I am curious to know more specifics regarding Dr Ambrosio's concern that mechanical vagaries may introduce error. Isn't the major advantage of the CyberKnife tracking the target in real time, and wouldn't the designers have put stringent controls to account for exactly this situation? I work in software design, and all my software stringently tests the existing conditions before proceeding with an irreversible action and I imagine this certainly would apply here. (there is a coding practice now that bypasses this tactic called, "Ask Forgiveness, Not Permission" but I sincerely doubt it would be allowed in this case). Also, are there not calibration procedures that must be run before treatment? If anyone has any evidence that these mechanical errors have or can actually occur, please let me know.
I am curious to know more specifics regarding Dr Ambrosio's concern that mechanical vagaries may introduce error. Isn't the major advantage of the CyberKnife tracking the target in real time, and wouldn't the designers have put stringent controls to account for exactly this situation? I work in software design, and all my software stringently tests the existing conditions before proceeding with an irreversible action and I imagine this certainly would apply here. (there is a coding practice now that bypasses this tactic called, "Ask Forgiveness, Not Permission" but I sincerely doubt it would be allowed in this case).
Also, are there not calibration procedures that must be run before treatment? If anyone has any evidence that these mechanical errors have or can actually occur, please let me know.