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Calibrating the CyberKnife

NPL's Radiation Dosimetry Group completed an advanced radiotherapy calibration at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in London - the first NHS hospital to install a CyberKnife® radiotherapy treatment machine.

Phantom plate showing alanine dosemeters
and an ionisation chamber

The CyberKnife® is not actually a knife at all but a compact linear particle accelerator (linac) mounted on a robotic arm. The linac produces an X-ray beam, which the robotic arm can aim towards a patient's tumour from almost any direction.

NPL used alanine dosemeters and an ionisation chamber in order to compare the direct measurement of absorbed radiation dose with the planned dose, and provide a traceable calibration.

Contact: Rebecca Nutbrown

Find out more about NPL's work in Ionising Radiation and Healthcare work, or see details of our Healthcare Calibration Services

Last Updated: 2 May 2012

Created: 31 Jan 2011

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Acoustics

Advanced Materials

Biotechnology

Chemical Metrology

Composites and Polymeric Materials

Electrochemistry

Electromagnetics

Electronics Interconnection

Engineered Materials

Engineering Measurement

Environmental Measurement

Ionising Radiation

Mathematics & Scientific Computing

Mass & Force

Optical Radiation & Photonics

Quantum Phenomena

Surface & Nanoanalysis

Temperature & Humidity

Thermal Performance

Time & Frequency

Science Case Studies

Science Lectures

Science stories

Sectors

Products & Services

Measurement Services

Our Clients

Case Studies

Insights

Testimonials

Mark Imms Metrology Manager Bentley Motors

Dr Martin Unwin

Head of GNSS/GPS Team Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd

Steve Groves Programmes Manager Inherently Reliable Facilities Flagship BP

Schools Posters

Be amazed

Factsheets

What is the time?

Online Barograph

Protons for Breakfast

Measurement Units

Water Rocket Challenge

ReactFast

Redefining the kilogram

Physics Handbook

Students Area

Virtual Physical Laboratory (VP Lab)

The NPL Academy

The NPL School Science Film Challenge

Turing

Electron Trees

Outreach Activities

Biotech & Healthcare

Communications & Electromagnetics

Engineering & Optical

Environment & Energy

Ionising Radiation

Materials & Surface Analysis

Join the Network

Calibrating the CyberKnife

NPL's Radiation Dosimetry Group completed an advanced radiotherapy calibration at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in London - the first NHS hospital to install a CyberKnife® radiotherapy treatment machine.

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Mark Imms
Metrology Manager
Bentley Motors

Head of GNSS/GPS Team
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd

Steve Groves
Programmes Manager
Inherently Reliable Facilities Flagship BP