Development of A Head Docking Device for Linac-based Stereotactic Radiosurgery System to be Installed on Neptun 10 PC Linac

Abstract

Introduction: Stereotactic radiosurgery is a technique for the treatment of intracranial lesions with <br /> highly collimated x-ray beam. Linac-based radiosurgery is currently performed by two techniques: <br /> couch or pedestal mounted. In the first technique, a device is required to affix patient's head to a couch <br /> and moreover to translate it accurately. Structure of such a device constructed by the authors in <br /> addition to the acceptance test which was performed to evaluate the device has been described in this <br /> article. <br /> Materials and Methods: A head docking device has been designed and constructed according to the <br /> geometry of linac's couch and desired functions. The device is completely made from aluminum and <br /> consists of four major components: attachment bar, lower structure with four movements, upper <br /> structure with two movements equipped with a lock, two handles and a mounting ring for stereotactic <br /> frame. Translating accuracy, mechanical stability and isocentric accuracy were assessed in the frame of <br /> acceptance test. <br /> Results: Translating accuracy, mechanical stability and isocentric accuracy within 95% confidence <br /> intervals were found to be 1, 1.64 and 3.2 mm, respectively. <br /> Discussion and Conclusion: According to AAPM report no.54 recommendation head docking device <br /> should translate head with accuracy of 1 mm, the property which was met by the constructed device. <br /> Moreover considering the measured isocentric accuracy, encompassing mechanical stability, <br /> constructed device can confidently be used in stereotactic treatment.