TECHNICAL OVERVIEW OF GAMMA KNIFE RADIOSURGERY

The Gamma Knife (GK) technology is developed for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). In 1951 Swedish physician Lars Leksell invented stereotactic fixation frame to target beam of radiation into human brain using polar coordinates. Later this system was used to develop the Gamma Knife in 1967 by L. Leksell and B. Larsson in Stockholm, Sweden. For Gamma Knife photon radiation Cobalt-60 source was selected. Half-life of Cobalt-60 is 5.26 years and emitted gamma photons are 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV energy. First GK prototype was used for neurological surgery for treatment of patients with pain and movement disorders. In 1972 L. Leksell established "Elekta" and continued to improve this technology. Today without prototypes are established Leksell Gamma Knife models: U (A), B, C, 4C, Perfexion and Icon.