There is disclosed herein a technique for carrying out stereotaxic radiosurgery or radiotherapy on a particular target region within a patient by a radiosurgical/radiotherapeutic beam of radiation which is at least intermittently directed along a beam path through the target region. One particular beam generating arrangement illustrated is carried by a robotic arm which is movable in at least three dimensions. In accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein, a method and apparatus are provided for moving the robotic arm and beam generating arrangement along a predetermined, non-circular and non-linear path transverse to the beam path while, at the same time, the beam path is directed into the target region. In this way, the radiosurgical/radiotherapeutic beam can be directed through the target region from particular treatment points along the transverse path so as to define a non-spherical target region. In accordance with a second embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein includes an emergency stop arrangement separate from and independent of the controlling the robotic arm controller for automatically stopping all movement of the robotic arm and turning off the beam if the robotic arm deviates from its intended transverse path.
John D. Feichtner - Los Altos Hills CA Joseph G. Depp - San Jose CA
Assignee:
Accuray, Inc. - Santa Clara CA
International Classification:
G03B 4202
US Classification:
250580
Abstract:
A three-dimensional dosimetry system and method for calibrating and mapping the expected radiation dose to be applied to a particular volume of tissue. In one embodiment, a stack of film is positioned within a radiation generation apparatus and is exposed to radiation. The film is scanned by a scanner and the scanner output is sent to a computer where it is compared to reference data of the desired dose distribution.