When you have an operation, you need to use some medical equipment, such as pliers, scalpels, surgical scissors, clips, etc. So when people mention the gamma knife for treatment, they think that it's a strange shaped scalpel made of some kind of steel. In fact, the name of the γ knife, in fact, it does not have a trace of one with the traditional knife similar to the place, it does not use steel and iron, no blade and no back, it is just a ray only.
The main component of the γ-knife is a hemispherical steel shell, containing more than 200 small cylindrical cobalt-60 source, these cobalt-60 source of γ-rays is what we call γ-knife "blade". These rays do not work on their own, but after a special helmet into a radiant, gathered in a **** the same target, that is, the patient's cranial foci in the brain on the site, and then by focusing the γ line to exterminate the patient's tissues.
What is the working principle of γ-knife?
First, CT, magnetic **** vibration imaging or digital subtraction device and other medical imaging equipment and stereotactic means, to find out the patient's intracranial foci, and precise positioning, clear target range and size. Then the data obtained from the imaging examination is inputted into the computer and processed by the three-dimensional treatment planning system, which generates a three-dimensional model diagram of the lesion and its surrounding tissue structure, and after a series of calculations, the optimal treatment plan is determined and ensures that the ray energy is concentrated on the target point to avoid damaging the surrounding tissues. Finally, γ-rays are emitted in accordance with the proposed treatment plan to treat the patient.
This shows that the γ-knife is not a single device, but a new high-tech medical device that integrates the original medical imaging technology, stereotactic technology and high-energy radiation technology with computer technology.
While the γ-knife has a "knife" in its name, its biggest feature happens to be that it does not have to use a knife for treatment, does not have to perform craniotomy, does not have to be under general anesthesia, does not bleed, does not hurt normal tissues, does not produce neurological dysfunction, and has fewer complications, and hospitalization time is also relatively short. This is more suitable for those patients who are not in good health and are not suitable for craniotomy.
However, there is no cure-all under the sun, and the magical γ-knife is not a miracle knife that can cure all diseases. Usually, they can only cure cerebrovascular lesions such as arterial and venous malformations with a diameter of less than 3 centimeters, located in the functional area, brainstem or deep, as well as certain malignant tumors such as neurinomas, meningiomas, gliomas, and so on.