Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
10:35
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Anomalous primary radiation from the Leksell Gamma Knife Unit
D R Shearer1, W A Roventine, S R Coy
1Department of Medical Physics, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02903.
Health Physics
|December 1, 1994
Summary
The Leksell Gamma Knife Unit, Type U, emits twelve primary radiation beams when the shielding door is lowered. Two beams are not fully attenuated, posing risks for personnel and requiring shielding design modifications.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The Leksell Gamma Knife Unit, Type U, is a stereotactic radiosurgery device using 201 Cobalt-60 sources for brain treatments.
- It is presumed that all radiation beams remain within the unit's housing during operation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate radiation beam leakage from the Leksell Gamma Knife Unit, Type U, during treatment.
- To assess the implications of beam leakage on structural shielding and personnel safety.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of primary unattenuated radiation beam paths during Gamma Knife operation.
- Evaluation of beam attenuation by the unit's base and wings when the shielding door is lowered.
Main Results:
- Twelve primary radiation beams were observed exiting the unit's door opening when the shielding door is lowered.
- Two of these twelve beams were not attenuated by the unit's base or wings in the original design.
Conclusions:
- The Leksell Gamma Knife Unit, Type U, exhibits radiation beam leakage, contrary to previous assumptions.
- Findings necessitate revisions in structural shielding designs and emergency procedure protocols for personnel protection.
