Viewray Technologies, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Viewray, Incorporated

Viewray Systems, Inc.

Other

Case Western Reserve University

Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc.

Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation

Shmaryu M Shvartsman

James F Dempsey

Gordon D DeMeester

John Lester Patrick

Michael Andrew Morich

Qingguo Zeng

Thomas Chmielewski

Iwan Kawrykow

Roger Nana

Timothy P Eagan

Gordon Demeester

Robert W Brown

Massimo Dal Forno

David L Rayner

David Nikoly

Robert L Brown

Labros S Petropoulos

Hiroyuki Fujita

Yong Wu

Mark Richard

Zhen Yao

Jacob D Willig-Onwuachi

Michael Thompson

David Nicolay

Gordon D Demeester

John Lester Ii Patrick

A radiation therapy system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system combined with an irradiation system, which can include one or more linear accelerators (linacs) that can emit respective radiation beams suitable for radiation therapy. The MRI system includes a split magnet system, comprising first and second main magnets separated by gap. A gantry is positioned in the gap between the main MRI magnets and supports the linac(s) of the irradiation system. The gantry is rotatable independently of the MRI system and can angularly reposition the linac(s). Shielding can also be provided in the form of magnetic and/or RF shielding. Magnetic shielding can be provided for shielding the linac(s) from the magnetic field generated by the MM magnets. RF shielding can be provided for shielding the MRI system from RF radiation from the linac.

Method and apparatus for shielding a linear accelerator and a magnetic resonance imaging device from each other

An MRI system including a main magnet defining a volume, an imaging region disposed within the volume. The main magnet is configured to produce a uniform main magnetic field within the volume, wherein the uniform magnetic field is oriented along a patient axis. The system includes a gradient magnetic coil assembly disposed within the volume and configured to generate a spatially varying magnetic field across the imaging region. The gradient magnetic coil assembly includes a first coil configured to generate a magnetic field in a first axis, a second coil configured to generate a magnetic field in a second axis, and a third coil configured to generate a magnetic field in the patient axis. The system also includes a passive gradient shield disposed between the main magnet and primary gradient magnetic coil assembly, the passive gradient shield can include a continuous cylindrical layer of high permeability, low electrical conductivity material.

Passive shield for magnetic resonance imaging gradient coils

Particle radiation therapy and planning utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Radiation therapy prescription information and patient MRI data can be received and a radiation therapy treatment plan can be determined for use with a particle beam. The treatment plan can utilize the radiation therapy prescription information and the patient MRI data to account for interaction properties of soft tissues in the patient through which the particle beam passes. Patient MRI data may be received from a magnetic resonance imaging system integrated with the particle radiation therapy system. MRI data acquired during treatment may also be utilized to modify or optimize the particle radiation therapy treatment.

Particle therapy with magnetic resonance imaging

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a resistive, solenoidal electromagnet for whole-body MRI may include ferromagnetic material within an envelope of the electromagnet. The system can be configured to have a field strength of at least 0.05 Tesla and its main electromagnetic field can be generated by layers of conductors instead of bundles. Certain electromagnet designs may be fabricated using non-metallic formers, such as fiberglass, and can be constructed to form a rigid object with the layers of conductors by fixing all together with an epoxy. The electromagnet may be configured to have two separated halves, which may be held apart by a fixation structure such as carbon fiber. The power supply for certain electromagnets herein may have current fluctuations, at frequencies of 180 Hz or above, of at least one part per ten thousand without requiring an additional current filter.

Resistive electromagnet systems and methods

Systems and methods for the delivery of linear accelerator radiotherapy in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging in which components of a linear accelerator may be placed in shielding containers around a gantry, may be connected with RF waveguides, and may employ various systems and methods for magnetic and radio frequency shielding.

Systems and methods for linear accelerator radiotherapy with magnetic resonance imaging

A radiation therapy system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system combined with an irradiation system, which can include one or more linear accelerators (linacs) that can emit respective radiation beams suitable for radiation therapy. The MRI system includes a split magnet system, comprising first and second main magnets separated by gap. A gantry is positioned in the gap between the main MRI magnets and supports the linac(s) of the irradiation system. The gantry is rotatable independently of the MRI system and can angularly reposition the linac(s). Shielding can also be provided in the form of magnetic and/or RF shielding. Magnetic shielding can be provided for shielding the linac(s) from the magnetic field generated by the MRI magnets. RF shielding can be provided for shielding the MRI system from RF radiation from the linac.

Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for reducing an appearance of an artifact in an image generated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a magnetic field generating device configured to create an inhomogeneity in the magnetic field of an MRI system and prevent at least one out-of-field excitation during imaging.

Reduction of artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging

Gradient coil assemblies for horizontal magnetic resonance imaging systems (MRIs) and methods of their manufacture. Some embodiments may be used with open MRIs and can be used with an instrument placed in the gap of the MRI. In general, concentrations of conductors or radially oriented conductors may be moved away from the gap of the MRI so as to reduce eddy currents that may be induced in any instrument placed within the gap. Systems for directly cooling primary gradient and shield coils may be utilized and various coil supporting structures may be used to assist in coil alignment or to facilitate use of an instrument in the MRI gap.

Self-shielded split gradient coil

Systems and methods for tomographic reconstruction of an image include systems and methods for producing images from k-space data. A k-space data set of an imaged object is acquired using know k-space data acquisition systems and methods. A portion of the k-space data set is sampled so as to collect some portion of the k-space data. An image is then reconstructed from the collected portion of the k-space data set according to a convex optimization model.

System and method for performing tomographic image acquisition and reconstruction

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a split magnet system having a pair of MRI magnet housings separated by gap. A pair of main MRI magnets are disposed within respective MRI magnet housings. A plurality of buttress assemblies are attached to the MRI magnet housings. Some or all of the buttress assemblies are provided with removable connections to the MRI magnet housings. This allows for partial disassembly of the MRI system for improved transport and maneuverability for relocating the MRI system. The MRI system can include a gantry in the gap for supporting a radiation therapy system. Also, the removably buttress assemblies can be used for housing conduits, such as electrical and fluid conduits, between the pair of MRI magnet housings.

Split magnetic resonance imaging system

Radio frequency (RF) shields used with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus may experience gradient field induced eddy currents and RF field induced eddy currents. These eddy currents can cause the RF shield to heat up at an undesirable rate. RF shields are designed to have a desired degree of RF shielding and a desired heating attribute. Design goals for RF shields include gradient field transparency and RF field opacity, both of which can be influenced by eddy currents. Example methods identify a gradient field that will induce eddy currents and identify an RF field that will induce eddy currents. If a region on the RF shield is identified where the desired heating attribute will not be achieved, then a pattern of axial cuts and azimuthal cuts can be made in the RF shield to reduce gradient eddy current heating in the RF shield while maintaining desired RF shielding.

Optimized RF shield design

Growing community of inventors

Highland Heights, OH, United States of America

Shmaryu M Shvartsman