Intermediate
Technical
IVT
couch kick
A non-coplanar beam angle achieved by rotating the treatment couch away from zero degrees.
Full Definition
Couch kick refers to the use of non-zero couch angles in radiation treatment planning to achieve beam orientations that are not coplanar with the patient's axial plane. This technique allows beams to enter from angles that avoid critical structures or improve dose distribution. Couch kicks are commonly expressed in degrees of rotation from the standard couch position (0 degrees). Non-coplanar beam arrangements can significantly improve plan quality but may increase treatment complexity and delivery time.
Usage
Usage note: Informal term commonly used in clinical practice; formal documentation may prefer 'non-coplanar beam angle.'
In Context
- "A 15-degree couch kick was used to avoid the contralateral lens." — Treatment planning note
- "Non-coplanar beams with couch kicks improved target conformity." — Dosimetric study
Also known as
non-coplanar angle
couch rotation
Contrasted with
coplanar beam
Don't confuse with
gantry angle
collimator angle