The invention provides for a medical apparatus (100, 300, 400) comprising a subject support (102) configured for moving a subject (106) from a first position (124) to a second position (130) along a linear path (134). The subject support comprises a support surface (108) for receiving the subject. The subject support is further configured for positioning the subject support in at least one intermediate position (128). The subject support is configured for measuring a displacement (132) along the linear path between the first position and the at least one intermediate position. Each of the at least one intermediate position is located between the first position and the second position. The medical apparatus further comprises a camera (110) configured for imaging the support surface in the first position. Execution of machine executable instructions 116 cause the a processor (116) controlling the medical apparatus to: acquire (200) an initial image (142) with the camera when the subject support is in the first position; control (202) the subject support to move the subject support from the first position to the second position; acquire (204) at least one intermediate image (144) with the camera and the displacement for each of the at least one intermediate image as the subject support is moved from the first position to the second position; and calculate (206) a height profile (150, 600, 604) of the subject by comparing the initial image and the at least one intermediate image. The height profile is at least partially calculated using the displacement. The height profile is descriptive of the spatially dependent height of the subject above the support surface.

A magnetic resonance (MR)-radiotherapy (RT) hybrid system for treating a patient is disclosed. The MR-RT hybrid system comprises: an MR imaging (MRI) apparatus comprising bi-planar magnets configured to generate a magnetic field; a radiation source configured to supply a radiation beam to treat the patient; a gantry configured to couple the MR apparatus at a first end and the radiation source so that they can rotate in unison; a treatment support configured to support the patient; a motor configured to move the treatment support; and a controller. The controller comprises a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the motor to move the treatment support in order to avoid collision between the MRI apparatus and the patient when the MRI apparatus is rotated. A method for positioning the treatment support within the MR-RT hybrid system is also disclosed.

A method of correcting a magnetic field of a medical apparatus (300) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (302). The MRI system includes a magnet (306) for generating the magnetic field within an imaging zone 318. The magnet generates a magnetic field with a zero crossing (346, 404) outside of the imaging zone. The medical apparatus further comprises a gantry (332) configured for rotating a ferromagnetic component (336, 510) about a rotational axis (333). The method comprises the step of installing (100, 200) a magnetic correcting element (348, 900, 1000) located on a radial path (344, 504) perpendicular to the rotational axis. The magnetic correcting element is positioned on the radial path such that change in the magnetic field within the imaging zone due to the ferromagnetic component is reduced. The method further comprises repeatedly: measuring (102, 202, 1204) the magnetic field within the imaging zone; determining (104, 204, 1206) the change in the magnetic field in the imaging zone; and adjusting (106, 206, 1208) the position of the magnetic correcting element along the radial path if the change in the magnetic field is above a predetermined threshold.

Embodiments now disclosed herein provide an apparatus and method in which free radicals can be detected in a substance by MRI without changing the MRI static field.

A high-energy radiation treatment system can comprise a laser-driven accelerator system, a patient monitoring system, and a control system. The laser-driven accelerator system, such as a laser-driven plasma accelerator or a laser-driven dielectric microstructure accelerator, can be constructed to irradiate a patient disposed on a patient support. The patient monitoring system can be configured to detect and track a location or movement of a treatment volume within the patient. The control system can be configured to control the laser-driven accelerator system responsively to the location or movement of the treatment volume. The system can also include a beam control system, which generates a magnetic field that can affect the radiation beam and/or secondary electrons produced by the irradiation beam. In some embodiments, the beam control system and the patient monitoring system can comprise a magnetic resonance imaging system.

Disclosed herein is a medical instrument (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 900) comprising a subject support (102) configured for supporting a subject (110) in a Fowler's position during a magnetic resonance imaging examination. The subject support comprises a leg support region (104) configured for supporting a leg region of the subject horizontally. The subject support further comprises a thoracic support (106) configured for supporting an upper body region of the subject. The subject support is configured such that the thoracic support is inclined (108) with respect to the leg support region to hold the subject in the Fowler's position. The medical instrument further comprises a breast support (114). The breast support comprises a planar support surface (116) configured for supporting breasts of the subject. The breast support is connected to the subject support. The support surface is configured for being horizontal during the magnetic resonance imaging examination.

Disclosed herein is a method of characterising physical properties of an attenuating element in a radiotherapy device having a radiotherapy radiation source and a radiotherapy radiation detector on respective sides of the attenuating element. The method comprises obtaining an average detected radiotherapy radiation intensity at two or more locations around the attenuating element, comparing the detected intensity at one location with the average intensity, and characterising a corresponding physical property based on the comparison.

There is provided a patient's cranial position monitoring and controlling device for controlling a magnetic resonance (MR) guided radiation source module via an MR-guided radiation controlling device connected to the patient's cranial position monitoring and controlling device and an MR-guided radiation system including a patient's cranial position monitoring and controlling device, which allows for better MR-imaging while allowing patient position monitoring close to the patient.

The present invention provides a radiotherapeutical or radiosurgical system comprising at least two high-intensity radiation sources configured to rotate around a common rotation axis and a ring-shaped imaging device. A three-source configuration is considered as the most cost-effective and will be used as an example for illustration. The three radiation sources are specially configured with each radiation source emits a radiation beam having an angle (α1, α2 or α3 respectively) relative to the common rotation axis and targets at a common isocenter. During a radiation treatment, the angles α1, α2 and α3 are independently of each other constant or variable with a magnitude of less than ±15°, and it always remains that α1≠α2, α1≠α3, and α2≠α3. The special configuration of these high-intensity radiation sources and use of a unique compact MLC for each of the radiation sources make it possible for the system to rapidly deliver high-conformal non-coplanar stereotactic radiation treatment in one gantry rotation without any couch rotation. Consequently, a ring-shaped imaging device, which does not allow couch rotation, can be integrated into the system to provide high-precision image guidance. Therefore, the present invention can deliver high precision and high-conformal non-coplanar stereotactic radiation treatment to any part of the body in an extremely short time (0.1-20 seconds), which may exhibit numerous advantages over the prior art, such as reduction of radiation damage to the circulating immune cells in blood and mitigation of patient motion-induced problems, among others.

Systems and methods for treating a lung disease including capturing a first set of images of at least a portion of a lung displaying symptoms of a lung disease, generating a three dimensional model from the first set of images, locating a target nerve proximate the portion of the lung, generating a treatment plan, and non-invasively denervating the target nerve based on the treatment plan such that the function of the portion of the lung is affected.