Abstract: Disclosed herein is a radiotherapy apparatus for delivering radiation to a patient. The apparatus comprises a gantry, a source of radiation attached to the gantry and configured to emit radiation along a radiation axis, a support structure for supporting the gantry, and a gantry rotation mechanism positioned between the support structure and the gantry. The gantry rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the gantry about a gantry rotation axis, and tilt the gantry with respect to the gantry rotation axis such that the radiation axis is non-perpendicular with the gantry rotation axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a medical apparatus (100), comprising: a structure defining a bore (104) in which a patient or part of a patient can be positioned during use; an MRI system comprising: a receiving coil device (116) positioned within the bore, the receiving coil device (116) comprising a receiving coil for detecting radio signals emitted by relaxing nuclei within the patient; a constraining mechanism (118) coupled between the structure and the receiving coil device (116), the constraining mechanism (118) permitting movement of the receiving coil device (116) in a single linear dimension; and one or more retractable suspension mounts (120a, 120b), each of the one or more retractable suspension mounts (120a, 120b) comprising a flexible line arranged to suspend at least part of the receiving coil device (116) within the bore.

Abstract: A radiotherapy apparatus including a rotatable gantry, a beam generation system, an on-gantry heat transfer system and an off-gantry heat transfer system is disclosed. The beam generation system is attached to the gantry and configured to generate abeam of therapeutic radiation. The on-gantry heat transfer system is configured to rotate with the gantry and includes a first conduit including a first thermally conductive surface, the on-gantry heat transfer system being configured to transfer heat generated by the beam generation system to the thermally conductive surface. The off-gantry heat transfer system includes a second thermally conductive surface, the off-gantry heat transfer system being configured to transfer heat away from the second thermally conductive surface.

Abstract: A particle accelerator comprises a waveguide configured to accelerate a beam of electrons along an acceleration path. A diversion channel is configured to convey a beam of electrons along a diversion path. A first magnet arrangement is configured to, at a first location, direct electrons from the acceleration path to the diversion path. A second magnet arrangement is configured to, at a second location, direct electrons from the diversion path to the acceleration path.

Abstract: A combined MRI and radiotherapy apparatus comprises a radiotherapeutic source, an MRI system, a patient support, drive motors for the patient support arranged to adjust the position of the patient support while a patient is on the support, a control panel having a user-operable input interface for controlling the drive motors, and a display unit. A mounting arrangement for a display device comprises a transparent cover, a display panel held against a rear face of the cover so as to be visible through a front face of the cover, and a retaining structure for holding the display panel in place. The retaining structure comprises a chassis fixable in position relative to the cover, the chassis having at least one resilient finger extending therefrom alongside a rear face of the display panel, a part of which bears against the rear face of the display panel to resiliently urge the display panel against the rear face of the cover.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a waveguide for use in a linear accelerator. The waveguide comprises cells arranged to receive a beam of charged particles therethrough along a particle path, and is configured to receive an electromagnetic field from a source of electromagnetic radiation. A plurality of the cells are individually switchable cells, with each individually switchable cell comprising a respective switch configured to adjust the supply of electromagnetic radiation to the individually switchable cell.

Abstract: A radiotherapy apparatus including a rotatable gantry, a beam generation system, an on-gantry heat transfer system and an off-gantry heat transfer system is disclosed. The beam generation system is attached to the gantry and configured to generate abeam of therapeutic radiation. The on-gantry heat transfer system is configured to rotate with the gantry and includes a first conduit including a first thermally conductive surface, the on-gantry heat transfer system being configured to transfer heat generated by the beam generation system to the thermally conductive surface. The off-gantry heat transfer system includes a second thermally conductive surface, the off-gantry heat transfer system being configured to transfer heat away from the second thermally conductive surface.

Abstract: There is provided a radiation detection system for a radiotherapy device comprising: a plurality of detectors moveable to position each detector in turn in an imaging position to detect radiation.

Abstract: A medical imaging device having a bore 104 for receiving a patient during a medical imaging process and a ventilation channel 216 having an opening within the upper circumference of the bore for supplying cool air into the bore. At least one lighting circuit 210 with one or more LEDs is positioned within the ventilation channel 216 and is configured to illuminate the entire length of the bore 104. Air supplied from the ventilation channel 216 cools the lighting circuit 210 and prevents overheating effects within the lighting circuit that are caused by fields generated during the medical imaging process. The lighting circuit 210 comprises one or more filters, wherein the resonance frequency of the medical imaging device is within the stopband of the filters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a medical apparatus (100), comprising: a structure defining a bore (104) in which a patient or part of a patient can be positioned during use; an MRI system comprising: a receiving coil device (116) positioned within the bore, the receiving coil device (116) comprising a receiving coil for detecting radio signals emitted by relaxing nuclei within the patient; a constraining mechanism (118) coupled between the structure and the receiving coil device (116), the constraining mechanism (118) permitting movement of the receiving coil device (116) in a single linear dimension; and one or more retractable suspension mounts (120a, 120b), each of the one or more retractable suspension mounts (120a, 120b) comprising a flexible line arranged to suspend at least part of the receiving coil device (116) within the bore.

Abstract: There is provided a radiation detection system for a radiotherapy device comprising: a plurality of detectors moveable to position each detector in turn in an imaging position to detect radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a radiotherapy apparatus for delivering radiation to a patient. The apparatus comprises a gantry, a source of radiation attached to the gantry and configured to emit radiation along a radiation axis, a support structure for supporting the gantry, and a gantry rotation mechanism positioned between the support structure and the gantry. The gantry rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the gantry about a gantry rotation axis, and tilt the gantry with respect to the gantry rotation axis such that the radiation axis is non-perpendicular with the gantry rotation axis.

Abstract: A medical imaging device having a bore 104 for receiving a patient during a medical imaging process and a ventilation channel 216 having an opening within the upper circumference of the bore for supplying cool air into the bore. At least one lighting circuit 210 with one or more LEDs is positioned within the ventilation channel 216 and is configured to illuminate the entire length of the bore 104. Air supplied from the ventilation channel 216 cools the lighting circuit 210 and prevents overheating effects within the lighting circuit that are caused by fields generated during the medical imaging process. The lighting circuit 210 comprises one or more filters, wherein the resonance frequency of the medical imaging device is within the stopband of the filters.

Abstract: A combined MRI and radiotherapy apparatus comprises a radiotherapeutic source, an MRI system, a patient support, drive motors for the patient support arranged to adjust the position of the patient support while a patient is on the support, a control panel having a user-operable input interface for controlling the drive motors, and a display unit. A mounting arrangement for a display device comprises a transparent cover, a display panel held against a rear face of the cover so as to be visible through a front face of the cover, and a retaining structure for holding the display panel in place. The retaining structure comprises a chassis fixable in position relative to the cover, the chassis having at least one resilient finger extending therefrom alongside a rear face of the display panel, a part of which bears against the rear face of the display panel to resiliently urge the display panel against the rear face of the cover.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a center of the at least one pocket.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a centre of the at least one pocket.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a center of the at least one pocket.

Abstract: We provide a radiotherapeutic apparatus comprising a patient support, magnetic coils disposed around the patient support for creating a magnetic field therewithin, a radiation source producing a beam of radiation directed toward the patient support and mounted on a rotatable support thereby to rotate the radiation source around the patient support, a slip ring for conveying electrical power to the radiation source and located around the patient support, including at least one electrical interruption therein. This creates a slip ring in which there is no continuous circumferential path, and one in which the current is therefore forced to take a route via one side or the other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for attaching peripheral devices (such as collimators and electron applicators) to a system such as a radiotherapy system or radiography system. By re-using the lifting mechanism of the patient support to lift the peripheral device vertically, the invention reduces the need for heavy manual lifting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a centre of the at least one pocket.