| There are many different stereotactic radiosurgery systems available commercially. Each system has its own unique features to enable a highly focused beam of radiation to be delivered to a designated target. Depending on an individual clinical situation a correct choice of system is important. The following table high-lights important features of different stereotactic radiosurgery/radiotherapy systems. |
 |
 |
| MAJOR FEATURES |
Cyber
Knife |
Gamma
Knife |
BrainLab
Novalis |
Varian
Trilogy |
Tomo-therapy |
Elekta
Synergy |
Dedicated Stereotactic Radiosurgery Unit |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Target position checking prior to ‘beam on' treatment |
Yes 1 |
No |
Yes 1 |
Yes 2 |
Yes 3 |
Yes 4 |
Continuously adapts to target motion caused by patient movement |
Yes 5 |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Continuouslyadapts to target motion caused by breathing |
Yes 6 |
No |
Yes 7 |
Yes 7 |
No |
Yes 8 |
Whole body applicability |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Staged radiosurgery possible 9 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Dispense with rigid screw-on head frame for brain lesions |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Not
available |
No |
Non-isocentric planning possible 10 |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
1. |
Through a pair of kilovoltage
X-ray units |
| |
2. |
Through Dynamic Targeting TM
|
| |
3. |
Through megavoltage built-in
CT. |
| |
4. |
MotionView TM allows real time
visualization of dense internal body structures
or implanted markers movement during treatment.
|
| |
5. |
The CyberKnife System uses a
combination of image guidance and computer controlled
robotics to continuously track, detect and correct
patient movement throughout the treatment |
| |
6. |
Through Synchrony TM system
that enables the unit to continuously follow the
predicted motion of the target during beam on.
|
| |
7. |
Through respiratory gating system
that only turns the beam on when the target is
within range. |
| |
8. |
Through Active Breathing Coordinator
TM which is a repeatable breath-hold technique.
|
| |
9. |
Staged radiosurgery (fractionated
radiosurgery) means giving the total dose of radiation
over several sessions. This is typically between
2 to 5 sessions (fractions). This is useful when
treating larger lesion or lesion that is very
close to critical structures. |
| |
10. |
For irregularly-shaped lesions,
a non-isocentric plan may generate better target
coverage than an isocentric plan. |