Pencil-beam scanning
Pencil beam scanning is the practice of steering a beam of radiation or charged particles across an object. It is often used in proton therapy, to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding non-cancerous cells.
Ionizing radiation
Ionizing radiation photons or x-rays (IMRT) use pencil beam scanning to precisely target a tumor.[1] Photon pencil beam scans are defined as crossing of two beams to a fine point.
Charged particles
Several charged particles devices used with Proton therapy cancer centers use pencil beam scanning.[2] The newer proton therapy machines use a pencil beam scanning technology.[3] This technique is also called spot scanning.[4] The Paul Scherrer Institute was the developer of spot beam.[5]
Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy
Varian's IMPT system uses all pencil-beam controlled protons where the beam intensity can also be controlled at this small level. This can be done by going back and forth over a previously radiated area during the same radiation session.
See also
References
- Blake GM, Parker JC, Buxton FM, Fogelman I (October 1993). "Dual X-ray absorptiometry: a comparison between fan beam and pencil beam scans". Br J Radiol. 66 (790): 902–6. PMID 8220974.
- The Physics of Radiation Therapy.
- http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf10/K100766.pdf page4
- http://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/news-backgrounders/03-30-09-advances-in-proton-therapy-pencil-beam-technology-reach-patient-care.html
- http://radmed.web.psi.ch/asm/gantry/scan/n_scan.html