Patent ID: 11850446

Abstract:
A radiotherapy apparatus adapted for use with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system, the radiotherapy apparatus comprising a linear accelerator, the linear accelerator including an electron source. In the linear accelerator electrons which are introduced by the source are accelerated to impact on a target and produce a beam of radiotherapeutic radiation. The linear accelerator has an accelerator waveguide within which the electrons are accelerated and an external waveguide enclosure; this enclosure extends substantially continuously over the accelerator waveguide. The waveguide enclosure is formed of a high magnetic permeability material and has a first aperture for the beam of radiotherapeutic radiation where the beam exits the waveguide enclosure and enters the MRI system and a second aperture for an RF guide for the introduction of electrons into the accelerator waveguide and for electrical lines for the particle source and coolant lines for the waveguide to pass through the enclosure and no other openings. The waveguide enclosure is preferably fabricated in a plurality of discrete parts.