Abstract
We have developed a method to improve the setup accuracy of a Varian Clinac 6/100 couch for delivering conformal arc therapy using a tertiary micro multileaf collimator (MLC) system. Several immobilization devices have been developed to improve the mechanical stability and isocenter alignment of the couch: turn‐knob harnesses, double‐track alignment plates, and a drop‐in rod that attaches the couch to the concrete floor. These add‐on components minimize the intercomponent motion of the couch's scissor elevator, which allows consistent treatment setup. The accuracy of our isocenter couch alignment is an improvement over the above devices, within 1 mm of their accuracy. The couch has been used with over 15 patients and with over 50 modulated conformal arc treatment deliveries at our institution.PACS numbers: 87.53.Kn, 87.53.Ly, 87.56.Da
Highlights
A tertiary micro multileaf collimator (MLC) system (3D Line, Reston, VA) was acquired for delivering conformal arc radiotherapy and radiosurgical treatments at our institution
For the couch to deliver conformal arc treatments, we needed to improve the accuracy of its mechanical stability and setup
The original couch design was based on the scissor mechanism; that is, the vertical motion of the couch is driven by a scissor jack mounted on the base plane of the couch
Summary
A tertiary micro multileaf collimator (MLC) system (3D Line, Reston, VA) was acquired for delivering conformal arc radiotherapy and radiosurgical treatments at our institution. For the couch to deliver conformal arc treatments, we needed to improve the accuracy of its mechanical stability and setup. The original couch design was based on the scissor mechanism; that is, the vertical motion of the couch is driven by a scissor jack mounted on the base plane of the couch. Further analysis shows that this error is caused mainly by the intercomponent motion of the scissor elevator and its link at the couch top. To overcome this problem, we designed several external stoppers to stabilize the couch. Our goal is to achieve couch isocenter alignment with an accuracy within 1 mm for implementing conformal arc deliveries
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