Joseph
Time and accuracy are often the most important resources in the fight against cancer, and a new cutting-edge device is helping to provide real-time information to the fight against cancer.
At the Sydney Kimmel Cancer Center (Philadelphia) of the Jefferson National Cancer Institute, the team draws on the latest clinical trial research and technology to care for their patients. The new hybrid MRI-Linac device combines high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging with a linear accelerator (Linac), while conventional radiotherapy requires multiple visits by the patient to locate a tumor using imaging equipment, and then treat it with a linear accelerator (Linac). This is not only more convenient for the patient, but the increased accuracy also reduces damage to healthy tissues adjacent to the tumor site.
The challenge, however, was that the dense urban environment prevented the addition of a new 5-ton piece of equipment and its specially designed stowage. The only viable option was to locate the MRI-Linac next to the four existing linear accelerator vaults, two stories below street level.
The project area was originally constructed as a parking garage and was later converted into a hospital space, presenting many unique challenges, including limited floor-to-floor height and significant structural foundations that had to be modified. Meticulous strategies, such as building a basement with precast concrete units rather than poured concrete to alleviate space constraints, and cutting equipment and structural materials through a skylight above the antechamber allowed the four adjacent Linacs to remain in operation throughout construction.
Project Category: Reshape / Refurbish
operation manager: Daniel Clancy, Senior Clinical Director, Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Establishment: Stantec Architecture and Engineering LLC, www.stantec.com
design team: Stantec Architecture and Engineering LLC (Planning, Architecture, Interior Design and MEP/FP Engineering); O’Donnell & Naccarato Inc. (structural engineering)
Total Building Area (Square Feet): 1500
Construction cost / square meter. Foot: 1000 dollars
Total construction cost (excluding land): $1.5 million
complete: January 2021
