Abstract: It is an insight of the invention that to achieve good treatment efficiency there is a need to minimize the cooling times and while preventing overheating of a subject treated. This object is achieved by a guided thermal treatment system, comprising:—a thermal treatment system configured for applying thermal treatment pulses to a patient, wherein the thermal treatment pulses are spaced in time by a cool-down period,—a guidance system, configured to provide guidance to the thermal treatment, wherein the guidance system comprises a thermal module configured for providing a first and second level of cool-down period, the first level indicating a mandatory part of the cool-down period in which applying of a thermal treatment pulse is prohibited, the second level indicating a recommended part of the cool-down period in which applying a thermal treatment pulse would result in an elevated risk of overheating in a sensitive patient, but not in a non-sensitive patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for heating a target zone (3) of a subject of interest (1) according to pre-defined heating requirements using ultrasonic irradiation, comprising the steps of providing an ultrasonic irradiation device comprising a set of individually controllable transducer elements in vicinity of the target zone (3), defining at least one sensitive zone (2) within an area (4) covered by ultrasonic irradiation device, and controlling the ultrasonic irradiation device to apply sonications of ultrasonic energy to the target zone (3) to achieve the desired heating thereof, wherein the transducer elements are individually controlled in phase and amplitude to provide the sonications as a beam (5) directed towards the target zone (3), wherein the beam (5) has a energy distribution so that the pre-defined heating requirements of the target zone (3) are met and the exposure of the at least one sensitive zone (2) is minimized The present invention further provides an ultrasonic irradiation devi

Abstract: An RF/MR transmit and/or receive antenna is disclosed for use in a hybrid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (or MR scanner), which comprises an MRI system and another imaging system for example in the form of a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system. The RF transmit and/or receive antenna (40, 50) is provided with respect to its conductor structure such that it does not disturb or in any other way detrimentally influence the related other (i.e. HIFU) of the two systems, especially if both systems are operated simultaneously and if the RF antenna is positioned in close proximity to an object to be imaged.

Abstract: An RF/MR transmit and/or receive antenna is disclosed for use in a hybrid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (or MR scanner), which comprises an MRI system and another imaging system for example in the form of a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system. The RF transmit and/or receive antenna (40, 50) is provided with respect to its conductor structure such that it does not disturb or in any other way detrimentally influence the related other (i.e. HIFU) of the two systems, especially if both systems are operated simultaneously and if the RF antenna is positioned in close proximity to an object to be imaged.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system (10) includes a main field magnet (12) which generates a B 0 magnetic field through an examination region (14). One or more electric power generators (30) are disposed in the B 0 magnetic field. Each of the electric power generators includes at least one winding or coil (34) which is rotatably mounted for movement relative to the B0 magnetic field. A mechanical mechanism (60) such as vanes or propellers (62), a turbine (74) in conjunction with a fluid pump (72), or a motor (78) in conjunction with a drive shaft (76) and gear box (74), drive the at least one winding (34) to move in such a manner that it interacts with the B 0 magnetic field to generate an electric current.