Combining an MR scanner and a linear accelerator certainly presents challenges. For starters, a linear accelerator cannot operate in an MR scanner's magnetic stray field and the radiofrequency (RF) from the linear accelerator would normally prevent the MR scanner from working. There's also the issue of the radiation beam from the linear accelerator getting in the way of any coils or electronics on the MR machine and compromising imaging quality. To overcome these issues Busch said the research team has developed novel designs for the MRI magnets and gradient coils.

"This enables magnets that are similar to current commercial designs but with a transparent window for the radiation beam to pass through. We have also redesigned the magnet architecture to create a so-called toroidal zone around the scanner that has zero magnetic field, where the linear accelerator can operate," he said.


In addition, they have developed novel RF shield concepts to isolate the MR components from the linear accelerator for high performance of both components.

Since there is still a lot of work to do, Busch said testing and evaluating the approach will still be ongoing for the next several years.

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