Therapeutic apparatus

Abstract

A therapeutic apparatus comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging system adapted for acquiring a set of magnetic resonance imaging data in an imaging zone, wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a means for generating a magnetic field, a guiding means adapted for guiding a beam of charged particles to a target zone within a subject such that the beam encloses an angle with the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field within the imaging zone, the angle being between 0 degrees and 30 degrees, wherein the imaging zone comprises the target zone, a zone determination means for determining the location of the target zone within the subject using the set of magnetic resonance imaging data.

1 . A therapeutic apparatus comprising:
 magnetic resonance imaging system adapted for acquiring a set of magnetic resonance imaging data in an imaging zone, wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a means for generating a magnetic field,
 a guiding means adapted for guiding a beam of charged particles to a target zone within a subject such that the beam encloses an angle with the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field within the imaging zone, the angle being between 0 degrees and 30 degrees, wherein the imaging zone comprises the target zone, 
 a zone determination means for determining the location of the target zone within the subject using the set of magnetic resonance imaging data, 
 a trajectory calculation means for calculating a trajectory of the beam using magnetic field data being descriptive of the magnetic field such that the calculated trajectory reaches the target zone, 
 a control means adapted for controlling the guiding means using the calculated trajectory such that the beam follows the calculated trajectory. 
   
     
     
         2 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the trajectory calculation means is adapted for calculating an energy loss of the beam within the subject, and wherein the trajectory calculation means adjusts the calculated trajectory using the energy loss. 
     
     
         3 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the guiding means is adapted for guiding a beam of charged particles that comprises charged particles that have a kinetic energy greater than or equal to the kinetic energy necessary so that the Bragg-peak of the particle beam is within the target zone, and wherein the beam guiding means further comprises an adjustable attenuator for modulating the location of the Bragg-peak of the beam so that the Bragg-peak is within the target zone. 
     
     
         4 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guiding means is further adapted such that beam encloses an angle between 5 degrees and 25 degrees with the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field within the imaging zone, the angle being preferably between 15 and 20 degrees, wherein the trajectory calculation means is adapted for calculating more than one calculated trajectory of the beam that directs the beam to the target zone, wherein the beam control means is adapted for switching between the more than one calculated trajectory during therapy to minimize the exposure of portions of the subject outside of the target zone to the beam. 
     
     
         5 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system is adapted for acquiring the set of magnet resonance imaging data at periodic intervals, wherein the zone determination means is further adapted to monitor motion of the target zone using the set of magnetic resonance imaging data acquired at periodic intervals, wherein the zone determination means is further adapted to monitor internal motion of the subject along the beam trajectory using the set of magnetic resonance imaging data acquired at periodic intervals, wherein the trajectory calculation means is adapted to adjust the calculation of the calculated trajectory to compensate for motion of the target zone, and wherein the beam control means is adapted to adjust the beam trajectory using adjustments to the calculated trajectory. 
     
     
         6 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guiding means comprises charged particle optics for adjusting the beam trajectory, and wherein the guiding means further comprises an adjustable attenuator for modulating the energy of charged particles comprising the beam. 
     
     
         7 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guiding means is adapted for being moved relative to the means for generating a magnetic field. 
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic apparatus further comprises a subject support adapted for adjusting the position of the subject during operation of the therapeutic apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the orientation of the guiding means is fixed relative to the means for generating a magnetic field, and wherein subject support is further adapted for rotational motion during operation of the therapeutic apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the zone determination means is further adapted for receiving planning data for planning therapy using the therapeutic apparatus, wherein the zone determination means is adapted for confirming if the planning data satisfies a predetermined criterion using the set of magnetic resonance imaging data, wherein the zone determination is adapted for performing at least one of the following if the planning data does not satisfy the predetermined criterion: halting the generation of the beam of charged particles, alerting an operator that the planning data is not accurate, adjusting the planning data, receiving corrections to the planning data from the operator. 
     
     
         11 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic resonance imaging systems is adapted for measuring the trajectory of charged particles within the imaging zone, wherein the beam control means is adapted for adjusting the beam trajectory using the measured trajectory. 
     
     
         12 . The therapeutic apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guiding means is adapted for guiding a beam of charged particles that comprises at least one of the following: protons, carbon nuclei, or atomic nuclei.