MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy Layout With Magnetic Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy systems face challenges in tracking tumor motion during treatment sessions and integrating MRI and radiation therapy apparatuses in a compact structure without interference.
Innovation Solution
A radiation therapy system is designed with an MRI apparatus and a radiation therapy apparatus, featuring a coaxial arrangement of main and shielding magnetic coils within an annular cryostat, including a linear accelerator partially located in an annular recess, and shielding structures to provide magnetic shielding and collimate therapeutic radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If MRI apparatus and radiation therapy apparatus are integrated in a compact space, then device complexity is reduced, but magnetic interference between the two apparatuses occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic shielding structure made of high-permeability material is introduced as an intermediary between the MRI magnet and the radiation therapy apparatus. This shielding structure acts as a mediator that redirects magnetic field lines away from the radiation therapy components, allowing both apparatuses to coexist in a compact configuration without significant magnetic interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic shielding function is extracted as a separate component and integrated into the overall system structure. By taking out the magnetic interference problem and addressing it through dedicated shielding elements, the patent enables compact integration while maintaining functional independence between the MRI and radiation therapy systems.
2Measurement precision
If shielding magnetic coils are arranged at larger radius from the axis, then magnetic field uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses magnetic field uniformity not only through radial arrangement of shielding coils but also by incorporating axial positioning and optimizing the gap between main and shielding coils. This multi-dimensional approach allows achieving field uniformity while managing structural complexity through systematic spatial arrangement.
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 high therapeutic quality with a compact structure, enabling accurate tumor tracking and effective radiation delivery by integrating MRI and radiation therapy components efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The linear accelerator may be configured to accelerate electrons in an electron beam to produce a photon beam of the therapeutic radiation
Implementation Method 2
The first shielding structure may be configured to provide magnetic shielding for at least one of the linear accelerator and the one or more collimation components
Implementation Method 3
The MRI apparatus may include a plurality of main magnetic coils, a plurality of shielding magnetic coils, and an annular cryostat in which the plurality of main magnetic coils and the plurality of shielding magnetic coils are coaxially arranged along an axis of the annular cryostat
Implementation Method 4
The one or more collimation components configured to shape the photon beam of the therapeutic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system and a method. The system may include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus configured to acquire MRI data with respect to a region of interest (ROI) and a therapeutic apparatus configured to apply therapeutic radiation to at least one portion of the ROI. The MRI apparatus may include a plurality of main magnetic coils arranged coaxially along an axis, a plurality of shielding magnetic coils arranged coaxially along the axis, and a cryostat in which the plurality of main magnetic coils and the plurality of shielding magnetic coils are arranged.