Patient positioning in the proton radiotherapy era

<p>Abstract</p> <p>The main hindrance to the diffusion of proton therapy facilities is the high cost for gantry installations. An alternative technical option is provided by fixed-beam treatment rooms, where the patient is rotated and translated in space with a robotic arm solution...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dimiccoli Vincenzo, Benassi Marcello, D'Andrea Marco, Strigari Lidia, Devicienti Salvatore, Portaluri Maurizio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-05-01
Series:Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
Online Access:http://www.jeccr.com/content/29/1/47
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>The main hindrance to the diffusion of proton therapy facilities is the high cost for gantry installations. An alternative technical option is provided by fixed-beam treatment rooms, where the patient is rotated and translated in space with a robotic arm solution to enable beam incidence from various angles. The technological efforts based on robotic applications made up to now for patient positioning in proton beam facilities are described here, highlighting their limitations and perspectives.</p>
ISSN:1756-9966