The Peacock System

The Peacock System is a revolutionary way of delivering radiation therapy safely and effectively.  The system delivers a radiation-dose distribution that tightly conforms to the size and shape of a specified target, while minimizing radiation to surrounding healthy tissues.

The Peacock System independently regulates the intensity of small cross-sectional segments of the radiation beam aimed at a disease site (known as beam-intensity modulation).  This feature is a tremendous advantage when the target is near healthy, critical, radiation-sensitive structures.  The Peacock System also can be used to deliver radiation in daily small fractions over a period of weeks.  Fractionation of the dose minimizes the effect of radiation on normal brain tissue.

The Peacock System is used to treat certain benign and malignant brain tumors.  It may be used instead of accelerator-based or Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery when the benefits of fractionation are considered important.

Radiation therapy dose distributions are customized to each patient and optimized according to the organ-specific dose-limiting parameters entered into the Peacock System treatment planning computer.  Equipment control instructions required to implement the approved dose distribution are tested to ensure the delivery of accurate, high-quality treatment.

The Peacock System combines stereotactic fixation methods with highly advanced beam-shaping and beam-intensity modulation technology.  Blending expert knowledge and technological advances in neurosurgical and radiation physics principles, Barrow Neurological Institute's stereotactic radiosurgery team offers valuable alternatives to conventional radiation therapy approaches for patients with operable intracranial disorders.

For more information on the Peacock System, please call the Radiology Oncology Department at (602) 406-3170.