Collimator design and simulation for preclinical radiotherapy applications using a clinical cell irradiator

The use of preclinical studies with animal models in biomedical research provides a critical step in the assessment of novel therapeutic approaches. In vivo studies using small animals play a pivotal role in generating and improving methods for therapeutic treatment of cancer including radiotherapy (RT). Rodents, and in particular mice, have led to extensive development in cancer research. Currently, there are two commercially available radiation devices for small animal irradiation: The Small Animal Radiation Research Platform. Both deliver targeted radiation to preclinical animal models with an accuracy equivalent to clinical RT using a rotating gantry and implement high-resolution cone beam-CT and 3D bioluminescent tomographic imaging. However, the complexity of these systems makes them rather expensive, which is often a hindering factor for hospitals or research institutions to acquire them..