Cyberknife: A Collaborative Research Opportunity for the University of Waterloo and Grand River Regional Cancer Centre

Rob Barnett, PhD, FCCPM
Director Physics, Radiation Program
Grand River Regional Cancer Centre

July 18, 2007
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Davis Centre 1304, University of Waterloo

View Video of Presentation in HI Alive Archive: Research Seminars Archive 2006-2007

Abstract
Cyberknife is the trade name for a robotic linear accelerator that combines real time tumor tracking and high precision x-ray beam delivery for the treatment of cancer. This device is commercially available from Accuray and is being proposed to the Ministry of Health by the Radiation Program at Grand River Regional Cancer Centre as a desirable addition to their existing treatment facilities. As a relatively new technology, successful implementation of Cyberknife will require significant clinical and basic research. Potential areas of improvement for this device include image-guided tumor tracking, 4D treatment planning, large-field robotic beam delivery, and Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) informatics. Cyberknife has been used to successfully treat difficult cranial and extra-cranial tumors and has been shown to be superior to several Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) techniques using modified linear accelerators. Although initially introduced for robotic radiosurgery it has rapidly evolved to a precision radiotherapy device and is currently the pinnacle of IGRT technology. This is a unique opportunity for UW and the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre to participate in collaborative research focused on improved care for radiation oncology patient.

About the Speaker
Dr. Barnett obtained his PhD in Radiological Physics from the University of Calgary in 1986 and achieved fellowship status with the Canadian College of Medical Physicists in the same year. Dr. Barnett worked at the Cross Cancer Institute (Edmonton) as a medical physicist, including completion of a combined residency in Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Oncology. While working part-time at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (Calgary) during his PhD, he co-developed a provincial treatment planning system (ATP) that was in clinical use for over 15 years. He has held progressively senior positions with Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre, London Regional Cancer Program and joined GRRCC as Head of Physics in 2001. His research interests include radiation dosimetry and 3D dose calculation algorithms. He is currently co-supervising two UW PhD students, a Physics student working on incorporating organ motion into treatment planning calculations and an Engineering student who is building a radiation dosimeter using carbon nanotube (CNT) technology.