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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

Magnetic Resonance Imaging[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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.