Importance

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Abstract

There is disclosed herein a technique for carrying out stereotaxic radiosurgery or radiotherapy on a particular target region within a patient by a radiosurgical/radiotherapeutic beam of radiation which is at least intermittently directed along a beam path through the target region. One particular beam generating arrangement illustrated is carried by a robotic arm which is movable in at least three dimensions. In accordance with one embodiment disclosed herein, a method and apparatus are provided for moving the robotic arm and beam generating arrangement along a predetermined, non-circular and non-linear path transverse to the beam path while, at the same time, the beam path is directed into the target region. In this way, the radiosurgical/radiotherapeutic beam can be directed through the target region from particular treatment points along the transverse path so as to define a non-spherical target region. In accordance with a second embodiment, the apparatus disclosed herein includes an emergency stop arrangement separate from and independent of the controlling the robotic arm controller for automatically stopping all movement of the robotic arm and turning off the beam if the robotic arm deviates from its intended transverse path. In a third embodiment, the apparatus utilizes a plurality of target locating beams of radiation apart from but cooperating with the radiosurgical/radiotherapeutic beam to accurately and continuously locate the target region in substantially real time.

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First Claim