2F04-Linear Accelerator Technology as state-of-the-art platforms

for Advanced Image Guidance

Theodore Thorson, Ph.D.

Elekta Inc. 

The modern linear accelerator has become the accepted standard treatment tool for Radiation Oncology.  Yet it is not the only technology that has been investigated and utilized.  Over a period of 50 years, a number of manufacturers have emerged to produce these devices, with significantly different technical approaches.  Each approach while providing similar functionality, is the result of various technical and engineering trade-offs which have clinical implications.   

Continuing evolution of the linac has resulted in remarkable improvements in precision and accuracy of delivery and made possible advanced modes of treatment such as conformal and intensity modulated therapy.  However, the lack of adequate positioning capability has limited the application of precision delivery technology, especially the ability to dose escalate.  Newly developed imaging technology, incorporated into the linear accelerator promises to achieve the ultimate goal of Radiation Oncology, namely, delivering dose only to the target volume and avoiding normal critical structures. 

This presentation will briefly review the historical development of the linear accelerator, present various technical approaches their clinical impact and introduce new advanced image guidance technology.

2F04－直线加速器技术作为先进图像引导的最新平台

Theodore Thorson, Ph.D.

Elekta Inc.

现代的直线加速器已经成为肿瘤放射治疗标准的治疗工具，但它不是已经开发和使用的唯一技术。在过去的50多年里，有很多厂商使用不同的技术方法生产直线加速器。在提供类似功能的同时，各种方法使用不同的技术和工程手段，因此具有不同的临床应用特性。

直线加速器技术的不断发展已经使肿瘤放射治疗的治疗精度和准确性大为改善，并且使适形和调强等先进的放射治疗技术成为可能。但是由于缺乏足够可靠的定位功能，明显限制了这些高精度治疗技术的临床应用，尤其是用于非常规大剂量照射时。新开发的影像技术集成到直线加速器上可以实现肿瘤放射治疗的最高目标，即只给靶区一定的辐射剂量而同时保护正常的危及器官。

本报告将简单地回顾一下直线加速器的发展历史，介绍不同的实现临床要求的技术方法，以及最新的图像引导技术。