Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a resistive, solenoidal electromagnet for whole-body MRI may include ferromagnetic material within an envelope of the electromagnet. The system can be configured to have a field strength of at least 0.05 Tesla and its main electromagnetic field can be generated by layers of conductors instead of bundles. Certain electromagnet designs may be fabricated using non-metallic formers, such as fiberglass, and can be constructed to form a rigid object with the layers of conductors by fixing all together with an epoxy. The electromagnet may be configured to have two separated halves, which may be held apart by a fixation structure such as carbon fiber. The power supply for certain electromagnets herein may have current fluctuations, at frequencies of 180 Hz or above, of at least one part per ten thousand without requiring an additional current filter.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, computer software, and methods for generating a relative electron density map (RED) from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This can include obtaining an MRI scan of a portion of a patient and segmenting a first region and a second region in the MRI scan. A RED map can then be generated from the MRI scan by assigning a first RED to the first region, assigning a second RED to the second region, and assigning REDs to unsegmented regions in the MRI scan based on intensities in the MRI scan.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer software are disclosed that can include receiving a treatment prescription for a patient, obtaining a diagnosis-driven magnetic resonance imaging guided radiotherapy treatment and planning workflow (MRgRT&P workflow) associated with the treatment prescription from a workflow library, the diagnosis-driven MRgRT&P workflow having a parameter list comprising parameters utilized for MRI-guided radiation therapy. With the diagnosis-driven MRgRT&P workflow, any of the following can be performed: imaging with the MRI-guided radiation therapy system utilizing radiation therapy imaging parameters in the parameter list, generating a radiation therapy treatment plan utilizing radiation therapy planning parameters in the parameter list, and/or controlling an MRI-guided radiation therapy system utilizing radiation therapy delivery parameters in the parameter list.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer software are disclosed that allow the automatic recalling of imaging parameters from computer memory for controlling an MRI system to perform treatment-day scans of a patient on a treatment couch in a radiotherapy system, prior to treatment. The treatment-day scans can be automatically initialized and the MRI system can then be controlled to perform the treatment-day scans according to the recalled imaging parameters. Reoptimized radiation treatment plan(s) can be automatically generated and predicted doses to anatomical structures of the patient based on the plan(s) can be displayed. Clinicians can be enabled to perform numerous reoptimization tasks simultaneously through parallel workflow interfaces and then a radiation therapy device can be controlled to deliver radiation according to a selected radiation treatment plan.

Abstract: A system including a diagnostic-quality CT scanner for imaging a patient, the diagnostic-quality CT scanner having an imaging isocenter and a radiation therapy device positioned adjacent the diagnostic-quality CT scanner, the radiation therapy device including a gantry carrying a radiation therapy beam source and having a radiation therapy isocenter separate from the imaging isocenter of the diagnostic-quality CT scanner. The system including a couch configured to position the patient for imaging and for radiation therapy by translating the patient between the diagnostic quality CT scanner and the radiation therapy device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer software are disclosed that can include receiving a treatment prescription for a patient, obtaining a diagnosis-driven magnetic resonance imaging guided radiotherapy treatment and planning workflow (MRgRT&P workflow) associated with the treatment prescription from a workflow library, the diagnosis-driven MRgRT&P workflow having a parameter list comprising parameters utilized for MRI-guided radiation therapy. With the diagnosis-driven MRgRT&P workflow, any of the following can be performed: imaging with the MRI-guided radiation therapy system utilizing radiation therapy imaging parameters in the parameter list, generating a radiation therapy treatment plan utilizing radiation therapy planning parameters in the parameter list, and/or controlling an MRI-guided radiation therapy system utilizing radiation therapy delivery parameters in the parameter list.

Abstract: Reference data relating to a portion of a patient anatomy during patient motion can be acquired from a magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI) to develop a patient motion library. During a time of interest, tracking data is acquired that can be related to the reference data. Partial volumetric data is acquired during the time of interest and at approximately the same time as the acquisition of the tracking data. A volumetric image of patient anatomy that represents a particular motion state can be constructed from the acquired partial volumetric data and acquired tracking data.

Abstract: Improved magnetic resonance imaging systems, methods and software are described including a low field strength main magnet, a gradient coil assembly, an RF coil system, and a control system configured for the acquisition and processing of magnetic resonance imaging data from a patient while utilizing a sparse sampling imaging technique.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer software relating to gating using non-parallel imaging planes, determining accumulated dose to tissues during radiotherapy with actual beam delivery information, stopping/adjusting/reoptimizing therapy based on such accumulated doses and the generation and use of prognostic motion models and prognostic-motion adapted radiation treatment plans are disclosed.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil is disclosed that is suitable for use with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The radio frequency coil comprises first and second conductive loops connected electrically to each other by a plurality of conductive rungs. The conductive rungs each include a section that is relatively thin that will result in less attenuation to a radiation beam than other thicker sections of the rungs. Insulating regions are also disposed in areas of the radio frequency coil that are bound by adjacent rungs and the conductive loops. Portions of the insulating regions can be configured to provide a substantially similar amount of attenuation to the radiation beam as the relatively thin sections of the conductive rungs.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a resistive, solenoidal electromagnet for whole-body MRI may include ferromagnetic material within an envelope of the electromagnet. The system can be configured to have a field strength of at least 0.05 Tesla and its main electromagnetic field can be generated by layers of conductors instead of bundles. Certain electromagnet designs may be fabricated using non-metallic formers, such as fiberglass, and can be constructed to form a rigid object with the layers of conductors by fixing all together with an epoxy. The electromagnet may be configured to have two separated halves, which may be held apart by a fixation structure such as carbon fiber. The power supply for certain electromagnets herein may have current fluctuations, at frequencies of 180 Hz or above, of at least one part per ten thousand without requiring an additional current filter.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer software relating to gating using non-parallel imaging planes, determining accumulated dose to tissues during radiotherapy with actual beam delivery information, stopping/adjusting/reoptimizing therapy based on such accumulated doses and the generation and use of prognostic motion models and prognostic-motion adapted radiation treatment plans are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, computer software, and methods for generating a relative electron density map (RED) from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This can include obtaining an MRI scan of a portion of a patient and segmenting a first region and a second region in the MRI scan. A RED map can then be generated from the MRI scan by assigning a first RED to the first region, assigning a second RED to the second region, and assigning REDs to unsegmented regions in the MRI scan based on intensities in the MRI scan.

Abstract: A radiation therapy system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system combined with an irradiation system, which can include one or more linear accelerators (linacs) that can emit respective radiation beams suitable for radiation therapy. The MRI system includes a split magnet system, comprising first and second main magnets separated by gap. A gantry is positioned in the gap between the main MRI magnets and supports the linac(s) of the irradiation system. The gantry is rotatable independently of the MRI system and can angularly reposition the linac(s). Shielding can also be provided in the form of magnetic and/or RF shielding. Magnetic shielding can be provided for shielding the linac(s) from the magnetic field generated by the MM magnets. RF shielding can be provided for shielding the MRI system from RF radiation from the linac.

Abstract: Improved magnetic resonance imaging systems, methods and software are described including a low field strength main magnet, a gradient coil assembly, an RF coil system, and a control system configured for the acquisition and processing of magnetic resonance imaging data from a patient while utilizing a sparse sampling imaging technique.

Abstract: A phase correlation method (PCM) can be used for translational and/or rotational alignment of 3D medical images even in the presence of non-rigid deformations between first and second images of a registered volume of a patient.

Abstract: RF coil assemblies are disclosed that include multiturn loops formed of conductors configured to receive RF signals from a patient during MRI. The multiturn loops include an inner loop and an outer loop that both lie substantially in a plane of the RF coil assembly. The inner loop is at least partially nested within the outer loop.

Abstract: Particle radiation therapy and planning utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Radiation therapy prescription information and patient MRI data can be received and a radiation therapy treatment plan can be determined for use with a particle beam. The treatment plan can utilize the radiation therapy prescription information and the patient MRI data to account for interaction properties of soft tissues in the patient through which the particle beam passes. Patient MRI data may be received from a magnetic resonance imaging system integrated with the particle radiation therapy system. MRI data acquired during treatment may also be utilized to modify or optimize the particle radiation therapy treatment.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a resistive, solenoidal electromagnet for whole-body MRI may include ferromagnetic material within an envelope of the electromagnet. The system can be configured to have a field strength of at least 0.05 Tesla and its main electromagnetic field can be generated by layers of conductors instead of bundles. Certain electromagnet designs may be fabricated using non-metallic formers, such as fiberglass, and can be constructed to form a rigid object with the layers of conductors by fixing all together with an epoxy. The electromagnet may be configured to have two separated halves, which may be held apart by a fixation structure such as carbon fiber. The power supply for certain electromagnets herein may have current fluctuations, at frequencies of 180 Hz or above, of at least one part per ten thousand without requiring an additional current filter.