Expanding Horizons of SGRT Explored by a C-RAD Expert

A newly published article by Jennifer Cook, C-RAD Clinical Applications Specialist at Vertec Scientific, a distributor of C-RAD products in the UK, has been featured in Rad Magazine. In her comprehensive exploration, Jennifer goes beyond the conventional perception of Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) solely as a tool for Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) treatments. Through her expertise, she uncovers the broader applications and transformative potential of SGRT in modern radiation therapy.

In her article, Jennifer sheds light on how SGRT is rapidly becoming a standard of care worldwide, revolutionizing patient treatments on linear accelerators. By delving into the various applications of SGRT, she highlights its ability to enhance patient safety, accuracy, and overall treatment efficiency.

Extending Beyond DIBH:

Jennifer highlights the various challenges faced when setting up extremity patients, emphasizing SGRT’s remarkable capability in achieving precise patient alignment without the necessity of tattoos and reducing immobilization. The system’s sophisticated motion management capabilities provide continuous real-time feedback, ensuring the integrity of patient position throughout treatment and instilling a sense of confidence in the delivery of safe and accurate treatments.

Relevance for Varied Treatments:

The article delves into the applicability of SGRT for patients undergoing right breast treatments, showcasing its pivotal role in facilitating precise positioning and simultaneously monitoring intrafraction motion. This integrated approach leads to minimized repositioning and reimaging, ultimately resulting in faster treatment times while preserving the utmost accuracy in treatment delivery.

Empowering Single-Fraction Spine Treatments:

For single-fraction spine treatments, SGRT assumes the role of a vigilant guardian, swiftly halting treatment in case of any discrepancies, such as an incorrect couch height or patient movements exceeding tolerances. Jennifer’s proposal of incorporating motion monitoring into the process presents an avenue for potential margin reduction, ultimately minimizing side effects and enriching patients’ post-treatment quality of life.

Unveiling the SGRT System:

Jennifer provides in-depth insights into the sophisticated workings of SGRT systems, elucidating the advanced technology employed in ceiling-mounted scanners comprising projectors and cameras. These state-of-the-art scanners continuously detect the patient’s skin surface, projecting real-time deviations directly onto the patient’s skin. The deformable algorithm’s brilliance lies in its ability to encompass a large region of interest while remaining focused on the isocenter, thus ensuring unparalleled levels of accuracy.

Unlocking the Beam Hold Triggers:

Delving into beam hold triggers, Jennifer reveals how SGRT acts promptly in response to any deviations that exceed predefined tolerances, establishing itself as a steadfast companion throughout the radiation therapy process. Moreover, the system’s flexibility allows for the customization of tolerances to suit each patient’s specific needs, adding a personalized touch and enhancing the treatment journey.

Embracing Patient-Centric Care:

Jennifer strongly emphasizes that SGRT goes beyond its usual connection with DIBH patients and offers valuable benefits to all patients undergoing radiation therapy. This inclusive approach prioritizes patient-centered care, comfort, efficiency, and safety, representing a significant advancement in the field of radiation therapy.

You can access the full article on Rad Magazine’s website. On our upcoming webinar, “Therapist to Therapist: SGRT Is Not Just for DIBH,” Jennifer will dive into the details of her article. If you haven’t already, we invite you to register on our website and join the session to ask your questions in real-time.