ABSTRACT
The CyberKnife system is a fully integrated platform for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatments. The CyberKnife system consists of an X-band cavity magnetron and a side-coupled standing wave linac mounted on a robotic manipulator (Kuka Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, Germany). The image-guided system consists of two diagnostic x-ray sources mounted in the ceiling and two amorphous silicon flat-panel detectors embedded in the floor, imaging the patient from two orthogonal oblique views at ±45°. A CT image is required for dose calculation during treatment planning and to generate DRRs used for patient setup and tracking during treatment delivery. Other imaging modalities such as MRI, PET, or additional CT scans can be incorporated directly in the TPS and registered to the primary CT image. The CyberKnife system is capable of delivering highly conformal dose distributions with stereotactic imaging accuracy making it well suited for hypofractionated treatments.
