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The CyberKnife radiotherapy equipment is used in robotic radiosurgery. This state of the art equipment facilitates radiation oncologists to provide a painless treatment. The inception of this equipment in medical science has played the role of perfect alternate to operation.
This equipment makes use of the technology which engages pencil beams of radiation. These pencil beams are directed to any part of the body. In fact, the presence of robotic arm helps to direct these beams at any angle. The system�s usefulness lies in the fact that it is helpful in detecting the movement of the tumor and also gathers valuable data about the tumor�s position. It is also equipped to correct its positioning. By targeting the tumor with multiple beams, the technology destroys abnormal tissues.
The rising popularity of the usage of CyberKnife is due to the fact that it functions with utmost accuracy. It may not yield immediate results but in the long run it will surely show definite results by arresting the growth of the tumors and then reducing its size. Moreover, this treatment also reduces the risk of surgery and can be applied to patients who are incapable of undergoing a surgery.
Functioning of CyberKnife
A CyberKnife makes use of pencil beams of radiation that can be directed to any part of the body. The provision for directing these beams at different angles increases its effectiveness. It ensures a high cumulative dose of radiation at the convergence point. Moreover, it also ensures minimum effect on the surrounding normal tissues and organs.
CyberKnife scores over other conventional radiotherapy procedures as other radiotherapies are not equipped to optimize the dose on the tumor alongside minimizing its effect on surrounding organs. CyberKnife is equipped to reach the target with utmost accuracy. This ensures that it hits the target without causing any damage to surrounding tissues.
It also makes use of advanced lightweight linear accelerator or LINAC. This device helps in producing high energy tumor beams of radiation.
The technology is also equipped with a robot that is capable of pointing the beams from a wide variety of angles. The system is equipped with centralized computer controlled movement which is known as Brain of the machine.
There are X-ray cameras fitted as well which take frequent pictures of the patient during the session. The computerized system makes use of this data to target the radiation beam towards the tumor with sub �millimeter accuracy.
The system is also equipped with the technology to detect patient�s movement. Once the system detects any movement, the robot changes its position accordingly. Then it re-targets itself to deliver the beam with the same precision. Presence of this technology ensures that the movement of the patient does not slow down the treatment process.
Superiority of CyberKnife radiation
CyberKnife is a system that is much different and superior from other radiation delivery systems. Most of the other radiation delivery systems work on a rigid platform, which is not susceptible to patient�s movements. Moreover, they don�t provide enough comfort for the patients and are often painful. In fact, in some of the cases where the target�s position alters with the breathing process, the patient may have to undergo breath holding techniques. Some of the system, mostly frame based ones have limitation in terms of delivering the beams at various angles. CyberKnife does not have these limitations and are equipped to counter all the above mentioned flaws to ensure the most effective treatment with utmost accuracy.
CyberKnife becomes even more equipped, when attached with a Synchrony system. It engages a number of cameras, fibre-optic sensing technology, motion-tracking software and infrared emitters. It also provides a tight-fitting elastic patient garment. The Synchrony system helps in tracking the breathing movement of the patient and provides the data to the treatment delivery of the radiation beams. This helps the CyberKnife to track the tumor in real time. As a result, it is able to deliver the radiation beams with utmost accuracy in spite of breathing movements.
Synchrony system in CyberKnife
The usage of CyberKnife in conjunction with Synchrony system is confined for the treatment of tumors that are part of respiratory movements. The system need not be used for intracanal tumors which has no respiratory movements. In fact, it is the first system in the world to deliver radiosurgery to tumors that are affected by respiratory cycle.
| Benfits of CyberKnife |
- A great alternate to open surgery
- Painless procedure
- A part of the out patient procedure
- No blood loss
- Safer that conventional surgery
- No effect on normal activities
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- Ensures more accuracy
- Ensures stronger doses
- Yields better results
- No recovery system
- No need of anesthetic
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