Time and precision are often the most valuable resources in the fight against cancer
Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center leans on the latest clinical trial research and technology to care for its patients. The new MRI-Linac combines MRI imaging with a linear accelerator (Linac), whereas conventional radiation therapy requires multiple patient visits to locate a tumor with imaging equipment and then treat it with a Linac.
However, the center’s dense urban setting precluded an addition to house the new 5-ton piece of equipment and its vault. The only viable option was to locate the MRI-Linac next to four existing linear accelerator vaults two stories below street level. Originally constructed as a parking garage and later converted to hospital space, the project area presented many challenges to our architecture and engineering teams, including limited floor-to-floor height and structural foundations that had to be modified. Careful strategies, such as constructing the vault with prefabricated leaded concrete units and lowering equipment and structural materials through an existing skylight, allowed the four adjacent Linacs to remain in operation throughout construction.
MRI-Linac treatment is not only more convenient for the patient, but also reduces damage to healthy tissue next to a tumor site with its increased accuracy. Finding space for this innovative technology has allowed Jefferson to offer its patients the best in cancer treatment and care.
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