CyberKnife
CyberKnife: How Does It Work?
The CyberKnife uses a compact linear accelerator (LINAC) mounted on a robotic arm to deliver concentrated beams of radiation to the targeted tumor from multiple positions and angles. Through the use of image guidance cameras the CyberKnife system locates the position of the tumor in the body and uses its robotic arm to deliver highly focused beams of radiation that converge at the tumor. Thus, the tumor receives a cumulative dose of radiation high enough to control or kill the tumor cells while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. The CyberKnife is the only system available which can also compensate for patient movement to ensure highly accurate delivery of radiation during treatment.
Because of its high precision and accuracy, the CyberKnife at Austin CyberKnife can non-invasively achieve a surgical-like outcome for lesions in the body. The CyberKnife is the first and only commercial application of robotic stereotactic radiosurgery for the spine, the spinal cord and other lesions throughout the body.
The patient lies on a table and wears a custom-fit mesh facemask or body immobilizer while the robotic arm controls the linear accelerator and delivers the radiation. Most treatments typically last 30-60 minutes per lesion, after which the patient can get up and go home the same day. Patients being treated for extracranial tumors or lesions may need to undergo placement of fiducials, or "markers" near the tumor, prior to treatment.
Why Choose CyberKnife?
Under the leadership of the center's medical director, Dr. Doug Rivera, patients will be cared for by some of the region's leading surgeons and radiation oncologists who provide a team approach to treatment.
The CyberKnife at our facility includes the latest FDA approved equipment and technology on the market. It is the only CyberKnife in the Austin area and includes an Iris collimator which allows for automatic adjustments to the size of the beam delivered throughout the course of a treatment. It also has beam optimization which enables us to provide greater protection for normal surrounding healthy tissue.
Synchrony Respiratory Tracking System
The Synchrony System will allow physicians, for the first time, to treat their patients with much tighter margins, no longer having to add significant margins to compensate for a moving target, thus sparing more healthy tissue.
Synchrony uses a complex system of cameras, motion tracking software, fiber optic sensing technology, infrared emitters and a special formfitting, highly elastic patient garment to do its job. In conjunction with CyberKnife, the system identifies, updates and then correlates external body surface movement with movement of the internal tumor fiducials.
Throughout the procedure, Synchrony is monitoring the target and readjusting its calibrations to assure that it is locked on the tumor. The result is that physicians know exactly where the tumor is in real time, and can use maximum radiation without fear of harming surrounding healthy tissues.
- Dynamically tracks all targets that move with respiration
- Improves accuracy of radiation delivery
- Minimizes irradiation of healthy tissue or critical structures
- Treats complex targets
- Eliminates painful breath-holding
- Eliminates complex gating techniques
- Decreases treatment times
- Simpler, more streamlined procedures
The Synchrony System simultaneously tracks both movement of the tumor and breathing patterns of the patient. The robotic arm adjusts and compensates for these movements ensuring more accurate treatment and eliminating breath-holding or gating requirements. A recent multi-center study reported targeting centroid accuracy better than 1.5mm, expanding accurate radiosurgery treatment to all tumors that move with respiration such as lung, pancreas, liver, kidney or other abdominal or thoracic tumors.
Xsight Spine and Xsight Lung Tracking Systems
Because Austin CyberKnife has the most advanced technology currently available for treatment, patients will have the benefit of the Xsight™ Spine and Xsight™ Lung Tracking Systems, which integrate with the CyberKnife® Stereotactic Radiosurgery System.
Xsight Spine is effective for treating lesions throughout the spinal region—including cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral tumors. The XSight Lung System works in concert with the Synchrony system and offers appropriate patients a completely non-invasive method of treatment. Xsight is another example of how the CyberKnife System expands the practice of Radiosurgery by offering a non-invasive cost effective alternative to surgery.
For more information about CyberKnife visit www.austincyberknife.com or call 512.324.8060.