MR-in-RT Physics Consulting

Board-certified MRI physics consulting for radiation oncology. We support MRI simulation, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) imaging, and the MRI components of MR-linac systems through commissioning, program setup, geometric-distortion evaluation, protocol optimization, and ongoing QA.

Email a Physicist
Board-CertifiedOn-Site / Remote / HybridTG-284 CommissioningMRI Geometric AccuracyMR-in-RT Specialist

MR-in-RT Physics Services

Board-certified MR-in-RT consulting through fixed-scope projects, annual audits, fractional program support, and ongoing QA retainers — focused exclusively on the MRI side of radiation therapy.

TG-284 Commissioning

Full commissioning of MRI simulators and MR systems for RT planning, aligned with AAPM TG-284: geometric distortion characterization, sequence validation, coil and immobilization setup, and audit-ready baseline documentation.

MR-Linac Commissioning, Program Setup & Ongoing Support

Support for commissioning the MRI components of MR-linac systems, setting up MR-guided radiotherapy programs, and maintaining ongoing imaging QA. We work with your physics team on geometric accuracy, protocol optimization, commissioning baselines, and QA program development.

SRS Sequence Optimization

Optimization of MRI protocols for stereotactic radiosurgery: geometric accuracy evaluated first, then SNR and contrast within the distortion budget. Phantom-based methodology quantifies scanner and susceptibility distortion and establishes a commissioning baseline with documented tolerances.

Annual MR-in-RT Audit

Independent yearly review of your MR-in-RT program against TG-284 recommendations and site-specific criteria: distortion re-baseline, protocol drift review, and a prioritized corrective-action report.

MR-in-RT QA Retainer

Ongoing remote oversight: monthly phantom QA analysis trended against your commissioning baseline — your staff scans, we analyze — plus protocol-change review and physicist-on-call availability.

RT-Readiness Assessment for Imaging Centers

For imaging centers pursuing radiation oncology referrals: geometric accuracy validation, RT-specific protocol development, and documented scanner readiness for RT planning.

Remote Protocol & Program Reviews

Fixed-scope remote review of MRI protocols, distortion QA data, or MR-in-RT program design. Recommended after software upgrades, coil changes, or protocol modifications.

Working With SpinTecx

SpinTecx adds specialist MR-in-RT expertise to your medical-physics team or consulting group through projects and ongoing support. Your team retains the broader physics scope and client relationship.

Services focus on MRI; routine linac QA, TG-51 calibration, treatment-plan checks, and general machine-physics coverage are outside scope.

Who We Support

Radiation Oncology Centers

Adding or upgrading MR simulation, MR-linac, or SRS imaging. We commission, validate, and audit the MRI side of your program.

Physics Consulting Groups

Subcontract SpinTecx as your MR-in-RT subspecialist — white-label or named, per-project or retainer. You own the client relationship; we cover the MRI scope.

Imaging Centers

Geometric accuracy validation, RT-specific protocol development, and scanner documentation for programs pursuing radiation oncology referrals.

Academic & Research Programs

MR-in-RT program design, independent audits, and expert support for research protocols and clinical program development.

What to Expect

Patient Safety First

Measurement protocols and clinical recommendations are evaluated through a patient safety lens.

Subspecialty Focus

MR-in-RT is the exclusive practice focus, supported by board certification and national professional society involvement.

Flexible Engagement Models

Fixed-scope projects, annual audits, fractional oversight, or ongoing QA retainers.

Responsive

Defined project timelines, clear milestones, and consistent communication throughout every engagement.

Why GHead Is Different

A controlled bridge between conventional geometric QA and clinically relevant susceptibility effects.

01

Known 3D Geometry

GHead's engineered three-dimensional lattice provides a repeatable reference for measuring geometric displacement throughout the head-shaped volume.

02

Clinically Relevant Susceptibility Environment

Its MRI-visible materials and anatomically inspired air-cavity interfaces are designed to generate controlled susceptibility-related effects similar to those encountered near the sinuses, mouth and airway.

03

Sequence-Specific Optimization

Medical-physics teams can compare bandwidth, voxel size, readout direction and distortion-correction settings using phantom data before applying protocol changes clinically.

GHead does not reproduce an individual patient's unique distortion. It provides a controlled, repeatable, patient-like test environment for evaluating how an MRI scanner and pulse sequence respond to clinically relevant susceptibility conditions.

Mapping Susceptibility-Induced Distortion

This phantom example visualizes susceptibility-induced geometric distortion near the mouth and airway cavity in axial, coronal and sagittal planes.

GHead phantom distortion maps from a 3D B0 field-map example at 1.5 T. Green circles identify the location of the maximum absolute distortion shown: 1.35 mm.

Illustrative preliminary results from an anonymized internal phantom evaluation—not for clinical use.

Click or tap to enlarge.

How GHead Works

Phantom-only. No patient data, no PHI, no software installation at your site.

GHead phantom

GHead phantom positioned in a head coil with laser alignment.

Target scanner time is approximately 45 minutes; sites may reserve up to 60 minutes depending on workflow and data export.

01

Define the Scanner and Sequences

Identify the scanner and the planning or SRS sequences to evaluate.

02

Receive and Position the GHead Phantom

Follow the supplied setup protocol and photos. Position the phantom in the head coil, level it, and align the lasers to its center marks.

03

Perform the Standardized Phantom Scan and Export the DICOM Data

Acquire the specified phantom sequences, including a repeat, and export the original DICOM series for analysis by SpinTecx.

04

Receive the Quantitative Report and Review the Findings with SpinTecx

Review the distortion measurements and practical recommendations with a SpinTecx medical physicist.

Phantom Only — No Patient DataNo PHI CollectedNo Software to Install

See What a GHead Evaluation Delivers

Illustrative preliminary results from an anonymized internal phantom evaluation—not for clinical use.

0.19 mm

Mean total distortion

0.38 mm

95th percentile

0.64 mm

Maximum, whole volume

0%

Points above the 1 mm study screening level

Distortion components — 95th percentile (mm)

Chart values: Repeatability floor 0.10 mm · Object (B0) 0.18 mm · Scanner (gradient) 0.36 mm · Total 0.38 mm

Component percentiles are evaluated separately and are not expected to sum directly to the total percentile.

Total distortion maps in axial, coronal and sagittal planes (mm). Illustrative; scanner not identified.

Click or tap to enlarge.

Distortion Budget

Scanner, object and repeatability contributions to measured distortion.

Sequence Performance

Bandwidth, correction settings, scale and repeatability for the evaluated phantom sequences.

Practical Recommendations

Practical QA and protocol recommendations for the medical-physics team.

MR-in-RT Consulting Process

Our consulting process combines geometric-accuracy evaluation, sequence optimization and ongoing QA. Patient field-map review, when included, is separately scoped and outside the phantom-only GHead evaluation.

01

Scoping and Configuration Review. We review your scanner configuration, coils, vendor distortion-correction settings, field-mapping capability, and current RT sequences. A scoping call with your physicist of record defines the engagement.

02

Scanner Characterization and Measurement. On-site, we verify the scanner's distortion-correction configuration, validate field-mapping, and acquire reference measurements of your clinical sequences — using our proprietary GHead phantom, where approved, which makes scanner and susceptibility distortion measurable in a single session.

03

Geometry-First Optimization and Baseline. We quantify scanner and susceptibility contributions to distortion, evaluate protocol settings against agreed geometric-accuracy criteria, and optimize signal-to-noise and contrast. Repeated measurements establish a commissioning baseline and QA tolerances informed by TG-284 recommendations, site-specific requirements, and measured system variability.

04

Ongoing Verification. Your staff acquires periodic phantom scans; we analyze and trend them against the commissioning baseline. Drift is flagged early. Software upgrades, coil or protocol changes, and gradient or shim service trigger documented review and re-baselining.

A commissioning report is a snapshot. A baseline that is trended every month is a program.

GHead Sample Evaluation Report

Illustrative preliminary results from an anonymized internal phantom evaluation—not for clinical use.

The sample report below shows the format and content of a GHead geometric-accuracy evaluation. Site, scanner, and all identifying information have been removed. Reported values are from an anonymized internal phantom evaluation.

0.19 mm

Mean total distortion

0.38 mm

95th percentile

0.64 mm

Maximum within analyzed phantom lattice

0%

Above study-defined 1 mm evaluation threshold

Where the measured distortion comes from

95th-percentile displacement (mm)

Chart values: Repeatability 0.10 mm · Susceptibility 0.18 mm · Gradient-related 0.36 mm · Total 0.38 mm

Example output; component percentiles are evaluated separately and are not additive.

Three-plane total-distortion map

Displacement magnitude within the analyzed phantom lattice

Total distortion maps in axial, coronal and sagittal planes (mm). Illustrative; scanner not identified.

Click or tap to enlarge.

Example interpretation

Within the analyzed phantom lattice, all measured points were below the study-defined 1 mm evaluation threshold. The gradient-related contribution dominated this scan, while susceptibility-related effects and the repeatability floor were quantified separately.

Example QA recommendations

  • Center and level the phantom at scanner isocenter.
  • Acquire an exact repeat to establish reproducibility.
  • Compare bandwidth and distortion-correction settings.
  • Document a verified scanner- and sequence-specific baseline.

How a GHead Evaluation Works

01

Define

Confirm scanner, application and sequences.

02

Scan

Run the standardized phantom protocol.

03

Analyze

Securely transfer phantom DICOM for analysis.

04

Review

Receive the report and technical review.

Illustrative preliminary results from an anonymized internal phantom evaluation. Scanner and site are not identified. No patient data. Not for clinical use, regulatory compliance, or product-performance certification.

Leadership

Ali Fatemi, Ph.D., MCCPM, DABMP (MR in RT)

Founder & Chief Clinical Medical Physicist — SpinTecx LLC

Board-certified therapeutic medical physicist with ABMP subspecialty certification in MRI Physics for Radiation Therapy, specializing in MRI commissioning, geometric accuracy, sequence optimization, and QA for radiation oncology.

Professional Leadership

  • Former Chair, ISMRM MR-in-RT Study Group
  • Co-Chair, ABMP MR Physics for Radiation Therapy Exam Panel
  • Former Co-Chair, AAPM Task Group 117
  • Former Executive Council Member, SEAAPM

Founder of SpinTecx and developer of MRIQA.ai (currently in development) — a physics-grounded MRI quality analytics platform focused on geometric fidelity and clinical image integrity.

Academic Appointments

  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Physics — Jackson State University, USA
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Medical Physics — Université Laval, Canada

How Engagements Work

Each engagement follows a defined structure from initial discussion through final deliverable.

01

Initial Consultation

A discussion of your technical requirements, timeline, and regulatory context to define the right scope and coverage model.

02

Scope and Proposal

A written scope of work with specific deliverables, measurement protocols, and timeline milestones.

03

Delivery and Documentation

Execution per plan, comprehensive documentation of findings and recommendations, and availability for follow-up.

Resources & References

Practical MR-in-RT reference materials are available upon request to current clients and qualified prospective partners.

MRI Geometric Accuracy: Practical QA Guide

Implementation guidance for MRI geometric distortion testing — including phantom selection, measurement protocols, acceptance criteria, and long-term trending methodology.

MR-in-RT QA Program Template

A framework for MRI quality assurance in radiation oncology, informed by AAPM TG-284, applicable ACR MRI quality-control guidance, vendor recommendations, and site-specific clinical requirements.

MR-in-RT Program Readiness Checklist

A structured checklist for evaluating your program's readiness for MR simulation or MR-linac integration — covering equipment, workflow, QA, and documentation requirements.

Client References

SpinTecx maintains confidentiality for all client engagements. Verified references from clinical program directors, department chairs, and hospital administrators are available upon request for qualified opportunities.

Technical References

Physics program directors and department chairs available to speak to commissioning quality, QA program design, and documentation standards.

Project Documentation Samples

A GHead geometric-accuracy sample report is available to view or download directly. Redacted commissioning documentation and QA reports are available upon request.

To request access to resources or discuss your documentation needs, contact us directly at afatemi@spintecx.com.

Speak with a SpinTecx Medical Physicist

Choose a 20-minute physics consultation or a 30-minute partnership discussion. Email us to arrange a time — we will reply to confirm.

20-Minute Physics Consultation

A focused discussion of your program's technical needs — geometric distortion, sequence optimization, TG-284 commissioning, or any MRI physics question relevant to your RT workflow. For prospective clients exploring how SpinTecx can support their program.

30-Minute Partnership Discussion

For physics consulting groups interested in subcontracting, white-label delivery, or collaboration on MR-in-RT scope. We'll discuss your client environment, program scope, and how SpinTecx can fit your team.

afatemi@spintecx.com · spintecx.com

Contact SpinTecx

Ready to discuss your MR-in-RT program? SpinTecx is available for on-site, remote, and hybrid engagements nationwide. Services subject to state licensure, credentialing, and project scope.

Get In Touch

Email: afatemi@spintecx.com

Phone: (601) 345-0135

Start a Conversation

The fastest way to begin is a brief consultation call. We'll discuss your technical requirements, timeline, and how SpinTecx can support your program.

SpinTecx LLC provides independent medical physics consulting. Services are scoped according to clinical need, regulatory requirements, and professional society guidance.