Table 2.
Characteristics of the developed small animal irradiators [3]
| Model | Source | Imaging | Positioning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARRP (Xstrahl Ltd) | X-ray, 5–225 keV | Amorphous Si flat panel detector for dual imaging system (CT) and planar X-ray |
Robotically-controlled stage, 35 cm SSD, 4 degrees of freedom. Allows continuous radiation delivery either from rotating gantry or platform. |
2 collimation systems: 1 for precision with smaller, conformal inserts, another for higher throughput with larger square field sizes. |
| X-Rad 225Cx (Precision X-Ray Inc) | X-ray, 5–225 keV | Amorphous Si flat panel for single image or cone beam CT. | 3D computer controlled stage with automated corrections | Selection of beam collimators providing 0.2 mm accuracy |
| Washington University | Iridium 192 (brachytherapy) | N/A (fiducial markers) | Computer controlled stage, 4 gantry angles | Tungsten collimators 5-15 mm |
| Stanford University | X-ray, 70–120 keV (microCT scanner) | Designed for small animal imaging so 0.1 mm spatial resolution | Arc or fixed field | Brass iris collimators (0.1-6 cm field sizes |
| University of Texas Southwestern | X-ray 5–320 keV | Fixed panel | 3D precision stage, cylinder for immobilisation | Cylindrical collimators 1-10 mm |
Key: SARRP small animal radiation research platform, keV kiloelectron volts, CT computed tomography, SSD source to surface distance