MRI-Guided Particle Therapy Gantry with Passive Magnetic Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current particle therapy apparatuses face challenges in delivering precise high doses of energy to a target volume due to patient movement, such as breathing, and require a more compact integration of particle therapy and MRI systems for real-time imaging and beam adaptation.
Innovation Solution
A compact particle therapy apparatus with an isocentric gantry and a magnetic resonance imaging system, featuring a passive magnetic shield and synchronously rotatable main magnet units, allows for precise beam direction and real-time imaging, enhancing beam precision and system compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the MRI system is integrated with the particle therapy apparatus, then real-time imaging capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the MRI system with the particle therapy apparatus by integrating the MRI scanner into the gantry structure. The MRI system shares space with the particle beam delivery system, allowing simultaneous or coordinated operation for real-time imaging during particle therapy treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The gantry structure serves multiple functions: it supports both the particle beam delivery system (bending magnets, beam line) and the MRI system. This multi-functional design allows a single apparatus to perform both particle therapy and real-time magnetic resonance imaging
2Manufacturing precision
If the main magnetic field of the MRI system is aligned with the particle beam path, then the beam narrowing effect is improved, but the magnetic interference with the particle beam path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a passive magnetic shield as an intermediary element between the MRI main magnets and the particle beam path. This shield selectively blocks or redirects magnetic field lines, allowing the beam-narrowing effect to be maintained while preventing harmful magnetic interference with the particle beam trajectory
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic shield is strategically positioned only in specific regions where magnetic interference would affect the particle beam, while allowing the main magnetic field to maintain its beam-narrowing effect in other regions. This localized approach optimizes both beam precision and interference reduction
3Ease of operation
If the gantry is made rotatable for patient comfort, then the ease of operation is improved, but the magnetic field stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the gantry to be rotatable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the treatment angle for patient comfort and access to different body regions. The MRI system and particle beam delivery system are both mounted on the rotating gantry, maintaining their relative positions while enabling angular adjustment
4Manufacturing precision
If the particle beam is narrowed for precise delivery, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the MRI system's main magnetic field to provide beam narrowing functionality, merging the imaging function with the beam delivery function. This eliminates the need for separate, complex beam narrowing devices while achieving precise beam delivery through the synergistic use of magnetic fields
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
The solution enables more precise delivery of charged particle beams and a more compact apparatus, improving the accuracy of energy deposition while minimizing dose deviation due to patient movement and reducing magnetic interactions between MRI and particle treatment subsystems.
Implementation Method 1
a passive magnetic shield surrounding the first and second main magnet units of the magnetic resonance imaging system such that a part of the passive magnetic shield is arranged between the last bending magnet of the gantry and the first main magnet unit of the magnetic resonance imaging system
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of bending magnets arranged along a beam path, the first bending magnet being configured to receive the particle beam along the axis Y and to bend and direct the particle beam away from the axis Y, the last bending magnet being configured to bend and direct the particle beam towards the isocentre of the gantry
Implementation Method 3
the first and second main magnet units being configured to generate together a main magnetic field (Bo) which is parallel to the final beam direction at the gantry's isocentre
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a particle therapy apparatus for irradiating a target with a charged particle beam. In one implementation, the apparatus includes an isocentric gantry rotatable about an axis and configured to direct a particle beam towards an isocenter of gantry and according to a final beam direction, a magnetic resonance imaging system configured to generate a main magnetic field parallel to the final beam direction, and a passive magnetic shield surrounding the magnetic resonance imaging system, the passive magnetic shield and the magnetic resonance imaging system being synchronously rotatable with the gantry about the axis.