Report Number: CS-TR-92-1441
Institution: Stanford University, Department of Computer Science
Title: Motion planning in stereotaxic radiosurgery
Author: Schweikard, Achim
Author: Adler, John R.
Author: Latombe, Jean-Claude
Date: September 1992
Abstract: Stereotaxic radiosurgery is a procedure which uses a beam of
radiation as an ablative surgical instrument to destroy brain
tumors. The beam is produced by a linear accelerator which is
moved by a jointed mechanism. Radiation is concentrated by
crossfiring at the tumor from multiple directions and the
amount of energy deposited in normal brain tissues is
reduced. Because access to the tumor is obstructed along some
directions by critical regions (e.g., brainstem, optic
nerves) and most tumors are not shaped like spheres, planning
the path of the beam is often difficult and time-consuming.
This paper describes a computer-based planner developed to
assist the surgeon generate a satisfactory path, given the
spatial distribution of the brain tissues obtained with
medical imaging. Experimental results with the implemented
planner are presented, including a comparison with manually
generated paths. According to these results, automatic
planning significantly improves energy deposition. It can
also shorten the overall treatment, hence reducing the
patient's pain and allowing the radiosurgery equipment to be
used for more patients. Stereotaxic radiosurgery is an
example of so-called "bloodless surgery". Computer-based
planning techniques are expected to facilitate further
development of this safer, less painful, and more cost
effective type of surgery.
http://i.stanford.edu/pub/cstr/reports/cs/tr/92/1441/CS-TR-92-1441.pdf