MR-guided particle Therapy

The targeting accuracy of proton therapy (PT) for moving soft-tissue tumours is expected to greatly improve by real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. The integration of MRI and PT at the treatment isocenter would offer the opportunity of combining the unparalleled soft-tissue contrast and real-time imaging capabilities of MRI with the most conformal dose distribution and best dose steering capability provided by modern PT.

Aswin Hoffmann et al. Radiat Oncol 2020 May 29;15(1):129. doi: 10.1186/s13014-020-01571-x

Figure2 from*

*”MRI-guided proton therapy combines two fast-growing technologies in radiation therapy. However, the integration of the two technologies is fraught with challenges.”

Trang Thanh Pham, B. Whelan, B.M. Oborn et al. Radiotherapy and Oncology 170 (2022) 37–47
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2022.02.031

DETECTOR performed a feasibility study @HIT Heidelberger Ionenstrahl Therapiezentrum, in the context of HIT MR-PT Artemis project, in collaboration with Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg.

Tentative achievements: Demonstrate the possibility of performing beam intensity estimation in the mentioned electromagnetically and acoustically noisy environment, with a good Signal to Noise Ratio and repeatability, paving the way of design and realization of a custom-built intensity monitor, as required in the ARTEMIS framework.

Feasibility goals:

• Transfer data under MR sequence
• Keep standards in particle detection
• Propose design solutions

Way to go :

• Study the scenario
• Adapt an IC + Lab test
• Onsite test
• Data analysis
• Custom design proposal

Four setups based on different MR machines were investigated, using a DETECTOR  adapted intensity monitor chamber with external control unit. Two setups were placed in the HIT Experimental room, where 2, 0.2, 0.12 E9 protons per second @255-48 MeV/u have been extracted and delivered to the device under test while running either static magnetic field scan or MR-sequences.

General results

No data transfer interruption occurred

Preserved particle detection repeatability

Performance-improving design solutions detected