Latest MRI from Siemens can be located closer to the linac bunker

Siemens Healthineers showcased its latest MRI system at this year’s European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Congress in Vienna, Austria. The 1.5T Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition is helium-independent and does not require a quench pipe so it can be sited close to a linac to help deliver adaptive radiation therapy. Through AI-powered image reconstruction Deep Resolve, the Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition delivers high quality images while speeding up scan times.

DryCool technology means that the system requires only 0.7 litres of liquid helium for magnet cooling, without the need to refill. Siemens says that new features Smart System Timer and Eco Power Mode enable energy savings of up to 45 per cent over previous scanners.

Installing a conventional MRI in a radiotherapy department and next to a linac can be complex as the thick cement walls of the linac bunkers have to be altered to accommodate a quench pipe to safely allow helium to escape from the building. With its helium-independent technology, the 1.5T Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition has a footprint that enables the scanner to be installed and operated close to the bunker that houses the linac. This saves time and makes MRI workflows in radiation therapy easier. Another benefit is that patients can be scanned in the MRI system in the treatment position.

MR-based Synthetic CT technology helps avoid image registration errors and patient scheduling challenges that can occur when integrating two modalities. The scanner can also serve as an enabler for adaptive radiotherapy, where treatment plans can be adapted as needed to achieve the balance between targeting the treatment area and preserving healthy tissue.

Picture: the 1.5T Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition for radiation therapy is helium-independent and does not require a quench pipe.

Read this report on page 28 of the July 2025 issue of RAD Magazine.