Building a Combined Cyclotron and MRI Facility: Implications for Interference

Mark BM Hofman¹, Joost PA Kuijer¹, Jan Willem de Ridder¹, Lars R. Perk², Rudolf M. Verdaasdonk¹

With the introduction of hybrid PET/MRI systems, it has become more likely that cyclotron and MRI systems will be located close to each other. This study considered the theoretical interference of a cyclotron facility on a MRI system. Measurements and simulation showed that the magnetic field of a cyclotron can be considered a magnetic dipole field. In a specific case of an 18 MeV cyclotron and a 3T superconducting whole body MR system a minimum distance of 11-21 m (depending on location and criteria applied) has to be considered to prevent interference.