Linear Accelerator Powers Novel Radiation Therapy System

The system also includes a patient couch with three degrees of freedom, two in-room couch control panels, and a laser positioning system to facilitate initial patient setup.

A planning station helps define structures and constraints for initial planning and re-optimization of RT treatments and management of the treatment delivery process, and also supports subsequent reviews via a database server containing patient and machine data. A control console just outside the treatment room is paired to an operator console for MRI acquisition, patient positioning, dose prediction, and real-time tumor tracking. The MRIdian Linac system has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“With MRI-guided radiation therapy, we're able to watch the movement of tumors and organs in the body as radiation is being delivered and adapt the dose of radiation in real time, to help ensure the maximum dose reaches the tumor and that surrounding healthy tissue is spared,” said Sasa Mutic, PhD, director of radiation oncology physics at Washington University School of Medicine. “This technology helps us treat tumors such those in the lung, liver, and pancreas, where increased precision is important due to nearby organs and other critical structures.”

A linac uses microwave technology to accelerate electrons, forming high energy x-rays that can be shaped to conform to the shape of the patient's tumor in a customized beam. The beam may be shaped either by blocks or a multileaf collimator incorporated into the head of the machine. RT can be delivered to the tumor from any angle by rotating the gantry and moving the treatment couch.