Radiation therapy system

Abstract

A radiation therapy System comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and a linear accelerator capable of generating a beam of radiation. The linear accelerator is immersed in and oriented with respect to the MRI magnetic field to expose the linear accelerator to magnetic force that directs particles therein along a central axis thereof.

1 .- 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A radiation therapy system comprising:
 a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus configured to generate an MRI magnetic field, the MRI apparatus comprising at least a first magnet and a second magnet spaced apart to define a first gap there between; and   a linear accelerator attached to the MRI apparatus, the linear accelerator comprising:
 a transmission waveguide configured to generate a beam of radiation, the transmission waveguide operably coupled to a radiofrequency (RF) power supply located remote from the radiation therapy system. 
   
     
     
         7 . The radiation therapy system of claim  1 , wherein the first magnet comprises an opening and the beam of radiation is directed through the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The radiation therapy system of claim  2  further comprising a rotary joint configured to couple the linear accelerator with the RF power supply. 
     
     
         9 . The radiation therapy system of claim  3 , wherein the MRI and the linear accelerator are attached via a gantry. 
     
     
         10 . The radiation therapy system of claim  3 , wherein the MRI and the linear accelerator are configured to rotate in unison. 
     
     
         11 . The radiation therapy system of claim  2 , wherein at least a portion of the linear accelerator protrudes through the opening in the first magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The radiation therapy system of claim  2 , wherein the first magnet comprises a first set of coils and the second magnet comprises a second set of coils, each of the first and second set of coils comprising co-axial concentric coils. 
     
     
         13 . The radiation therapy system of  claim 7 , wherein each of the concentric coils is separated by a second gap. 
     
     
         14 . The radiation therapy system of  claim 7  further comprising two plates in the first gap, each of the plates configured to anchor a corresponding one of the first and second set of coils. 
     
     
         15 . The radiation therapy system of  claim 7 , wherein the first set of coils and the second set of coils comprise copper coils. 
     
     
         16 . The radiation therapy system of  claim 7 , wherein the first set of coils and the second set of coils comprise superconducting coils. 
     
     
         17 . The radiation therapy system of claim  2 , wherein the first magnet and the second magnet comprise permanent magnets. 
     
     
         18 . The radiation therapy system of claim  2 , wherein the first magnet and the second magnet comprise non-circular current carrying coils.