RADIOTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS

摘要

This application deals with practical problems relating to the delivery of power to a radiotherapeutic source that is being operated in conjunction with a magnetic imaging device. Given that the source needs to rotate around the patient, this power will usually be delivered by way of a slip ring arrangement that may create stray magnetic fields that degrade the image quality. We therefore 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. A corresponding treatment planning apparatus, and method of generating a treatment plan are also disclosed.