cooling chamber and a second cooling chamber that are in fluid communication through a connection conduit. The connection conduit may be located on a side of a central axis of the first cooling chamber or a central axis of the second cooling chamber. The system may include a radiation source configured to emit a radiation beam toward the subject. The radiation source may be positioned between the first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber such that the first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber are outside of a radiation range of the radiation beam.