Final answer:
The gantry refers to the part of medical devices like cobalt-60 machines and MRI systems that allows for spatial manipulation and focusing of radiation or magnetic fields for treatment or imaging. It's an integral part of equipment setup and function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the gantry structure of medical machinery, specifically devices like cobalt-60 machines used for cancer treatment and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) systems. In the context of a cobalt-60 machine, the gantry is the part that houses the cobalt source and allows for precise targeting of radiation on the tumor while protecting the adjacent healthy tissue.
The gantry can move in an arc to focus the radiation. As for MRI machines, the gantry typically refers to the large, cylindrical structure that contains the superconducting coils creating the main magnetic field. The patient enters into this tunnel-like space during the scan. Although the term 'gantry' is used in multiple medical devices, the essential common feature is that it is the part of the machine that allows for the spatial manipulation or focusing of treatment or imaging capabilities.