MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy Layout for Magnetic Interference Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy systems face challenges in tracking subject motion during treatment sessions due to the difficulty in integrating MRI and radiation therapy apparatuses in a compact structure without causing interference, affecting therapeutic quality.
Innovation Solution
A radiation therapy system is designed with a linear accelerator positioned between shielding coils, a deflection magnet to correct electron dispersion, and correction coils to ensure electrons collide vertically on the target, minimizing magnetic interference and optimizing the compact arrangement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If MRI apparatus and radiation therapy apparatus are combined in a compact structure, then space utilization is improved, but magnetic field interference between components increases
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic shielding structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the MRI apparatus and radiation therapy apparatus. This shielding structure, positioned between the two functional modules, blocks and redirects magnetic field lines to prevent interference between the MRI main magnetic field and the radiation therapy electron beam path, thereby enabling compact integration while maintaining functional independence
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system is divided into distinct functional modules (MRI apparatus module and radiation therapy apparatus module) that are spatially separated by the magnetic shielding structure. This segmentation allows each module to operate independently within the compact system, reducing mutual interference while maintaining overall system integration
2Volume of moving object
If linear accelerator is positioned between shielding coils, then space utilization is improved, but electron beam dispersion increases
Solution Approach 1:
A deflection magnet is introduced as an intermediary component between the linear accelerator and target. This deflection magnet generates a controlled magnetic field that counteracts the dispersion effect caused by positioning the linear accelerator between shielding coils, thereby maintaining electron beam focusing accuracy while enabling compact component arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the magnetic field parameters of the deflection magnet to compensate for electron beam dispersion. By changing the strength and orientation of the deflection magnetic field, the system maintains optimal electron beam positioning accuracy despite the compact arrangement of the linear accelerator between shielding coils
3Manufacturing precision
If deflection magnet is added to correct electron dispersion, then electron beam accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection magnet is designed to serve multiple functions: it corrects electron beam dispersion, provides fine positioning control, and works in conjunction with the shielding coils to manage magnetic field distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while maintaining electron beam accuracy
4Manufacturing precision
If correction coils are added to ensure vertical electron collision, then therapeutic precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The correction coils are integrated with the existing magnetic field management system, working in combination with the shielding coils and deflection magnet. This merging approach allows the correction coils to enhance electron collision precision without requiring completely separate magnetic field control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving vertical collision accuracy
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 system achieves improved magnetic field homogeneity and reduced interference, allowing for precise radiation delivery and real-time imaging guidance, enhancing therapeutic accuracy and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a linear accelerator configured to accelerate electrons to produce a radiation beam
Implementation Method 2
a deflection magnet configured to deflect the electrons emitted from the linear accelerator by a deflection angle
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of main magnetic coils configured to generate a main magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of shielding magnetic coils, the plurality of shielding magnetic coils being arranged around an axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a radiation therapy system. The radiation therapy system may comprise a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. The MRI apparatus may include a plurality of shielding magnetic coils, the plurality of shielding magnetic coils being arranged around an axis. The radiation therapy system may also comprise a radiation therapy apparatus, which includes a linear accelerator configured to accelerate electrons to produce a radiation beam, the linear accelerator being located between two neighboring shielding coils of the plurality of shielding coils, and a length direction of the linear accelerator being parallel with the axis. The radiation therapy apparatus may also include a deflection magnet configured to deflect the electrons emitted from the linear accelerator by a deflection angle in a first portion of a moving trajectory, the first portion of the moving trajectory being on a plane intersecting with a radial plane of the MRI apparatus.