ABSTRACT
The simulator was introduced in the late 1960s as an additional device to assist with the
preparation of external radiation therapy (Green et al. 1964; Karzmark and Rust 1972). The
original concept came from the necessity to check prior to treatment both that the plan can be
delivered in practice and that the relationship of the beam set-up to the patient’s anatomical
features is correct. This could be done with the therapy machine using film or electronic
imaging devices (see Chapter 14 and Section 40.1), but there are then two major drawbacks:
From these considerations came the idea of designing a specific piece of equipment, mimicking
the geometry of the therapy machine, located in a different room and fitted with a radio-
diagnostic-type x-ray tube. It has been called a simulator.
