Hexapole

Hexapole is a term used in physics and engineering to describe a six-pole magnetic field configuration. In the field of medicine, hexapoles are often used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging technologies.

Overview

A hexapole is a type of multipole expansion, which is a mathematical series that describes a function in terms of its variables. In the case of a hexapole, the function is a magnetic field and the variables are the six poles that make up the field.

Hexapoles are used in a variety of medical imaging technologies, including MRI and computed tomography (CT) scans. They are also used in radiation therapy to target and treat cancer cells.

Medical Applications

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

In MRI, a hexapole field is used to create a detailed image of the inside of the body. The magnetic field aligns the protons in the body, and a radio frequency pulse is used to knock the protons out of alignment. When the pulse is turned off, the protons realign and emit a signal that is detected by the MRI machine. The signal is then processed to create an image.

Computed Tomography

In CT scans, a hexapole field is used to create a cross-sectional image of the body. The CT machine rotates around the body and takes a series of x-ray images from different angles. These images are then combined to create a detailed, 3D image of the body.

Radiation Therapy

In radiation therapy, a hexapole field is used to target and treat cancer cells. The field is used to focus the radiation on the cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

See Also

• Magnetic field
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Computed tomography
• Radiation therapy