Intermediate
Technical
IVT
Gantry
Pronunciation: GAN-tree
The rotating structure of a linear accelerator that houses the treatment head and allows beam delivery from multiple angles.
Full Definition
The gantry is a fundamental component of linear accelerators in radiation therapy, consisting of a large rotating arm that houses the treatment head, including the electron gun, waveguide, and beam-shaping devices. The gantry can rotate 360 degrees around the patient, enabling precise beam delivery from virtually any angle. Modern gantries are equipped with sophisticated positioning systems and safety interlocks to ensure accurate and safe treatment delivery during techniques like IMRT and VMAT.
In Context
- "The gantry angle was adjusted to 270 degrees to avoid critical structures during beam delivery." — Treatment planning report
- "Gantry clearance must be verified before each patient setup to prevent collisions." — Safety checklist
Also known as
treatment gantry
rotating gantry
Don't confuse with
couch
collimator