Systems and methods for linear accelerator radiotherapy with magnetic resonance imaging
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.
1. A system comprising:
a magnetic resonance imaging system;
a gantry;
two or more shielding containers attached to the gantry, at least two of the two or more shielding containers containing components of a linear accelerator; and
at least one radio frequency waveguide extending between the at least two of the two or more shielding containers to connect the components contained in the at least two of the two or more shielding containers.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one radio-frequency waveguide is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field lines of a main magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging system.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one radiofrequency waveguide includes a magnetic shield.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the two or more shielding containers are spaced substantially equidistant from one another around the circumference of the gantry.
5. The system of claim 4 further comprising at least one shielding container that does not contain components of a linear accelerator.
6. The system of claim 1 including multiple radio frequency waveguides, the radio frequency waveguides extending substantially around the entire circumference of the gantry.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein at least one of the radio frequency waveguides does not transmit radiofrequency waves.
8. The system of claim 1 including three shielding containers adapted to contain RF power source components in a first shielding container, circulator and AFC components in a second shielding container, and linear accelerator components in a third shielding container.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one radio frequency waveguide includes RF shielding.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the RF shielding comprises at least one of an RF absorbing material, an RF reflecting material, or multiple layers of RF reflecting and absorbing materials.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the RF shielding comprises one of carbon fiber or silicon carbide.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the RF shielding comprises one of copper, aluminum or copper or aluminum alloys or oxides.
13. The system of claim 9 wherein the RF shielding includes water cooling.
14. The system of claim 9 wherein the RF shielding includes air cooling.
15. A method comprising:
providing a magnetic resonance imaging system;
providing a gantry;
affixing two or more shielding containers to the gantry;
placing components of a linear accelerator into at least two of the two or more shielding containers; and
connecting the components contained in the at least two of the two or more shielding containers with at least one radio frequency waveguide extending between the at least two of the two or more shielding containers.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one radio-frequency waveguide is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field lines of a main magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging system.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one radiofrequency waveguide includes a magnetic shield.
18. The method of claim 15 including connecting multiple radio frequency waveguides, the radio frequency waveguides extending substantially around the entire circumference of the gantry.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one radio frequency waveguide includes RF shielding.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the RF shielding comprises at least one of an RF absorbing material, an RF reflecting material, or multiple layers of RF reflecting and absorbing materials.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the RF shielding includes air or water cooling.
22. A system comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging system; a gantry; two or more separate shielding containers attached to and space around the gantry, at least two of the two or more shielding containers containing components of a linear accelerator; and at least one radio frequency waveguide connecting the components contained in the at least two of the two or more shielding containers.