At NIIEFA (part of Rosatom), tests of the magnetic circuit – a key component of the domestic MSC-230 superconducting cyclotron – have been successfully completed. As reported by the institute, the electromagnet, with a diameter of 3.9 meters, a height of 1.9 meters, and a mass of 127 tons, confirmed the geometric accuracy of its assembly. The gap between the sectors and their parallelism were maintained within the tolerances required for the correct operation of the accelerator.
Kirill Smirnov, Deputy General Director for Accelerator Technologies at NIIEFA, explained that tests for geometric accuracy and the operation of the upper yoke lifting system confirmed the achievement of the necessary gap between the magnetic circuit sectors and their parallelism within the required tolerances. The magnetic circuit provides a stable magnetic field necessary for accelerating protons to the energies required for treating deep-seated tumors.
The MSC-230 cyclotron is being developed for proton flash therapy – a method where an ultra-high dose of radiation is delivered directly to the tumor in fractions of a second. This ensures that healthy tissues surrounding the neoplasm are practically not exposed to radiation, which fundamentally reduces side effects compared to conventional radiation therapy.
Thus, Russian industry is creating a full cycle of production for heavy-class medical accelerators for the first time, providing access to a technology that is not yet available in most clinics worldwide.
