DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yi, B; Chung, H; Mutaf, Y

Purpose: To test a novel total body irradiation (TBI) system using conformal partial arc with patient lying on the stationary couch which is biologically equivalent to a moving couch TBI. This improves the scanning field TBI, which is previously presented. Methods: The Uniform MU Modulated arc Segments TBI or UMMS-TBI scans the treatment plane with a constant machine dose rate and a constant gantry rotation speed. A dynamic MLC pattern which moves while gantry rotates has been designed so that the treatment field moves same distance at the treatment plane per each gantry angle, while maintaining same treatment field sizemore » (34cm) at the plane. Dose across the plane varies due to the geometric differences including the distance from the source to a point of interest and the different attenuation from the slanted depth which changes the effective depth. Beam intensity is modulated to correct the dose variation across the plane by assigning the number of gantry angles inversely proportional to the uncorrected dose. Results: Measured dose and calculated dose matched within 1 % for central axis and 3% for off axis for various patient scenarios. Dose from different distance does not follow the inverse square relation as it is predicted from calculation. Dose uniformity better than 5% across 180 cm at 10cm depth is achieved by moving the gantry from −55 to +55 deg. Total treatment time for 2 Gy AP/PA fields is 40–50 minutes excluding patient set up time, at the machine dose rate of 200 MU/min. Conclusion: This novel technique, yet accurate but easy to implement enables TBI treatment in a small treatment room with less program development preparation than other techniques. The VMAT function of treatment delivery is not required to modulate beams. One delivery pattern can be used for different patients by changing the monitor units.« less

SU-F-J-179: Commissioning Dosimetric Data of a New 2.5 Megavoltage Imaging Beam from a TrueBeam Linear

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ding, G

2016-06-15

Purpose: Recently a new 2.5 megavoltage imaging beam has become available in a TrueBeam linear accelerator for image guidance. There is limited information available related to the beam characteristics. Commissioning dosimetric data of the new imaging is necessary for configuration of the beam in a treatment planning system in order to calculate imaging doses to patients resulting from this new imaging beam. The purpose of this study is to provide measured commissioning data recommended for a beam configuration in a treatment planning system. Methods: A recently installed TrueBeam linear accelerator is equipped with a new low energy photon beam withmore » a nominal energy of 2.5 MV which provides better image quality in addition to other therapeutic megavoltage beams. Dosimetric characteristics of the 2.5 MV are measured for commissioning. An ionization chamber was used to measure dosimetric data including depth-dose curves and dose profiles at different depths for field sizes ranging from 5×5 cm{sup 2} to 40×40 cm{sup 2}. Results: Although the new 2.5 MV beam is a flattening-filter-free (FFF) beam, its dose profiles are much flatter compared to a 6 MV FFF beam. The dose decrease at 20 cm away from the central axis is less than 30% for a 40×40 cm{sup 2} field. This moderately lower dose at off-axis distances benefits the imaging quality. The values of percentage depth-dose (PDD) curves are 53% and 63% for 10×10 cm{sup 2} and 40×40 cm{sup 2} fields respectively. The measured beam output is 0.85 cGy/MU for a reference field size at depth 5 cm obtained according to the AAPM TG-51 protocol. Conclusion: This systematically measured commissioning data is useful for configuring the new imaging beam in a treatment planning system for patient imaging dose calculations resulting from the application of this 2.5 MV beam which is commonly set as a default in imaging procedures.« less

Dosimetric comparison of extended dose range film with ionization measurements in water and lung equivalent heterogeneous media exposed to megavoltage photons

PubMed Central

Charland, Paule M.; Chetty, Indrin J.; Yokoyama, Shigeru; Fraass, Benedick A.

2003-01-01

In this study, a dosimetric evaluation of the new Kodak extended dose range (EDR) film versus ionization measurements has been conducted in homogeneous solid water and water‐lung equivalent layered heterogeneous phantoms for a relevant range of field sizes (up to a field size of 25×25 cm2 and a depth of 15 cm) for 6 and 15 MV photon beams from a linear accelerator. The optical density of EDR film was found to be linear up to about 350 cGy and over‐responded for larger fields and depths (5% for 25×25 cm2 at depth of 15 cm compared to a 10×10 cm2, 5 cm depth reference value). Central axis depth dose measurements in solid water with the film in a perpendicular orientation were within 2% of the Wellhöfer IC‐10 measurements for the smaller field sizes. A maximum discrepancy of 8.4% and 3.9% was found for the 25×25 cm2 field at 15 cm depth for 6 and 15 MV photons, respectively (with curve normalization at a depth of 5 cm). Compared to IC‐10 measurements, film measured central axis depth dose inside the lung slab showed a slight over‐response (at most 2%). At a depth of 15 cm in the lung phantom the over‐response was found to be 7.4% and 3.7% for the 25×25 cm2 field for 6 and 15 MV photons, respectively. When results were presented as correction factors, the discrepancy between the IC‐10 and the EDR was greatest for the lowest energy and the largest field size. The effect of the finite size of the ion chamber was most evident at smaller field sizes where profile differences versus film were observed in the penumbral region. These differences were reduced at larger field sizes and in situations where lateral electron transport resulted in a lateral spread of the beam, such as inside lung material. Film profiles across a lung tumor geometry phantom agreed with the IC‐10 chamber within the experimental uncertainties. From this investigation EDR film appears to be a useful medium for relative dosimetry in higher dose ranges in both water and lung equivalent material for moderate field sizes and depths. © 2003 American College of Medical Physics. PACS number(s): 87.53.Dq, 87.66.Cd, 87.66.Jj, 87.66.Xa PMID:12540816

Monte Carlo simulations for angular and spatial distributions in therapeutic-energy proton beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yi-Chun; Pan, C. Y.; Chiang, K. J.; Yuan, M. C.; Chu, C. H.; Tsai, Y. W.; Teng, P. K.; Lin, C. H.; Chao, T. C.; Lee, C. C.; Tung, C. J.; Chen, A. E.

2017-11-01

The purpose of this study is to compare the angular and spatial distributions of therapeutic-energy proton beams obtained from the FLUKA, GEANT4 and MCNP6 Monte Carlo codes. The Monte Carlo simulations of proton beams passing through two thin targets and a water phantom were investigated to compare the primary and secondary proton fluence distributions and dosimetric differences among these codes. The angular fluence distributions, central axis depth-dose profiles, and lateral distributions of the Bragg peak cross-field were calculated to compare the proton angular and spatial distributions and energy deposition. Benchmark verifications from three different Monte Carlo simulations could be used to evaluate the residual proton fluence for the mean range and to estimate the depth and lateral dose distributions and the characteristic depths and lengths along the central axis as the physical indices corresponding to the evaluation of treatment effectiveness. The results showed a general agreement among codes, except that some deviations were found in the penumbra region. These calculated results are also particularly helpful for understanding primary and secondary proton components for stray radiation calculation and reference proton standard determination, as well as for determining lateral dose distribution performance in proton small-field dosimetry. By demonstrating these calculations, this work could serve as a guide to the recent field of Monte Carlo methods for therapeutic-energy protons.

Relative dosimetry with an MR-linac: Response of ion chambers, diamond, and diode detectors for off-axis, depth dose, and output factor measurements.

PubMed

O'Brien, Daniel J; Dolan, James; Pencea, Stefan; Schupp, Nicholas; Sawakuchi, Gabriel O

2018-02-01

The purpose of this study was to acquire beam data for an MR-linac, with and without a 1.5 T magnetic field, by using a variety of commercially available detectors to assess their relative response in the magnetic field. The impact of the magnetic field on the measured dose distribution was also assessed. An MR-safe 3D scanning water phantom was used to measure output factors, depth dose curves, and off-axis profiles for various depths and for field sizes between 2 × 2 cm 2 and 22 × 22 cm 2 for an Elekta MR-linac beam with the orthogonal 1.5 T magnetic field on or off. An on-board MV portal imaging system was used to ensure that the reproducibility of the detector position, both with and without the magnetic field, was within 0.1 mm. The detectors used included ionization chambers with large, medium, and small sensitive volumes; a diamond detector; a shielded diode; and an unshielded diode. The offset of the effective point of measurement of the ionization chambers was found to be reduced by at least half for each chamber in the direction parallel with the beam. A lateral shift of similar magnitude was also introduced to the chambers' effective point of measurement toward the average direction of the Lorentz force. A similar lateral shift (but in the opposite direction) was also observed for the diamond and diode detectors. The measured lateral shift in the dose distribution was independent of depth and field size for each detector for fields between 2 × 2 cm 2 and 10 × 10 cm 2 . The shielded diode significantly misrepresented the dose distribution in the lateral direction perpendicular to the magnetic field, making it seem more symmetric. The percentage depth dose was generally found to be lower with the magnetic field than without, but this difference was reduced as field size increased. The depth of maximum dose showed little dependence on field size in the presence of the magnetic field, with values from 1.2 cm to 1.3 cm between the 2 × 2 cm 2 and 22 × 22 cm 2 fields. Output factors measured in the magnetic field at the center of the beam profile produced a larger spread of values between detectors for fields smaller than 10 × 10 cm 2 (with a spread of 2% at 3 × 3 cm 2 ). The spread of values was more consistent when the output factors were measured at the point of peak intensity of the lateral dose distribution instead (except for the shielded diode which differed by up to 2% depending on field size). The magnetic field of the MR-linac alters the effective point of measurement of ionization chambers, shifting it both downstream and laterally. Shielded diodes produce incorrect and misleading dose profiles. The output factor measured at the point of peak intensity in the lateral dose distribution is more robust than the conventional output factor (measured at central axis). Diodes are not recommended for output factor measurements in the magnetic field. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cardenas, C; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX; Nitsch, P

Purpose: To investigate out-of-field electron doses and neutron production from electron beams from modern Varian and Elekta linear accelerators. Methods: Electron dose measurements were made using 10×10cm{sup 2} applicators on two Varian 21iXs, a Varian TrueBeam, and an Elekta Versa HD operating at energies from 6 to 20 MeV. Out-of-field dose profiles and PDD curves were measured in a Wellhofer water phantom using a Farmer chamber. Neutron measurements were made with a combination of moderator buckets and gold activation-foils placed on the treatment couch at various locations in the patient plane on both the 21iX and Versa HD linear accelerators.more » Results: Electron doses were highest for the highest electron energies. Dose profile curves for the Varian units were found to be lower than those from the Versa HD unit, and were lower than photon beams. Elekta’s dose profiles were higher and exhibited a second dose peak around 20–30 cm from central-axis. Electron doses in this region (0.8–1.3% of dmax at central-axis) were close to 5 times (2.5–4.8) greater than doses from photon beams with similar energies. Electron doses decreased sharply with depth before becoming nearly constant; the dose was found to decrease to a depth of approximately E(MeV)/4 in cm. Q-values and neutron dose equivalent increased with energy and were typically higher on central-axis. 18 MV photon beam neutron dose equivalents were greater than any electron beam, being approximately 40 times greater than for the 20 MeV electron beam (21iX). Conclusion: The Versa HD exhibited higher than expected out-of-field electron doses in comparison to typical radiotherapy photon beams. Fortunately, out-of-field electron doses can be substantially reduced by applying a water-equivalent bolus with thickness of E(MeV)/4 in cm. Neutron contamination from clinical electron beams can be considered negligible in relation to photon beams but may need to be considered for special cases. This work was supported by Public Health Service Grant CA180803 awarded by the National Cancer Institute, United States Department of Health and Human Services.« less

Investigation of various energy deposition kernel refinements for the convolution/superposition method

PubMed Central

Huang, Jessie Y.; Eklund, David; Childress, Nathan L.; Howell, Rebecca M.; Mirkovic, Dragan; Followill, David S.; Kry, Stephen F.

2013-01-01

Purpose: Several simplifications used in clinical implementations of the convolution/superposition (C/S) method, specifically, density scaling of water kernels for heterogeneous media and use of a single polyenergetic kernel, lead to dose calculation inaccuracies. Although these weaknesses of the C/S method are known, it is not well known which of these simplifications has the largest effect on dose calculation accuracy in clinical situations. The purpose of this study was to generate and characterize high-resolution, polyenergetic, and material-specific energy deposition kernels (EDKs), as well as to investigate the dosimetric impact of implementing spatially variant polyenergetic and material-specific kernels in a collapsed cone C/S algorithm. Methods: High-resolution, monoenergetic water EDKs and various material-specific EDKs were simulated using the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code. Polyenergetic kernels, reflecting the primary spectrum of a clinical 6 MV photon beam at different locations in a water phantom, were calculated for different depths, field sizes, and off-axis distances. To investigate the dosimetric impact of implementing spatially variant polyenergetic kernels, depth dose curves in water were calculated using two different implementations of the collapsed cone C/S method. The first method uses a single polyenergetic kernel, while the second method fully takes into account spectral changes in the convolution calculation. To investigate the dosimetric impact of implementing material-specific kernels, depth dose curves were calculated for a simplified titanium implant geometry using both a traditional C/S implementation that performs density scaling of water kernels and a novel implementation using material-specific kernels. Results: For our high-resolution kernels, we found good agreement with the Mackie et al. kernels, with some differences near the interaction site for low photon energies (<500 keV). For our spatially variant polyenergetic kernels, we found that depth was the most dominant factor affecting the pattern of energy deposition; however, the effects of field size and off-axis distance were not negligible. For the material-specific kernels, we found that as the density of the material increased, more energy was deposited laterally by charged particles, as opposed to in the forward direction. Thus, density scaling of water kernels becomes a worse approximation as the density and the effective atomic number of the material differ more from water. Implementation of spatially variant, polyenergetic kernels increased the percent depth dose value at 25 cm depth by 2.1%–5.8% depending on the field size, while implementation of titanium kernels gave 4.9% higher dose upstream of the metal cavity (i.e., higher backscatter dose) and 8.2% lower dose downstream of the cavity. Conclusions: Of the various kernel refinements investigated, inclusion of depth-dependent and metal-specific kernels into the C/S method has the greatest potential to improve dose calculation accuracy. Implementation of spatially variant polyenergetic kernels resulted in a harder depth dose curve and thus has the potential to affect beam modeling parameters obtained in the commissioning process. For metal implants, the C/S algorithms generally underestimate the dose upstream and overestimate the dose downstream of the implant. Implementation of a metal-specific kernel mitigated both of these errors. PMID:24320507

SU-F-T-129: Impact of Radial Fluctuations in RBE for Therapeutic Proton Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Butkus, M; Palmer, T

Purpose: To evaluate the off axis relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for actively scanned proton beams and determine if a constant radial RBE can be assumed. Methods: The PHITS Monte Carlo code paired with a microscopic analytical function was used to determine probability distribution functions of the lineal energy in 0.3µm diameter spheres throughout a water phantom. Twenty million primary protons were simulated for a 0.6cm diameter pencil beam. Beam energies corresponding to Bragg Peak depths of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300mm were used and evaluated transversely every millimeter and radially for annuli of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.2, 3.4,more » 3.6, 4.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0 and 25.0mm outer radius. The acquired probability distributions were reduced to dose-mean lineal energies and applied to the modified microdosimetric kinetic model, for human submandibular gland (HSG) cells, to calculate relative biological effectiveness (RBE) compared to 60Co beams at the 10% survival threshold. Results: RBE was generally seen to increase as distance from the central axis (CAX) increased. However, this increase was only seen in low dose regions and its overall effects on the transverse biological dose remains low. In the entrance region of the phantom (10mm depth), minimum and maximum calculated RBEs varied between 15.22 and 18.88% for different energies. At the Bragg peak, this difference ranged from 3.15 to 26.77%. Despite these rather large variations the dose-weighted RBE and the CAX RBE varied by less than 0.14% at 10mm depth and less than 0.16% at the Bragg peak. Similarly small variations were found at all depths proximal of the Bragg peak. Conclusion: Although proton RBE does vary radially, its overall effect on biological dose is minimal and the use of a radially constant RBE in treatment planning for scanned proton beams would not produce large errors.« less

2D mapping of the MV photon fluence and 3D dose reconstruction in real time for quality assurance during radiotherapy treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alrowaili, Z. A.; Lerch, M. L. F.; Carolan, M.; Fuduli, I.; Porumb, C.; Petasecca, M.; Metcalfe, P.; Rosenfeld, A. B.

2015-09-01

Summary: the photon irradiation response of a 2D solid state transmission detector array mounted in a linac block tray is used to reconstruct the projected 2D dose map in a homogenous phantom along rays that diverge from the X-ray source and pass through each of the 121 detector elements. A unique diode response-to-dose scaling factor, applied to all detectors, is utilised in the reconstruction to demonstrate that real time QA during radiotherapy treatment is feasible. Purpose: to quantitatively demonstrate reconstruction of the real time radiation dose from the irradiation response of the 11×11 silicon Magic Plate (MP) detector array operated in Transmission Mode (MPTM). Methods and Materials: in transmission mode the MP is positioned in the block tray of a linac so that the central detector of the array lies on the central axis of the radiation beam. This central detector is used to determine the conversion factor from measured irradiation response to reconstructed dose at any point on the central axis within a homogenous solid water phantom. The same unique conversion factor is used for all MP detector elements lying within the irradiation field. Using the two sets of data, the 2D or 3D dose map is able to be reconstructed in the homogenous phantom. The technique we have developed is illustrated here for different depths and irradiation field sizes, (5 × 5 cm2 to 40 × 40 cm2) as well as a highly non uniform irradiation field. Results: we find that the MPTM response is proportional to the projected 2D dose map measured at a specific phantom depth, the "sweet depth". A single factor, for several irradiation field sizes and depths, is derived to reconstruct the dose in the phantom along rays projected from the photon source through each MPTM detector element. We demonstrate that for all field sizes using the above method, the 2D reconstructed and measured doses agree to within ± 2.48% (2 standard deviation) for all in-field MP detector elements. Conclusions: a 2D detector system and method to reconstruct the dose in a homogeneous phantom and in real time has been demonstrated. The success of this work is an exciting development toward real time QA during radiotherapy treatment.

Detector-specific correction factors in radiosurgery beams and their impact on dose distribution calculations.

PubMed

García-Garduño, Olivia A; Rodríguez-Ávila, Manuel A; Lárraga-Gutiérrez, José M

2018-01-01

Silicon-diode-based detectors are commonly used for the dosimetry of small radiotherapy beams due to their relatively small volumes and high sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Nevertheless, silicon-diode-based detectors tend to over-respond in small fields because of their high density relative to water. For that reason, detector-specific beam correction factors ([Formula: see text]) have been recommended not only to correct the total scatter factors but also to correct the tissue maximum and off-axis ratios. However, the application of [Formula: see text] to in-depth and off-axis locations has not been studied. The goal of this work is to address the impact of the correction factors on the calculated dose distribution in static non-conventional photon beams (specifically, in stereotactic radiosurgery with circular collimators). To achieve this goal, the total scatter factors, tissue maximum, and off-axis ratios were measured with a stereotactic field diode for 4.0-, 10.0-, and 20.0-mm circular collimators. The irradiation was performed with a Novalis® linear accelerator using a 6-MV photon beam. The detector-specific correction factors were calculated and applied to the experimental dosimetry data for in-depth and off-axis locations. The corrected and uncorrected dosimetry data were used to commission a treatment planning system for radiosurgery planning. Various plans were calculated with simulated lesions using the uncorrected and corrected dosimetry. The resulting dose calculations were compared using the gamma index test with several criteria. The results of this work presented important conclusions for the use of detector-specific beam correction factors ([Formula: see text] in a treatment planning system. The use of [Formula: see text] for total scatter factors has an important impact on monitor unit calculation. On the contrary, the use of [Formula: see text] for tissue-maximum and off-axis ratios has not an important impact on the dose distribution calculation by the treatment planning system. This conclusion is only valid for the combination of treatment planning system, detector, and correction factors used in this work; however, this technique can be applied to other treatment planning systems, detectors, and correction factors.

Quantifying the effect of air gap, depth, and range shifter thickness on TPS dosimetric accuracy in superficial PBS proton therapy.

PubMed

Shirey, Robert J; Wu, Hsinshun Terry

2018-01-01

This study quantifies the dosimetric accuracy of a commercial treatment planning system as functions of treatment depth, air gap, and range shifter thickness for superficial pencil beam scanning proton therapy treatments. The RayStation 6 pencil beam and Monte Carlo dose engines were each used to calculate the dose distributions for a single treatment plan with varying range shifter air gaps. Central axis dose values extracted from each of the calculated plans were compared to dose values measured with a calibrated PTW Markus chamber at various depths in RW3 solid water. Dose was measured at 12 depths, ranging from the surface to 5 cm, for each of the 18 different air gaps, which ranged from 0.5 to 28 cm. TPS dosimetric accuracy, defined as the ratio of calculated dose relative to the measured dose, was plotted as functions of depth and air gap for the pencil beam and Monte Carlo dose algorithms. The accuracy of the TPS pencil beam dose algorithm was found to be clinically unacceptable at depths shallower than 3 cm with air gaps wider than 10 cm, and increased range shifter thickness only added to the dosimetric inaccuracy of the pencil beam algorithm. Each configuration calculated with Monte Carlo was determined to be clinically acceptable. Further comparisons of the Monte Carlo dose algorithm to the measured spread-out Bragg Peaks of multiple fields used during machine commissioning verified the dosimetric accuracy of Monte Carlo in a variety of beam energies and field sizes. Discrepancies between measured and TPS calculated dose values can mainly be attributed to the ability (or lack thereof) of the TPS pencil beam dose algorithm to properly model secondary proton scatter generated in the range shifter. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Estimating dose to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator outside the treatment fields using a skin QED diode, optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters, and LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chan, Maria F., E-mail: chanm@mskcc.org; Song, Yulin; Dauer, Lawrence T.

2012-10-01

The purpose of this work was to determine the relative sensitivity of skin QED diodes, optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) (microStar Trade-Mark-Sign DOT, Landauer), and LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) as a function of distance from a photon beam field edge when applied to measure dose at out-of-field points. These detectors have been used to estimate radiation dose to patients' implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) located outside the treatment field. The ICDs have a thin outer case made of 0.4- to 0.6-mm-thick titanium ({approx}2.4-mm tissue equivalent). A 5-mm bolus, being the equivalent depth of the devices under the patient's skin, was placed overmore » the ICDs. Response per unit absorbed dose-to-water was measured for each of the dosimeters with and without bolus on the beam central axis (CAX) and at a distance up to 20 cm from the CAX. Doses were measured with an ionization chamber at various depths for 6- and 15-MV x-rays on a Varian Clinac-iX linear accelerator. Relative sensitivity of the detectors was determined as the ratio of the sensitivity at each off-axis distance to that at the CAX. The detector sensitivity as a function of the distance from the field edge changed by {+-} 3% (1-11%) for LiF TLD-700, decreased by 10% (5-21%) for OSLD, and increased by 16% (11-19%) for the skin QED diode (Sun Nuclear Corp.) at the equivalent depth of 5 mm for 6- or 15-MV photon energies. Our results showed that the use of bolus with proper thickness (i.e., {approx}d{sub max} of the photon energy) on the top of the ICD would reduce the scattered dose to a lower level. Dosimeters should be calibrated out-of-field and preferably with bolus equal in thickness to the depth of interest. This can be readily performed in clinic.« less

Dosimetric investigation of dual energy photon beams with assymmetric collimator jaws

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varatharaj, C.; Ravikumar, M.; Supe, Sanjay S.; Sathiyan, S.; Ganesh, K. M.; Arunkumar, T.

2008-01-01

Many modern linear accelerators are equipped with asymmetric collimators or jaws that can be moved independently. Asymmetric jaws have got many clinical applications in radiation therapy. In the present study, the dosimetric characteristics of asymmetric collimators from our linear accelerator with 6 and 18 MV X-rays were carried out. The field size factors (FSF) and half value layer (HVL) were measured in a water phantom using 0.6 cc Farmer chamber for symmetric and asymmetric fields for both 6 and 18 MV X-rays. Measurements of beam penumbra, percentage depth dose (PDD), cross beam profiles and calculated isodose curves were measured by RFA 300 for both asymmetric and symmetric fields. The FSF were found to agree with in 3% for symmetric and asymmetric fields. The HVL in water was found to be 15.8 cm and 14.4 cm for 6 MV photons and 26 cm and 22.9 cm for 18 MV photons at the central axis and at 20 cm off the central axis. At 30 cm depth the percentage depth dose for symmetric and asymmetric fields were found to differ as high as 6% for 6 MV and 4% for 18 MV fields. No observable difference in penumbra was noticed for symmetric and asymmetric fields of same dimensions. The constrictions of isodose curves at the edge nearer to central axis were noticed for asymmetrically placed fields. The observed differences could be due to the passage of primary beam through differential thickness of the flattening filter which alters the beam quality.

Off-axis dose equivalent due to secondary neutrons from uniform scanning proton beams during proton radiotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Islam, M. R.; Collums, T. L.; Zheng, Y.; Monson, J.; Benton, E. R.

2013-11-01

The production of secondary neutrons is an undesirable byproduct of proton therapy and it is important to quantify the contribution from secondary neutrons to patient dose received outside the treatment volume. The purpose of this study is to investigate the off-axis dose equivalent from secondary neutrons experimentally using CR-39 plastic nuclear track detectors (PNTD) at ProCure Proton Therapy Center, Oklahoma City, OK. In this experiment, we placed several layers of CR-39 PNTD laterally outside the treatment volume inside a phantom and in air at various depths and angles with respect to the primary beam axis. Three different proton beams with max energies of 78, 162 and 226 MeV and 4 cm modulation width, a 5 cm diameter brass aperture, and a small snout located 38 cm from isocenter were used for the entire experiment. Monte Carlo simulations were also performed based on the experimental setup using a simplified snout configuration and the FLUKA Monte Carlo radiation transport code. The measured ratio of secondary neutron dose equivalent to therapeutic primary proton dose (H/D) ranged from 0.3 ± 0.08 mSv Gy-1 for 78 MeV proton beam to 37.4 ± 2.42 mSv Gy-1 for 226 MeV proton beam. Both experiment and simulation showed a similar decreasing trend in dose equivalent with distance to the central axis and the magnitude varied by a factor of about 2 in most locations. H/D was found to increase as the energy of the primary proton beam increased and higher H/D was observed at 135° compared to 45° and 90°. The overall higher H/D in air indicates the predominance of external neutrons produced in the nozzle rather than inside the body.

Episcleral eye plaque dosimetry comparison for the Eye Physics EP917 using Plaque Simulator and Monte Carlo simulation

PubMed Central

Amoush, Ahmad; Wilkinson, Douglas A.

2015-01-01

This work is a comparative study of the dosimetry calculated by Plaque Simulator, a treatment planning system for eye plaque brachytherapy, to the dosimetry calculated using Monte Carlo simulation for an Eye Physics model EP917 eye plaque. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation using MCNPX 2.7 was used to calculate the central axis dose in water for an EP917 eye plaque fully loaded with 17 IsoAid Advantage  125I seeds. In addition, the dosimetry parameters Λ, gL(r), and F(r,θ) were calculated for the IsoAid Advantage model IAI‐125  125I seed and benchmarked against published data. Bebig Plaque Simulator (PS) v5.74 was used to calculate the central axis dose based on the AAPM Updated Task Group 43 (TG‐43U1) dose formalism. The calculated central axis dose from MC and PS was then compared. When the MC dosimetry parameters for the IsoAid Advantage  125I seed were compared with the consensus values, Λ agreed with the consensus value to within 2.3%. However, much larger differences were found between MC calculated gL(r) and F(r,θ) and the consensus values. The differences between MC‐calculated dosimetry parameters are much smaller when compared with recently published data. The differences between the calculated central axis absolute dose from MC and PS ranged from 5% to 10% for distances between 1 and 12 mm from the outer scleral surface. When the dosimetry parameters for the  125I seed from this study were used in PS, the calculated absolute central axis dose differences were reduced by 2.3% from depths of 4 to 12 mm from the outer scleral surface. We conclude that PS adequately models the central dose profile of this plaque using its defaults for the IsoAid model IAI‐125 at distances of 1 to 7 mm from the outer scleral surface. However, improved dose accuracy can be obtained by using updated dosimetry parameters for the IsoAid model IAI‐125  125I seed. PACS number: 87.55.K‐ PMID:26699577

Evaluation of material heterogeneity dosimetric effects using radiochromic film for COMS eye plaques loaded with {sup 125}I seeds (model I25.S16)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Acar, Hilal; Chiu-Tsao, Sou-Tung; Oezbay, Ismail

Purpose: (1) To measure absolute dose distributions in eye phantom for COMS eye plaques with {sup 125}I seeds (model I25.S16) using radiochromic EBT film dosimetry. (2) To determine the dose correction function for calculations involving the TG-43 formalism to account for the presence of the COMS eye plaque using Monte Carlo (MC) method specific to this seed model. (3) To test the heterogeneous dose calculation accuracy of the new version of Plaque Simulator (v5.3.9) against the EBT film data for this seed model. Methods: Using EBT film, absolute doses were measured for {sup 125}I seeds (model I25.S16) in COMS eyemore » plaques (1) along the plaque's central axis for (a) uniformly loaded plaques (14-20 mm in diameter) and (b) a 20 mm plaque with single seed, and (2) in off-axis direction at depths of 5 and 12 mm for all four plaque sizes. The EBT film calibration was performed at {sup 125}I photon energy. MC calculations using MCNP5 code for a single seed at the center of a 20 mm plaque in homogeneous water and polystyrene medium were performed. The heterogeneity dose correction function was determined from the MC calculations. These function values at various depths were entered into PS software (v5.3.9) to calculate the heterogeneous dose distributions for the uniformly loaded plaques (of all four sizes). The dose distributions with homogeneous water assumptions were also calculated using PS for comparison. The EBT film measured absolute dose rate values (film) were compared with those calculated using PS with homogeneous assumption (PS Homo) and heterogeneity correction (PS Hetero). The values of dose ratio (film/PS Homo) and (film/PS Hetero) were obtained. Results: The central axis depth dose rate values for a single seed in 20 mm plaque measured using EBT film and calculated with MCNP5 code (both in ploystyrene phantom) were compared, and agreement within 9% was found. The dose ratio (film/PS Homo) values were substantially lower than unity (mostly between 0.8 and 0.9) for all four plaque sizes, indicating dose reduction by COMS plaque compared with homogeneous assumption. The dose ratio (film/PS Hetero) values were close to unity, indicating the PS Hetero calculations agree with those from the film study. Conclusions: Substantial heterogeneity effect on the {sup 125}I dose distributions in an eye phantom for COMS plaques was verified using radiochromic EBT film dosimetry. The calculated doses for uniformly loaded plaques using PS with heterogeneity correction option enabled were corroborated by the EBT film measurement data. Radiochromic EBT film dosimetry is feasible in measuring absolute dose distributions in eye phantom for COMS eye plaques loaded with single or multiple {sup 125}I seeds. Plaque Simulator is a viable tool for the calculation of dose distributions if one understands its limitations and uses the proper heterogeneity correction feature.« less

Stopping-power ratios for clinical electron beams from a scatter-foil linear accelerator.

PubMed

Kapur, A; Ma, C M

1999-09-01

Restricted mass collision stopping-power ratios for electron beams from a scatter-foil medical linear accelerator (Varian Clinac 2100C) were calculated for various combinations of beams, phantoms and detector materials using the Monte Carlo method. The beams were of nominal energy 6, 12 or 20 MeV, with square dimensions 1 x 1 cm2 to 10 x 10 cm2. They were incident at nominal SSDs of 100 or 120 cm and inclined at 90 degrees or 30 degrees to the surface of homogeneous water phantoms or water phantoms interspersed with layered lung or bone-like materials. The broad beam water-to-air stopping-power ratios were within 1.3% of the AAPM TG21 protocol values and consistent with the results of Ding et al to within 0.2%. On the central axis the stopping-power ratio variations for narrow beams compared with normally incident broad beams were 0.1% or less for water-to-LiF-100, graphite, ferrous sulfate dosimeter solution, polystyrene and PMMA, 0.5% for water-to-silicon and 1% for water-to-air and water-to-photographic-film materials. The transverse variations of the stopping-power ratios were up to 4% for water-to-silicon, 7% for water-to-photographic-film materials and 10% for water-to-air in the penumbral regions (where the dose was 10% of the global dose maximum) at shallow depths compared with the values at the same depths on the central axis. In the inhomogeneous phantoms studied, the stopping-power ratio correction factors varied more significantly for air, followed by photographic materials and silicon, at various depths on the central axis in the heterogeneous regions. For the simple layered phantoms studied, the estimation of the stopping-power ratio correction factors based on the relative electron-density derived effective depth approach yielded results that were within 0.5% of the Monte Carlo derived values for all the detector materials studied.

Biophysical characterization of a relativistic proton beam for image-guided radiosurgery

PubMed Central

Yu, Zhan; Vanstalle, Marie; La Tessa, Chiara; Jiang, Guo-Liang; Durante, Marco

2012-01-01

We measured the physical and radiobiological characteristics of 1 GeV protons for possible applications in stereotactic radiosurgery (image-guided plateau-proton radiosurgery). A proton beam was accelerated at 1 GeV at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY) and a target in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was used. Clonogenic survival was measured after exposures to 1–10 Gy in three mammalian cell lines. Measurements and simulations demonstrate that the lateral scattering of the beam is very small. The lateral dose profile was measured with or without the 20-cm plastic target, showing no significant differences up to 2 cm from the axis A large number of secondary swift protons are produced in the target and this leads to an increase of approximately 40% in the measured dose on the beam axis at 20 cm depth. The relative biological effectiveness at 10% survival level ranged between 1.0 and 1.2 on the beam axis, and was slightly higher off-axis. The very low lateral scattering of relativistic protons and the possibility of using online proton radiography during the treatment make them attractive for image-guided plateau (non-Bragg peak) stereotactic radiosurgery. PMID:22843629

Development of a flattening filter free multiple source model for use as an independent, Monte Carlo, dose calculation, quality assurance tool for clinical trials.

PubMed

Faught, Austin M; Davidson, Scott E; Popple, Richard; Kry, Stephen F; Etzel, Carol; Ibbott, Geoffrey S; Followill, David S

2017-09-01

The Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core-Houston (IROC-H) Quality Assurance Center (formerly the Radiological Physics Center) has reported varying levels of compliance from their anthropomorphic phantom auditing program. IROC-H studies have suggested that one source of disagreement between institution submitted calculated doses and measurement is the accuracy of the institution's treatment planning system dose calculations and heterogeneity corrections used. In order to audit this step of the radiation therapy treatment process, an independent dose calculation tool is needed. Monte Carlo multiple source models for Varian flattening filter free (FFF) 6 MV and FFF 10 MV therapeutic x-ray beams were commissioned based on central axis depth dose data from a 10 × 10 cm 2 field size and dose profiles for a 40 × 40 cm 2 field size. The models were validated against open-field measurements in a water tank for field sizes ranging from 3 × 3 cm 2 to 40 × 40 cm 2 . The models were then benchmarked against IROC-H's anthropomorphic head and neck phantom and lung phantom measurements. Validation results, assessed with a ±2%/2 mm gamma criterion, showed average agreement of 99.9% and 99.0% for central axis depth dose data for FFF 6 MV and FFF 10 MV models, respectively. Dose profile agreement using the same evaluation technique averaged 97.8% and 97.9% for the respective models. Phantom benchmarking comparisons were evaluated with a ±3%/2 mm gamma criterion, and agreement averaged 90.1% and 90.8% for the respective models. Multiple source models for Varian FFF 6 MV and FFF 10 MV beams have been developed, validated, and benchmarked for inclusion in an independent dose calculation quality assurance tool for use in clinical trial audits. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Ant colony algorithm implementation in electron and photon Monte Carlo transport: application to the commissioning of radiosurgery photon beams.

PubMed

García-Pareja, S; Galán, P; Manzano, F; Brualla, L; Lallena, A M

2010-07-01

In this work, the authors describe an approach which has been developed to drive the application of different variance-reduction techniques to the Monte Carlo simulation of photon and electron transport in clinical accelerators. The new approach considers the following techniques: Russian roulette, splitting, a modified version of the directional bremsstrahlung splitting, and the azimuthal particle redistribution. Their application is controlled by an ant colony algorithm based on an importance map. The procedure has been applied to radiosurgery beams. Specifically, the authors have calculated depth-dose profiles, off-axis ratios, and output factors, quantities usually considered in the commissioning of these beams. The agreement between Monte Carlo results and the corresponding measurements is within approximately 3%/0.3 mm for the central axis percentage depth dose and the dose profiles. The importance map generated in the calculation can be used to discuss simulation details in the different parts of the geometry in a simple way. The simulation CPU times are comparable to those needed within other approaches common in this field. The new approach is competitive with those previously used in this kind of problems (PSF generation or source models) and has some practical advantages that make it to be a good tool to simulate the radiation transport in problems where the quantities of interest are difficult to obtain because of low statistics.

Dose verification of eye plaque brachytherapy using spectroscopic dosimetry.

PubMed

Jarema, T; Cutajar, D; Weaver, M; Petasecca, M; Lerch, M; Kejda, A; Rosenfeld, A

2016-09-01

Eye plaque brachytherapy has been developed and refined for the last 80 years, demonstrating effective results in the treatment of ocular malignancies. Current dosimetry techniques for eye plaque brachytherapy (such as TLD- and film-based techniques) are time consuming and cannot be used prior to treatment in a sterile environment. The measurement of the expected dose distribution within the eye, prior to insertion within the clinical setting, would be advantageous, as any errors in source loading will lead to an erroneous dose distribution and inferior treatment outcomes. This study investigated the use of spectroscopic dosimetry techniques for real-time quality assurance of I-125 based eye plaques, immediately prior to insertion. A silicon detector based probe, operating in spectroscopy mode was constructed, containing a small (1 mm(3)) silicon detector, mounted within a ceramic holder, all encapsulated within a rubber sheath to prevent water infiltration of the electronics. Preliminary tests of the prototype demonstrated that the depth dose distribution through the central axis of an I-125 based eye plaque may be determined from AAPM Task Group 43 recommendations to a deviation of 6 % at 3 mm depth, 7 % at 5 mm depth, 1 % at 10 mm depth and 13 % at 20 mm depth, with the deviations attributed to the construction of the probe. A new probe design aims to reduce these discrepancies, however the concept of spectroscopic dosimetry shows great promise for use in eye plaque quality assurance in the clinical setting.

Final Aperture Superposition Technique applied to fast calculation of electron output factors and depth dose curves

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Faddegon, B.A.; Villarreal-Barajas, J.E.; Mt. Diablo Regional Cancer Center, 2450 East Street, Concord, California

2005-11-15

The Final Aperture Superposition Technique (FAST) is described and applied to accurate, near instantaneous calculation of the relative output factor (ROF) and central axis percentage depth dose curve (PDD) for clinical electron beams used in radiotherapy. FAST is based on precalculation of dose at select points for the two extreme situations of a fully open final aperture and a final aperture with no opening (fully shielded). This technique is different than conventional superposition of dose deposition kernels: The precalculated dose is differential in position of the electron or photon at the downstream surface of the insert. The calculation for amore » particular aperture (x-ray jaws or MLC, insert in electron applicator) is done with superposition of the precalculated dose data, using the open field data over the open part of the aperture and the fully shielded data over the remainder. The calculation takes explicit account of all interactions in the shielded region of the aperture except the collimator effect: Particles that pass from the open part into the shielded part, or visa versa. For the clinical demonstration, FAST was compared to full Monte Carlo simulation of 10x10,2.5x2.5, and 2x8 cm{sup 2} inserts. Dose was calculated to 0.5% precision in 0.4x0.4x0.2 cm{sup 3} voxels, spaced at 0.2 cm depth intervals along the central axis, using detailed Monte Carlo simulation of the treatment head of a commercial linear accelerator for six different electron beams with energies of 6-21 MeV. Each simulation took several hours on a personal computer with a 1.7 Mhz processor. The calculation for the individual inserts, done with superposition, was completed in under a second on the same PC. Since simulations for the pre calculation are only performed once, higher precision and resolution can be obtained without increasing the calculation time for individual inserts. Fully shielded contributions were largest for small fields and high beam energy, at the surface, reaching a maximum of 5.6% at 21 MeV. Contributions from the collimator effect were largest for the large field size, high beam energy, and shallow depths, reaching a maximum of 4.7% at 21 MeV. Both shielding contributions and the collimator effect need to be taken into account to achieve an accuracy of 2%. FAST takes explicit account of the shielding contributions. With the collimator effect set to that of the largest field in the FAST calculation, the difference in dose on the central axis (product of ROF and PDD) between FAST and full simulation was generally under 2%. The maximum difference of 2.5% exceeded the statistical precision of the calculation by four standard deviations. This occurred at 18 MeV for the 2.5x2.5 cm{sup 2} field. The differences are due to the method used to account for the collimator effect.« less

SU-E-T-339: Dosimetric Verification of Acuros XB Dose Calculation Algorithm On An Air Cavity for 6-MV Flattening Filter-Free Beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kang, S; Suh, T; Chung, J

Purpose: This study was to verify the accuracy of Acuros XB (AXB) dose calculation algorithm on an air cavity for a single radiation field using 6-MV flattening filter-free (FFF) beam. Methods: A rectangular slab phantom containing an air cavity was made for this study. The CT images of the phantom for dose calculation were scanned with and without film at measurement depths (4.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5 cm). The central axis doses (CADs) and the off-axis doses (OADs) were measured by film and calculated with Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA) and AXB for field sizes ranging from 2 Χ 2 tomore » 5 Χ 5 cm{sup 2} of 6-MV FFF beams. Both algorithms were divided into AXB-w and AAA -w when included the film in phantom for dose calculation, and AXB-w/o and AAA-w/o in calculation without film. The calculated OADs for both algorithms were compared with the measured OADs and difference values were determined using root means squares error (RMSE) and gamma evaluation. Results: The percentage differences (%Diffs) between the measured and calculated CAD for AXB-w was most agreement than others. Compared to the %Diff with and without film, the %Diffs with film were decreased than without within both algorithms. The %Diffs for both algorithms were reduced with increasing field size and increased relative to the depth increment. RMSEs of CAD for AXB-w were within 10.32% for both inner-profile and penumbra, while the corresponding values of AAA-w appeared to 96.50%. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the dose calculation with AXB within air cavity shows more accurate than with AAA compared to the measured dose. Furthermore, we found that the AXB-w was superior to AXB-w/o in this region when compared against the measurements.« less

Diagnostic x-ray dosimetry using Monte Carlo simulation.

PubMed

Ioppolo, J L; Price, R I; Tuchyna, T; Buckley, C E

2002-05-21

An Electron Gamma Shower version 4 (EGS4) based user code was developed to simulate the absorbed dose in humans during routine diagnostic radiological procedures. Measurements of absorbed dose using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were compared directly with EGS4 simulations of absorbed dose in homogeneous, heterogeneous and anthropomorphic phantoms. Realistic voxel-based models characterizing the geometry of the phantoms were used as input to the EGS4 code. The voxel geometry of the anthropomorphic Rando phantom was derived from a CT scan of Rando. The 100 kVp diagnostic energy x-ray spectra of the apparatus used to irradiate the phantoms were measured, and provided as input to the EGS4 code. The TLDs were placed at evenly spaced points symmetrically about the central beam axis, which was perpendicular to the cathode-anode x-ray axis at a number of depths. The TLD measurements in the homogeneous and heterogenous phantoms were on average within 7% of the values calculated by EGS4. Estimates of effective dose with errors less than 10% required fewer numbers of photon histories (1 x 10(7)) than required for the calculation of dose profiles (1 x 10(9)). The EGS4 code was able to satisfactorily predict and thereby provide an instrument for reducing patient and staff effective dose imparted during radiological investigations.

Diagnostic x-ray dosimetry using Monte Carlo simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ioppolo, J. L.; Price, R. I.; Tuchyna, T.; Buckley, C. E.

2002-05-01

An Electron Gamma Shower version 4 (EGS4) based user code was developed to simulate the absorbed dose in humans during routine diagnostic radiological procedures. Measurements of absorbed dose using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were compared directly with EGS4 simulations of absorbed dose in homogeneous, heterogeneous and anthropomorphic phantoms. Realistic voxel-based models characterizing the geometry of the phantoms were used as input to the EGS4 code. The voxel geometry of the anthropomorphic Rando phantom was derived from a CT scan of Rando. The 100 kVp diagnostic energy x-ray spectra of the apparatus used to irradiate the phantoms were measured, and provided as input to the EGS4 code. The TLDs were placed at evenly spaced points symmetrically about the central beam axis, which was perpendicular to the cathode-anode x-ray axis at a number of depths. The TLD measurements in the homogeneous and heterogenous phantoms were on average within 7% of the values calculated by EGS4. Estimates of effective dose with errors less than 10% required fewer numbers of photon histories (1 × 107) than required for the calculation of dose profiles (1 × 109). The EGS4 code was able to satisfactorily predict and thereby provide an instrument for reducing patient and staff effective dose imparted during radiological investigations.

Modification and characterization of a high-energy photon irradiation facility using nitrogen-16

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Tapash Kumar

This work involves fabrication and characterization of a reactor source of high energy (˜7 MeV) nitrogen-16 photons for application in evaluation of dosimetric responses of personnel devices and portable instruments. The N-16 source has been established by continuously flowing coolant water from the core of a 1 MW research reactor through a cylindrical thin walled aluminium chamber. Dose measurements have been made at selected distances of interest along the depth axis both for with and without a near-air equilibrium wall of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in place. Photon dose and exposure measurements were done using condenser-R ionization chambers with sufficiently thick walls to yield an approximate transient charged particle equilibrium (TCPE) condition. Field areal uniformity was defined using large area Kodak Readypack RP films along with lead foil radiators. Dosimetric quantities of interest include skin dose, eye (lens) dose, and 1 cm deep dose. Measurements were made at selected depths of 7, 300, and 1000 mg cm-2 for specific evaluation of these respective quantities. Photon spectral analysis was performed with a NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometry system. Additionally, beta radiation measurements, and evaluation of neutron dose contributions to the radiation field were completed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rodriguez, M; Bartolac, S; Rezaee, M

Purpose: To examine the agreement between absorbed doses calculated by RayStation treatment planning algorithm to those measured with gafchromic film and ion chamber when the photon beam is perturbed by attenuation or lateral scatter of lung material. Methods: A gafchromic EBT2 film was placed in the center of a 30×30×20 cm{sup 3} solid water phantom with a 5 cm lung slab placed at 10 cm depth. The film was irradiated at SSD = 100 cm with a 6 MV photon beam, 10×10 and 5×5 cm{sup 2} field sizes and with the beam parallel to the film and lung slab. Amore » CT was performed to the phantom arrangement for RayStation dose calculation. The films were scanned in an Epson 10000X flatbed scanner and analyzed using the red channel, 16 bits, 76 dpi. PDD curves at the central axis and profiles at dmax were also measured in water using a CC13 (0.13 CC) ion chamber. Measurements and calculation of PDD curves at the central axis and profiles at dmax and 20 cm depth were compared using the criteria suggested by the AAPM Task Group # 53. Results: The PDD curves measured with gafchromic film and those measured in water with ion chamber agree with the ones calculated by RayStation within the uncertainty of the measurements which is within 3%. The passing rate values of the measured and calculated profiles for the 2 field sizes are within 94% for both at dmax and at 20 cm depth. Conclusion: Raystation dose calculation engine models inhomogeneity corrections. Differences between the calculated PDD curves and profiles and those measured with gafchromic film are within the uncertainty of the measurements and inside of the agreement tolerance suggested by TG53. Therefore, RayStation treatment planning has an acceptable algorithm to correct dose delivered by photon beams perturbed by lung tissue.« less

Out-of-field doses and neutron dose equivalents for electron beams from modern Varian and Elekta linear accelerators.

PubMed

Cardenas, Carlos E; Nitsch, Paige L; Kudchadker, Rajat J; Howell, Rebecca M; Kry, Stephen F

2016-07-08

Out-of-field doses from radiotherapy can cause harmful side effects or eventually lead to secondary cancers. Scattered doses outside the applicator field, neutron source strength values, and neutron dose equivalents have not been broadly investigated for high-energy electron beams. To better understand the extent of these exposures, we measured out-of-field dose characteristics of electron applicators for high-energy electron beams on two Varian 21iXs, a Varian TrueBeam, and an Elekta Versa HD operating at various energy levels. Out-of-field dose profiles and percent depth-dose curves were measured in a Wellhofer water phantom using a Farmer ion chamber. Neutron dose was assessed using a combination of moderator buckets and gold activation foils placed on the treatment couch at various locations in the patient plane on both the Varian 21iX and Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators. Our findings showed that out-of-field electron doses were highest for the highest electron energies. These doses typically decreased with increasing distance from the field edge but showed substantial increases over some distance ranges. The Elekta linear accelerator had higher electron out-of-field doses than the Varian units examined, and the Elekta dose profiles exhibited a second dose peak about 20 to 30 cm from central-axis, which was found to be higher than typical out-of-field doses from photon beams. Electron doses decreased sharply with depth before becoming nearly constant; the dose was found to decrease to a depth of approximately E(MeV)/4 in cm. With respect to neutron dosimetry, Q values and neutron dose equivalents increased with electron beam energy. Neutron contamination from electron beams was found to be much lower than that from photon beams. Even though the neutron dose equivalent for electron beams represented a small portion of neutron doses observed under photon beams, neutron doses from electron beams may need to be considered for special cases.

Analysis of variation in calibration curves for Kodak XV radiographic film using model-based parameters.

PubMed

Hsu, Shu-Hui; Kulasekere, Ravi; Roberson, Peter L

2010-08-05

Film calibration is time-consuming work when dose accuracy is essential while working in a range of photon scatter environments. This study uses the single-target single-hit model of film response to fit the calibration curves as a function of calibration method, processor condition, field size and depth. Kodak XV film was irradiated perpendicular to the beam axis in a solid water phantom. Standard calibration films (one dose point per film) were irradiated at 90 cm source-to-surface distance (SSD) for various doses (16-128 cGy), depths (0.2, 0.5, 1.5, 5, 10 cm) and field sizes (5 × 5, 10 × 10 and 20 × 20 cm²). The 8-field calibration method (eight dose points per film) was used as a reference for each experiment, taken at 95 cm SSD and 5 cm depth. The delivered doses were measured using an Attix parallel plate chamber for improved accuracy of dose estimation in the buildup region. Three fitting methods with one to three dose points per calibration curve were investigated for the field sizes of 5 × 5, 10 × 10 and 20 × 20 cm². The inter-day variation of model parameters (background, saturation and slope) were 1.8%, 5.7%, and 7.7% (1 σ) using the 8-field method. The saturation parameter ratio of standard to 8-field curves was 1.083 ± 0.005. The slope parameter ratio of standard to 8-field curves ranged from 0.99 to 1.05, depending on field size and depth. The slope parameter ratio decreases with increasing depth below 0.5 cm for the three field sizes. It increases with increasing depths above 0.5 cm. A calibration curve with one to three dose points fitted with the model is possible with 2% accuracy in film dosimetry for various irradiation conditions. The proposed fitting methods may reduce workload while providing energy dependence correction in radiographic film dosimetry. This study is limited to radiographic XV film with a Lumisys scanner.

Commissioning of a Varian Clinac iX 6 MV photon beam using Monte Carlo simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dirgayussa, I Gde Eka, E-mail: ekadirgayussa@gmail.com; Yani, Sitti; Haryanto, Freddy, E-mail: freddy@fi.itb.ac.id

2015-09-30

Monte Carlo modelling of a linear accelerator is the first and most important step in Monte Carlo dose calculations in radiotherapy. Monte Carlo is considered today to be the most accurate and detailed calculation method in different fields of medical physics. In this research, we developed a photon beam model for Varian Clinac iX 6 MV equipped with MilleniumMLC120 for dose calculation purposes using BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc Monte Carlo system based on the underlying EGSnrc particle transport code. Monte Carlo simulation for this commissioning head LINAC divided in two stages are design head Linac model using BEAMnrc, characterize this model using BEAMDPmore » and analyze the difference between simulation and measurement data using DOSXYZnrc. In the first step, to reduce simulation time, a virtual treatment head LINAC was built in two parts (patient-dependent component and patient-independent component). The incident electron energy varied 6.1 MeV, 6.2 MeV and 6.3 MeV, 6.4 MeV, and 6.6 MeV and the FWHM (full width at half maximum) of source is 1 mm. Phase-space file from the virtual model characterized using BEAMDP. The results of MC calculations using DOSXYZnrc in water phantom are percent depth doses (PDDs) and beam profiles at depths 10 cm were compared with measurements. This process has been completed if the dose difference of measured and calculated relative depth-dose data along the central-axis and dose profile at depths 10 cm is ≤ 5%. The effect of beam width on percentage depth doses and beam profiles was studied. Results of the virtual model were in close agreement with measurements in incident energy electron 6.4 MeV. Our results showed that photon beam width could be tuned using large field beam profile at the depth of maximum dose. The Monte Carlo model developed in this study accurately represents the Varian Clinac iX with millennium MLC 120 leaf and can be used for reliable patient dose calculations. In this commissioning process, the good criteria of dose difference in PDD and dose profiles were achieve using incident electron energy 6.4 MeV.« less

I-125 ROPES eye plaque dosimetry: Validation of a commercial 3D ophthalmic brachytherapy treatment planning system and independent dose calculation software with GafChromic{sup ®} EBT3 films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Poder, Joel; Corde, Stéphanie

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the dose distributions for different Radiation Oncology Physics and Engineering Services, Australia (ROPES) type eye plaques loaded with I-125 (model 6711) seeds using GafChromic{sup ®} EBT3 films, in order to verify the dose distributions in the Plaque Simulator™ (PS) ophthalmic 3D treatment planning system. The brachytherapy module of RADCALC{sup ®} was used to independently check the dose distributions calculated by PS. Correction factors were derived from the measured data to be used in PS to account for the effect of the stainless steel ROPES plaque backing on the 3D dose distribution.Methods:more » Using GafChromic{sup ®} EBT3 films inserted in a specially designed Solid Water™ eye ball phantom, dose distributions were measured three-dimensionally both along and perpendicular to I-125 (model 6711) loaded ROPES eye plaque's central axis (CAX) with 2 mm depth increments. Each measurement was performed in full scatter conditions both with and without the stainless steel plaque backing attached to the eye plaque, to assess its effect on the dose distributions. Results were compared to the dose distributions calculated by Plaque Simulator™ and checked independently with RADCALC{sup ®}.Results: The EBT3 film measurements without the stainless steel backing were found to agree with PS and RADCALC{sup ®} to within 2% and 4%, respectively, on the plaque CAX. Also, RADCALC{sup ®} was found to agree with PS to within 2%. The CAX depth doses measured using EBT3 film with the stainless steel backing were observed to result in a 4% decrease relative to when the backing was not present. Within experimental uncertainty, the 4% decrease was found to be constant with depth and independent of plaque size. Using a constant dose correction factor of T= 0.96 in PS, where the calculated dose for the full water scattering medium is reduced by 4% in every voxel in the dose grid, the effect of the plaque backing was accurately modeled in the planning system. Off-axis profiles were also modeled in PS by taking into account the three-dimensional model of the plaque backing.Conclusions: The doses calculated by PS and RADCALC{sup ®} for uniformly loaded ROPES plaques in full and uniform scattering conditions were validated by the EBT3 film measurements. The stainless steel plaque backing was observed to decrease the measured dose by 4%. Through the introduction of a scalar correction factor (0.96) in PS, the dose homogeneity effect of the stainless steel plaque backing was found to agree with the measured EBT3 film measurements.« less

I-125 ROPES eye plaque dosimetry: validation of a commercial 3D ophthalmic brachytherapy treatment planning system and independent dose calculation software with GafChromic® EBT3 films.

PubMed

Poder, Joel; Corde, Stéphanie

2013-12-01

The purpose of this study was to measure the dose distributions for different Radiation Oncology Physics and Engineering Services, Australia (ROPES) type eye plaques loaded with I-125 (model 6711) seeds using GafChromic(®) EBT3 films, in order to verify the dose distributions in the Plaque Simulator™ (PS) ophthalmic 3D treatment planning system. The brachytherapy module of RADCALC(®) was used to independently check the dose distributions calculated by PS. Correction factors were derived from the measured data to be used in PS to account for the effect of the stainless steel ROPES plaque backing on the 3D dose distribution. Using GafChromic(®) EBT3 films inserted in a specially designed Solid Water™ eye ball phantom, dose distributions were measured three-dimensionally both along and perpendicular to I-125 (model 6711) loaded ROPES eye plaque's central axis (CAX) with 2 mm depth increments. Each measurement was performed in full scatter conditions both with and without the stainless steel plaque backing attached to the eye plaque, to assess its effect on the dose distributions. Results were compared to the dose distributions calculated by Plaque Simulator™ and checked independently with RADCALC(®). The EBT3 film measurements without the stainless steel backing were found to agree with PS and RADCALC(®) to within 2% and 4%, respectively, on the plaque CAX. Also, RADCALC(®) was found to agree with PS to within 2%. The CAX depth doses measured using EBT3 film with the stainless steel backing were observed to result in a 4% decrease relative to when the backing was not present. Within experimental uncertainty, the 4% decrease was found to be constant with depth and independent of plaque size. Using a constant dose correction factor of T = 0.96 in PS, where the calculated dose for the full water scattering medium is reduced by 4% in every voxel in the dose grid, the effect of the plaque backing was accurately modeled in the planning system. Off-axis profiles were also modeled in PS by taking into account the three-dimensional model of the plaque backing. The doses calculated by PS and RADCALC(®) for uniformly loaded ROPES plaques in full and uniform scattering conditions were validated by the EBT3 film measurements. The stainless steel plaque backing was observed to decrease the measured dose by 4%. Through the introduction of a scalar correction factor (0.96) in PS, the dose homogeneity effect of the stainless steel plaque backing was found to agree with the measured EBT3 film measurements.

Development of an expanded-field irradiation technique using a gimbaled x-ray head

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ono, Tomohiro; Miyabe, Yuki, E-mail: miyabe@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp; Yamada, Masahiro

2014-10-15

Purpose: The Vero4DRT has a maximum field size of 150.0 × 150.0 mm. The purpose of the present study was to develop expanded-field irradiation techniques using the unique gimbaled x-ray head of the Vero4DRT and to evaluate the dosimetric characteristics thereof. Methods: Two techniques were developed. One features gimbal swing irradiation and multiple static segments consisting of four separate fields exhibiting 2.39° gimbal rotation around two orthogonal axes. The central beam axis for each piecewise-field is shifted 40 mm from the isocenters of the left–right (LR) and superior–inferior (SI) directions, and, thus, the irradiation field size is expanded to 230.8 × 230.8 mm. Adjacentmore » regions were created at the isocenter (a center-adjacent expandedfield) and 20 mm from the isocenter (an off-adjacent expandedfield). The field gaps or overlaps of combined piecewise-fields were established by adjustment of gimbal rotation and movement of the multileaf collimator (MLC). Another technique features dynamic segment irradiation in which the beam is delivered while rotating the gimbal. The dose profile is controlled by a combination of gimbal swing motion and opening and closing of the MLC. This enabled the authors to expand the irradiation field on the LR axis because the direction of MLC motion is parallel to that axis. A field 220.6 × 150.0 mm in dimensions was configured and examined. To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of the expandedfields, films inserted into water-equivalent phantoms at depths of 50, 100, and 150 mm were irradiated and field sizes, penumbrae, flatness, and symmetry analyzed. In addition, the expanded-field irradiation techniques were applied to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). A head-and-neck IMRT field, created using a conventional Linac (the Varian Clinac iX), was reproduced employing an expanded-field of the Vero4DRT. The simulated dose distribution for the expanded-IMRT field was compared to the measured dose distribution. Results: The field sizes, penumbrae, flatness, and symmetry of the center- and off-adjacent expanded-fields were 230.2–232.1 mm, 6.8–10.7 mm, 2.3%–5.1%, and −0.5% to −0.4%, respectively, at a depth of 100 mm. Similarly, the field sizes, penumbrae, flatness, and symmetry of dynamic segment irradiation on the LR axis were 219.2 mm, 6.0–6.2 mm, 3.4%, and −0.1%, respectively, at a depth of 100 mm. In the area of expanded-IMRT dose distribution, the passing rate of 5% dose difference was 85.8% between measurements and simulation, and the 3%/3 mm gamma passing rate was 96.4%. Conclusions: Expanded-field irradiation techniques were developed using a gimbaled x-ray head. The techniques effectively extend target areas, as required when whole-breast irradiation or head-and-neck IMRT is contemplated.« less

TH-AB-BRA-06: MOSFET-Based Dosimetry in An MR Image-Guided Radiation Therapy System: Comparison with and Without a Static 0.3T Magnetic Field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cammin, J; Curcuru, A; Li, H

Purpose: To compare depth-dose and surface-dose measurements without and with the magnetic field in a 0.3T MR image-guided Co-60 treatment unit using MOSFET dosimeters. Methods: MOSFET dosimeters (Best Medical Canada, model TN-502RDH-10) were placed in a solid water phantom at 5cm depth with 8cm backscatter (with the MOSFET wires in different orientations to the couch long axis) and also on the surface of an 8cm solid water phantom. The phantoms were placed in an MR image-guided Co-60 treatment machine at an SAD of 105cm to the MOSFETs. Dose measurements were performed between 50 and 200cGy at 5cm depth in amore » 10.5cm × 10.5cm radiation field without the magnetic field (during a machine maintenance period) and with the nominal magnetic field of 0.3T. The dose linearity was measured at 5cm depth with an orthogonal field and the angular dose dependence was measured on the surface with an orthogonal field and oblique fields at +60 degrees and −60 degrees. Results: The measured MOSFET readings at 5cm depth were linear with dose with slopes of (2.97 +/− 0.01) mV/cGy and (3.01 +/− 0.02) mV/cGy without and with the magnetic field, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found. The surface dose measurements, however, were lower by 6.4% for the AP field (2.3 σ) with magnetic field, 4.9% for the −60 degree field (1.4 σ), and 0.4% different for the +60 degree field (0.2 σ). Conclusion: There is no statistically significant difference in the dose at depth without and with the magnetic field and different orientations of the MOSFET wires. There is a statistically significant difference for the surface dose due to the influence of the magnetic field on secondary electrons from head-scatter and the build-up region in certain field orientations. Clinical surface-dose dosimetry in a magnetic field should apply asymmetric angle-dependent corrections.« less

Calculation of organ doses from breast cancer radiotherapy: a Monte Carlo study

PubMed Central

Berris, T.; Mazonakis, M.; Stratakis, J.; Tzedakis, A.; Fasoulaki, A.

2013-01-01

The current study aimed to: a) utilize Monte Carlo simulation methods for the assessment of radiation doses imparted to all organs at risk to develop secondary radiation induced cancer, for patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer; and b) evaluate the effect of breast size on dose to organs outside the irradiation field. A simulated linear accelerator model was generated. The in‐field accuracy of the simulated photon beam properties was verified against percentage depth dose (PDD) and dose profile measurements on an actual water phantom. Off‐axis dose calculations were verified with thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) measurements on a humanoid physical phantom. An anthropomorphic mathematical phantom was used to simulate breast cancer radiotherapy with medial and lateral fields. The effect of breast size on the calculated organ dose was investigated. Local differences between measured and calculated PDDs and dose profiles did not exceed 2% for the points at depths beyond the depth of maximum dose and the plateau region of the profile, respectively. For the penumbral regions of the dose profiles, the distance to agreement (DTA) did not exceed 2 mm. The mean difference between calculated out‐of‐field doses and TLD measurements was 11.4%±5.9%. The calculated doses to peripheral organs ranged from 2.32 cGy up to 161.41 cGy depending on breast size and thus the field dimensions applied, as well as the proximity of the organs to the primary beam. An increase to the therapeutic field area by 50% to account for the large breast led to a mean organ dose elevation by up to 85.2% for lateral exposure. The contralateral breast dose ranged between 1.4% and 1.6% of the prescribed dose to the tumor. Breast size affects dose deposition substantially. PACS numbers: 87.10.rt, 87.56.bd, 87.53.Bn, 87.55.K‐, 87.55.ne, 87.56.jf, 87.56.J‐ PMID:23318389

Spatial distributions of dose enhancement around a gold nanoparticle at several depths of proton Bragg peak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Jihun; Sutherland, Kenneth; Hashimoto, Takayuki; Shirato, Hiroki; Date, Hiroyuki

2016-10-01

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been recognized as a promising candidate for a radiation sensitizer. A proton beam incident on a GNP can produce secondary electrons, resulting in an enhancement of the dose around the GNP. However, little is known about the spatial distribution of dose enhancement around the GNP, especially in the direction along the incident proton. The purpose of this study is to determine the spatial distribution of dose enhancement by taking the incident direction into account. Two steps of calculation were conducted using the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit. First, the energy spectra of 100 and 195 MeV protons colliding with a GNP were calculated at the Bragg peak and three other depths around the peak in liquid water. Second, the GNP was bombarded by protons with the obtained energy spectra. Radial dose distributions were computed along the incident beam direction. The spatial distributions of the dose enhancement factor (DEF) and subtracted dose (Dsub) were then evaluated. The spatial DEF distributions showed hot spots in the distal radial region from the proton beam axis. The spatial Dsub distribution isotropically spread out around the GNP. Low energy protons caused higher and wider dose enhancement. The macroscopic dose enhancement in clinical applications was also evaluated. The results suggest that the consideration of the spatial distribution of GNPs in treatment planning will maximize the potential of GNPs.

Biological and dosimetric characterisation of spatially fractionated proton minibeams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, Juergen; Stewart, Robert D.; Smith, Daniel; Eagle, James; Lee, Eunsin; Cao, Ning; Ford, Eric; Hashemian, Reza; Schuemann, Jan; Saini, Jatinder; Marsh, Steve; Emery, Robert; Dorman, Eric; Schwartz, Jeff; Sandison, George

2017-12-01

The biological effectiveness of proton beams varies with depth, spot size and lateral distance from the beam central axis. The aim of this work is to incorporate proton relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and equivalent uniform dose (EUD) considerations into comparisons of broad beam and highly modulated proton minibeams. A Monte Carlo model of a small animal proton beamline is presented. Dose and variable RBE is calculated on a per-voxel basis for a range of energies (30-109 MeV). For an open beam, the RBE values at the beam entrance ranged from 1.02-1.04, at the Bragg peak (BP) from 1.3 to 1.6, and at the distal end of the BP from 1.4 to 2.0. For a 50 MeV proton beam, a minibeam collimator designed to produce uniform dose at the depth of the BP peak, had minimal impact on the open beam RBE values at depth. RBE changes were observed near the surface when the collimator was placed flush with the irradiated object, due to a higher neutron contribution derived from proton interactions with the collimator. For proton minibeams, the relative mean RBE weighted entrance dose (RWD) was ~25% lower than the physical mean dose. A strong dependency of the EUD with fraction size was observed. For 20 Gy fractions, the EUD varied widely depending on the radiosensitivity of the cells. For radiosensitive cells, the difference was up to ~50% in mean dose and ~40% in mean RWD and the EUD trended towards the valley dose rather than the mean dose. For comparative studies of uniform dose with spatially fractionated proton minibeams, EUD derived from a per-voxel RWD distribution is recommended for biological assessments of reproductive cell survival and related endpoints.

Biological and dosimetric characterisation of spatially fractionated proton minibeams.

PubMed

Meyer, Juergen; Stewart, Robert D; Smith, Daniel; Eagle, James; Lee, Eunsin; Cao, Ning; Ford, Eric; Hashemian, Reza; Schuemann, Jan; Saini, Jatinder; Marsh, Steve; Emery, Robert; Dorman, Eric; Schwartz, Jeff; Sandison, George

2017-11-21

The biological effectiveness of proton beams varies with depth, spot size and lateral distance from the beam central axis. The aim of this work is to incorporate proton relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and equivalent uniform dose (EUD) considerations into comparisons of broad beam and highly modulated proton minibeams. A Monte Carlo model of a small animal proton beamline is presented. Dose and variable RBE is calculated on a per-voxel basis for a range of energies (30-109 MeV). For an open beam, the RBE values at the beam entrance ranged from 1.02-1.04, at the Bragg peak (BP) from 1.3 to 1.6, and at the distal end of the BP from 1.4 to 2.0. For a 50 MeV proton beam, a minibeam collimator designed to produce uniform dose at the depth of the BP peak, had minimal impact on the open beam RBE values at depth. RBE changes were observed near the surface when the collimator was placed flush with the irradiated object, due to a higher neutron contribution derived from proton interactions with the collimator. For proton minibeams, the relative mean RBE weighted entrance dose (RWD) was ~25% lower than the physical mean dose. A strong dependency of the EUD with fraction size was observed. For 20 Gy fractions, the EUD varied widely depending on the radiosensitivity of the cells. For radiosensitive cells, the difference was up to ~50% in mean dose and ~40% in mean RWD and the EUD trended towards the valley dose rather than the mean dose. For comparative studies of uniform dose with spatially fractionated proton minibeams, EUD derived from a per-voxel RWD distribution is recommended for biological assessments of reproductive cell survival and related endpoints.

Estimating thyroid dose in pediatric CT exams from surface dose measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Senan, Rani; Mueller, Deborah L.; Hatab, Mustapha R.

2012-07-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of estimating pediatric thyroid doses from CT using surface neck doses. Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters were used to measure the neck surface dose of 25 children ranging in ages between one and three years old. The neck circumference for each child was measured. The relationship between obtained surface doses and thyroid dose was studied using acrylic phantoms of various sizes and with holes of different depths. The ratios of hole-to-surface doses were used to convert patients' surface dose to thyroid dose. ImPACT software was utilized to calculate thyroid dose after applying the appropriate age correction factors. A paired t-test was performed to compare thyroid doses from our approach and ImPACT. The ratio of thyroid to surface dose was found to be 1.1. Thyroid doses ranged from 20 to 80 mGy. Comparison showed no statistical significance (p = 0.18). In addition, the average of surface dose variation along the z-axis in helical scans was studied and found to range between 5% (in 10 cm diameter phantom/24 mm collimation/pitch 1.0) and 8% (in 16 cm diameter phantom/12 mm collimation/pitch 0.7). We conclude that surface dose is an acceptable predictor for pediatric thyroid dose from CT. The uncertainty due to surface dose variability may be reduced if narrower collimation is used with a pitch factor close to 1.0. Also, the results did not show any effect of thyroid depth on the measured dose.

Variation of k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} for the small-field dosimetric parameters percentage depth dose, tissue-maximum ratio, and off-axis ratio

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Francescon, Paolo, E-mail: paolo.francescon@ulssvicenza.it; Satariano, Ninfa; Beddar, Sam

Purpose: Evaluate the ability of different dosimeters to correctly measure the dosimetric parameters percentage depth dose (PDD), tissue-maximum ratio (TMR), and off-axis ratio (OAR) in water for small fields. Methods: Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were used to estimate the variation of k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} for several types of microdetectors as a function of depth and distance from the central axis for PDD, TMR, and OAR measurements. The variation of k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}}more » enables one to evaluate the ability of a detector to reproduce the PDD, TMR, and OAR in water and consequently determine whether it is necessary to apply correction factors. The correctness of the simulations was verified by assessing the ratios between the PDDs and OARs of 5- and 25-mm circular collimators used with a linear accelerator measured with two different types of dosimeters (the PTW 60012 diode and PTW PinPoint 31014 microchamber) and the PDDs and the OARs measured with the Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector (PSD) and comparing those ratios with the corresponding ratios predicted by the MC simulations. Results: MC simulations reproduced results with acceptable accuracy compared to the experimental results; therefore, MC simulations can be used to successfully predict the behavior of different dosimeters in small fields. The Exradin W1 PSD was the only dosimeter that reproduced the PDDs, TMRs, and OARs in water with high accuracy. With the exception of the EDGE diode, the stereotactic diodes reproduced the PDDs and the TMRs in water with a systematic error of less than 2% at depths of up to 25 cm; however, they produced OAR values that were significantly different from those in water, especially in the tail region (lower than 20% in some cases). The microchambers could be used for PDD measurements for fields greater than those produced using a 10-mm collimator. However, with the detector stem parallel to the beam axis, the microchambers could be used for TMR measurements for all field sizes. The microchambers could not be used for OAR measurements for small fields. Conclusions: Compared with MC simulation, the Exradin W1 PSD can reproduce the PDDs, TMRs, and OARs in water with a high degree of accuracy; thus, the correction used for converting dose is very close to unity. The stereotactic diode is a viable alternative because it shows an acceptable systematic error in the measurement of PDDs and TMRs and a significant underestimation in only the tail region of the OAR measurements, where the dose is low and differences in dose may not be therapeutically meaningful.« less

Fast, epithermal and thermal photoneutron dosimetry in air and in tissue equivalent phantom for a high-energy X-ray medical accelerator.

PubMed

Sohrabi, Mehdi; Hakimi, Amir

2018-02-01

Photoneutron (PN) dosimetry in fast, epithermal and thermal energy ranges originated from the beam and albedo neutrons in high-energy X-ray medical accelerators is highly important from scientific, technical, radiation protection and medical physics points of view. Detailed dose equivalents in the fast, epithermal and thermal PN energy ranges in air up to 2m as well as at 35 positions from the central axis of 12 cross sections of the phantom at different depths were determined in 18MV X-ray beams of a Siemens ONCOR accelerator. A novel dosimetry method based on polycarbonate track dosimeters (PCTD)/ 10 B (with/without cadmium cover) was used to determine and separate different PN dose equivalents in air and in a multilayer polyethylene phantom. Dose equivalent distributions of PNs, as originated from the main beam and/or albedo PNs, on cross-plane, in-plane and diagonal axes in 10cm×10cm fields are reported. PN dose equivalent distributions on the 3 axes have their maxima at the isocenter. Epithermal and thermal PN depth dose equivalent distributions in the phantom for different positions studied peak at ∼3cm depth. The neutron dosimeters used for the first time in such studies are highly effective for separating dose equivalents of PNs in the studied energy ranges (beam and/or albedo). The PN dose equivalent data matrix made available in this paper is highly essential for detailed patient dosimetry in general and for estimating secondary cancer risks in particular. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

MCNP6 model of the University of Washington clinical neutron therapy system (CNTS).

PubMed

Moffitt, Gregory B; Stewart, Robert D; Sandison, George A; Goorley, John T; Argento, David C; Jevremovic, Tatjana

2016-01-21

A MCNP6 dosimetry model is presented for the Clinical Neutron Therapy System (CNTS) at the University of Washington. In the CNTS, fast neutrons are generated by a 50.5 MeV proton beam incident on a 10.5 mm thick Be target. The production, scattering and absorption of neutrons, photons, and other particles are explicitly tracked throughout the key components of the CNTS, including the target, primary collimator, flattening filter, monitor unit ionization chamber, and multi-leaf collimator. Simulations of the open field tissue maximum ratio (TMR), percentage depth dose profiles, and lateral dose profiles in a 40 cm × 40 cm × 40 cm water phantom are in good agreement with ionization chamber measurements. For a nominal 10 × 10 field, the measured and calculated TMR values for depths of 1.5 cm, 5 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm (compared to the dose at 1.7 cm) are within 0.22%, 2.23%, 4.30%, and 6.27%, respectively. For the three field sizes studied, 2.8 cm × 2.8 cm, 10.4 cm × 10.3 cm, and 28.8 cm × 28.8 cm, a gamma test comparing the measured and simulated percent depth dose curves have pass rates of 96.4%, 100.0%, and 78.6% (depth from 1.5 to 15 cm), respectively, using a 3% or 3 mm agreement criterion. At a representative depth of 10 cm, simulated lateral dose profiles have in-field (⩾ 10% of central axis dose) pass rates of 89.7% (2.8 cm × 2.8 cm), 89.6% (10.4 cm × 10.3 cm), and 100.0% (28.8 cm × 28.8 cm) using a 3% and 3 mm criterion. The MCNP6 model of the CNTS meets the minimum requirements for use as a quality assurance tool for treatment planning and provides useful insights and information to aid in the advancement of fast neutron therapy.

Potential of discrete Gaussian edge feathering method for improving abutment dosimetry in eMLC-delivered segmented-field electron conformal therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Eley, John G.; Hogstrom, Kenneth R.; Matthews, Kenneth L.

2011-12-15

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to investigate the potential of discrete Gaussian edge feathering of the higher energy electron fields for improving abutment dosimetry in the planning volume when using an electron multileaf collimator (eMLC) to deliver segmented-field electron conformal therapy (ECT). Methods: A discrete (five-step) Gaussian edge spread function was used to match dose penumbras of differing beam energies (6-20 MeV) at a specified depth in a water phantom. Software was developed to define the leaf eMLC positions of an eMLC that most closely fit each electron field shape. The effect of 1D edge feathering of themore » higher energy field on dose homogeneity was computed and measured for segmented-field ECT treatment plans for three 2D PTVs in a water phantom, i.e., depth from the water surface to the distal PTV surface varied as a function of the x-axis (parallel to leaf motion) and remained constant along the y-axis (perpendicular to leaf motion). Additionally, the effect of 2D edge feathering was computed and measured for one radially symmetric, 3D PTV in a water phantom, i.e., depth from the water surface to the distal PTV surface varied as a function of both axes. For the 3D PTV, the feathering scheme was evaluated for 0.1-1.0-cm leaf widths. Dose calculations were performed using the pencil beam dose algorithm in the Pinnacle{sup 3} treatment planning system. Dose verification measurements were made using a prototype eMLC (1-cm leaf width). Results: 1D discrete Gaussian edge feathering reduced the standard deviation of dose in the 2D PTVs by 34, 34, and 39%. In the 3D PTV, the broad leaf width (1 cm) of the eMLC hindered the 2D application of the feathering solution to the 3D PTV, and the standard deviation of dose increased by 10%. However, 2D discrete Gaussian edge feathering with simulated eMLC leaf widths of 0.1-0.5 cm reduced the standard deviation of dose in the 3D PTV by 33-28%, respectively. Conclusions: A five-step discrete Gaussian edge spread function applied in 2D improves the abutment dosimetry but requires an eMLC leaf resolution better than 1 cm.« less

SU-E-T-171: Evaluation of the Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm in a Small Finger Joint Phantom Using Monte Carlo Simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chow, J; Owrangi, A; Jiang, R

2014-06-01

Purpose: This study investigated the performance of the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) in dose calculation in radiotherapy concerning a small finger joint. Monte Carlo simulation (EGSnrc code) was used in this dosimetric evaluation. Methods: Heterogeneous finger joint phantom containing a vertical water layer (bone joint or cartilage) sandwiched by two bones with dimension 2 × 2 × 2 cm{sup 3} was irradiated by the 6 MV photon beams (field size = 4 × 4 cm{sup 2}). The central beam axis was along the length of the bone joint and the isocenter was set to the center of the joint. Themore » joint width and beam angle were varied from 0.5–2 mm and 0°–15°, respectively. Depth doses were calculated using the AAA and DOSXYZnrc. For dosimetric comparison and normalization, dose calculations were repeated in water phantom using the same beam geometry. Results: Our AAA and Monte Carlo results showed that the AAA underestimated the joint doses by 10%–20%, and could not predict joint dose variation with changes of joint width and beam angle. The calculated bone dose enhancement for the AAA was lower than Monte Carlo and the depth of maximum dose for the phantom was smaller than that for the water phantom. From Monte Carlo results, there was a decrease of joint dose as its width increased. This reflected the smaller the joint width, the more the bone scatter contributed to the depth dose. Moreover, the joint dose was found slightly decreased with an increase of beam angle. Conclusion: The AAA could not handle variations of joint dose well with changes of joint width and beam angle based on our finger joint phantom. Monte Carlo results showed that the joint dose decreased with increase of joint width and beam angle. This dosimetry comparison should be useful to radiation staff in radiotherapy related to small bone joint.« less

Dose fractionation theorem in 3-D reconstruction (tomography)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Glaeser, R.M.

It is commonly assumed that the large number of projections for single-axis tomography precludes its application to most beam-labile specimens. However, Hegerl and Hoppe have pointed out that the total dose required to achieve statistical significance for each voxel of a computed 3-D reconstruction is the same as that required to obtain a single 2-D image of that isolated voxel, at the same level of statistical significance. Thus a statistically significant 3-D image can be computed from statistically insignificant projections, as along as the total dosage that is distributed among these projections is high enough that it would have resultedmore » in a statistically significant projection, if applied to only one image. We have tested this critical theorem by simulating the tomographic reconstruction of a realistic 3-D model created from an electron micrograph. The simulations verify the basic conclusions of high absorption, signal-dependent noise, varying specimen contrast and missing angular range. Furthermore, the simulations demonstrate that individual projections in the series of fractionated-dose images can be aligned by cross-correlation because they contain significant information derived from the summation of features from different depths in the structure. This latter information is generally not useful for structural interpretation prior to 3-D reconstruction, owing to the complexity of most specimens investigated by single-axis tomography. These results, in combination with dose estimates for imaging single voxels and measurements of radiation damage in the electron microscope, demonstrate that it is feasible to use single-axis tomography with soft X-ray microscopy of frozen-hydrated specimens.« less

Radiation leakage dose from Elekta electron collimation system

PubMed Central

Hogstrom, Kenneth R.; Carver, Robert L.

2016-01-01

This study provided baseline data required for a greater project, whose objective was to design a new Elekta electron collimation system having significantly lighter electron applicators with equally low out‐of field leakage dose. Specifically, off‐axis dose profiles for the electron collimation system of our uniquely configured Elekta Infinity accelerator with the MLCi2 treatment head were measured and calculated for two primary purposes: 1) to evaluate and document the out‐of‐field leakage dose in the patient plane and 2) to validate the dose distributions calculated using a BEAMnrc Monte Carlo (MC) model for out‐of‐field dose profiles. Off‐axis dose profiles were measured in a water phantom at 100 cm SSD for 1 and 2 cm depths along the in‐plane, cross‐plane, and both diagonal axes using a cylindrical ionization chamber with the 10×10 and 20×20 cm2 applicators and 7, 13, and 20 MeV beams. Dose distributions were calculated using a previously developed BEAMnrc MC model of the Elekta Infinity accelerator for the same beam energies and applicator sizes and compared with measurements. Measured results showed that the in‐field beam flatness met our acceptance criteria (±3% on major and ±4% on diagonal axes) and that out‐of‐field mean and maximum percent leakage doses in the patient plane met acceptance criteria as specified by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Cross‐plane out‐of‐field dose profiles showed greater leakage dose than in‐plane profiles, attributed to the curved edges of the upper X‐ray jaws and multileaf collimator. Mean leakage doses increased with beam energy, being 0.93% and 0.85% of maximum central axis dose for the 10×10 and 20×20 cm2 applicators, respectively, at 20 MeV. MC calculations predicted the measured dose to within 0.1% in most profiles outside the radiation field; however, excluding modeling of nontrimmer applicator components led to calculations exceeding measured data by as much as 0.2% for some regions along the in‐plane axis. Using EGSnrc LATCH bit filtering to separately calculate out‐of‐field leakage dose components (photon dose, primary electron dose, and electron dose arising from interactions in various collimating components), MC calculations revealed that the primary electron dose in the out‐of‐field leakage region was small and decreased as beam energy increased. Also, both the photon dose component and electron dose component resulting from collimator scatter dominated the leakage dose, increasing with increasing beam energy. We concluded that our custom Elekta Infinity with the MLCi2 treatment head met IEC leakage dose criteria in the patient plane. Also, accuracy of our MC model should be sufficient for our use in the design of a new, improved electron collimation system. PACS number(s): 87.56.nk, 87.10.Rt, 87.56.J PMID:27685101

Comparison of film measurements and Monte Carlo simulations of dose delivered with very high-energy electron beams in a polystyrene phantom

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bazalova-Carter, Magdalena; Liu, Michael; Palma, Bianey

2015-04-15

Purpose: To measure radiation dose in a water-equivalent medium from very high-energy electron (VHEE) beams and make comparisons to Monte Carlo (MC) simulation results. Methods: Dose in a polystyrene phantom delivered by an experimental VHEE beam line was measured with Gafchromic films for three 50 MeV and two 70 MeV Gaussian beams of 4.0–6.9 mm FWHM and compared to corresponding MC-simulated dose distributions. MC dose in the polystyrene phantom was calculated with the EGSnrc/BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc codes based on the experimental setup. Additionally, the effect of 2% beam energy measurement uncertainty and possible non-zero beam angular spread on MC dosemore » distributions was evaluated. Results: MC simulated percentage depth dose (PDD) curves agreed with measurements within 4% for all beam sizes at both 50 and 70 MeV VHEE beams. Central axis PDD at 8 cm depth ranged from 14% to 19% for the 5.4–6.9 mm 50 MeV beams and it ranged from 14% to 18% for the 4.0–4.5 mm 70 MeV beams. MC simulated relative beam profiles of regularly shaped Gaussian beams evaluated at depths of 0.64 to 7.46 cm agreed with measurements to within 5%. A 2% beam energy uncertainty and 0.286° beam angular spread corresponded to a maximum 3.0% and 3.8% difference in depth dose curves of the 50 and 70 MeV electron beams, respectively. Absolute dose differences between MC simulations and film measurements of regularly shaped Gaussian beams were between 10% and 42%. Conclusions: The authors demonstrate that relative dose distributions for VHEE beams of 50–70 MeV can be measured with Gafchromic films and modeled with Monte Carlo simulations to an accuracy of 5%. The reported absolute dose differences likely caused by imperfect beam steering and subsequent charge loss revealed the importance of accurate VHEE beam control and diagnostics.« less

Investigating in-field and out-of-field neutron contamination in high-energy medical linear accelerators based on the treatment factors of field size, depth, beam modifiers, and beam type.

PubMed

Biltekin, Fatih; Yeginer, Mete; Ozyigit, Gokhan

2015-07-01

We analysed the effects of field size, depth, beam modifier and beam type on the amount of in-field and out-of-field neutron contamination for medical linear accelerators (linacs). Measurements were carried out for three high-energy medical linacs of Elekta Synergy Platform, Varian Clinac DHX High Performance and Philips SL25 using bubble detectors. The photo-neutron measurements were taken in the first two linacs with 18 MV nominal energy, whereas the electro-neutrons were measured in the three linacs with 9 MeV, 10 MeV, 15 MeV and 18 MeV. The central neutron doses increased with larger field sizes as a dramatic drop off was observed in peripheral areas. Comparing with the jaws-shaped open-field of 10 × 10 cm, the motorised and physical wedges contributed to neutron contamination at central axis by 60% and 18%, respectively. The similar dose increment was observed in MLC-shaped fields. The contributions of MLCs were in the range of 55-59% and 19-22% in Elekta and Varian linacs comparing with 10 × 10 and 20 × 20 cm open fields shaped by the jaws, respectively. The neutron doses at shallow depths were found to be higher than the doses found at deeper regions. The electro-neutron dose at the 18 MeV energy was higher than the doses at the electron energies of 15 MeV and 9 MeV by a factor of 3 and 50, respectively. The photo- and electro-neutron dose should be taken into consideration in the radiation treatment with high photon and electron energies. Copyright © 2015 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SU-E-T-191: Commissioning and Dosimetric Characteristics of Elekta Agility for Total Skin Electron Beam (TSEB) Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sayler, E; Charpentier, P; Micaily, B

2015-06-15

Purpose The purpose of this work is to publish beam data from Elekta Synergy(R) linear accelerators with Agility(TM) MLC for total skin electron beam (TSEB) therapy using the HDRE1 (High Dose Rate Electron 6MeV) energy. Method & Materials The optimal gantry angles for TSEB were determined using ion chamber measurements along a vertical profile at 450cm SSD. After gantry angles were chosen, field uniformity was measured over the entire treatment area. Uniformity was measured with and without the patient support device, allowing the dosimetric effect of the support device to be determined. Beam output and PDD were measured at themore » calibration point (450cm SSD) for a dual beam using a parallel plate chamber in solid water. These measurements were repeated with the chamber and phantom rotated about the patient isocenter at various angles, in order to measure the contribution from oblique beams. This technique provides a precise measurement of the treatment skin dose (TSD). Lastly, ion chamber measurements were verified by film and diodes. Results The optimal gantry angle for 450 cm SSD was determined to be 90±16°. This achieved uniformity better than 96% on the vertical axis, and 92% along the horizontal axis. HDRE1 was calibrated to deliver 10 cGy/MU at standard geometry (100 cm SSD, 1.2 cm depth). Thus at TSEB geometry (450 cm SSD, 0.1 cm depth) the output of the AP dual field was measured to be 0.35 cGy/MU. The TSD of a 20 cm radius cylinder for six (equally, 60° spaced) dual fields was measured to be 1.19 cGy/MU. Percent Depth Dose data for the AP dual field and TSD are shown in Figure 2. Conclusion This paper provides a modern procedure for commissioning TSEB therapy on a linear accelerator, and clinical beam data for the Elekta Synergy(R) with Agility(TM) MLC.« less

Poster — Thur Eve — 53: Novel Technique for the Measurement of Ultra-Superficial Doses Using Gafchromic Film

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marcos, M.; Devic, S.

2014-08-15

Purpose: Dose build-up and electron contamination are two closely related quantities with important implications in radiotherapy, yet they are quite difficult to measure with great certainty. We present a novel technique for measuring ultra-superficial doses. Method and Materials: We used Gafchromic EBT-3 film which have an effective point of measurement of roughly 153 micros (effective depth in water). By peeling off one of the polyester layers, the active layer becomes the top layer and we obtain a film with a effective point of measurement of 15 microns (effective depth in water). A film calibration was performed using a 180 kVpmore » orthovoltage beam. Since the active layer of the film may have been compressed or perturbed during the peeling of clear polyester we use a triple-channel film calibration technique to minimize the effects of non-uniformity in the active layer. We measured surface doses of orthovoltage beams with lead cutouts in place to introduce contaminant photoelectrons. Results: Our measurements show that the dose enhancement near the edges of the lead were about 125% relative to central axis for 6 cm diameter cutouts up to 170% for 2 cm diameter cutouts, which were within 5% of our EGSnrc based Monte Carlo simulations.« less

Evaluation of six TPS algorithms in computing entrance and exit doses.

PubMed

Tan, Yun I; Metwaly, Mohamed; Glegg, Martin; Baggarley, Shaun; Elliott, Alex

2014-05-08

Entrance and exit doses are commonly measured in in vivo dosimetry for comparison with expected values, usually generated by the treatment planning system (TPS), to verify accuracy of treatment delivery. This report aims to evaluate the accuracy of six TPS algorithms in computing entrance and exit doses for a 6 MV beam. The algorithms tested were: pencil beam convolution (Eclipse PBC), analytical anisotropic algorithm (Eclipse AAA), AcurosXB (Eclipse AXB), FFT convolution (XiO Convolution), multigrid superposition (XiO Superposition), and Monte Carlo photon (Monaco MC). Measurements with ionization chamber (IC) and diode detector in water phantoms were used as a reference. Comparisons were done in terms of central axis point dose, 1D relative profiles, and 2D absolute gamma analysis. Entrance doses computed by all TPS algorithms agreed to within 2% of the measured values. Exit doses computed by XiO Convolution, XiO Superposition, Eclipse AXB, and Monaco MC agreed with the IC measured doses to within 2%-3%. Meanwhile, Eclipse PBC and Eclipse AAA computed exit doses were higher than the IC measured doses by up to 5.3% and 4.8%, respectively. Both algorithms assume that full backscatter exists even at the exit level, leading to an overestimation of exit doses. Despite good agreements at the central axis for Eclipse AXB and Monaco MC, 1D relative comparisons showed profiles mismatched at depths beyond 11.5 cm. Overall, the 2D absolute gamma (3%/3 mm) pass rates were better for Monaco MC, while Eclipse AXB failed mostly at the outer 20% of the field area. The findings of this study serve as a useful baseline for the implementation of entrance and exit in vivo dosimetry in clinical departments utilizing any of these six common TPS algorithms for reference comparison.

Development of a Monte Carlo multiple source model for inclusion in a dose calculation auditing tool.

PubMed

Faught, Austin M; Davidson, Scott E; Fontenot, Jonas; Kry, Stephen F; Etzel, Carol; Ibbott, Geoffrey S; Followill, David S

2017-09-01

The Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston (IROC-H) (formerly the Radiological Physics Center) has reported varying levels of agreement in their anthropomorphic phantom audits. There is reason to believe one source of error in this observed disagreement is the accuracy of the dose calculation algorithms and heterogeneity corrections used. To audit this component of the radiotherapy treatment process, an independent dose calculation tool is needed. Monte Carlo multiple source models for Elekta 6 MV and 10 MV therapeutic x-ray beams were commissioned based on measurement of central axis depth dose data for a 10 × 10 cm 2 field size and dose profiles for a 40 × 40 cm 2 field size. The models were validated against open field measurements consisting of depth dose data and dose profiles for field sizes ranging from 3 × 3 cm 2 to 30 × 30 cm 2 . The models were then benchmarked against measurements in IROC-H's anthropomorphic head and neck and lung phantoms. Validation results showed 97.9% and 96.8% of depth dose data passed a ±2% Van Dyk criterion for 6 MV and 10 MV models respectively. Dose profile comparisons showed an average agreement using a ±2%/2 mm criterion of 98.0% and 99.0% for 6 MV and 10 MV models respectively. Phantom plan comparisons were evaluated using ±3%/2 mm gamma criterion, and averaged passing rates between Monte Carlo and measurements were 87.4% and 89.9% for 6 MV and 10 MV models respectively. Accurate multiple source models for Elekta 6 MV and 10 MV x-ray beams have been developed for inclusion in an independent dose calculation tool for use in clinical trial audits. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

A PENELOPE-based system for the automated Monte Carlo simulation of clinacs and voxelized geometries - application to far-from-axis fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sempau, Josep; Badal, Andreu; Brualla, Lorenzo

Purpose: Two new codes, PENEASY and PENEASYLINAC, which automate the Monte Carlo simulation of Varian Clinacs of the 600, 1800, 2100, and 2300 series, together with their electron applicators and multileaf collimators, are introduced. The challenging case of a relatively small and far-from-axis field has been studied with these tools. Methods: PENEASY is a modular, general-purpose main program for the PENELOPE Monte Carlo system that includes various source models, tallies and variance-reduction techniques (VRT). The code includes a new geometry model that allows the superposition of voxels and objects limited by quadric surfaces. A variant of the VRT known asmore » particle splitting, called fan splitting, is also introduced. PENEASYLINAC, in turn, automatically generates detailed geometry and configuration files to simulate linacs with PENEASY. These tools are applied to the generation of phase-space files, and of the corresponding absorbed dose distributions in water, for two 6 MV photon beams from a Varian Clinac 2100 C/D: a 40 x 40 cm{sup 2} centered field; and a 3 x 5 cm{sup 2} field centered at (4.5, -11.5) cm from the beam central axis. This latter configuration implies the largest possible over-traveling values of two of the jaws. Simulation results for the depth dose and lateral profiles at various depths are compared, by using the gamma index, with experimental values obtained with a PTW 31002 ionization chamber. The contribution of several VRTs to the computing speed of the more demanding off-axis case is analyzed. Results: For the 40 x 40 cm{sup 2} field, the percentages {gamma}{sub 1} and {gamma}{sub 1.2} of voxels with gamma indices (using 0.2 cm and 2% criteria) larger than unity and larger than 1.2 are 0.2% and 0%, respectively. For the 3 x 5 cm{sup 2} field, {gamma}{sub 1} = 0%. These figures indicate an excellent agreement between simulation and experiment. The dose distribution for the off-axis case with voxels of 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 mm{sup 3} and an average standard statistical uncertainty of 2% (1{sigma}) is computed in 3.1 h on a single core of a 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. This result is obtained with the optimal combination of the tested VRTs. In particular, fan splitting for the off-axis case accelerates execution by a factor of 240 with respect to standard particle splitting. Conclusions: PENEASY and PENEASYLINAC can simulate the considered Varian Clinacs both in an accurate and efficient manner. Fan splitting is crucial to achieve simulation results for the off-axis field in an affordable amount of CPU time. Work to include Elekta linacs and to develop a graphical interface that will facilitate user input is underway.« less

Fast imaging with inelastically scattered electrons by off-axis chromatic confocal electron microscopy.

PubMed

Zheng, Changlin; Zhu, Ye; Lazar, Sorin; Etheridge, Joanne

2014-04-25

We introduce off-axis chromatic scanning confocal electron microscopy, a technique for fast mapping of inelastically scattered electrons in a scanning transmission electron microscope without a spectrometer. The off-axis confocal mode enables the inelastically scattered electrons to be chromatically dispersed both parallel and perpendicular to the optic axis. This enables electrons with different energy losses to be separated and detected in the image plane, enabling efficient energy filtering in a confocal mode with an integrating detector. We describe the experimental configuration and demonstrate the method with nanoscale core-loss chemical mapping of silver (M4,5) in an aluminium-silver alloy and atomic scale imaging of the low intensity core-loss La (M4,5@840  eV) signal in LaB6. Scan rates up to 2 orders of magnitude faster than conventional methods were used, enabling a corresponding reduction in radiation dose and increase in the field of view. If coupled with the enhanced depth and lateral resolution of the incoherent confocal configuration, this offers an approach for nanoscale three-dimensional chemical mapping.

The response of Kodak EDR2 film in high-energy electron beams.

PubMed

Gerbi, Bruce J; Dimitroyannis, Dimitri A

2003-10-01

Kodak XV2 film has been a key dosimeter in radiation therapy for many years. The advantages of the recently introduced Kodak EDR2 film for photon beam dosimetry have been the focus of several IMRT verification dosimetry publications. However, no description of this film's response to electron beams exists in the literature. We initiated a study to characterize the response and utility of this film for electron beam dosimetry. We exposed a series of EDR2 films to 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV electrons in addition to 6 and 18 MV x rays to develop standard characteristic curves. The linac was first calibrated to ensure that the delivered dose was known accurately. All irradiations were done at dmax in polystyrene for both photons and electrons, all films were from the same batch, and were developed at the same time. We also exposed the EDR2 films in a solid water phantom to produce central axis depth dose curves. These data were compared against percent depth dose curves measured in a water phantom using an IC-10 ion chamber, Kodak XV2 film, and a PTW electron diode. The response of this film was the same for both 6 and 18 MV x rays, but showed an apparent energy-dependent enhancement for electron beams. The response of the film also increased with increasing electron energy. This caused the percent depth dose curves using film to be shifted toward the surface compared to the ion chamber data.

On the defect structure due to low energy ion bombardment of graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marton, D.; Bu, H.; Boyd, K. J.; Todorov, S. S.; Al-Bayati, A. H.; Rabalais, J. W.

1995-03-01

Graphite surfaces cleaved perpendicular to the c axis have been irradiated with low doses of Ar + ions at 50 eV kinetic energy and perpendicular incidence. Scanning tunneling micrographs (STM) of these irradiated surfaces exhibited dome-like features as well as point defects. These dome-like features retain undisturbed graphite periodicity. This finding is attributed to the stopping of ions between the first and second graphite sheets. The possibility of doping semiconductors at extremely shallow depths is raised.

SU-F-T-138: Commissioning and Evaluating Dose Computation Models for a Dedicated Proton Line Scanning Beam Nozzle in Eclipse Treatment Planning System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tsai, P; Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Huang, H

Purpose: In this study, we present an effective method to derive low dose envelope of the proton in-air spot fluence at beam positions other than the isocenter to reduce amount of measurements required for planning commission. Also, we demonstrate commissioning and validation results of this method to the Eclipse treatment planning system (version 13.0.29) for a Sumitomo dedicated proton line scanning beam nozzle. Methods: The in-air spot profiles at five beam-axis positions (±200, ±100 and 0 mm) were obtained in trigger mode using a MP3 Water tank (PTW-Freiburg) and a pinpoint ionization chamber (model 31014, PTW-Freiburg). Low dose envelope (belowmore » 1% of the center dose) of the spot profile at isocenter was obtained by repeated point measurements to minimize dosimetry uncertainty. The double Gaussian (DG) model was used to fit and obtain optimal σ1, σ2 and their corresponding weightings through our in-house MATLAB (Mathworks) program. σ1, σ2 were assumed to expand linearly along the beam axis from a virtual source position calculated by back projecting fitted sigmas from the single Gaussian (SG) model. Absolute doses in water were validated using an Advanced Markus chamber at the depth of 2cm with Pristine Peak (BP) R90d ranging from 5–32 cm for 10×10 cm2 scanned fields. The field size factors were verified with square fields from 2 to 20 cm at 2cm and before BP depth. Results: The absolute dose outputs were found to be within ±3%. For field size factor, the agreement between calculated and measurement were within ±2% at 2cm and ±3% before BP, except for the field size below 2×2 cm2. Conclusion: The double Gaussian model was found to be sufficient for characterizing the Sumitomo dedicated proton line scanning nozzle. With our effective double Gaussian fitting method, we are able to save significant proton beam time with acceptable output accuracy.« less

A virtual photon energy fluence model for Monte Carlo dose calculation.

PubMed

Fippel, Matthias; Haryanto, Freddy; Dohm, Oliver; Nüsslin, Fridtjof; Kriesen, Stephan

2003-03-01

The presented virtual energy fluence (VEF) model of the patient-independent part of the medical linear accelerator heads, consists of two Gaussian-shaped photon sources and one uniform electron source. The planar photon sources are located close to the bremsstrahlung target (primary source) and to the flattening filter (secondary source), respectively. The electron contamination source is located in the plane defining the lower end of the filter. The standard deviations or widths and the relative weights of each source are free parameters. Five other parameters correct for fluence variations, i.e., the horn or central depression effect. If these parameters and the field widths in the X and Y directions are given, the corresponding energy fluence distribution can be calculated analytically and compared to measured dose distributions in air. This provides a method of fitting the free parameters using the measurements for various square and rectangular fields and a fixed number of monitor units. The next step in generating the whole set of base data is to calculate monoenergetic central axis depth dose distributions in water which are used to derive the energy spectrum by deconvolving the measured depth dose curves. This spectrum is also corrected to take the off-axis softening into account. The VEF model is implemented together with geometry modules for the patient specific part of the treatment head (jaws, multileaf collimator) into the XVMC dose calculation engine. The implementation into other Monte Carlo codes is possible based on the information in this paper. Experiments are performed to verify the model by comparing measured and calculated dose distributions and output factors in water. It is demonstrated that open photon beams of linear accelerators from two different vendors are accurately simulated using the VEF model. The commissioning procedure of the VEF model is clinically feasible because it is based on standard measurements in air and water. It is also useful for IMRT applications because a full Monte Carlo simulation of the treatment head would be too time-consuming for many small fields.

SU-E-T-409: Evaluation of Tissue Composition Effect On Dose Distribution in Radiotherapy with 6 MV Photon Beam of a Medical Linac

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ghorbani, M; Tabatabaei, Z; Noghreiyan, A Vejdani

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate soft tissue composition effect on dose distribution for various soft tissues and various depths in radiotherapy with 6 MV photon beam of a medical linac. Methods: A phantom and Siemens Primus linear accelerator were simulated using MCNPX Monte Carlo code. In a homogeneous cubic phantom, six types of soft tissue and three types of tissue-equivalent materials were defined separately. The soft tissues were muscle (skeletal), adipose tissue, blood (whole), breast tissue, soft tissue (9-component) and soft tissue (4-component). The tissue-equivalent materials included: water, A-150 tissue-equivalent plastic and perspex. Photon dose relativemore » to dose in 9-component soft tissue at various depths on the beam’s central axis was determined for the 6 MV photon beam. The relative dose was also calculated and compared for various MCNPX tallies including,F8, F6 and,F4. Results: The results of the relative photon dose in various materials relative to dose in 9-component soft tissue and using different tallies are reported in the form of tabulated data. Minor differences between dose distributions in various soft tissues and tissue-equivalent materials were observed. The results from F6 and F4 were practically the same but different with,F8 tally. Conclusion: Based on the calculations performed, the differences in dose distributions in various soft tissues and tissue-equivalent materials are minor but they could be corrected in radiotherapy calculations to upgrade the accuracy of the dosimetric calculations.« less

SU-E-T-441: Comparison of Dose Distributions for Spot-Scanned Pencil-Beam and Scattered-Beam Proton Treatments of Ocular Tumors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deisher, A; Whitaker, T; Kruse, J

2014-06-01

Purpose: To study the cross-field and depth dose profiles of spot-scanned pencil beam configurations for the treatment of ocular tumors and to compare their performance to a simulated scattered beam. Methods: Dose distributions in a cubic water phantom were compared for beams that passed through a final 24mm diameter aperture to deposit maximum dose at 2.4cm depth. The pencil-beam spots formed a hexagonally-packed ring with a center-to-center spacing of 4mm. The protons exited the nozzle with energy 95.5MeV, traversed a 4.5cm water-equivalent range shifter, and travelled either 42.5cm or 100cm to the phantom surface. The aperture-to-phantom distance (APD) was 5.7cmmore » to allow room for eye-tracking hardware. A configuration with APD=0 was also tested. The scattered beam was generated with energy 159MeV, passed through 127mm of Lexan, exited the final aperture, and travelled 5.7cm to the phantom surface. This latter configuration is comparable to the MGH single scattered beamline. All beams were modelled with TOPAS1.0-beta6 compiled with GEANT4.9.6p2. Results: The modeled scattered beam produced a distal fall-off along the central axis of zd90%-zd10%=3.6mm. For the pencil beam, the zd90%-zd10% was 1.6mm in all configurations. The scattered beam's cross-field penumbra at depth of maximum dose was r90%- r10%=1.9mm. For the spot-scanned configuration with the range-shifter-tophantom distance (RsPD) of 100cm, similar cross-field profiles were achieved with r90%-r10%=2.0mm. At shorter RsPD of 42.5cm, the crossfield penumbras were 5.6mm and 7.7mm for APD=0cm and APD=5.7cm, respectively. Conclusion: For proton treatments employing a range shifter, the cross-field and central axis dose profiles depend on the quality of the original beam, the size of the range shifter, the distance from the range shifter exit to the patient, and the distance from the final aperture to the patient. A spot-scanned pencil beam configuration can achieve cross-field penumbras equal to a scattered beam and superior distal gradients.« less

Off-axis full-field swept-source optical coherence tomography using holographic refocusing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hillmann, Dierck; Franke, Gesa; Hinkel, Laura; Bonin, Tim; Koch, Peter; Hüttmann, Gereon

2013-03-01

We demonstrate a full-field swept-source OCT using an off-axis geometry of the reference illumination. By using holographic refocusing techniques, a uniform lateral resolution is achieved over the measurement depth of approximately 80 Rayleigh lengths. Compared to a standard on-axis setup, artifacts and autocorrelation signals are suppressed and the measurement depth is doubled by resolving the complex conjugate ambiguity. Holographic refocusing was done efficiently by Fourier-domain resampling as demonstrated before in inverse scattering and holoscopy. It allowed to reconstruct a complete volume with about 10μm resolution over the complete measurement depth of more than 10mm. Off-axis full-field swept-source OCT enables high measurement depths, spanning many Rayleigh lengths with reduced artifacts.

SU-E-T-162: Characterization of a New Oblong Cone for Use with the Intraoperative Mobetron Unit

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cantley, J; Colussi, V

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of a new flat 7 cm x 12 cm oblong cone for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) procedures. Methods: Percent depth dose (PDD) curves and profile measurements at dose depths of D100, D90, D80, D50, and D30 were measured using a parallel-plate ion chamber and a 3-D water tank Blue phantom II (iba) for the three energies (6, 9, and 12 MeV) available with the new generation Mobetron 2000. In addition, PDD curves and profiles were made with Gafchromic EBT3 films in solid water phantom. H&D curves were created for each energy for absolute calibration.more » The films were analyzed using the RIT image analysis software and then compared with the ion chamber results. Output values were obtained by normalizing the dose/MU at D100 at the clinical axis of the oblong cone by the dose/MU at D100 for the flat 10cm cylindrical standard cone using ion chamber measurements. Results: Ion chamber results show that the PDDs from the flat oblong cone, at the clinical axis, match with the PDDs for its “cylindrical brother” 7cm flat cone. These PDDs are comparable with those from the 10cm standard cone. The D100 coincides for all three energies. The cone output factors for the oblong cone are 1.07 for all energies. Ion chamber profiles measurements and film analysis show that the use of flat oblong cone with the 6 and 9 MeV energies Result in horns of approximately 12% and 8%, respectively. Conversely, 12 MeV profiles show loss of flatness near the field edge. Conclusion: The potential advantage of the oblong cones is the elimination of the well-known difficulties of electron field matching, both dosimetrically and in clinical setup.« less

Poster — Thur Eve — 21: Off-axis dose perturbation effects in water in a 5 × 5 cm{sup 2} 18 MV photon beam for the PTW microLion and Exradin A1SL ionization chambers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

O'Grady, K; Davis, S D; Papaconstadopoulos, P

2014-08-15

A PTW microLion liquid ionization chamber and an Exradin A1SL air-filled ionization chamber have been modeled using the egs-chamber user code of the EGSnrc system to determine their perturbation effects in water in a 5 × 5 cm{sup 2} 18 MV photon beam. A model of the Varian CL21EX linear accelerator was constructed using the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo code, and was validated by comparing measured PDDs and profiles from the microLion and A1SL chambers to calculated results that included chamber models. Measured PDDs for a 5 × 5 cm{sup 2} field for the microLion chamber agreed with calculations to withinmore » 1.5% beyond a depth of 0.5 cm, and the A1SL PDDs agreed within 1.0% beyond 1.0 cm. Measured and calculated profiles at 10 cm depth agreed within 1.0% for both chambers inside the field, and within 4.0% near the field edge. Local percent differences increased up to 15% at 4 cm outside the field. The ratio of dose to water in the absence of the chamber relative to dose in the chamber's active volume as a function of off-axis distance was calculated using the egs-chamber correlated sampling technique. The dose ratio was nearly constant inside the field and consistent with the stopping power ratios of water to detector material, but varied up to 3.3% near the field edge and 5.2% at 4 cm outside the field. Once these perturbation effects are fully characterized for more field sizes and detectors, they could be applied to clinical water tank measurements for improved dosimetric accuracy.« less

Overdose problem associated with treatment planning software for high energy photons in response of Panama's accident.

PubMed

Attalla, Ehab M; Lotayef, Mohamed M; Khalil, Ehab M; El-Hosiny, Hesham A; Nazmy, Mohamed S

2007-06-01

The purpose of this study was to quantify dose distribution errors by comparing actual dose measurements with the calculated values done by the software. To evaluate the outcome of radiation overexposure related to Panama's accident and in response to ensure that the treatment planning systems (T.P.S.) are being operated in accordance with the appropriate quality assurance programme, we studied the central axis and pripheral depth dose data using complex field shaped with blocks to quantify dose distribution errors. Multidata T.P.S. software versions 2.35 and 2.40 and Helax T.P.S. software version 5.1 B were assesed. The calculated data of the software treatment planning systems were verified by comparing these data with the actual dose measurements for open and blocked high energy photon fields (Co-60, 6MV & 18MV photons). Close calculated and measured results were obtained for the 2-D (Multidata) and 3-D treatment planning (TMS Helax). These results were correct within 1 to 2% for open fields and 0.5 to 2.5% for peripheral blocked fields. Discrepancies between calculated and measured data ranged between 13. to 36% along the central axis of complex blocked fields when normalisation point was selected at the Dmax, when the normalisation point was selected near or under the blocks, the variation between the calculated and the measured data was up to 500% difference. The present results emphasize the importance of the proper selection of the normalization point in the radiation field, as this facilitates detection of aberrant dose distribution (over exposure or under exposure).

Experimental determination of the effective point of measurement of cylindrical ionization chambers for high-energy photon and electron beams.

PubMed

Huang, Yanxiao; Willomitzer, Christian; Zakaria, Golam Abu; Hartmann, Guenther H

2010-01-01

Measurements of depth-dose curves in water phantom using a cylindrical ionization chamber require that its effective point of measurement is located at the measuring depth. Recommendations for the position of the effective point of measurement with respect to the central axis valid for high-energy electron and photon beams are given in dosimetry protocols. According to these protocols, the use of a constant shift P(eff) is currently recommended. However, this is still based on a very limited set of experimental results. It is therefore expected that an improved knowledge of the exact position of the effective point of measurement will further improve the accuracy of dosimetry. Recent publications have revealed that the position of the effective point of measurement is indeed varying with beam energy, field size and also with chamber geometry. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the shift of P(eff) can be taken to be constant and independent from the beam energy. An experimental determination of the effective point of measurement is presented based on a comparison between cylindrical chambers and a plane-parallel chamber using conventional dosimetry equipment. For electron beams, the determination is based on the comparison of halfvalue depth R(50) between the cylindrical chamber of interest and a well guarded plane-parallel Roos chamber. For photon beams, the depth of dose maximum, d(max), the depth of 80% dose, d(80), and the dose parameter PDD(10) were used. It was again found that the effective point of measurement for both, electron and photon beams Dosimetry, depends on the beam energy. The deviation from a constant value remains very small for photons, whereas significant deviations were found for electrons. It is therefore concluded that use of a single upstream shift value from the centre of the cylindrical chamber as recommended in current dosimetry protocols is adequate for photons, however inadequate for accurate electron beam dosimetry.

Dose properties of a laser accelerated electron beam and prospects for clinical application.

PubMed

Kainz, K K; Hogstrom, K R; Antolak, J A; Almond, P R; Bloch, C D; Chiu, C; Fomytskyi, M; Raischel, F; Downer, M; Tajima, T

2004-07-01

Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) technology has evolved to where it should be evaluated for its potential as a future competitor to existing technology that produces electron and x-ray beams. The purpose of the present work is to investigate the dosimetric properties of an electron beam that should be achievable using existing LWFA technology, and to document the necessary improvements to make radiotherapy application for LWFA viable. This paper first qualitatively reviews the fundamental principles of LWFA and describes a potential design for a 30 cm accelerator chamber containing a gas target. Electron beam energy spectra, upon which our dose calculations are based, were obtained from a uniform energy distribution and from two-dimensional particle-in-cell (2D PIC) simulations. The 2D PIC simulation parameters are consistent with those reported by a previous LWFA experiment. According to the 2D PIC simulations, only approximately 0.3% of the LWFA electrons are emitted with an energy greater than 1 MeV. We studied only the high-energy electrons to determine their potential for clinical electron beams of central energy from 9 to 21 MeV. Each electron beam was broadened and flattened by designing a dual scattering foil system to produce a uniform beam (103%>off-axis ratio>95%) over a 25 x 25 cm2 field. An energy window (deltaE) ranging from 0.5 to 6.5 MeV was selected to study central-axis depth dose, beam flatness, and dose rate. Dose was calculated in water at a 100 cm source-to-surface distance using the EGS/BEAM Monte Carlo algorithm. Calculations showed that the beam flatness was fairly insensitive to deltaE. However, since the falloff of the depth-dose curve (R10-R90) and the dose rate both increase with deltaE, a tradeoff between minimizing (R10-R90) and maximizing dose rate is implied. If deltaE is constrained so that R10-R90 is within 0.5 cm of its value for a monoenergetic beam, the maximum practical dose rate based on 2D PIC is approximately 0.1 Gy min(-1) for a 9 MeV beam and 0.03 Gy min(-1) for a 15 MeV beam. It was concluded that current LWFA technology should allow a table-top terawatt (T3) laser to produce therapeutic electron beams that have acceptable flatness, penetration, and falloff of depth dose; however, the dose rate is still 1%-3% of that which would be acceptable, especially for higher-energy electron beams. Further progress in laser technology, e.g., increasing the pulse repetition rate or number of high energy electrons generated per pulse, is necessary to give dose rates acceptable for electron beams. Future measurements confirming dosimetric calculations are required to substantiate our results. In addition to achieving adequate dose rate, significant engineering developments are needed for this technology to compete with current electron acceleration technology. Also, the functional benefits of LWFA electron beams require further study and evaluation.

SU-E-T-790: Validation of 4D Measurement-Guided Dose Reconstruction (MGDR) with OCTAVIUS 4D System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, V; Leung, R; Wong, M

2015-06-15

Purpose: To validate the MGDR of OCTAVIUS 4D system (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) for quality assurance (QA) of volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT). Methods: 4D-MGDR measurements were divided into two parts: 1) square fields from 2×2 to 25×25 cm{sup 2} at 0°, 10° and 45° gantry, and 2) 8 VMAT plans (5 nasopharyngeal and 3 prostate) collapsed to gantry 40° in QA mode in Monaco v5.0 (Elekta, CMS, Maryland Heights, MO) were delivered on the OCTAVIUS 4D phantom with the OCTAVIUS 1500 detector plane perpendicular to either the incident beam to obtain the reconstructed dose (OCTA4D) or the 0° gantry axis tomore » obtain the raw doses (OCTA3D) in Verisoft 6.1 (PTW, Freiburg, Germany). Raw measurements of OCTA3D were limited to < 45° gantry to avoid >0.5% variation of detector angular response with respect to 0° gantry as determined previously. Reconstructed OCTA4D and raw OCTA3D doses for all plans were compared at the same detector plane using γ criteria of 2% (local dose)/2mm and 3%/3mm criteria. Results: At gantry 0° and 10°, the γ results for all OCTA4D on detector plane coinciding with OCTA3D were over 90% at 2%/2mm except for the largest field (25×25 cm{sup 2} ) showing >88%. For square field at 45° gantry, γ passing rate is > 90% for fields smaller than 15x 15cm2 but < 80% for field size of 20 x20 cm{sup 2} upward. For VMAT, γ results showed 94% and 99% passing rate at 2%/2mm and 3%/3mm, respectively. Conclusion: OCTAVIUS 4D system has compromised accuracy in reconstructing dose away from the central beam axis, possibly due to the off-axis softening correction and errors of the percent depth dose data necessary as input for MGDR. Good results in VMAT delivery suggested that the system is relatively reliable for VMAT with small segments.« less

A depth-sensing technique on 3D-printed compensator for total body irradiation patient measurement and treatment planning

PubMed Central

Lee, Min-Young; Han, Bin; Jenkins, Cesare; Xing, Lei; Suh, Tae-Suk

2016-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of total body irradiation (TBI) techniques is to deliver a uniform radiation dose to the entire volume of a patient’s body. Due to variations in the thickness of the patient, it is difficult to produce such a uniform dose distribution throughout the body. In many techniques, a compensator is used to adjust the dose delivered to various sections of the patient. The current study aims to develop and validate an innovative method of using depth-sensing cameras and 3D printing techniques for TBI treatment planning and compensator fabrication. Methods: A tablet with an integrated depth-sensing camera and motion tracking sensors was used to scan a RANDO™ phantom positioned in a TBI treatment booth to detect and store the 3D surface in a point cloud format. The accuracy of the detected surface was evaluated by comparing extracted body thickness measurements with corresponding measurements from computed tomography (CT) scan images. The thickness, source to surface distance, and off-axis distance of the phantom at different body section were measured for TBI treatment planning. A detailed compensator design was calculated to achieve a uniform dose distribution throughout the phantom. The compensator was fabricated using a 3D printer, silicone molding, and a mixture of wax and tungsten powder. In vivo dosimetry measurements were performed using optically stimulated luminescent detectors. Results: The scan of the phantom took approximately 30 s. The mean error for thickness measurements at each section of phantom relative to CT was 0.48 ± 0.27 cm. The average fabrication error for the 3D-printed compensator was 0.16 ± 0.15 mm. In vivo measurements for an end-to-end test showed that overall dose differences were within 5%. Conclusions: A technique for planning and fabricating a compensator for TBI treatment using a depth camera equipped tablet and a 3D printer was demonstrated to be sufficiently accurate to be considered for further investigation. PMID:27806603

Percentage depth dose calculation accuracy of model based algorithms in high energy photon small fields through heterogeneous media and comparison with plastic scintillator dosimetry.

PubMed

Alagar, Ananda Giri Babu; Mani, Ganesh Kadirampatti; Karunakaran, Kaviarasu

2016-01-08

Small fields smaller than 4 × 4 cm2 are used in stereotactic and conformal treatments where heterogeneity is normally present. Since dose calculation accuracy in both small fields and heterogeneity often involves more discrepancy, algorithms used by treatment planning systems (TPS) should be evaluated for achieving better treatment results. This report aims at evaluating accuracy of four model-based algorithms, X-ray Voxel Monte Carlo (XVMC) from Monaco, Superposition (SP) from CMS-Xio, AcurosXB (AXB) and analytical anisotropic algorithm (AAA) from Eclipse are tested against the measurement. Measurements are done using Exradin W1 plastic scintillator in Solid Water phantom with heterogeneities like air, lung, bone, and aluminum, irradiated with 6 and 15 MV photons of square field size ranging from 1 to 4 cm2. Each heterogeneity is introduced individually at two different depths from depth-of-dose maximum (Dmax), one setup being nearer and another farther from the Dmax. The central axis percentage depth-dose (CADD) curve for each setup is measured separately and compared with the TPS algorithm calculated for the same setup. The percentage normalized root mean squared deviation (%NRMSD) is calculated, which represents the whole CADD curve's deviation against the measured. It is found that for air and lung heterogeneity, for both 6 and 15 MV, all algorithms show maximum deviation for field size 1 × 1 cm2 and gradually reduce when field size increases, except for AAA. For aluminum and bone, all algorithms' deviations are less for 15 MV irrespective of setup. In all heterogeneity setups, 1 × 1 cm2 field showed maximum deviation, except in 6MV bone setup. All algorithms in the study, irrespective of energy and field size, when any heterogeneity is nearer to Dmax, the dose deviation is higher compared to the same heterogeneity far from the Dmax. Also, all algorithms show maximum deviation in lower-density materials compared to high-density materials.

Multicentre evaluation of a novel vaginal dose reporting method in 153 cervical cancer patients.

PubMed

Westerveld, Henrike; de Leeuw, Astrid; Kirchheiner, Kathrin; Dankulchai, Pittaya; Oosterveld, Bernard; Oinam, Arun; Hudej, Robert; Swamidas, Jamema; Lindegaard, Jacob; Tanderup, Kari; Pötter, Richard; Kirisits, Christian

2016-09-01

Recently, a vaginal dose reporting method for combined EBRT and BT in cervical cancer patients was proposed. The current study was to evaluate vaginal doses with this method in a multicentre setting, wherein different applicators, dose rates and protocols were used. In a subset of patients from the EMBRACE study, vaginal doses were evaluated. Doses at the applicator surface left/right and anterior/posterior and at 5mm depth were measured. In addition, the dose at the Posterior-Inferior Border of Symphysis (PIBS) vaginal dose point and PIBS±2cm, corresponding to the mid and lower vagina, was measured. 153 patients from seven institutions were included. Large dose variations expressed in EQD2 with α/β=3Gy were seen between patients, in particular at the top left and right vaginal wall (median 195 (range 61-947)Gy/178 (61-980)Gy, respectively). At 5mm depth, doses were 98 (55-212)Gy/91 (54-227)Gy left/right, and 71 (51-145)Gy/67 (49-189)Gy anterior/posterior, respectively. The dose at PIBS and PIBS±2cm was 41 (3-81)Gy, 54 (32-109)Gy and 5 (1-51)Gy, respectively. At PIBS+2cm (mid vagina) dose variation was coming from BT. The variation at PIBS-2cm (lower vagina) was mainly dependent on EBRT field border location. This novel method for reporting vaginal doses coming from EBRT and BT through well-defined dose points gives a robust representation of the dose along the vaginal axis. In addition, it allows comparison of vaginal dose between patients from different centres. The doses at the PIBS points represent the doses at the mid and lower parts of the vagina. Large variations in dose throughout the vagina were observed between patients and centres. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

SU-F-T-428: An Optimization-Based Commissioning Tool for Finite Size Pencil Beam Dose Calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Y; Tian, Z; Song, T

Purpose: Finite size pencil beam (FSPB) algorithms are commonly used to pre-calculate the beamlet dose distribution for IMRT treatment planning. FSPB commissioning, which usually requires fine tuning of the FSPB kernel parameters, is crucial to the dose calculation accuracy and hence the plan quality. Yet due to the large number of beamlets, FSPB commissioning could be very tedious. This abstract reports an optimization-based FSPB commissioning tool we have developed in MatLab to facilitate the commissioning. Methods: A FSPB dose kernel generally contains two types of parameters: the profile parameters determining the dose kernel shape, and a 2D scaling factors accountingmore » for the longitudinal and off-axis corrections. The former were fitted using the penumbra of a reference broad beam’s dose profile with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Since the dose distribution of a broad beam is simply a linear superposition of the dose kernel of each beamlet calculated with the fitted profile parameters and scaled using the scaling factors, these factors could be determined by solving an optimization problem which minimizes the discrepancies between the calculated dose of broad beams and the reference dose. Results: We have commissioned a FSPB algorithm for three linac photon beams (6MV, 15MV and 6MVFFF). Dose of four field sizes (6*6cm2, 10*10cm2, 15*15cm2 and 20*20cm2) were calculated and compared with the reference dose exported from Eclipse TPS system. For depth dose curves, the differences are less than 1% of maximum dose after maximum dose depth for most cases. For lateral dose profiles, the differences are less than 2% of central dose at inner-beam regions. The differences of the output factors are within 1% for all the three beams. Conclusion: We have developed an optimization-based commissioning tool for FSPB algorithms to facilitate the commissioning, providing sufficient accuracy of beamlet dose calculation for IMRT optimization.« less

Small field electron beam dosimetry using MOSFET detector.

PubMed

Amin, Md Nurul; Heaton, Robert; Norrlinger, Bern; Islam, Mohammad K

2010-10-04

The dosimetry of very small electron fields can be challenging due to relative shifts in percent depth-dose curves, including the location of dmax, and lack of lateral electronic equilibrium in an ion chamber when placed in the beam. Conventionally a small parallel plate chamber or film is utilized to perform small field electron beam dosimetry. Since modern radiotherapy departments are becoming filmless in favor of electronic imaging, an alternate and readily available clinical dosimeter needs to be explored. We have studied the performance of MOSFET as a relative dosimeter in small field electron beams. The reproducibility, linearity and sensitivity of a high-sensitivity microMOSFET were investigated for clinical electron beams. In addition, the percent depth doses, output factors and profiles have been measured in a water tank with MOSFET and compared with those measured by an ion chamber for a range of field sizes from 1 cm diameter to 10 cm × 10 cm for 6, 12, 16 and 20 MeV beams. Similar comparative measurements were also per-formed with MOSFET and films in solid water phantom. The MOSFET sensitivity was found to be practically constant over the range of field sizes investigated. The dose response was found to be linear and reproducible (within ± 1% for 100 cGy). An excellent agreement was observed among the central axis depth dose curves measured using MOSFET, film and ion chamber. The output factors measured with MOSFET for small fields agreed to within 3% with those measured by film dosimetry. Overall results indicate that MOSFET can be utilized to perform dosimetry for small field electron beam.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aryal, P; Molloy, JA; Rivard, MJ

Purpose: To investigate the effect of plaque design and radionuclides on eye plaque dosimetry. Methods: The Monte Carlo N-particle Code version 6 (MCNP6) was used for radiation transport simulations. The 14 mm and 16 mm diameter COMS plaques and the model EP917 plaque were simulated using brachytherapy seeds containing I-125, Pd-103, and Cs-131 radionuclides. The origin was placed at the scleral inner surface. The central axis (CAX) doses of both COMS plaques at −1 mm, 0 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, and 22.6 mm were compared to the model EP917 plaque. Dosemore » volume histograms (DVHs) were also created for both COMS plaques for the tumor and outer sclera then compared to results for the model EP917 plaque. Results: For all radionuclides, the EP917 plaque delivered higher dose (max 343%) compared to the COMS plaques, except for the 14 mm COMS plaque with Cs-131 at 1 mm and 2 mm depths from outer sclera surface. This could be due to source design. For all radionuclides, the 14 mm COMS plaque delivered higher doses compared to the 16 mm COMS plaque for the depths up to 5 mm. Dose differences were not significant beyond depths of 10 mm due to ocular lateral scatter for the different plaque designs. Tumor DVHs for the 16 mm COMS plaque with Cs-131 provided better dose homogeneity and conformity compared to other COMS plaques with I-125 and Pd-103. Using Pd-103, DVHs for the 16 mm COMS plaque delivered less dose to outer sclera compared to other plaques. Conclusion: This study identified improved tumor homogeneity upon considering radionuclides and plaque designs, and found that scleral dose with the model EP917 plaque was higher than for the 16 mm COMS plaque for all the radionuclides studied.« less

Dosimetric verification of small fields in the lung using lung-equivalent polymer gel and Monte Carlo simulation.

PubMed

Gharehaghaji, Nahideh; Dadgar, Habib Alah

2018-01-01

The main purpose of this study was evaluate a polymer-gel-dosimeter (PGD) for three-dimensional verification of dose distributions in the lung that is called lung-equivalent gel (LEG) and then to compare its result with Monte Carlo (MC) method. In the present study, to achieve a lung density for PGD, gel is beaten until foam is obtained, and then sodium dodecyl sulfate is added as a surfactant to increase the surface tension of the gel. The foam gel was irradiated with 1 cm × 1 cm field size in the 6 MV photon beams of ONCOR SIEMENS LINAC, along the central axis of the gel. The LEG was then scanned on a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner after irradiation using a multiple-spin echo sequence. Least-square fitting the pixel values from 32 consecutive images using a single exponential decay function derived the R2 relaxation rates. Moreover, 6 and 18 MV photon beams of ONCOR SIEMENS LINAC are simulated using MCNPX MC Code. The MC model is used to calculate the depth dose water and low-density water resembling the soft tissue and lung, respectively. Percentages of dose reduction in the lung region relative to homogeneous phantom for 6 MV photon beam were 44.6%, 39%, 13%, and 7% for 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm, 1 cm × 1 cm, 2 cm × 2 cm, and 3 cm × 3 cm fields, respectively. For 18 MV photon beam, the results were found to be 82%, 69%, 46%, and 25.8% for the same field sizes, respectively. Preliminary results show good agreement between depth dose measured with the LEG and the depth dose calculated using MCNP code. Our study showed that the dose reduction with small fields in the lung was very high. Thus, inaccurate prediction of absorbed dose inside the lung and also lung/soft-tissue interfaces with small photon beams may lead to critical consequences for treatment outcome.

SU-D-213-02: Characterization of the Effect of a New Commercial Transmission Detector On Radiotherapy Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheung, J; Morin, O

2015-06-15

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of a new commercial transmission detector on radiotherapy beams of various energies. Methods: A transmission detector designed for online treatment monitoring was characterized on a TrueBeam STx linear accelerator with 6MV, 6FFF, 10MV, and 10FFF beams. Measurements of beam characteristics including percentage depth doses (PDDs), inplane and crossplane off-axis profiles at different depths, transmission factors, and skin dose were acquired at field sizes of 3×3cm, 5×5m, 10×10cm, and 20×20cm at 100cm and 80cm source-to-surface distance (SSD). All measurements were taken with and without the transmission detector in the path of the beam. A CC04 chambermore » was used for all profile and transmission factor measurements. Skin dose was assessed at 100cm, 90cm, and 80cm SSD and using a variety of detectors (Roos and Markus parallel-plate chambers, and OSLD). Results: The PDDs showed small differences between the unperturbed and perturbed beams for both 100cm and 80cm SSD (≤4mm dmax difference and <1.2% average profile difference). The differences were larger for the flattened beams and at larger field sizes. The off-axis profiles showed similar trends. The penumbras looked similar with and without the transmission detector. Comparisons in the central 80% of the profile showed a maximum average (maximum) profile difference between all field sizes of 0.756% (1.535%) and 0.739% (3.682%) for 100cm and 80cm SSD, respectively. The average measured skin dose at 100cm (80cm) SSD for 10×10cm field size was <4% (<35%) dose increase for all energies. For 20×20cm field size, this value increased to <10% (≤45%). Conclusion: The transmission detector has minimal effect on the clinically relevant radiotherapy beams for IMRT and VMAT (field sizes 10×10cm and less). For larger field sizes, some perturbations are observable which would need to be assessed for clinical impact. The authors of this publication has research support from IBA Dosimetry.« less

Evaluation of the dosimetric properties of a diode detector for small field proton radiosurgery.

PubMed

McAuley, Grant A; Teran, Anthony V; Slater, Jerry D; Slater, James M; Wroe, Andrew J

2015-11-08

The small fields and sharp gradients typically encountered in proton radiosurgery require high spatial resolution dosimetric measurements, especially below 1-2 cm diameters. Radiochromic film provides high resolution, but requires postprocessing and special handling. Promising alternatives are diode detectors with small sensitive volumes (SV) that are capable of high resolution and real-time dose acquisition. In this study we evaluated the PTW PR60020 proton dosimetry diode using radiation fields and beam energies relevant to radiosurgery applications. Energies of 127 and 157 MeV (9.7 to 15 cm range) and initial diameters of 8, 10, 12, and 20mm were delivered using single-stage scattering and four modulations (0, 15, 30, and 60mm) to a water tank in our treatment room. Depth dose and beam profile data were compared with PTW Markus N23343 ionization chamber, EBT2 Gafchromic film, and Monte Carlo simulations. Transverse dose profiles were measured using the diode in "edge-on" orientation or EBT2 film. Diode response was linear with respect to dose, uniform with dose rate, and showed an orientation-dependent (i.e., beam parallel to, or perpendicular to, detector axis) response of less than 1%. Diodevs. Markus depth-dose profiles, as well as Markus relative dose ratio vs. simulated dose-weighted average lineal energy plots, suggest that any LET-dependent diode response is negligible from particle entrance up to the very distal portion of the SOBP for the energies tested. Finally, while not possible with the ionization chamber due to partial volume effects, accurate diode depth-dose measurements of 8, 10, and 12 mm diameter beams were obtained compared to Monte Carlo simulations. Because of the small SV that allows measurements without partial volume effects and the capability of submillimeter resolution (in edge-on orientation) that is crucial for small fields and high-dose gradients (e.g., penumbra, distal edge), as well as negligible LET dependence over nearly the full the SOBP, the PTW proton diode proved to be a useful high-resolution, real-time metrology device for small proton field radiation measurements such as would be encountered in radiosurgery applications.

A study on a dental device for the prevention of mucosal dose enhancement caused by backscatter radiation from dental alloy during external beam radiotherapy.

PubMed

Katsura, Kouji; Utsunomiya, Satoru; Abe, Eisuke; Sakai, Hironori; Kushima, Naotaka; Tanabe, Satoshi; Yamada, Takumi; Hayakawa, Takahide; Yamanoi, Yoshihiko; Kimura, Syuhei; Wada, Shinichi; Aoyama, Hidefumi; Hayashi, Takafumi

2016-11-01

The changes in dose distribution caused by backscatter radiation from a common commercial dental alloy (Au-Ag-Pd dental alloy; DA) were investigated to identify the optimal material and thicknesses of a dental device (DD) for effective prevention of mucositis. To this end, 1 cm 3 of DA was irradiated with a 6-MV X-ray beam (100 MU) in a field size of 10 × 10 cm 2 using a Novalis TX linear accelerator. Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, polyolefin elastomer, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were selected as DD materials. The depth dose along the central axis was determined with respect to the presence/absence of DA and DDs at thicknesses of 1-10 mm using a parallel-plate ionization chamber. The dose in the absence of DDs showed the lowest value at a distance of 5 mm from the DA surface and gradually increased with distance between the measurement point and the DA surface for distances of ≥5 mm. Except for PET, no significant difference between the DA dose curves for the presence and absence of DDs was observed. In the dose curve, PET showed a slightly higher dose for DA with DD than for DA without DD for thicknesses of ≥4 mm. The findings herein suggest that the optimal DD material for preventing local dose enhancement of the mucosa caused by DA backscatter radiation should have a relatively low atomic number and physical density and that optimal DD thickness should be chosen considering backscatter radiation and percentage depth dose. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japan Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

González, M. A. Pagnan, E-mail: miguelangel.pagnan@hotmail.com; Mitsoura, E., E-mail: meleni@uaemex.mx; Oviedo, J.O. Hernández

Mycosis fungoides is a cutaneous lymphoma that accounts for 2–3% of all lymphomas. Several clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of TSEBT (Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy) in patients with mycosis fungoides. It is important to develop this technique and make it available to a larger number of patients in Mexico. Because large fields for electron TSEBT are required in order to cover the entire body of the patient, beam characterization at conventional treatment distances is not sufficient and a calibration distance of 500cm or higher is required. Materials and methods: Calibration of radiochromic Gafchromic® EBT2 film (RCF) for electronsmore » was performed in a solid water phantom (Scanditronix Wellhöfer) at a depth of 1.4cm and a Source Axis Distance (SAD) of 100cm. A polynomial fit was applied to the calibration curve, in order to obtain the equation relating dose response with optical density. The spatial distribution is obtained in terms of percentage of the dose, placing 3×3cm samples of RCF on the acrylic screen, which is placed in front of the patient in order to obtain maximum absorbed dose on the skin, covering an area of 200×100cm{sup 2}. The Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) curve was obtained placing RCF samples at depths of 0, 1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9cm in the solid water phantom, irradiated with an ELEKTA SINERGY Linear Accelerator electron beam, with an energy of 6 MeV, at a Source Skin Distance (SSD) of 500cm, with 1000MU = 100Gy, with a cone of 40×40cm and gantry angle of 90°. The RCFs were scanned on a flatbed scanner (EPSON EXPRESSION 10000 XL) and the images were processed with the ImageJ program using a region of interest (ROI) of 1×1cm{sup 2}. Results: The relative spatial dose distribution and the percentage depth dose for a SSD of 500±0.5cm, over an area of 200×100cm{sup 2} was obtained, resulting to an effective maximum dose depth (Z{sub ref}) for electrons of 1.4±0.05cm. Using the same experimental data, horizontal and vertical beam profiles were also graphed, showing a horizontal symmetry of ±035%, horizontal flatness of ±3.62%, vertical symmetry of ±2.1% and vertical flatness of ±14.2%. Conclusions: The electron beam was characterized and the data obtained were useful to determine the spatial dose distribution to a SSD of 500±0.5cm, in an area of 200×100cm{sup 2}. Dose profiles were obtained both horizontally and vertically, thus allowing to assess electron beam symmetry and flatness. PDD analysis up to a depth of 9±0.05cm, has made possible to establish the depth of electron penetration, assuring an only skin irradiation treatment.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lindsay, P. E., E-mail: Patricia.Lindsay@rmp.uhn.on.ca; Granton, P. V.; Hoof, S. van

Purpose: To compare the dosimetric and geometric properties of a commercial x-ray based image-guided small animal irradiation system, installed at three institutions and to establish a complete and broadly accessible commissioning procedure. Methods: The system consists of a 225 kVp x-ray tube with fixed field size collimators ranging from 1 to 44 mm equivalent diameter. The x-ray tube is mounted opposite a flat-panel imaging detector, on a C-arm gantry with 360° coplanar rotation. Each institution performed a full commissioning of their system, including half-value layer, absolute dosimetry, relative dosimetry (profiles, percent depth dose, and relative output factors), and characterization ofmore » the system geometry and mechanical flex of the x-ray tube and detector. Dosimetric measurements were made using Farmer-type ionization chambers, small volume air and liquid ionization chambers, and radiochromic film. The results between the three institutions were compared. Results: At 225 kVp, with 0.3 mm Cu added filtration, the first half value layer ranged from 0.9 to 1.0 mm Cu. The dose-rate in-air for a 40 × 40 mm{sup 2} field size, at a source-to-axis distance of 30 cm, ranged from 3.5 to 3.9 Gy/min between the three institutions. For field sizes between 2.5 mm diameter and 40 × 40 mm{sup 2}, the differences between percent depth dose curves up to depths of 3.5 cm were between 1% and 4% on average, with the maximum difference being 7%. The profiles agreed very well for fields >5 mm diameter. The relative output factors differed by up to 6% for fields larger than 10 mm diameter, but differed by up to 49% for fields ≤5 mm diameter. The mechanical characteristics of the system (source-to-axis and source-to-detector distances) were consistent between all three institutions. There were substantial differences in the flex of each system. Conclusions: With the exception of the half-value layer, and mechanical properties, there were significant differences between the dosimetric and geometric properties of the three systems. This underscores the need for careful commissioning of each individual system for use in radiobiological experiments.« less

SU-E-T-665: Radiochromic Film Quenching Effect Reduction for Proton Beam Dosimetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aldelaijan, S; Alzorkany, F; Moftah, B

2015-06-15

Purpose: Depending on the useful dose range in which radiochromic films operate, number of different radiochromic film models have been designed. The impact of different film models on quenching effect for percent depth dose (PDD) measurements in proton beams has been investigated. Methods: Calibrated PTW Markus ionization chamber was used to measure PDD and beam output for 26.5 MeV protons produced by CS30 cyclotron. An aluminum cylinder was added in front of the beam exit serving as a radiation shutter. The measured signal was normalized to a monitor chamber reading and subsequently scaled by ratio of water-to-air stopping powers atmore » given depth, while the effective depth of measurements was scaled by ratios of material-to-water physical densities and CSDA ranges. Output was measured in water at 2.1 mm reference-depth in the plateau upstream from the Bragg peak. Following the TRS-398 reference dosimetry protocol for proton beams, the output was calibrated in water. Three radiochromic film models (EBT, EBT3 and HD-V2) were calibrated within Lexan phantom positioned at the same water-equivalent depth. Thicknesses of films sensitive layers were 34 µm, 30 µm and 8 µm, respectively. Small film pieces (1 x 2 cm{sup 2}) were positioned within polyethylene phantom along the beam central axis with an angulation of 5° for PDD measurements. Results: While the output of the proton beam was found to be around 7 Gy/sec, the actual value of the output per monitor chamber reading (2.32 Gy/nC) was used for reference-dose irradiations during film calibration. Dose ratios at the Bragg peak relative to the reference-depth were 3.88, 2.52, 2.19, and 2.02 for the Markus chamber, HD-V2, EBT3, and EBT film models, respectively. Conclusion: Results at hand suggest that quenching effect is reduced when a radiochromic film model with smaller sensitive layer thickness is used for PDD measurements in proton beams. David Lewis is the owner of RCF Consulting, LLC.« less

Evaluation of six TPS algorithms in computing entrance and exit doses

PubMed Central

Metwaly, Mohamed; Glegg, Martin; Baggarley, Shaun P.; Elliott, Alex

2014-01-01

Entrance and exit doses are commonly measured in in vivo dosimetry for comparison with expected values, usually generated by the treatment planning system (TPS), to verify accuracy of treatment delivery. This report aims to evaluate the accuracy of six TPS algorithms in computing entrance and exit doses for a 6 MV beam. The algorithms tested were: pencil beam convolution (Eclipse PBC), analytical anisotropic algorithm (Eclipse AAA), AcurosXB (Eclipse AXB), FFT convolution (XiO Convolution), multigrid superposition (XiO Superposition), and Monte Carlo photon (Monaco MC). Measurements with ionization chamber (IC) and diode detector in water phantoms were used as a reference. Comparisons were done in terms of central axis point dose, 1D relative profiles, and 2D absolute gamma analysis. Entrance doses computed by all TPS algorithms agreed to within 2% of the measured values. Exit doses computed by XiO Convolution, XiO Superposition, Eclipse AXB, and Monaco MC agreed with the IC measured doses to within 2%‐3%. Meanwhile, Eclipse PBC and Eclipse AAA computed exit doses were higher than the IC measured doses by up to 5.3% and 4.8%, respectively. Both algorithms assume that full backscatter exists even at the exit level, leading to an overestimation of exit doses. Despite good agreements at the central axis for Eclipse AXB and Monaco MC, 1D relative comparisons showed profiles mismatched at depths beyond 11.5 cm. Overall, the 2D absolute gamma (3%/3 mm) pass rates were better for Monaco MC, while Eclipse AXB failed mostly at the outer 20% of the field area. The findings of this study serve as a useful baseline for the implementation of entrance and exit in vivo dosimetry in clinical departments utilizing any of these six common TPS algorithms for reference comparison. PACS numbers: 87.55.‐x, 87.55.D‐, 87.55.N‐, 87.53.Bn PMID:24892349

Improvements in dose calculation accuracy for small off-axis targets in high dose per fraction tomotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hardcastle, Nicholas; Bayliss, Adam; Wong, Jeannie Hsiu Ding

2012-08-15

Purpose: A recent field safety notice from TomoTherapy detailed the underdosing of small, off-axis targets when receiving high doses per fraction. This is due to angular undersampling in the dose calculation gantry angles. This study evaluates a correction method to reduce the underdosing, to be implemented in the current version (v4.1) of the TomoTherapy treatment planning software. Methods: The correction method, termed 'Super Sampling' involved the tripling of the number of gantry angles from which the dose is calculated during optimization and dose calculation. Radiochromic film was used to measure the dose to small targets at various off-axis distances receivingmore » a minimum of 21 Gy in one fraction. Measurements were also performed for single small targets at the center of the Lucy phantom, using radiochromic film and the dose magnifying glass (DMG). Results: Without super sampling, the peak dose deficit increased from 0% to 18% for a 10 mm target and 0% to 30% for a 5 mm target as off-axis target distances increased from 0 to 16.5 cm. When super sampling was turned on, the dose deficit trend was removed and all peak doses were within 5% of the planned dose. For measurements in the Lucy phantom at 9.7 cm off-axis, the positional and dose magnitude accuracy using super sampling was verified using radiochromic film and the DMG. Conclusions: A correction method implemented in the TomoTherapy treatment planning system which triples the angular sampling of the gantry angles used during optimization and dose calculation removes the underdosing for targets as small as 5 mm diameter, up to 16.5 cm off-axis receiving up to 21 Gy.« less

SU-E-T-01: 2-D Characterization of DLG Among All MLC Leaf Pairs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumaraswamy, L; Xu, Z; Podgorsak, M

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the variation of dosimetric leaf-gap (DLG) along the travel path of each MLC leaf pair. This study evaluates whether the spatial variations in DLG could cause dose differences between TPS-calculated and measured dose. Methods: The 6MV DLG values were measured for all leaf pairs in the direction of leaf motion using a 2-D diode array and 0.6cc ion chamber. These measurements were performed on two Varian Linacs, employing the Millennium 120-leaf MLC and a 2-D-DLG variation map was created via in-house software. Several test plans were created with sweeping MLC fieldsmore » using constant gaps from 2mm to 10mm and corrected for 2-D variation utilizing in-house software. Measurements were performed utilizing the MapCHECK at 5.0cm depth for plans with and without the 2-D DLG correction and compared to the TPS calculated dose via gamma analysis (3%/3mm). Results: The measured DLGs for the middle 40 MLC leaf pairs (0.5cm width) were very similar along the central superior-inferior axis, with maximum variation of 0.2mm. The outer 20 MLC leaf pairs (1.0cm width) have DLG values from 0.32mm (mean) to 0.65mm (maximum) lower than the central leaf-pair, depending on off-axis distance. Gamma pass rates for the 2mm, 4mm, and 6mm sweep plans increased by 23.2%, 28.7%, and 26.0% respectively using the 2-D-DLG correction. The most improved dose points occur in areas modulated by the 1.0cm leaf-pairs. The gamma pass rate for the 10mm sweep plan increased by only 7.7%, indicating that the 2D variation becomes less significant for dynamic plans with larger MLC gaps. Conclusion: Fluences residing significantly off-axis with narrow sweeping gaps may exhibit significant variations from planned dose due to large differences between the true DLG exhibited by the 1.0cm leaf-pairs versus the constant DLG value utilized by the TPS for dose calculation.« less

Mammography dosimetry using an in-house developed polymethyl methacrylate phantom.

PubMed

Sharma, Reena; Sharma, Sunil Dutt; Mayya, Y S; Chourasiya, G

2012-08-01

Phantom-based measurements in mammography are well-established for quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures involving equipment performance and comparisons of X-ray machines. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is among the best suitable materials for simulation of the breast. For carrying out QA/QC exercises in India, a mammographic PMMA phantom with engraved slots for keeping thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLD) has been developed. The radiation transmission property of the developed phantom was compared with the commercially available phantoms for verifying its suitability for mammography dosimetry. The breast entrance exposure (BEE), mean glandular dose (MGD), percentage depth dose (PDD), percentage surface dose distribution (PSDD), calibration testing of automatic exposure control (AEC) and density control function of a mammography machine were measured using this phantom. MGD was derived from the measured BEE following two different methodologies and the results were compared. The PDD and PSDD measurements were carried out using LiF: Mg, Cu, P chips. The in-house phantom was found comparable with the commercially available phantoms. The difference in the MGD values derived using two different methods were found in the range of 17.5-32.6 %. Measured depth ranges in the phantom lie between 0.32 and 0.40 cm for 75 % depth dose, 0.73 and 0.92 cm for 50 % depth dose, and 1.54 and 1.78 cm for 25 % depth dose. Higher PSDD value was observed towards chest wall edge side of the phantom, which is due to the orientation of cathode-anode axis along the chest wall to the nipple direction. Results obtained for AEC configuration testing shows that the observed mean optical density (O.D) of the phantom image was 1.59 and O.D difference for every successive increase in thickness of the phantom was within±0.15 O.D. Under density control function testing, at -2 and -1 density settings, the variation in film image O.D was within±0.15 O.D of the normal density setting '0' and at +2 and +1 density setting, it was observed to be within±0.30 O.D. This study indicates that the locally made PMMA TLD slot phantom can be used to measure various mammography QC parameters which are essentially required for better outcomes in mammography.

Evaluation of lens dose from anterior electron beams: comparison of Pinnacle and Gafchromic EBT3 film.

PubMed

Sonier, Marcus; Wronski, Matt; Yeboah, Collins

2015-03-08

Lens dose is a concern during the treatment of facial lesions with anterior electron beams. Lead shielding is routinely employed to reduce lens dose and minimize late complications. The purpose of this work is twofold: 1) to measure dose pro-files under large-area lead shielding at the lens depth for clinical electron energies via film dosimetry; and 2) to assess the accuracy of the Pinnacle treatment planning system in calculating doses under lead shields. First, to simulate the clinical geometry, EBT3 film and 4 cm wide lead shields were incorporated into a Solid Water phantom. With the lead shield inside the phantom, the film was positioned at a depth of 0.7 cm below the lead, while a variable thickness of solid water, simulating bolus, was placed on top. This geometry was reproduced in Pinnacle to calculate dose profiles using the pencil beam electron algorithm. The measured and calculated dose profiles were normalized to the central-axis dose maximum in a homogeneous phantom with no lead shielding. The resulting measured profiles, functions of bolus thickness and incident electron energy, can be used to estimate the lens dose under various clinical scenarios. These profiles showed a minimum lead margin of 0.5 cm beyond the lens boundary is required to shield the lens to ≤ 10% of the dose maximum. Comparisons with Pinnacle showed a consistent overestimation of dose under the lead shield with discrepancies of ~ 25% occur-ring near the shield edge. This discrepancy was found to increase with electron energy and bolus thickness and decrease with distance from the lead edge. Thus, the Pinnacle electron algorithm is not recommended for estimating lens dose in this situation. The film measurements, however, allow for a reasonable estimate of lens dose from electron beams and for clinicians to assess the lead margin required to reduce the lens dose to an acceptable level.

Characterization of a multi-axis ion chamber array.

PubMed

Simon, Thomas A; Kozelka, Jakub; Simon, William E; Kahler, Darren; Li, Jonathan; Liu, Chihray

2010-11-01

The aim of this work was to characterize a multi-axis ion chamber array (IC PROFILER; Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, FL, USA) that has the potential to simplify the acquisition of LINAC beam data. The IC PROFILER (or panel) measurement response was characterized with respect to radiation beam properties, including dose, dose per pulse, pulse rate frequency (PRF), and energy. Panel properties were also studied, including detector-calibration stability, power-on time, backscatter dependence, and the panel's agreement with water tank measurements [profiles, fractional depth dose (FDD), and output factors]. The panel's relative deviation was typically within (+/-) 1% of an independent (or nominal) response for all properties that were tested. Notable results were (a) a detectable relative field shape change of approximately 1% with linear accelerator PRF changes; (b) a large range in backscatter thickness had a minimal effect on the measured dose distribution (typically less than 1%); (c) the error spread in profile comparison between the panel and scanning water tank (Blue Phantom, CC13; IBA Schwarzenbruck, DE) was approximately (+/-) 0.75%. The ability of the panel to accurately reproduce water tank profiles, FDDs, and output factors is an indication of its abilities as a dosimetry system. The benefits of using the panel versus a scanning water tank are less setup time and less error susceptibility. The same measurements (including device setup and breakdown) for both systems took 180 min with the water tank versus 30 min with the panel. The time-savings increase as the measurement load is increased.

Peripheral dose measurement in high-energy photon radiotherapy with the implementation of MOSFET.

PubMed

Vlachopoulou, Vassiliki; Malatara, Georgia; Delis, Harry; Theodorou, Kiki; Kardamakis, Dimitrios; Panayiotakis, George

2010-11-28

To study the peripheral dose (PD) from high-energy photon beams in radiotherapy using the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) dose verification system. The radiation dose absorbed by the MOSFET detector was calculated taking into account the manufacturer's Correction Factor, the Calibration Factor and the threshold voltage shift. PD measurements were carried out for three different field sizes (5 cm × 5 cm, 10 cm × 10 cm and 15 cm × 15 cm) and for various depths with the source to surface distance set at 100 cm. Dose measurements were realized on the central axis and then at distances (1 to 18 cm) parallel to the edge of the field, and were expressed as the percentage PD (% PD) with respect to the maximum dose (d(max)). The accuracy of the results was evaluated with respect to a calibrated 0.3 cm(3) ionization chamber. The reproducibility was expressed in terms of standard deviation (s) and coefficient of variation. % PD is higher near the phantom surface and drops to a minimum at the depth of d(max), and then tends to become constant with depth. Internal scatter radiation is the predominant source of PD and the depth dependence is determined by the attenuation of the primary photons. Closer to the field edge, where internal scatter from the phantom dominates, the % PD increases with depth because the ratio of the scatter to primary increases with depth. A few centimeters away from the field, where collimator scatter and leakage dominate, the % PD decreases with depth, due to attenuation by the water. The % PD decreases almost exponentially with the increase of distance from the field edge. The decrease of the % PD is more than 60% and can reach up to 90% as the measurement point departs from the edge of the field. For a given distance, the % PD is significantly higher for larger field sizes, due to the increase of the scattering volume. Finally, the measured PD obtained with MOSFET is higher than that obtained with an ionization chamber with percentage differences being from 0.6% to 34.0%. However, when normalized to the central d(max) this difference is less than 1%. The MOSFET system, in the early stage of its life, has a dose measurement reproducibility of within 1.8%, 2.7%, 8.9% and 13.6% for 22.8, 11.3, 3.5 and 1.3 cGy dose assessments, respectively. In the late stage of MOSFET life the corresponding values change to 1.5%, 4.8%, 11.1% and 29.9% for 21.8, 2.9, 1.6 and 1.0 cGy, respectively. Comparative results acquired with the MOSFET and with an ionization chamber show fair agreement, supporting the suitability of this measurement for clinical in vivo dosimetry.

Peripheral dose measurement in high-energy photon radiotherapy with the implementation of MOSFET

PubMed Central

Vlachopoulou, Vassiliki; Malatara, Georgia; Delis, Harry; Theodorou, Kiki; Kardamakis, Dimitrios; Panayiotakis, George

2010-01-01

AIM: To study the peripheral dose (PD) from high-energy photon beams in radiotherapy using the metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) dose verification system. METHODS: The radiation dose absorbed by the MOSFET detector was calculated taking into account the manufacturer’s Correction Factor, the Calibration Factor and the threshold voltage shift. PD measurements were carried out for three different field sizes (5 cm × 5 cm, 10 cm × 10 cm and 15 cm × 15 cm) and for various depths with the source to surface distance set at 100 cm. Dose measurements were realized on the central axis and then at distances (1 to 18 cm) parallel to the edge of the field, and were expressed as the percentage PD (% PD) with respect to the maximum dose (dmax). The accuracy of the results was evaluated with respect to a calibrated 0.3 cm3 ionization chamber. The reproducibility was expressed in terms of standard deviation (s) and coefficient of variation. RESULTS: % PD is higher near the phantom surface and drops to a minimum at the depth of dmax, and then tends to become constant with depth. Internal scatter radiation is the predominant source of PD and the depth dependence is determined by the attenuation of the primary photons. Closer to the field edge, where internal scatter from the phantom dominates, the % PD increases with depth because the ratio of the scatter to primary increases with depth. A few centimeters away from the field, where collimator scatter and leakage dominate, the % PD decreases with depth, due to attenuation by the water. The % PD decreases almost exponentially with the increase of distance from the field edge. The decrease of the % PD is more than 60% and can reach up to 90% as the measurement point departs from the edge of the field. For a given distance, the % PD is significantly higher for larger field sizes, due to the increase of the scattering volume. Finally, the measured PD obtained with MOSFET is higher than that obtained with an ionization chamber with percentage differences being from 0.6% to 34.0%. However, when normalized to the central dmax this difference is less than 1%. The MOSFET system, in the early stage of its life, has a dose measurement reproducibility of within 1.8%, 2.7%, 8.9% and 13.6% for 22.8, 11.3, 3.5 and 1.3 cGy dose assessments, respectively. In the late stage of MOSFET life the corresponding values change to 1.5%, 4.8%, 11.1% and 29.9% for 21.8, 2.9, 1.6 and 1.0 cGy, respectively. CONCLUSION: Comparative results acquired with the MOSFET and with an ionization chamber show fair agreement, supporting the suitability of this measurement for clinical in vivo dosimetry. PMID:21179311

SU-C-213-04: Application of Depth Sensing and 3D-Printing Technique for Total Body Irradiation (TBI) Patient Measurement and Treatment Planning

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, M; Suh, T; Research Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul

2015-06-15

Purpose: To develop and validate an innovative method of using depth sensing cameras and 3D printing techniques for Total Body Irradiation (TBI) treatment planning and compensator fabrication. Methods: A tablet with motion tracking cameras and integrated depth sensing was used to scan a RANDOTM phantom arranged in a TBI treatment booth to detect and store the 3D surface in a point cloud (PC) format. The accuracy of the detected surface was evaluated by comparison to extracted measurements from CT scan images. The thickness, source to surface distance and off-axis distance of the phantom at different body section was measured formore » TBI treatment planning. A 2D map containing a detailed compensator design was calculated to achieve uniform dose distribution throughout the phantom. The compensator was fabricated using a 3D printer, silicone molding and tungsten powder. In vivo dosimetry measurements were performed using optically stimulated luminescent detectors (OSLDs). Results: The whole scan of the anthropomorphic phantom took approximately 30 seconds. The mean error for thickness measurements at each section of phantom compare to CT was 0.44 ± 0.268 cm. These errors resulted in approximately 2% dose error calculation and 0.4 mm tungsten thickness deviation for the compensator design. The accuracy of 3D compensator printing was within 0.2 mm. In vivo measurements for an end-to-end test showed the overall dose difference was within 3%. Conclusion: Motion cameras and depth sensing techniques proved to be an accurate and efficient tool for TBI patient measurement and treatment planning. 3D printing technique improved the efficiency and accuracy of the compensator production and ensured a more accurate treatment delivery.« less

Properties of a commercial PTW-60019 synthetic diamond detector for the dosimetry of small radiotherapy beams.

PubMed

Lárraga-Gutiérrez, José Manuel; Ballesteros-Zebadúa, Paola; Rodríguez-Ponce, Miguel; García-Garduño, Olivia Amanda; de la Cruz, Olga Olinca Galván

2015-01-21

A CVD based radiation detector has recently become commercially available from the manufacturer PTW-Freiburg (Germany). This detector has a sensitive volume of 0.004 mm(3), a nominal sensitivity of 1 nC Gy(-1) and operates at 0 V. Unlike natural diamond based detectors, the CVD diamond detector reports a low dose rate dependence. The dosimetric properties investigated in this work were dose rate, angular dependence and detector sensitivity and linearity. Also, percentage depth dose, off-axis dose profiles and total scatter ratios were measured and compared against equivalent measurements performed with a stereotactic diode. A Monte Carlo simulation was carried out to estimate the CVD small beam correction factors for a 6 MV photon beam. The small beam correction factors were compared with those obtained from stereotactic diode and ionization chambers in the same irradiation conditions The experimental measurements were performed in 6 and 15 MV photon beams with the following square field sizes: 10 × 10, 5 × 5, 4 × 4, 3 × 3, 2 × 2, 1.5 × 1.5, 1 × 1 and 0.5 × 0.5 cm. The CVD detector showed an excellent signal stability (<0.2%) and linearity, negligible dose rate dependence (<0.2%) and lower response angular dependence. The percentage depth dose and off-axis dose profiles measurements were comparable (within 1%) to the measurements performed with ionization chamber and diode in both conventional and small radiotherapy beams. For the 0.5 × 0.5 cm, the measurements performed with the CVD detector showed a partial volume effect for all the dosimetric quantities measured. The Monte Carlo simulation showed that the small beam correction factors were close to unity (within 1.0%) for field sizes ≥1 cm. The synthetic diamond detector had high linearity, low angular and negligible dose rate dependence, and its response was energy independent within 1% for field sizes from 1.0 to 5.0 cm. This work provides new data showing the performance of the CVD detector compared against a high spatial resolution diode. It also presents a comparison of the CVD small beam correction factors with those of diode and ionization chamber for a 6 MV photon beam.

SU-E-T-800: Verification of Acurose XB Dose Calculation Algorithm at Air Cavity-Tissue Interface Using Film Measurement for Small Fields of 6-MV Flattening Filter-Free Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kang, S; Suh, T; Chung, J

2015-06-15

Purpose: To verify the dose accuracy of Acuros XB (AXB) dose calculation algorithm at air-tissue interface using inhomogeneous phantom for 6-MV flattening filter-free (FFF) beams. Methods: An inhomogeneous phantom included air cavity was manufactured for verifying dose accuracy at the air-tissue interface. The phantom was composed with 1 and 3 cm thickness of air cavity. To evaluate the central axis doses (CAD) and dose profiles of the interface, the dose calculations were performed for 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 cm{sup 2} fields of 6 MV FFF beams with AAA and AXB in Eclipse treatment plainning system. Measurements inmore » this region were performed with Gafchromic film. The root mean square errors (RMSE) were analyzed with calculated and measured dose profile. Dose profiles were divided into inner-dose profile (>80%) and penumbra (20% to 80%) region for evaluating RMSE. To quantify the distribution difference, gamma evaluation was used and determined the agreement with 3%/3mm criteria. Results: The percentage differences (%Diffs) between measured and calculated CAD in the interface, AXB shows more agreement than AAA. The %Diffs were increased with increasing the thickness of air cavity size and it is similar for both algorithms. In RMSEs of inner-profile, AXB was more accurate than AAA. The difference was up to 6 times due to overestimation by AAA. RMSEs of penumbra appeared to high difference for increasing the measurement depth. Gamma agreement also presented that the passing rates decreased in penumbra. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the dose calculation with AXB shows more accurate than with AAA for the air-tissue interface. The 2D dose distributions with AXB for both inner-profile and penumbra showed better agreement than with AAA relative to variation of the measurement depths and air cavity sizes.« less

Generation of a novel phase-space-based cylindrical dose kernel for IMRT optimization.

PubMed

Zhong, Hualiang; Chetty, Indrin J

2012-05-01

Improving dose calculation accuracy is crucial in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). We have developed a method for generating a phase-space-based dose kernel for IMRT planning of lung cancer patients. Particle transport in the linear accelerator treatment head of a 21EX, 6 MV photon beam (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) was simulated using the EGSnrc/BEAMnrc code system. The phase space information was recorded under the secondary jaws. Each particle in the phase space file was associated with a beamlet whose index was calculated and saved in the particle's LATCH variable. The DOSXYZnrc code was modified to accumulate the energy deposited by each particle based on its beamlet index. Furthermore, the central axis of each beamlet was calculated from the orientation of all the particles in this beamlet. A cylinder was then defined around the central axis so that only the energy deposited within the cylinder was counted. A look-up table was established for each cylinder during the tallying process. The efficiency and accuracy of the cylindrical beamlet energy deposition approach was evaluated using a treatment plan developed on a simulated lung phantom. Profile and percentage depth doses computed in a water phantom for an open, square field size were within 1.5% of measurements. Dose optimized with the cylindrical dose kernel was found to be within 0.6% of that computed with the nontruncated 3D kernel. The cylindrical truncation reduced optimization time by approximately 80%. A method for generating a phase-space-based dose kernel, using a truncated cylinder for scoring dose, in beamlet-based optimization of lung treatment planning was developed and found to be in good agreement with the standard, nontruncated scoring approach. Compared to previous techniques, our method significantly reduces computational time and memory requirements, which may be useful for Monte-Carlo-based 4D IMRT or IMAT treatment planning.

TU-D-201-05: Validation of Treatment Planning Dose Calculations: Experience Working with MPPG 5.a

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xue, J; Park, J; Kim, L

2016-06-15

Purpose: Newly published medical physics practice guideline (MPPG 5.a.) has set the minimum requirements for commissioning and QA of treatment planning dose calculations. We present our experience in the validation of a commercial treatment planning system based on MPPG 5.a. Methods: In addition to tests traditionally performed to commission a model-based dose calculation algorithm, extensive tests were carried out at short and extended SSDs, various depths, oblique gantry angles and off-axis conditions to verify the robustness and limitations of a dose calculation algorithm. A comparison between measured and calculated dose was performed based on validation tests and evaluation criteria recommendedmore » by MPPG 5.a. An ion chamber was used for the measurement of dose at points of interest, and diodes were used for photon IMRT/VMAT validations. Dose profiles were measured with a three-dimensional scanning system and calculated in the TPS using a virtual water phantom. Results: Calculated and measured absolute dose profiles were compared at each specified SSD and depth for open fields. The disagreement is easily identifiable with the difference curve. Subtle discrepancy has revealed the limitation of the measurement, e.g., a spike at the high dose region and an asymmetrical penumbra observed on the tests with an oblique MLC beam. The excellent results we had (> 98% pass rate on 3%/3mm gamma index) on the end-to-end tests for both IMRT and VMAT are attributed to the quality beam data and the good understanding of the modeling. The limitation of the model and the uncertainty of measurement were considered when comparing the results. Conclusion: The extensive tests recommended by the MPPG encourage us to understand the accuracy and limitations of a dose algorithm as well as the uncertainty of measurement. Our experience has shown how the suggested tests can be performed effectively to validate dose calculation models.« less

Dual ring multilayer ionization chamber and theory-based correction technique for scanning proton therapy.

PubMed

Takayanagi, Taisuke; Nihongi, Hideaki; Nishiuchi, Hideaki; Tadokoro, Masahiro; Ito, Yuki; Nakashima, Chihiro; Fujitaka, Shinichiro; Umezawa, Masumi; Matsuda, Koji; Sakae, Takeji; Terunuma, Toshiyuki

2016-07-01

To develop a multilayer ionization chamber (MLIC) and a correction technique that suppresses differences between the MLIC and water phantom measurements in order to achieve fast and accurate depth dose measurements in pencil beam scanning proton therapy. The authors distinguish between a calibration procedure and an additional correction: 1-the calibration for variations in the air gap thickness and the electrometer gains is addressed without involving measurements in water; 2-the correction is addressed to suppress the difference between depth dose profiles in water and in the MLIC materials due to the nuclear interaction cross sections by a semiempirical model tuned by using measurements in water. In the correction technique, raw MLIC data are obtained for each energy layer and integrated after multiplying them by the correction factor because the correction factor depends on incident energy. The MLIC described here has been designed especially for pencil beam scanning proton therapy. This MLIC is called a dual ring multilayer ionization chamber (DRMLIC). The shape of the electrodes allows the DRMLIC to measure both the percentage depth dose (PDD) and integrated depth dose (IDD) because ionization electrons are collected from inner and outer air gaps independently. IDDs for which the beam energies were 71.6, 120.6, 159, 180.6, and 221.4 MeV were measured and compared with water phantom results. Furthermore, the measured PDDs along the central axis of the proton field with a nominal field size of 10 × 10 cm(2) were compared. The spread out Bragg peak was 20 cm for fields with a range of 30.6 and 3 cm for fields with a range of 6.9 cm. The IDDs measured with the DRMLIC using the correction technique were consistent with those that of the water phantom; except for the beam energy of 71.6 MeV, all of the points satisfied the 1% dose/1 mm distance to agreement criterion of the gamma index. The 71.6 MeV depth dose profile showed slight differences in the shallow region, but 94.5% of the points satisfied the 1%/1 mm criterion. The 90% ranges, defined at the 90% dose position in distal fall off, were in good agreement with those in the water phantom, and the range differences from the water phantom were less than ±0.3 mm. The PDDs measured with the DRMLIC were also consistent with those that of the water phantom; 97% of the points passed the 1%/1 mm criterion. It was demonstrated that the new correction technique suppresses the difference between the depth dose profiles obtained with the MLIC and those obtained from a water phantom, and a DRMLIC enabling fast measurements of both IDD and PDD was developed. The IDDs and PDDs measured with the DRMLIC and using the correction technique were in good agreement with those that of the water phantom, and it was concluded that the correction technique and DRMLIC are useful for depth dose profile measurements in pencil beam scanning proton therapy.

Dual ring multilayer ionization chamber and theory-based correction technique for scanning proton therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takayanagi, Taisuke, E-mail: taisuke.takayanagi.wd

2016-07-15

Purpose: To develop a multilayer ionization chamber (MLIC) and a correction technique that suppresses differences between the MLIC and water phantom measurements in order to achieve fast and accurate depth dose measurements in pencil beam scanning proton therapy. Methods: The authors distinguish between a calibration procedure and an additional correction: 1—the calibration for variations in the air gap thickness and the electrometer gains is addressed without involving measurements in water; 2—the correction is addressed to suppress the difference between depth dose profiles in water and in the MLIC materials due to the nuclear interaction cross sections by a semiempirical modelmore » tuned by using measurements in water. In the correction technique, raw MLIC data are obtained for each energy layer and integrated after multiplying them by the correction factor because the correction factor depends on incident energy. The MLIC described here has been designed especially for pencil beam scanning proton therapy. This MLIC is called a dual ring multilayer ionization chamber (DRMLIC). The shape of the electrodes allows the DRMLIC to measure both the percentage depth dose (PDD) and integrated depth dose (IDD) because ionization electrons are collected from inner and outer air gaps independently. Results: IDDs for which the beam energies were 71.6, 120.6, 159, 180.6, and 221.4 MeV were measured and compared with water phantom results. Furthermore, the measured PDDs along the central axis of the proton field with a nominal field size of 10 × 10 cm{sup 2} were compared. The spread out Bragg peak was 20 cm for fields with a range of 30.6 and 3 cm for fields with a range of 6.9 cm. The IDDs measured with the DRMLIC using the correction technique were consistent with those that of the water phantom; except for the beam energy of 71.6 MeV, all of the points satisfied the 1% dose/1 mm distance to agreement criterion of the gamma index. The 71.6 MeV depth dose profile showed slight differences in the shallow region, but 94.5% of the points satisfied the 1%/1 mm criterion. The 90% ranges, defined at the 90% dose position in distal fall off, were in good agreement with those in the water phantom, and the range differences from the water phantom were less than ±0.3 mm. The PDDs measured with the DRMLIC were also consistent with those that of the water phantom; 97% of the points passed the 1%/1 mm criterion. Conclusions: It was demonstrated that the new correction technique suppresses the difference between the depth dose profiles obtained with the MLIC and those obtained from a water phantom, and a DRMLIC enabling fast measurements of both IDD and PDD was developed. The IDDs and PDDs measured with the DRMLIC and using the correction technique were in good agreement with those that of the water phantom, and it was concluded that the correction technique and DRMLIC are useful for depth dose profile measurements in pencil beam scanning proton therapy.« less

Radiographic film dosimetry of proton beams for depth‐dose constancy check and beam profile measurement

PubMed Central

Teran, Anthony; Ghebremedhin, Abiel; Johnson, Matt; Patyal, Baldev

2015-01-01

Radiographic film dosimetry suffers from its energy dependence in proton dosimetry. This study sought to develop a method of measuring proton beams by the film and to evaluate film response to proton beams for the constancy check of depth dose (DD). It also evaluated the film for profile measurements. To achieve this goal, from DDs measured by film and ion chamber (IC), calibration factors (ratios of dose measured by IC to film responses) as a function of depth in a phantom were obtained. These factors imply variable slopes (with proton energy and depth) of linear characteristic curves that relate film response to dose. We derived a calibration method that enables utilization of the factors for acquisition of dose from film density measured at later dates by adapting to a potentially altered processor condition. To test this model, the characteristic curve was obtained by using EDR2 film and in‐phantom film dosimetry in parallel with a 149.65 MeV proton beam, using the method. An additional validation of the model was performed by concurrent film and IC measurement perpendicular to the beam at various depths. Beam profile measurements by the film were also evaluated at the center of beam modulation. In order to interpret and ascertain the film dosimetry, Monte Carlos simulation of the beam was performed, calculating the proton fluence spectrum along depths and off‐axis distances. By multiplying respective stopping powers to the spectrum, doses to film and water were calculated. The ratio of film dose to water dose was evaluated. Results are as follows. The characteristic curve proved the assumed linearity. The measured DD approached that of IC, but near the end of the spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP), a spurious peak was observed due to the mismatch of distal edge between the calibration and measurement films. The width of SOBP and the proximal edge were both reproducible within a maximum of 5 mm; the distal edge was reproducible within 1 mm. At 5 cm depth, the dose was reproducible within 10%. These large discrepancies were identified to have been contributed by film processor uncertainty across a layer of film and the misalignment of film edge to the frontal phantom surface. The deviations could drop from 5 to 2 mm in SOBP and from 10% to 4.5% at 5 cm depth in a well‐controlled processor condition (i.e., warm up). In addition to the validation of the calibration method done by the DD measurements, the concurrent film and IC measurement independently validated the model by showing the constancy of depth‐dependent calibration factors. For profile measurement, the film showed good agreement with ion chamber measurement. In agreement with the experimental findings, computationally obtained ratio of film dose to water dose assisted understanding of the trend of the film response by revealing relatively large and small variances of the response for DD and beam profile measurements, respectively. Conclusions are as follows. For proton beams, radiographic film proved to offer accurate beam profile measurements. The adaptive calibration method proposed in this study was validated. Using the method, film dosimetry could offer reasonably accurate DD constancy checks, when provided with a well‐controlled processor condition. Although the processor warming up can promote a uniform processing across a single layer of the film, the processing remains as a challenge. PACS number: 87 PMID:26103499

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wunderle, K; Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI; Godley, A

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation is to characterize and quantify X-ray beam profiles for fluoroscopic x-ray beam spectra incorporating spectral (copper) filtration. Methods: A PTW (Freiburg, Germany) type 60016 silicon diode detector and PTW MP3 water tank were used to measure X-ray beam profiles for 60, 80, 100 and 120 kVp x-ray beams at five different copper filtration thicknesses ranging from 0–0.9 mm at 22 and 42 cm fields of view and depths of 1, 5, and 10 cm in both the anode-cathode axis (inplane) and cross-plane directions. All measurements were acquired on a Siemens (Erlangen, Germany) Artis ZeeGomore » fluoroscope inverted from the typical orientation providing an x-ray beam originating from above the water surface with the water level set at 60 cm from the focal spot. Results: X-ray beam profiles for beam spectra without copper filtration compared well to previously published data by Fetterly et al. [Med Phys, 28, 205 (2001)]. Our data collection benefited from the geometric orientation of the fluoroscope, providing a beam perpendicular to the tank water surface, rather than through a thin side wall as did the previously mentioned study. Profiles for beams with copper filtration were obtained which have not been previously investigated and published. Beam profiles in the anode-cathode axis near the surface and at lower x-ray energy exhibited substantial heel effect, which became less pronounced at greater depth. At higher energy with copper filtration in the beam, the dose falloff out-of-field became less pronounced, as would be anticipated given higher scatter photon energy. Conclusion: The x-ray beam profile data for the fluoroscopic x-ray beams incorporating copper filtration are intended for use as reference data for estimating doses to organs or soft tissue, including fetal dose, involving similar beam qualities or for comparison with mathematical models.« less

Depth-resolved birefringence and differential optical axis orientation measurements with fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Guo, Shuguang; Zhang, Jun; Wang, Lei; Nelson, J Stuart; Chen, Zhongping

2004-09-01

Conventional polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can provide depth-resolved Stokes parameter measurements of light reflected from turbid media. A new algorithm that takes into account changes in the optical axis is introduced to provide depth-resolved birefringence and differential optical axis orientation images by use of fiber-based PS-OCT. Quaternion, a convenient mathematical tool, is used to represent an optical element and simplify the algorithm. Experimental results with beef tendon and rabbit tendon and muscle show that this technique has promising potential for imaging the birefringent structure of multiple-layer samples with varying optical axes.

Characterization of a multi-axis ion chamber array

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Simon, Thomas A.; Kozelka, Jakub; Simon, William E.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to characterize a multi-axis ion chamber array (IC PROFILER; Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, FL USA) that has the potential to simplify the acquisition of LINAC beam data. Methods: The IC PROFILER (or panel) measurement response was characterized with respect to radiation beam properties, including dose, dose per pulse, pulse rate frequency (PRF), and energy. Panel properties were also studied, including detector-calibration stability, power-on time, backscatter dependence, and the panel's agreement with water tank measurements [profiles, fractional depth dose (FDD), and output factors]. Results: The panel's relative deviation was typically within ({+-}) 1% ofmore » an independent (or nominal) response for all properties that were tested. Notable results were (a) a detectable relative field shape change of {approx}1% with linear accelerator PRF changes; (b) a large range in backscatter thickness had a minimal effect on the measured dose distribution (typically less than 1%); (c) the error spread in profile comparison between the panel and scanning water tank (Blue Phantom, CC13; IBA Schwarzenbruck, DE) was approximately ({+-}) 0.75%. Conclusions: The ability of the panel to accurately reproduce water tank profiles, FDDs, and output factors is an indication of its abilities as a dosimetry system. The benefits of using the panel versus a scanning water tank are less setup time and less error susceptibility. The same measurements (including device setup and breakdown) for both systems took 180 min with the water tank versus 30 min with the panel. The time-savings increase as the measurement load is increased.« less

Extension of PENELOPE to protons: simulation of nuclear reactions and benchmark with Geant4.

PubMed

Sterpin, E; Sorriaux, J; Vynckier, S

2013-11-01

Describing the implementation of nuclear reactions in the extension of the Monte Carlo code (MC) PENELOPE to protons (PENH) and benchmarking with Geant4. PENH is based on mixed-simulation mechanics for both elastic and inelastic electromagnetic collisions (EM). The adopted differential cross sections for EM elastic collisions are calculated using the eikonal approximation with the Dirac-Hartree-Fock-Slater atomic potential. Cross sections for EM inelastic collisions are computed within the relativistic Born approximation, using the Sternheimer-Liljequist model of the generalized oscillator strength. Nuclear elastic and inelastic collisions were simulated using explicitly the scattering analysis interactive dialin database for (1)H and ICRU 63 data for (12)C, (14)N, (16)O, (31)P, and (40)Ca. Secondary protons, alphas, and deuterons were all simulated as protons, with the energy adapted to ensure consistent range. Prompt gamma emission can also be simulated upon user request. Simulations were performed in a water phantom with nuclear interactions switched off or on and integral depth-dose distributions were compared. Binary-cascade and precompound models were used for Geant4. Initial energies of 100 and 250 MeV were considered. For cases with no nuclear interactions simulated, additional simulations in a water phantom with tight resolution (1 mm in all directions) were performed with FLUKA. Finally, integral depth-dose distributions for a 250 MeV energy were computed with Geant4 and PENH in a homogeneous phantom with, first, ICRU striated muscle and, second, ICRU compact bone. For simulations with EM collisions only, integral depth-dose distributions were within 1%/1 mm for doses higher than 10% of the Bragg-peak dose. For central-axis depth-dose and lateral profiles in a phantom with tight resolution, there are significant deviations between Geant4 and PENH (up to 60%/1 cm for depth-dose distributions). The agreement is much better with FLUKA, with deviations within 3%/3 mm. When nuclear interactions were turned on, agreement (within 6% before the Bragg-peak) between PENH and Geant4 was consistent with uncertainties on nuclear models and cross sections, whatever the material simulated (water, muscle, or bone). A detailed and flexible description of nuclear reactions has been implemented in the PENH extension of PENELOPE to protons, which utilizes a mixed-simulation scheme for both elastic and inelastic EM collisions, analogous to the well-established algorithm for electrons/positrons. PENH is compatible with all current main programs that use PENELOPE as the MC engine. The nuclear model of PENH is realistic enough to give dose distributions in fair agreement with those computed by Geant4.

Poster - 42: TB - ARC: A Total Body photon ARC technique using a commercially available linac

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Evans, Michael D. C.; Ruo, Russell; Patrocinio, Ho

We have developed a total body photon irradiation technique using multiple overlapping open field arcs (TB-ARC). This simple technique uses predetermined arc-weights, with MUs calculated as a function of prescription depth only. Patients lie on a stretcher, in the prone/supine treatment position with AP/PA arcs. This treatment position has many advantages including ease of delivery (especially for tall, pediatric or compromised patients), dose uniformity, simplicity for organ shielding, and imaging capabilities. Using a Varian TrueBeam linac, 14 arcs using 40×40 cm{sup 2} 6 MV open photon beams, sweeping across 10 degrees each, complete a 140 degree arc. The nominal SSDmore » at zero degrees is 200 cm. Arcs at the sweep limits (+/− 70 degrees) are differentially weighted and deliver a dose within 10% of the prescription on central axis, at a depth of 10 cm over a superior-inferior length of 275 cm. CT planning using Varian Eclipse enables dose evaluation. A custom made beam spoiler, consisting of a 2.5 m sheet of polycarbonate (6 mm thick) increases the surface dose from 45% to 90%. This beam spoiler also serves as a support in the event that differential attenuation is required for organs such as lung, heart, liver, kidneys. The geometry of the sweeping beam technique limits organ dose (using varying thicknesses of melting alloy) to about 20% and 40% of prescription at dmax and midplane respectively. Digital imaging with a portable DR cassette enables proper attenuator location prior to treatment.« less

Calibration of EBT2 film by the PDD method with scanner non-uniformity correction.

PubMed

Chang, Liyun; Chui, Chen-Shou; Ding, Hueisch-Jy; Hwang, Ing-Ming; Ho, Sheng-Yow

2012-09-21

The EBT2 film together with a flatbed scanner is a convenient dosimetry QA tool for verification of clinical radiotherapy treatments. However, it suffers from a relatively high degree of uncertainty and a tedious film calibration process for every new lot of films, including cutting the films into several small pieces, exposing with different doses, restoring them back and selecting the proper region of interest (ROI) for each piece for curve fitting. In this work, we present a percentage depth dose (PDD) method that can accurately calibrate the EBT2 film together with the scanner non-uniformity correction and provide an easy way to perform film dosimetry. All films were scanned before and after the irradiation in one of the two homemade 2 mm thick acrylic frames (one portrait and the other landscape), which was located at a fixed position on the scan bed of an Epson 10 000XL scanner. After the pre-irradiated scan, the film was placed parallel to the beam central axis and sandwiched between six polystyrene plates (5 cm thick each), followed by irradiation of a 20 × 20 cm² 6 MV photon beam. Two different beams on times were used on two different films to deliver a dose to the film ranging from 32 to 320 cGy. After the post-irradiated scan, the net optical densities for a total of 235 points on the beam central axis on the films were auto-extracted and compared with the corresponding depth doses that were calculated through the measurement of a 0.6 cc farmer chamber and the related PDD table to perform the curve fitting. The portrait film location was selected for routine calibration, since the central beam axis on the film is parallel to the scanning direction, where non-uniformity correction is not needed (Ferreira et al 2009 Phys. Med. Biol. 54 1073-85). To perform the scanner non-uniformity calibration, the cross-beam profiles of the film were analysed by referencing the measured profiles from a Profiler™. Finally, to verify our method, the films were exposed to 60° physical wedge fields and the compositive fields, and their relative dose profiles were compared with those from the water phantom measurement. The fitting uncertainty was less than 0.5% due to the many calibration points, and the overall calibration uncertainty was within 3% for doses above 50 cGy, when the average of four films were used for the calibration. According to our study, the non-uniformity calibration factor was found to be independent of the given dose for the EBT2 film and the relative dose differences between the profiles measured by the film and the Profiler were within 1.5% after applying the non-uniformity correction. For the verification tests, the relative dose differences between the measurements by films and in the water phantom, when the average of three films were used, were generally within 3% for the 60° wedge fields and compositive fields, respectively. In conclusion, our method is convenient, time-saving and cost-effective, since no film cutting is needed and only two films with two exposures are needed.

Examination of the suitability of an implementation of the Jette localized heterogeneities fluence term L(1)(x,y,z) in an electron beam treatment planning algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodebaugh, Raymond Francis, Jr.

2000-11-01

In this project we applied modifications of the Fermi- Eyges multiple scattering theory to attempt to achieve the goals of a fast, accurate electron dose calculation algorithm. The dose was first calculated for an ``average configuration'' based on the patient's anatomy using a modification of the Hogstrom algorithm. It was split into a measured central axis depth dose component based on the material between the source and the dose calculation point, and an off-axis component based on the physics of multiple coulomb scattering for the average configuration. The former provided the general depth dose characteristics along the beam fan lines, while the latter provided the effects of collimation. The Gaussian localized heterogeneities theory of Jette provided the lateral redistribution of the electron fluence by heterogeneities. Here we terminated Jette's infinite series of fluence redistribution terms after the second term. Experimental comparison data were collected for 1 cm thick x 1 cm diameter air and aluminum pillboxes using the Varian 2100C linear accelerator at Rush-Presbyterian- St. Luke's Medical Center. For an air pillbox, the algorithm results were in reasonable agreement with measured data at both 9 and 20 MeV. For the Aluminum pill box, there were significant discrepancies between the results of this algorithm and experiment. This was particularly apparent for the 9 MeV beam. Of course a one cm thick Aluminum heterogeneity is unlikely to be encountered in a clinical situation; the thickness, linear stopping power, and linear scattering power of Aluminum are all well above what would normally be encountered. We found that the algorithm is highly sensitive to the choice of the average configuration. This is an indication that the series of fluence redistribution terms does not converge fast enough to terminate after the second term. It also makes it difficult to apply the algorithm to cases where there are no a priori means of choosing the best average configuration or where there is a complex geometry containing both lowly and highly scattering heterogeneities. There is some hope of decreasing the sensitivity to the average configuration by including portions of the next term of the localized heterogeneities series.

An analytical dose-averaged LET calculation algorithm considering the off-axis LET enhancement by secondary protons for spot-scanning proton therapy.

PubMed

Hirayama, Shusuke; Matsuura, Taeko; Ueda, Hideaki; Fujii, Yusuke; Fujii, Takaaki; Takao, Seishin; Miyamoto, Naoki; Shimizu, Shinichi; Fujimoto, Rintaro; Umegaki, Kikuo; Shirato, Hiroki

2018-05-22

To evaluate the biological effects of proton beams as part of daily clinical routine, fast and accurate calculation of dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LET d ) is required. In this study, we have developed the analytical LET d calculation method based on the pencil-beam algorithm (PBA) considering the off-axis enhancement by secondary protons. This algorithm (PBA-dLET) was then validated using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) results. In PBA-dLET, LET values were assigned separately for each individual dose kernel based on the PBA. For the dose kernel, we employed a triple Gaussian model which consists of the primary component (protons that undergo the multiple Coulomb scattering) and the halo component (protons that undergo inelastic, nonelastic and elastic nuclear reaction); the primary and halo components were represented by a single Gaussian and the sum of two Gaussian distributions, respectively. Although the previous analytical approaches assumed a constant LET d value for the lateral distribution of a pencil beam, the actual LET d increases away from the beam axis, because there are more scattered and therefore lower energy protons with higher stopping powers. To reflect this LET d behavior, we have assumed that the LETs of primary and halo components can take different values (LET p and LET halo ), which vary only along the depth direction. The values of dual-LET kernels were determined such that the PBA-dLET reproduced the MCS-generated LET d distribution in both small and large fields. These values were generated at intervals of 1 mm in depth for 96 energies from 70.2 to 220 MeV and collected in the look-up table. Finally, we compared the LET d distributions and mean LET d (LET d,mean ) values of targets and organs at risk between PBA-dLET and MCS. Both homogeneous phantom and patient geometries (prostate, liver, and lung cases) were used to validate the present method. In the homogeneous phantom, the LET d profiles obtained by the dual-LET kernels agree well with the MCS results except for the low-dose region in the lateral penumbra, where the actual dose was below 10% of the maximum dose. In the patient geometry, the LET d profiles calculated with the developed method reproduces MCS with the similar accuracy as in the homogeneous phantom. The maximum differences in LET d,mean for each structure between the PBA-dLET and the MCS were 0.06 keV/μm in homogeneous phantoms and 0.08 keV/μm in patient geometries under all tested conditions, respectively. We confirmed that the dual-LET-kernel model well reproduced the MCS, not only in the homogeneous phantom but also in complex patient geometries. The accuracy of the LET d was largely improved from the single-LET-kernel model, especially at the lateral penumbra. The model is expected to be useful, especially for proper recognition of the risk of side effects when the target is next to critical organs. © 2018 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Dosimetric characterization of a microDiamond detector in clinical scanned carbon ion beams.

PubMed

Marinelli, Marco; Prestopino, G; Verona, C; Verona-Rinati, G; Ciocca, M; Mirandola, A; Mairani, A; Raffaele, L; Magro, G

2015-04-01

To investigate for the first time the dosimetric properties of a new commercial synthetic diamond detector (PTW microDiamond) in high-energy scanned clinical carbon ion beams generated by a synchrotron at the CNAO facility. The detector response was evaluated in a water phantom with actively scanned carbon ion beams ranging from 115 to 380 MeV/u (30-250 mm Bragg peak depth in water). Homogeneous square fields of 3 × 3 and 6 × 6 cm(2) were used. Short- and medium-term (2 months) detector response stability, dependence on beam energy as well as ion type (carbon ions and protons), linearity with dose, and directional and dose-rate dependence were investigated. The depth dose curve of a 280 MeV/u carbon ion beam, scanned over a 3 × 3 cm(2) area, was measured with the microDiamond detector and compared to that measured using a PTW Advanced Markus ionization chamber, and also simulated using fluka Monte Carlo code. The detector response in two spread-out-Bragg-peaks (SOBPs), respectively, centered at 9 and 21 cm depths in water and calculated using the treatment planning system (TPS) used at CNAO, was measured. A negligible drift of detector sensitivity within the experimental session was seen, indicating that no detector preirradiation was needed. Short-term response reproducibility around 1% (1 standard deviation) was found. Only 2% maximum variation of microDiamond sensitivity was observed among all the evaluated proton and carbon ion beam energies. The detector response showed a good linear behavior. Detector sensitivity was found to be dose-rate independent, with a variation below 1.3% in the evaluated dose-rate range. A very good agreement between measured and simulated Bragg curves with both microDiamond and Advanced Markus chamber was found, showing a negligible LET dependence of the tested detector. A depth dose curve was also measured by positioning the microDiamond with its main axis oriented orthogonally to the beam direction. A strong distortion in Bragg peak measurement was observed, confirming manufacturer recommendation on avoiding such configuration. Very good results were obtained for SOBP measurements, with a difference below 1% between measured and TPS-calculated doses. The stability of detector sensitivity in the observation period was within the experimental uncertainty. Dosimetric characterization of a PTW microDiamond detector in high-energy scanned carbon ion beams was performed. The results of the present study showed that this detector is suitable for dosimetry of clinical carbon ion beams, with a negligible LET and dose-rate dependence.

Lateral variations of radiobiological properties of therapeutic fields of 1H, 4He, 12C and 16O ions studied with Geant4 and microdosimetric kinetic model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dewey, Sophie; Burigo, Lucas; Pshenichnov, Igor; Mishustin, Igor; Bleicher, Marcus

2017-07-01

As known, in cancer therapy with ion beams the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of ions changes in the course of their propagation in tissues. Such changes are caused not only by increasing the linear energy transfer (LET) of beam particles with the penetration depth towards the Bragg peak, but also by nuclear reactions induced by beam nuclei leading to the production of various secondary particles. Although the changes of RBE along the beam axis have been studied quite well, much less attention has been paid to the evolution of RBE in the transverse direction, perpendicular to the beam axis. In order to fill this gap, we simulated radiation fields of 1H, 4He, 12C and 16O nuclei of 20 mm in diameter by means of a Geant4-based Monte Carlo model for heavy-ion therapy connected with the modified microdosimetric kinetic model to describe the response of normal ((α/β)_x-rays=3.8 Gy) and early-responding ((α/β)_x-rays=10 Gy) tissues. Depth and radial distributions of saturation-corrected dose-mean lineal energy, RBE and RBE-weighted dose are investigated for passive beam shaping and active beam scanning. The field of 4He has a small lateral spread as compared with 1H field, and it is characterised by a modest lateral variation of RBE suggesting the use of fixed RBE values across the field transverse cross section at each depth. Reduced uncertainties of RBE on the boundary of a 4He treatment field can be advantageous in a specific case of an organ at risk located in lateral proximity to the target volume. It is found that the lateral distributions of RBE calculated for 12C and 16O fields demonstrate fast variations in the radial direction due to changes of dose and composition of secondary fragments in the field penumbra. Nevertheless, the radiation fields of all four projectiles at radii larger than 20 mm can be characterized by a common RBE value defined by tissue radiosensitivity. These findings can help, in particular, in accessing the transverse homogeneity of radiation fields of ions used in studies in vitro.

Comparison of Calculations and Measurements of the Off-Axis Radiation Dose (SI) in Liquid Nitrogen as a Function of Radiation Length.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

radiation lengths. The off-axis dose in Silicon was calculated using the electron/photon transport code CYLTRAN and measured using thermal luminescent...various path lengths out to 2 radiation lengths. The cff-axis dose in Silicon was calculated using the electron/photon transport code CYLTRAN and measured... using thermal luminescent dosimeters (TLD’s). Calculations were performed on a CDC-7600 computer at Los Alamos National Laboratory and measurements

Evaluation of lens dose from anterior electron beams: comparison of Pinnacle and Gafchromic EBT3 film

PubMed Central

Wronski, Matt; Yeboah, Collins

2015-01-01

Lens dose is a concern during the treatment of facial lesions with anterior electron beams. Lead shielding is routinely employed to reduce lens dose and minimize late complications. The purpose of this work is twofold: 1) to measure dose profiles under large‐area lead shielding at the lens depth for clinical electron energies via film dosimetry; and 2) to assess the accuracy of the Pinnacle treatment planning system in calculating doses under lead shields. First, to simulate the clinical geometry, EBT3 film and 4 cm wide lead shields were incorporated into a Solid Water phantom. With the lead shield inside the phantom, the film was positioned at a depth of 0.7 cm below the lead, while a variable thickness of solid water, simulating bolus, was placed on top. This geometry was reproduced in Pinnacle to calculate dose profiles using the pencil beam electron algorithm. The measured and calculated dose profiles were normalized to the central‐axis dose maximum in a homogeneous phantom with no lead shielding. The resulting measured profiles, functions of bolus thickness and incident electron energy, can be used to estimate the lens dose under various clinical scenarios. These profiles showed a minimum lead margin of 0.5 cm beyond the lens boundary is required to shield the lens to ≤10% of the dose maximum. Comparisons with Pinnacle showed a consistent overestimation of dose under the lead shield with discrepancies of ∼25% occurring near the shield edge. This discrepancy was found to increase with electron energy and bolus thickness and decrease with distance from the lead edge. Thus, the Pinnacle electron algorithm is not recommended for estimating lens dose in this situation. The film measurements, however, allow for a reasonable estimate of lens dose from electron beams and for clinicians to assess the lead margin required to reduce the lens dose to an acceptable level. PACS number(s): 87.53.Bn, 87.53.Kn, 87.55.‐x, 87.55.D‐ PMID:27074448

Confirmation of skin doses resulting from bolus effect of intervening alpha-cradle and carbon fiber couch in radiotherapy.

PubMed

Chan, Maria F; Chiu-Tsao, Sou-Tung; Li, Jingdong; Schupak, Karen; Parhar, Preeti; Burman, Chandra

2012-12-01

In this study, we verified the treatment planning calculations of skin doses with the incorporation of the bolus effect due to the intervening alpha-cradle (AC) and carbon fiber couch (CFC) using radiochromic EBT2 films. A polystyrene phantom (25 × 25 × 15 cm(3)) with six EBT2 films separated by polystyrene slabs, at depths of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 1.4 cm, was positioned above an AC, which was ~1 cm thick. The phantom and AC assembly were CT scanned and the CT-images were transferred to the treatment planning system (TPS) for calculations in three scenarios: (A) ignoring AC and CFC, (B) accounting for AC only, (C) accounting for both AC and CFC. A single posterior 10 × 10 cm(2) field, a pair of posterior-oblique 10 × 10 cm(2) fields, and a posterior IMRT field (6 MV photons from a Varian Trilogy linac) were planned. For each radiation field configuration, the same MU were used in all three scenarios in the TPS. Each plan for scenario C was delivered to expose a stack of EBT2 films in the phantom through AC and CFC. In addition, in vivo EBT2 film measurement on a lung cancer patient immobilized with AC undergoing IMRT was also included in this study. Point doses and planar distributions generated from the TPS for the three scenarios were compared with the data from the EBT2 film measurements. For all the field arrangements, the EBT2 film data including the in vivo measurement agreed with the doses calculated for scenario (C), within the uncertainty of the EBT2 measurements (~4%). For the single posterior field (a pair of posterior-oblique fields), the TPS generated doses were lower than the EBT2 doses by 34%, 33%, 31%, 13% (34%, 31%, 31%, 11%) for scenario A and by 27%, 25%, 22%, 8% (25%, 21%, 21%, 6%) for scenario B at the depths of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 cm, respectively. For the IMRT field, the 2D dose distributions at each depth calculated in scenario C agree with those measured data. When comparing the central axis doses for the IMRT field, we found the TPS generated doses for scenario A (B) were lower than the EBT2 data by 35%, 34%, 31%, 16% (29%, 26%, 23%, 10%) at the depths of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 cm, respectively. There were no significant differences for the depths of 1.0 and 1.4 cm for all the radiation fields studied. TPS calculation of doses in the skin layers accounting for AC and CFC was verified by EBT2 film data. Ignoring the presence of AC and/or CFC in TPS calculation would significantly underestimate the doses in the skin layers. For the clinicians, as more hypofractionated regimens and stereotactic regimens are being used, this information will be useful to avoid potential serious skin toxicities, and also assist in clinical decisions and report these doses accurately to relevant clinical trials/cooperative groups, such as RTOG.

Poster - Thur Eve - 45: Commissioning of the Varian ECLIPSE eMC algorithm for clinical electron treatment planning.

PubMed

Serban, M; Ruo, R; Sarfehnia, A; Parker, W; Evans, M

2012-07-01

Fast electron Monte Carlo systems have been developed commercially, and implemented for clinical practice in radiation therapy clinics. In this work the Varian eMC (electron Monte Carlo) algorithm was commissioned for clinical electron beams of energies between 6 MeV and 20 MeV. Beam outputs, PDDs and profiles were measured for 29 regular and irregular cutouts using the IC-10 (Wellhöfer) ionization chamber. Detailed percentage depth dose comparisons showed that the agreement between measurement and eMC for different characteristic points on the PDD are generally less than 1 mm and always less than 2 mm, with the eMC calculated values being lower than the measured values. Of the 145 measured output factors, 19 cases fail a ±2% agreement but only 8 cases fail a ±3% agreement between calculation and measurement. Comparison of central axis dose distributions for two electron energies (9, and 20 MeV) for a 10 × 10 cm 2 field, centrally shielded with Pb of width 0 cm (open), 1, 2 and 3 cm, shows agreement to within 3% except near the surface. Comparison of central axis dose distributions for 9 MeV in heterogeneous phantoms including bone and lung inserts showed agreement of 1 mm and 3 mm respectively with measured TLD data. The overall agreement between measurement and eMC calculation has enabled us to begin implementing this calculation model for clinical use. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

MCNPX simulation of proton dose distribution in homogeneous and CT phantoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, C. C.; Lee, Y. J.; Tung, C. J.; Cheng, H. W.; Chao, T. C.

2014-02-01

A dose simulation system was constructed based on the MCNPX Monte Carlo package to simulate proton dose distribution in homogeneous and CT phantoms. Conversion from Hounsfield unit of a patient CT image set to material information necessary for Monte Carlo simulation is based on Schneider's approach. In order to validate this simulation system, inter-comparison of depth dose distributions among those obtained from the MCNPX, GEANT4 and FLUKA codes for a 160 MeV monoenergetic proton beam incident normally on the surface of a homogeneous water phantom was performed. For dose validation within the CT phantom, direct comparison with measurement is infeasible. Instead, this study took the approach to indirectly compare the 50% ranges (R50%) along the central axis by our system to the NIST CSDA ranges for beams with 160 and 115 MeV energies. Comparison result within the homogeneous phantom shows good agreement. Differences of simulated R50% among the three codes are less than 1 mm. For results within the CT phantom, the MCNPX simulated water equivalent Req,50% are compatible with the CSDA water equivalent ranges from the NIST database with differences of 0.7 and 4.1 mm for 160 and 115 MeV beams, respectively.

Dosimetric impact of applicator displacement during high dose rate (HDR) Cobalt-60 brachytherapy for cervical cancer: A planning study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yong, J. S.; Ung, N. M.; Jamalludin, Z.; Malik, R. A.; Wong, J. H. D.; Liew, Y. M.; Ng, K. H.

2016-02-01

We investigated the dosimetric impact of applicator displacement on dose specification during high dose rate (HDR) Cobalt-60 (Co-60) brachytherapy for cervical cancer through a planning study. Eighteen randomly selected HDR full insertion plans were restrospectively studied. The tandem and ovoids were virtually shifted translationally and rotationally in the x-, y- and z-axis directions on the treatment planning system. Doses to reference points and volumes of interest in the plans with shifted applicators were compared with the original plans. The impact of dose displacement on 2D (point-based) and 3D (volume-based) treatment planning techniques was also assessed. A ±2 mm translational y-axis applicator shift and ±4° rotational x-axis applicator shift resulted in dosimetric changes of more than 5% to organs at risk (OAR) reference points. Changes to the maximum doses to 2 cc of the organ (D2cc) in 3D planning were statistically significant and higher than the reference points in 2D planning for both the rectum and bladder (p<0.05). Rectal D2cc was observed to be the most sensitive to applicator displacement among all dose metrics. Applicator displacement that is greater than ±2 mm translational y-axis and ±4° rotational x-axis resulted in significant dose changes to the OAR. Thus, steps must be taken to minimize the possibility of applicator displacement during brachytherapy.

Differential renal effects of candesartan at high and ultra-high doses in diabetic mice–potential role of the ACE2/AT2R/Mas axis

PubMed Central

Callera, Glaucia E.; Antunes, Tayze T.; Correa, Jose W.; Moorman, Danielle; Gutsol, Alexey; He, Ying; Cat, Aurelie Nguyen Dinh; Briones, Ana M.; Montezano, Augusto C.; Burns, Kevin D.; Touyz, Rhian M.

2016-01-01

High doses of Ang II receptor (AT1R) blockers (ARBs) are renoprotective in diabetes. Underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We evaluated whether high/ultra-high doses of candesartan (ARB) up-regulate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R)/Mas receptor [protective axis of the of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS)] in diabetic mice. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), albuminuria and expression/activity of RAS components were assessed in diabetic db/db and control db/+ mice treated with increasing candesartan doses (intermediate, 1 mg/kg/d; high, 5 mg/kg/d; ultra-high, 25 and 75 mg/kg/d; 4 weeks). Lower doses candesartan did not influence SBP, but ultra-high doses reduced SBP in both groups. Plasma glucose and albuminuria were increased in db/db compared with db/+ mice. In diabetic mice treated with intermediate dose candesartan, renal tubular damage and albuminuria were ameliorated and expression of ACE2, AT2R and Mas and activity of ACE2 were increased, effects associated with reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, decreased fibrosis and renal protection. Ultra-high doses did not influence the ACE2/AT2R/Mas axis and promoted renal injury with increased renal ERK1/2 activation and exaggerated fibronectin expression in db/db mice. Our study demonstrates dose-related effects of candesartan in diabetic nephropathy: intermediate–high dose candesartan is renoprotective, whereas ultra-high dose candesartan induces renal damage. Molecular processes associated with these effects involve differential modulation of the ACE2/AT2R/Mas axis: intermediate–high dose candesartan up-regulating RAS protective components and attenuating pro-fibrotic processes, and ultra-high doses having opposite effects. These findings suggest novel mechanisms through the protective RAS axis, whereby candesartan may ameliorate diabetic nephropathy. Our findings also highlight potential injurious renal effects of ultra-high dose candesartan in diabetes. PMID:27612496

SU-D-BRC-01: An Automatic Beam Model Commissioning Method for Monte Carlo Simulations in Pencil-Beam Scanning Proton Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qin, N; Shen, C; Tian, Z

Purpose: Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is typically regarded as the most accurate dose calculation method for proton therapy. Yet for real clinical cases, the overall accuracy also depends on that of the MC beam model. Commissioning a beam model to faithfully represent a real beam requires finely tuning a set of model parameters, which could be tedious given the large number of pencil beams to commmission. This abstract reports an automatic beam-model commissioning method for pencil-beam scanning proton therapy via an optimization approach. Methods: We modeled a real pencil beam with energy and spatial spread following Gaussian distributions. Mean energy,more » and energy and spatial spread are model parameters. To commission against a real beam, we first performed MC simulations to calculate dose distributions of a set of ideal (monoenergetic, zero-size) pencil beams. Dose distribution for a real pencil beam is hence linear superposition of doses for those ideal pencil beams with weights in the Gaussian form. We formulated the commissioning task as an optimization problem, such that the calculated central axis depth dose and lateral profiles at several depths match corresponding measurements. An iterative algorithm combining conjugate gradient method and parameter fitting was employed to solve the optimization problem. We validated our method in simulation studies. Results: We calculated dose distributions for three real pencil beams with nominal energies 83, 147 and 199 MeV using realistic beam parameters. These data were regarded as measurements and used for commission. After commissioning, average difference in energy and beam spread between determined values and ground truth were 4.6% and 0.2%. With the commissioned model, we recomputed dose. Mean dose differences from measurements were 0.64%, 0.20% and 0.25%. Conclusion: The developed automatic MC beam-model commissioning method for pencil-beam scanning proton therapy can determine beam model parameters with satisfactory accuracy.« less

Development of a dual phantom technique for measuring the fast neutron component of dose in boron neutron capture therapy.

PubMed

Sakurai, Yoshinori; Tanaka, Hiroki; Kondo, Natsuko; Kinashi, Yuko; Suzuki, Minoru; Masunaga, Shinichiro; Ono, Koji; Maruhashi, Akira

2015-11-01

Research and development of various accelerator-based irradiation systems for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is underway throughout the world. Many of these systems are nearing or have started clinical trials. Before the start of treatment with BNCT, the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for the fast neutrons (over 10 keV) incident to the irradiation field must be estimated. Measurements of RBE are typically performed by biological experiments with a phantom. Although the dose deposition due to secondary gamma rays is dominant, the relative contributions of thermal neutrons (below 0.5 eV) and fast neutrons are virtually equivalent under typical irradiation conditions in a water and/or acrylic phantom. Uniform contributions to the dose deposited from thermal and fast neutrons are based in part on relatively inaccurate dose information for fast neutrons. This study sought to improve the accuracy in the dose estimation for fast neutrons by using two phantoms made of different materials in which the dose components can be separated according to differences in the interaction cross sections. The development of a "dual phantom technique" for measuring the fast neutron component of dose is reported. One phantom was filled with pure water. The other phantom was filled with a water solution of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) capitalizing on the absorbing characteristics of lithium-6 (Li-6) for thermal neutrons. Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the ideal mixing ratio of Li-6 in LiOH solution. Changes in the depth dose distributions for each respective dose component along the central beam axis were used to assess the LiOH concentration at the 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 wt. % levels. Simulations were also performed with the phantom filled with 10 wt. % 6LiOH solution for 95%-enriched Li-6. A phantom was constructed containing 10 wt. % 6LiOH solution based on the simulation results. Experimental characterization of the depth dose distributions of the neutron and gamma-ray components along the central axis was performed at Heavy Water Neutron Irradiation Facility installed at Kyoto University Reactor using activation foils and thermoluminescent dosimeters, respectively. Simulation results demonstrated that the absorbing effect for thermal neutrons occurred when the LiOH concentration was over 1%. The most effective Li-6 concentration was determined to be enriched 6LiOH with a solubility approaching its upper limit. Experiments confirmed that the thermal neutron flux and secondary gamma-ray dose rate decreased substantially; however, the fast neutron flux and primary gamma-ray dose rate were hardly affected in the 10%-6LiOH phantom. It was confirmed that the dose contribution of fast neutrons is improved from approximately 10% in the pure water phantom to approximately 50% in the 10%-6LiOH phantom. The dual phantom technique using the combination of a pure water phantom and a 10%-6LiOH phantom developed in this work provides an effective method for dose estimation of the fast neutron component in BNCT. Improvement in the accuracy achieved with the proposed technique results in improved RBE estimation for biological experiments and clinical practice.

Monte Carlo study and design of system for implementation of Rotational Total Skin Electron Irradiation technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ansari, M.; Abbasi Davani, F.; Lamehi Rashti, M.; Monadi, Sh.; Emami, H.

2018-05-01

Total skin electron irradiation technique is used in treatment of the mycosis fungoid. The implementation of this technique requires non-standard measurements and complex dosimetry methods. Depending on the linear accelerator (Linac) type, bunker size, room dimensions and dosimetry equipment, the design of instruments for appropriate set up and implementation of TSEI in different radiation therapy centers varies. The studies which have been done in this article provide an introduction to the implementing of this method for the first time in Iran and its results can be used for the centers with similar specifications in the world. This article determined the electron beam characteristic of TSEI for the only electron accelerator, located at the radiation center of the Seyed Alshohada Hospital of Isfahan (NEPTUN 10PC), by performing Monte Carlo simulations and using EGSnrc-based codes (BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc). For the best uniformity of the vertical profile, the optimal angle of gantry was defined at SSD=350 cm. The effect of the degrader plane that is located at a distance of 20 cm from the patient surface, was evaluated on the amount of energy reduction of the beam, the opening of the electron beam field and the homogeneity of the dose distribution. The transversal dose distribution from the whole treatment with Stanford technique (six dual fields) and Rotational technique was simulated in a CT-based anthropomorphic phantom. Also, the percentage depth dose in the head, neck, thorax, abdomen and legs was obtained for both methods. The simulation results show that the 20o angle between the horizontal and the beam central axis is optimal in order to provide the best vertical dose uniformity. The mean energy decreases from 6.1 MeV (the exit window) to 3 MeV (the treatment surface) by placing a degrader with 0.8 cm thickness in front of the treatment plane. FWHM of the angular distribution of the electron beam increased from 15o at SSD=100 cm to more than 30o on the treatment surface by traversing the PMMA degrader. The MC calculated percentage depth dose curves in different organs of anthropomorphic phantom for RTSEI indicates that the depth of maximum dose is on the surface of the phantom and Isodose curve of 80% is formed at a depth less than 4 mm. the results also show, with the degrader plane in front of the patient, the degree of homogeneity of the dose distribution for both Stanford and rotational techniques is the same.

Seismicity of the Earth 1900-2007, Caribbean Plate and Vicinity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Benz, Harley M.; Tarr, Arthur C.; Hayes, Gavin P.; Villaseñor, Antonio; Furlong, Kevin P.; Dart, Richard L.; Rhea, Susan

2010-01-01

The depth profile panels on this map portray earthquakes that extend from the Middle America Trench axis in the west to depths as great as 300 km beneath Guatemala, and from the Lesser Antilles Trench axis in the east to depths of approximately 200 km beneath Guadeloupe and the northeast Caribbean. In contrast, seismicity along the segments of the Caribbean plate margins from Guatemala to Hispaniola and from Trinidad to western Venezuela is indicative of transform fault tectonics.

Influence of tumor location on the intensity-modulated radiation therapy plan of helical tomotherapy.

PubMed

Xu, Yingjie; Yan, Hui; Hu, Zhihui; Ma, Pan; Men, Kuo; Huang, Peng; Ren, Wenting; Dai, Jianrong; Li, Yexiong

2017-01-01

Given the design of the Helical TomoTherapy device, the patient's central axis is routinely aligned with the machine's rotational axis to prevent the patient's body from colliding with the machine walls. However, for treatment of tumors located away from the patient's central axis, this position may not be optimal as the adequate radiation dose may not reach the affected site. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of tumor location on dose quality and delivery efficiency of tomotherapy plans. A phantom and 15 patients were selected for this study. Two plans, A and B, were implemented for each case. In plan A, the patient's central axis was aligned with the machine's rotational axis, whereas in plan B, the center of the planning target volume (PTV) was aligned with the machine's rotational axis. Both plans were optimized with the same planning parameters, and the dose quality of the plans was evaluated using dosimetrics. The delivery efficiency was determined from delivery time and monitor units (MUs). A paired t-test or nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for statistical comparison. In the phantom study, the median delivery times were 358 and 336 seconds for plans A and B, respectively, and this difference was significant (p = 0.005). In the patient study, the median delivery times were 348 and 317 seconds for plans A and B, respectively, and this difference was also significant (p = 0.001). The dose qualities of both plans for each patient were nearly identical. No significant differences were found in the conformal index, heterogeneity index, and mean dose delivered to normal tissue between the plans. Both phantom and patient studies showed that for normal-sized patients, the delivery time reduced as the distance between the PTV and the patient's central axis increased when the PTV center was aligned with the machine axis. In conclusion, aligning the PTV center with the machine's rotational axis by shifting the patient during tomotherapy reduces the delivery time without compromising the dose quality of intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Optimal Employment of a Deep Seaweb Acoustic Network for Submarine Communications at Speed and Depth Using a Defender-Attacker-Defender Model

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

Figure 17. Reliable acoustic paths from a deep source to shallow receivers (From Urick 1983... Urick 1983). ..................................................................28 Figure 19. Computer generated ray diagram of the DSC for a source...near the axis. Reflected rays are omitted (From Urick 1983). .........................................29 Figure 20. Worldwide DSC axis depths in

Effects of atrazine (ATR), deisopropylatrazine (DIA), Diaminochlorotriazine (DACT) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in female rats

EPA Science Inventory

We previously reported that a single dose of the herbicide ATR stimulated the HPA axis in the male rat while equimolar doses of its primary metabolite, DACT, had a minimal effect. In this study, we evaluated the effects of one or four daily doses of ATR, DACT, and an intermediat...

[Prostate radiation therapy: in vivo measurement of the dose delivered by kV-CBCT].

PubMed

Marinello, G; Mege, J-P; Besse, M-C; Kerneur, G; Lagrange, J-L

2009-09-01

To investigate if the regular use of kV-CBCT notably increases the dose delivered to tumor and surrounding healthy tissues. Images were obtained using a Varian equipment (OBI version 1.3, 645 to 650 projections in 370 degrees to acquire image), and patients were irradiated at source-tumor distance: 100cm. In vivo measurements were performed using radio-thermoluminescent dosimeters Harshaw-TLD700H (TLD) at skin (anterior-posterior and lateral axis crossing the rotation axis), with a fourth TLD group under the table thanks to a retrolaser. TLD's were calibrated at the kV-CBCT effective energy (64 keV), and the method validated using an anthropomorphic phantom, in which Gafchromic EBT films were also inserted. The phantom study showed that the dose distribution depends on the phantom position relative to the axis and that the doses measured at the phantom surface using TLD and films (good agreement) were maximum at the entrance of the anterior-posterior axis. Their arithmetic mean was equal, or a slightly greater than doses measured at mid-thickness of the phantom and at the level of the rectum (OAR). In vivo measurements performed on the five first patients (125 kV-CBCT) yield a mean skin dose per kV-CBCT varying from 5.8+/-0.1 to 7.3+/-0.2 cGy on the anterior-posterior axis. Lateral skin doses vary from 3.4+/-0.2 to 4.5+/-0.2 cGy. Doses delivered by repeated kV-CBCT are not negligible. They should be taken into account, but questions about the RBE to be applied to kilovoltage X-rays are raised.

FEM design and simulation of a short, 10 MV, S-band Linac with Monte Carlo dose simulations.

PubMed

Baillie, Devin; St Aubin, J; Fallone, B G; Steciw, S

2015-04-01

Current commercial 10 MV Linac waveguides are 1.5 m. The authors' current 6 MV linear accelerator-magnetic resonance imager (Linac-MR) system fits in typical radiotherapy vaults. To allow 10 MV treatments with the Linac-MR and still fit within typical vaults, the authors design a 10 MV Linac with an accelerator waveguide of the same length (27.5 cm) as current 6 MV Linacs. The first design stage is to design a cavity such that a specific experimental measurement for breakdown is applicable to the cavity. This is accomplished through the use of finite element method (FEM) simulations to match published shunt impedance, Q factor, and ratio of peak to mean-axial electric field strength from an electric breakdown study. A full waveguide is then designed and tuned in FEM simulations based on this cavity design. Electron trajectories are computed through the resulting radio frequency fields, and the waveguide geometry is modified by shifting the first coupling cavity in order to optimize the electron beam properties until the energy spread and mean energy closely match values published for an emulated 10 MV Linac. Finally, Monte Carlo dose simulations are used to compare the resulting photon beam depth dose profile and penumbra with that produced by the emulated 10 MV Linac. The shunt impedance, Q factor, and ratio of peak to mean-axial electric field strength are all matched to within 0.1%. A first coupling cavity shift of 1.45 mm produces an energy spectrum width of 0.347 MeV, very close to the published value for the emulated 10 MV of 0.315 MeV, and a mean energy of 10.53 MeV, nearly identical to the published 10.5 MeV for the emulated 10 MV Linac. The depth dose profile produced by their new Linac is within 1% of that produced by the emulated 10 MV spectrum for all depths greater than 1.5 cm. The penumbra produced is 11% narrower, as measured from 80% to 20% of the central axis dose. The authors have successfully designed and simulated an S-band waveguide of length of 27.5 cm capable of producing a 10 MV photon beam. This waveguide operates well within the breakdown threshold determined for the cavity geometry used. The designed Linac produces depth dose profiles similar to those of the emulated 10 MV Linac (waveguide-length of 1.5 m) but yields a narrower penumbra.

FEM design and simulation of a short, 10 MV, S-band Linac with Monte Carlo dose simulations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baillie, Devin; Aubin, J. St.; Steciw, S., E-mail: ssteciw@ualberta.ca

2015-04-15

Purpose: Current commercial 10 MV Linac waveguides are 1.5 m. The authors’ current 6 MV linear accelerator–magnetic resonance imager (Linac–MR) system fits in typical radiotherapy vaults. To allow 10 MV treatments with the Linac–MR and still fit within typical vaults, the authors design a 10 MV Linac with an accelerator waveguide of the same length (27.5 cm) as current 6 MV Linacs. Methods: The first design stage is to design a cavity such that a specific experimental measurement for breakdown is applicable to the cavity. This is accomplished through the use of finite element method (FEM) simulations to match publishedmore » shunt impedance, Q factor, and ratio of peak to mean-axial electric field strength from an electric breakdown study. A full waveguide is then designed and tuned in FEM simulations based on this cavity design. Electron trajectories are computed through the resulting radio frequency fields, and the waveguide geometry is modified by shifting the first coupling cavity in order to optimize the electron beam properties until the energy spread and mean energy closely match values published for an emulated 10 MV Linac. Finally, Monte Carlo dose simulations are used to compare the resulting photon beam depth dose profile and penumbra with that produced by the emulated 10 MV Linac. Results: The shunt impedance, Q factor, and ratio of peak to mean-axial electric field strength are all matched to within 0.1%. A first coupling cavity shift of 1.45 mm produces an energy spectrum width of 0.347 MeV, very close to the published value for the emulated 10 MV of 0.315 MeV, and a mean energy of 10.53 MeV, nearly identical to the published 10.5 MeV for the emulated 10 MV Linac. The depth dose profile produced by their new Linac is within 1% of that produced by the emulated 10 MV spectrum for all depths greater than 1.5 cm. The penumbra produced is 11% narrower, as measured from 80% to 20% of the central axis dose. Conclusions: The authors have successfully designed and simulated an S-band waveguide of length of 27.5 cm capable of producing a 10 MV photon beam. This waveguide operates well within the breakdown threshold determined for the cavity geometry used. The designed Linac produces depth dose profiles similar to those of the emulated 10 MV Linac (waveguide-length of 1.5 m) but yields a narrower penumbra.« less

SU-F-T-147: An Alternative Parameterization of Scatter Behavior Allows Significant Reduction of Beam Characterization for Pencil Beam Proton Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Van den Heuvel, F; Fiorini, F; George, B

2016-06-15

Purpose: 1) To describe the characteristics of pencil beam proton dose deposition kernels in a homogenous medium using a novel parameterization. 2) To propose a method utilizing this novel parametrization to reduce the measurements and pre-computation required in commissioning a pencil beam proton therapy system. Methods: Using beam data from a clinical, pencil beam proton therapy center, Monte Carlo simulations were performed to characterize the dose depositions at a range of energies from 100.32 to 226.08 MeV in 3.6MeV steps. At each energy, the beam is defined at the surface of the phantom by a two-dimensional Normal distribution. Using FLUKA,more » the in-medium dose distribution is calculated in 200×200×350 mm cube with 1 mm{sup 3} tally volumes. The calculated dose distribution in each 200×200 slice perpendicular to the beam axis is then characterized using a symmetric alpha-stable distribution centered on the beam axis. This results in two parameters, α and γ, that completely describe shape of the distribution. In addition, the total dose deposited on each slice is calculated. The alpha-stable parameters are plotted as function of the depth in-medium, providing a representation of dose deposition along the pencil beam. We observed that these graphs are isometric through a scaling of both abscissa and ordinate map the curves. Results: Using interpolation of the scaling factors of two source curves representative of different beam energies, we predicted the parameters of a third curve at an intermediate energy. The errors are quantified by the maximal difference and provide a fit better than previous methods. The maximal energy difference between the source curves generating identical curves was 21.14MeV. Conclusion: We have introduced a novel method to parameterize the in-phantom properties of pencil beam proton dose depositions. For the case of the Knoxville IBA system, no more than nine pencil beams have to be fully characterized.« less

Quality correction factors of composite IMRT beam deliveries: theoretical considerations.

PubMed

Bouchard, Hugo

2012-11-01

In the scope of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry using ionization chambers, quality correction factors of plan-class-specific reference (PCSR) fields are theoretically investigated. The symmetry of the problem is studied to provide recommendable criteria for composite beam deliveries where correction factors are minimal and also to establish a theoretical limit for PCSR delivery k(Q) factors. The concept of virtual symmetric collapsed (VSC) beam, being associated to a given modulated composite delivery, is defined in the scope of this investigation. Under symmetrical measurement conditions, any composite delivery has the property of having a k(Q) factor identical to its associated VSC beam. Using this concept of VSC, a fundamental property of IMRT k(Q) factors is demonstrated in the form of a theorem. The sensitivity to the conditions required by the theorem is thoroughly examined. The theorem states that if a composite modulated beam delivery produces a uniform dose distribution in a volume V(cyl) which is symmetric with the cylindrical delivery and all beams fulfills two conditions in V(cyl): (1) the dose modulation function is unchanged along the beam axis, and (2) the dose gradient in the beam direction is constant for a given lateral position; then its associated VSC beam produces no lateral dose gradient in V(cyl), no matter what beam modulation or gantry angles are being used. The examination of the conditions required by the theorem lead to the following results. The effect of the depth-dose gradient not being perfectly constant with depth on the VSC beam lateral dose gradient is found negligible. The effect of the dose modulation function being degraded with depth on the VSC beam lateral dose gradient is found to be only related to scatter and beam hardening, as the theorem holds also for diverging beams. The use of the symmetry of the problem in the present paper leads to a valuable theorem showing that k(Q) factors of composite IMRT beam deliveries are close to unity under specific conditions. The theoretical limit k(Q(pcsr),Q(msr) ) (f(pcsr),f(msr) )=1 is determined based on the property of PCSR deliveries to provide a uniform dose in the target volume. The present approach explains recent experimental observations and proposes ideal conditions for IMRT reference dosimetry. The result of this study could potentially serve as a theoretical basis for reference dosimetry of composite IMRT beam deliveries or for routine IMRT quality assurance.

Real-time simulator for designing electron dual scattering foil systems.

PubMed

Carver, Robert L; Hogstrom, Kenneth R; Price, Michael J; LeBlanc, Justin D; Pitcher, Garrett M

2014-11-08

The purpose of this work was to develop a user friendly, accurate, real-time com- puter simulator to facilitate the design of dual foil scattering systems for electron beams on radiotherapy accelerators. The simulator allows for a relatively quick, initial design that can be refined and verified with subsequent Monte Carlo (MC) calculations and measurements. The simulator also is a powerful educational tool. The simulator consists of an analytical algorithm for calculating electron fluence and X-ray dose and a graphical user interface (GUI) C++ program. The algorithm predicts electron fluence using Fermi-Eyges multiple Coulomb scattering theory with the reduced Gaussian formalism for scattering powers. The simulator also estimates central-axis and off-axis X-ray dose arising from the dual foil system. Once the geometry of the accelerator is specified, the simulator allows the user to continuously vary primary scattering foil material and thickness, secondary scat- tering foil material and Gaussian shape (thickness and sigma), and beam energy. The off-axis electron relative fluence or total dose profile and central-axis X-ray dose contamination are computed and displayed in real time. The simulator was validated by comparison of off-axis electron relative fluence and X-ray percent dose profiles with those calculated using EGSnrc MC. Over the energy range 7-20 MeV, using present foils on an Elekta radiotherapy accelerator, the simulator was able to reproduce MC profiles to within 2% out to 20 cm from the central axis. The central-axis X-ray percent dose predictions matched measured data to within 0.5%. The calculation time was approximately 100 ms using a single Intel 2.93 GHz processor, which allows for real-time variation of foil geometrical parameters using slider bars. This work demonstrates how the user-friendly GUI and real-time nature of the simulator make it an effective educational tool for gaining a better understanding of the effects that various system parameters have on a relative dose profile. This work also demonstrates a method for using the simulator as a design tool for creating custom dual scattering foil systems in the clinical range of beam energies (6-20 MeV). 

Development of a dual phantom technique for measuring the fast neutron component of dose in boron neutron capture therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sakurai, Yoshinori, E-mail: yosakura@rri.kyoto-u.ac.jp; Tanaka, Hiroki; Kondo, Natsuko

2015-11-15

Purpose: Research and development of various accelerator-based irradiation systems for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is underway throughout the world. Many of these systems are nearing or have started clinical trials. Before the start of treatment with BNCT, the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for the fast neutrons (over 10 keV) incident to the irradiation field must be estimated. Measurements of RBE are typically performed by biological experiments with a phantom. Although the dose deposition due to secondary gamma rays is dominant, the relative contributions of thermal neutrons (below 0.5 eV) and fast neutrons are virtually equivalent under typical irradiation conditionsmore » in a water and/or acrylic phantom. Uniform contributions to the dose deposited from thermal and fast neutrons are based in part on relatively inaccurate dose information for fast neutrons. This study sought to improve the accuracy in the dose estimation for fast neutrons by using two phantoms made of different materials in which the dose components can be separated according to differences in the interaction cross sections. The development of a “dual phantom technique” for measuring the fast neutron component of dose is reported. Methods: One phantom was filled with pure water. The other phantom was filled with a water solution of lithium hydroxide (LiOH) capitalizing on the absorbing characteristics of lithium-6 (Li-6) for thermal neutrons. Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the ideal mixing ratio of Li-6 in LiOH solution. Changes in the depth dose distributions for each respective dose component along the central beam axis were used to assess the LiOH concentration at the 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 wt. % levels. Simulations were also performed with the phantom filled with 10 wt. % {sup 6}LiOH solution for 95%-enriched Li-6. A phantom was constructed containing 10 wt. % {sup 6}LiOH solution based on the simulation results. Experimental characterization of the depth dose distributions of the neutron and gamma-ray components along the central axis was performed at Heavy Water Neutron Irradiation Facility installed at Kyoto University Reactor using activation foils and thermoluminescent dosimeters, respectively. Results: Simulation results demonstrated that the absorbing effect for thermal neutrons occurred when the LiOH concentration was over 1%. The most effective Li-6 concentration was determined to be enriched {sup 6}LiOH with a solubility approaching its upper limit. Experiments confirmed that the thermal neutron flux and secondary gamma-ray dose rate decreased substantially; however, the fast neutron flux and primary gamma-ray dose rate were hardly affected in the 10%-{sup 6}LiOH phantom. It was confirmed that the dose contribution of fast neutrons is improved from approximately 10% in the pure water phantom to approximately 50% in the 10%-{sup 6}LiOH phantom. Conclusions: The dual phantom technique using the combination of a pure water phantom and a 10%-{sup 6}LiOH phantom developed in this work provides an effective method for dose estimation of the fast neutron component in BNCT. Improvement in the accuracy achieved with the proposed technique results in improved RBE estimation for biological experiments and clinical practice.« less

An analytical method to calculate equivalent fields to irregular symmetric and asymmetric photon fields.

PubMed

Tahmasebi Birgani, Mohamad J; Chegeni, Nahid; Zabihzadeh, Mansoor; Hamzian, Nima

2014-01-01

Equivalent field is frequently used for central axis depth-dose calculations of rectangular- and irregular-shaped photon beams. As most of the proposed models to calculate the equivalent square field are dosimetry based, a simple physical-based method to calculate the equivalent square field size was used as the basis of this study. The table of the sides of the equivalent square or rectangular fields was constructed and then compared with the well-known tables by BJR and Venselaar, et al. with the average relative error percentage of 2.5 ± 2.5% and 1.5 ± 1.5%, respectively. To evaluate the accuracy of this method, the percentage depth doses (PDDs) were measured for some special irregular symmetric and asymmetric treatment fields and their equivalent squares for Siemens Primus Plus linear accelerator for both energies, 6 and 18MV. The mean relative differences of PDDs measurement for these fields and their equivalent square was approximately 1% or less. As a result, this method can be employed to calculate equivalent field not only for rectangular fields but also for any irregular symmetric or asymmetric field. © 2013 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists Published by American Association of Medical Dosimetrists All rights reserved.

Application of the Exradin W1 scintillator to determine Ediode 60017 and microDiamond 60019 correction factors for relative dosimetry within small MV and FFF fields.

PubMed

Underwood, T S A; Rowland, B C; Ferrand, R; Vieillevigne, L

2015-09-07

In this work we use EBT3 film measurements at 10 MV to demonstrate the suitability of the Exradin W1 (plastic scintillator) for relative dosimetry within small photon fields. We then use the Exradin W1 to measure the small field correction factors required by two other detectors: the PTW unshielded Ediode 60017 and the PTW microDiamond 60019. We consider on-axis correction-factors for small fields collimated using MLCs for four different TrueBeam energies: 6 FFF, 6 MV, 10 FFF and 10 MV. We also investigate percentage depth dose and lateral profile perturbations. In addition to high-density effects from its silicon sensitive region, the Ediode exhibited a dose-rate dependence and its known over-response to low energy scatter was found to be greater for 6 FFF than 6 MV. For clinical centres without access to a W1 scintillator, we recommend the microDiamond over the Ediode and suggest that 'limits of usability', field sizes below which a detector introduces unacceptable errors, can form a practical alternative to small-field correction factors. For a dosimetric tolerance of 2% on-axis, the microDiamond might be utilised down to 10 mm and 15 mm field sizes for 6 MV and 10 MV, respectively.

Calibration of EBT2 film using a red-channel PDD method in combination with a modified three-channel technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang, Liyun, E-mail: liyunc@isu.edu.tw; Ho, Sheng-Yow; Lee, Tsair-Fwu

Purpose: Ashland Inc. EBT2 and EBT3 films are widely used in quality assurance for radiation therapy; however, there remains a relatively high degree of uncertainty [B. Hartmann, M. Martisikova, and O. Jakel, “Homogeneity of Gafchromic EBT2 film,” Med. Phys. 37, 1753–1756 (2010)]. Micke et al. (2011) recently improved the spatial homogeneity using all color channels of a flatbed scanner; however, van Hoof et al. (2012) pointed out that the corrected nonuniformity still requires further investigation for larger fields. To reduce the calibration errors and the uncertainty, the authors propose a new red-channel percentage-depth-dose method in combination with a modified three-channelmore » technique. Methods: For the ease of comparison, the EBT2 film image used in the authors’ previous study (2012) was reanalyzed using different approaches. Photon beams of 6-MV were delivered to two different films at two different beam on times, resulting in the absorption doses of ranging from approximately 30 to 300 cGy at the vertical midline of the film, which was set to be coincident with the central axis of the beam. The film was tightly sandwiched in a 30{sup 3}-cm{sup 3} polystyrene phantom, and the pixel values for red, green, and blue channels were extracted from 234 points on the central axis of the beam and compared with the corresponding depth doses. The film was first calibrated using the multichannel method proposed by Micke et al. (2010), accounting for nonuniformities in the scanner. After eliminating the scanner and dose-independent nonuniformities, the film was recalibrated via the dose-dependent optical density of the red channel and fitted to a power function. This calibration was verified via comparisons of the dose profiles extracted from the films, where three were exposed to a 60° physical wedge field and three were exposed to composite fields, and all of which were measured in a water phantom. A correction for optical attenuation was implemented, and treatment plans of intensity modulated radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy were evaluated. Results: The method described here demonstrated improved accuracy with reduced uncertainty. The relative error compared with the measurements of a water phantom was less than 1%, and the overall calibration uncertainty was less than 2%. Verification tests revealed that the results were close to those of the authors’ previous study, and all differences were within 3%, except those with a high-dose gradient. The gamma pass rates (2%/2 mm) of the treatment plan evaluated using the method described here were greater than 99%, and no obvious stripe patterns were observed in the dose-difference maps. Conclusions: Spatial homogeneity was significantly improved via the calibration method described here. This technique is both convenient and time-efficient because it does not require cutting the film, and only two exposures are necessary.« less

Calibration of EBT2 film using a red-channel PDD method in combination with a modified three-channel technique.

PubMed

Chang, Liyun; Ho, Sheng-Yow; Lee, Tsair-Fwu; Yeh, Shyh-An; Ding, Hueisch-Jy; Chen, Pang-Yu

2015-10-01

Ashland Inc. EBT2 and EBT3 films are widely used in quality assurance for radiation therapy; however, there remains a relatively high degree of uncertainty [B. Hartmann, M. Martisikova, and O. Jakel, "Homogeneity of Gafchromic EBT2 film," Med. Phys. 37, 1753-1756 (2010)]. Micke et al. (2011) recently improved the spatial homogeneity using all color channels of a flatbed scanner; however, van Hoof et al. (2012) pointed out that the corrected nonuniformity still requires further investigation for larger fields. To reduce the calibration errors and the uncertainty, the authors propose a new red-channel percentage-depth-dose method in combination with a modified three-channel technique. For the ease of comparison, the EBT2 film image used in the authors' previous study (2012) was reanalyzed using different approaches. Photon beams of 6-MV were delivered to two different films at two different beam on times, resulting in the absorption doses of ranging from approximately 30 to 300 cGy at the vertical midline of the film, which was set to be coincident with the central axis of the beam. The film was tightly sandwiched in a 30(3)-cm(3) polystyrene phantom, and the pixel values for red, green, and blue channels were extracted from 234 points on the central axis of the beam and compared with the corresponding depth doses. The film was first calibrated using the multichannel method proposed by Micke et al. (2010), accounting for nonuniformities in the scanner. After eliminating the scanner and dose-independent nonuniformities, the film was recalibrated via the dose-dependent optical density of the red channel and fitted to a power function. This calibration was verified via comparisons of the dose profiles extracted from the films, where three were exposed to a 60° physical wedge field and three were exposed to composite fields, and all of which were measured in a water phantom. A correction for optical attenuation was implemented, and treatment plans of intensity modulated radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy were evaluated. The method described here demonstrated improved accuracy with reduced uncertainty. The relative error compared with the measurements of a water phantom was less than 1%, and the overall calibration uncertainty was less than 2%. Verification tests revealed that the results were close to those of the authors' previous study, and all differences were within 3%, except those with a high-dose gradient. The gamma pass rates (2%/2 mm) of the treatment plan evaluated using the method described here were greater than 99%, and no obvious stripe patterns were observed in the dose-difference maps. Spatial homogeneity was significantly improved via the calibration method described here. This technique is both convenient and time-efficient because it does not require cutting the film, and only two exposures are necessary.

Comparison of calculations and measurements of the off-axis radiation dose (SI) in liquid nitrogen as a function of radiation length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cromar, P. F.

1984-12-01

In this thesis results are presented from a study of the off-axis X and Gamma radiation field caused by a highly relativistic electron beam in liquid Nitrogen at various path lengths out to 2 radiation lengths. The off-axis dose in Silicon was calculated using electron/photon transport code CYLTRAN and measured using thermal luminescent dosimeters (TLD's). Calculations were performed on a CDC-7600 computer ar Los Alamos National Laboratory and measurements were made using the Naval Postgraduate School 100 Mev Linac. Comparison of the results is made and CYLTRAN is found to be in agreement with experimentally measured values. The CYLTRAN results are extended to the off-axis dose caused by a 100 Mev electron beam in air at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP).

Validation of a Monte Carlo model used for simulating tube current modulation in computed tomography over a wide range of phantom conditions/challenges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bostani, Maryam, E-mail: mbostani@mednet.ucla.edu; McMillan, Kyle; Cagnon, Chris H.

2014-11-01

Purpose: Monte Carlo (MC) simulation methods have been widely used in patient dosimetry in computed tomography (CT), including estimating patient organ doses. However, most simulation methods have undergone a limited set of validations, often using homogeneous phantoms with simple geometries. As clinical scanning has become more complex and the use of tube current modulation (TCM) has become pervasive in the clinic, MC simulations should include these techniques in their methodologies and therefore should also be validated using a variety of phantoms with different shapes and material compositions to result in a variety of differently modulated tube current profiles. The purposemore » of this work is to perform the measurements and simulations to validate a Monte Carlo model under a variety of test conditions where fixed tube current (FTC) and TCM were used. Methods: A previously developed MC model for estimating dose from CT scans that models TCM, built using the platform of MCNPX, was used for CT dose quantification. In order to validate the suitability of this model to accurately simulate patient dose from FTC and TCM CT scan, measurements and simulations were compared over a wide range of conditions. Phantoms used for testing range from simple geometries with homogeneous composition (16 and 32 cm computed tomography dose index phantoms) to more complex phantoms including a rectangular homogeneous water equivalent phantom, an elliptical shaped phantom with three sections (where each section was a homogeneous, but different material), and a heterogeneous, complex geometry anthropomorphic phantom. Each phantom requires varying levels of x-, y- and z-modulation. Each phantom was scanned on a multidetector row CT (Sensation 64) scanner under the conditions of both FTC and TCM. Dose measurements were made at various surface and depth positions within each phantom. Simulations using each phantom were performed for FTC, detailed x–y–z TCM, and z-axis-only TCM to obtain dose estimates. This allowed direct comparisons between measured and simulated dose values under each condition of phantom, location, and scan to be made. Results: For FTC scans, the percent root mean square (RMS) difference between measurements and simulations was within 5% across all phantoms. For TCM scans, the percent RMS of the difference between measured and simulated values when using detailed TCM and z-axis-only TCM simulations was 4.5% and 13.2%, respectively. For the anthropomorphic phantom, the difference between TCM measurements and detailed TCM and z-axis-only TCM simulations was 1.2% and 8.9%, respectively. For FTC measurements and simulations, the percent RMS of the difference was 5.0%. Conclusions: This work demonstrated that the Monte Carlo model developed provided good agreement between measured and simulated values under both simple and complex geometries including an anthropomorphic phantom. This work also showed the increased dose differences for z-axis-only TCM simulations, where considerable modulation in the x–y plane was present due to the shape of the rectangular water phantom. Results from this investigation highlight details that need to be included in Monte Carlo simulations of TCM CT scans in order to yield accurate, clinically viable assessments of patient dosimetry.« less

SU-E-T-344: Dynamic Electron Beam Therapy Using Multiple Apertures in a Single Cut-Out

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rodrigues, A; Yin, F; Wu, Q

2015-06-15

Purpose: Few leaf electron collimators (FLEC) or electron MLCs (eMLC) are highly desirable for dynamic electron beam therapies as they produce multiple apertures within a single delivery to achieve conformal dose distributions. However, their clinical implementation has been challenging. Alternatively, multiple small apertures in a single cut-out with variable jaw sizes could be utilized in a single dynamic delivery. In this study, we investigate dosimetric characteristics of such arrangement. Methods: Monte Carlo (EGSnrc/BEAMnrc/DOSXYnrc) simulations utilized validated Varian TrueBeam phase spaces. Investigated quantities included: Energy (6 MeV), jaw size (1×1 to 22×22 cm {sup 2}; centered to aperture), applicator/cut-out (15×15 cm{supmore » 2}), aperture (1×1, 2×2, 3×3, 4×4 cm{sup 2}), and aperture placement (on/off central axis). Three configurations were assessed: (1) single aperture on-axis, (2) single aperture off-axis, and (3) multiple apertures. Reference was configuration (1) with standard jaw size. Aperture placement and jaw size were optimized to maintain reference dosimetry and minimize leakage through unused apertures to <5%. Comparison metrics included depth dose and orthogonal profiles. Results: Configuration (1) and (2): Jaw openings were reduced to 10×10 cm{sup 2} without affecting dosimetry (gamma 2%/1mm) regardless of on- or off-axis placement. For smaller jaw sizes, reduced surface (<2%, 5% for 1×1 cm{sup 2} aperture) and increased Bremsstrahlung (<2%, 10% for 1×1 cm{sup 2} aperture) dose was observed. Configuration (3): Optimal aperture placement was in the corners (order: 1×1, 4×4, 2×2, 3×3 cm{sup 2}) and jaw sizes were 4×4, 4×4, 7×7, and 5×5 cm{sup 2} (apertures: 1×1, 2×2, 3×3, 4×4 cm{sup 2} ). Asymmetric leakage was found from upper and lower jaws. Leakage was generally within 5% with a maximum of 10% observed for the 1×1 cm{sup 2} aperture irradiation. Conclusion: Multiple apertures in a single cut-out with variable jaw size can be used in a single dynamic delivery, providing a practical alternative to FLEC or eMLC. Future simulations will expand on all variables.« less

Photogrammetry experiments with a model eye.

PubMed Central

Rosenthal, A R; Falconer, D G; Pieper, I

1980-01-01

Digital photogrammetry was performed on stereophotographs of the optic nerve head of a modified Zeiss model eye in which optic cups of varying depths could be simulated. Experiments were undertaken to determine the impact of both photographic and ocular variables on the photogrammetric measurements of cup depth. The photogrammetric procedure tolerates refocusing, repositioning, and realignment as well as small variations in the geometric position of the camera. Progressive underestimation of cup depth was observed with increasing myopia, while progressive overestimation was noted with increasing hyperopia. High cylindrical errors at axis 90 degrees led to significant errors in cup depth estimates, while high cylindrical errors at axis 180 degrees did not materially affect the accuracy of the analysis. Finally, cup depths were seriously underestimated when the pupil diameter was less than 5.0 mm. Images PMID:7448139

Experimental verification of a CT-based Monte Carlo dose-calculation method in heterogeneous phantoms.

PubMed

Wang, L; Lovelock, M; Chui, C S

1999-12-01

To further validate the Monte Carlo dose-calculation method [Med. Phys. 25, 867-878 (1998)] developed at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, we have performed experimental verification in various inhomogeneous phantoms. The phantom geometries included simple layered slabs, a simulated bone column, a simulated missing-tissue hemisphere, and an anthropomorphic head geometry (Alderson Rando Phantom). The densities of the inhomogeneity range from 0.14 to 1.86 g/cm3, simulating both clinically relevant lunglike and bonelike materials. The data are reported as central axis depth doses, dose profiles, dose values at points of interest, such as points at the interface of two different media and in the "nasopharynx" region of the Rando head. The dosimeters used in the measurement included dosimetry film, TLD chips, and rods. The measured data were compared to that of Monte Carlo calculations for the same geometrical configurations. In the case of the Rando head phantom, a CT scan of the phantom was used to define the calculation geometry and to locate the points of interest. The agreement between the calculation and measurement is generally within 2.5%. This work validates the accuracy of the Monte Carlo method. While Monte Carlo, at present, is still too slow for routine treatment planning, it can be used as a benchmark against which other dose calculation methods can be compared.

Spinal cord protection during radiation therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coia, L.; Chu, J.; Larsen, R.

1986-09-01

Treating intrathoracic malignancies to high doses, particularly those of lung and esophagus, requires limiting the radiation dose delivered to the spinal cord. Several factors are important in determining the cord dose. These are: The distance from the block or collimator edge to the cord, the variation of dose with distance from the block or collimator edge and, the expected variation of this distance for clinical set-up from day-to-day. When treating with an oblique beam, the position of the cord may be difficult to identify. A technique for localizing the spinal cord on a simulator film at an arbitrary gantry anglemore » is presented. The technique requires determination of distances from the central axis of the beam to the medial aspect of the pedicle and posterior vertebral body. These can readily be obtained from measurements on orthogonal, AP/PA and lateral isocentric simulator radiographs. A mathematical transformation is applied to determine the corresponding cord locations on the oblique radiographs for any arbitrary gantry angle. The accuracy of cord localization was within 2-3 mm with a precision of 2 mm for five physicians who used this technique. The beam edge characteristics for 60Co, 6 MV, and 10 MV teletherapy unit were measured for various depths and field sizes. For the 6 and 10 MV units, the beam penumbra is nearly independent of the field size, depth and field defining devices (inner and outer collimator jaws, trimmer bars, and shielding blocks). Because the beam penumbra is dependent on the design of the linear accelerator, its measurement should be made individually for each linear accelerator. Our preliminary data on patient positioning uncertainty did not exceed the 6-8 mm limit documented in the literature.« less

Small field electron beam dosimetry using MOSFET detector

PubMed Central

Heaton, Robert; Norrlinger, Bern; Islam, Mohammad K.

2010-01-01

The dosimetry of very small electron fields can be challenging due to relative shifts in percent depth‐dose curves, including the location of dmax, and lack of lateral electronic equilibrium in an ion chamber when placed in the beam. Conventionally a small parallel plate chamber or film is utilized to perform small field electron beam dosimetry. Since modern radiotherapy departments are becoming filmless in favor of electronic imaging, an alternate and readily available clinical dosimeter needs to be explored. We have studied the performance of MOSFET as a relative dosimeter in small field electron beams. The reproducibility, linearity and sensitivity of a high‐sensitivity microMOSFET were investigated for clinical electron beams. In addition, the percent depth doses, output factors and profiles have been measured in a water tank with MOSFET and compared with those measured by an ion chamber for a range of field sizes from 1 cm diameter to 10 cm× 10 cm for 6, 12, 16 and 20 MeV beams. Similar comparative measurements were also performed with MOSFET and films in solid water phantom. The MOSFET sensitivity was found to be practically constant over the range of field sizes investigated. The dose response was found to be linear and reproducible (within ±1% for 100 cGy). An excellent agreement was observed among the central axis depth dose curves measured using MOSFET, film and ion chamber. The output factors measured with MOSFET for small fields agreed to within 3% with those measured by film dosimetry. Overall results indicate that MOSFET can be utilized to perform dosimetry for small field electron beam. PACS number: 87.55.Qr

Petrological Constraints on Melt Generation Beneath the Asal Rift (Djibouti)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinzuti, P.; Humler, E.; Manighetti, I.; Gaudemer, Y.; Bézos, A.

2010-12-01

The temporal evolution of the mantle melting processes in the Asal Rift is evaluated from the chemical composition of 95 lava flows sampled along 10 km of the rift axis and 8 km off-axis (that is for the last 650 ky). The major element composition and the trace element ratios of aphyric basalts across the Asal Rift show a symmetric pattern relative to the rift axis and preserved a clear signal of mantle melting depth variations. FeO, Fe8.0, Sm/YbN and Zr/Y increase, whereas SiO2 and Lu/HfN decrease from the rift axis to the rift shoulders. These variations are qualitatively consistent with a shallower melting beneath the rift axis than off-axis and the data show that the melting regime is inconsistent with a passive upwelling model. In order to quantify the depth range and extent of melting, we invert Na8.0 and Fe8.0 contents of basalts based on a pure active upwelling model. Beneath the rift axis, melting paths are shallow, from 60 to 30 km. These melting paths are consistent with adiabatic melting in normal-temperature asthenosphere, beneath an extensively thinned mantle lithosphere. In contrast, melting on the rift shoulders occurred beneath a thick mantle lithosphere and required mantle solidus temperature 180°C hotter than normal (melting paths from 110 to 75 km). The calculated rate of lithospheric thinning is high (6.0 cm yr-1) and could explain the survival of a metastable garnet within the mantle at depth shallower than 90 km beneath the modern Asal Rift.

Multidimensional dosimetry of {sup 106}Ru eye plaques using EBT3 films and its impact on treatment planning

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heilemann, G., E-mail: gerd.heilemann@meduniwien.ac.at; Kostiukhina, N.; Nesvacil, N.

2015-10-15

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish a method to perform multidimensional radiochromic film measurements of {sup 106}Ru plaques and to benchmark the resulting dose distributions against Monte Carlo simulations (MC), microdiamond, and diode measurements. Methods: Absolute dose rates and relative dose distributions in multiple planes were determined for three different plaque models (CCB, CCA, and COB), and three different plaques per model, using EBT3 films in an in-house developed polystyrene phantom and the MCNP6 MC code. Dose difference maps were generated to analyze interplaque variations for a specific type, and for comparing measurements against MC simulations. Furthermore,more » dose distributions were validated against values specified by the manufacturer (BEBIG) and microdiamond and diode measurements in a water scanning phantom. Radial profiles were assessed and used to estimate dosimetric margins for a given combination of representative tumor geometry and plaque size. Results: Absolute dose rates at a reference depth of 2 mm on the central axis of the plaque show an agreement better than 5% (10%) when comparing film measurements (MCNP6) to the manufacturer’s data. The reproducibility of depth-dose profile measurements was <7% (2 SD) for all investigated detectors and plaque types. Dose difference maps revealed minor interplaque deviations for a specific plaque type due to inhomogeneities of the active layer. The evaluation of dosimetric margins showed that for a majority of the investigated cases, the tumor was not completely covered by the 100% isodose prescribed to the tumor apex if the difference between geometrical plaque size and tumor base ≤4 mm. Conclusions: EBT3 film dosimetry in an in-house developed phantom was successfully used to characterize the dosimetric properties of different {sup 106}Ru plaque models. The film measurements were validated against MC calculations and other experimental methods and showed a good agreement with data from BEBIG well within published tolerances. The dosimetric information as well as interplaque comparison can be used for comprehensive quality assurance and for considerations in the treatment planning of ophthalmic brachytherapy.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gong, J; Sarwan, R; Pavord, D

Purpose: To quantitatively compare low dose spillage outside of PTV edge in arc therapy modalities Methods: The machines used in the study are Tomotherapy Hi-Arc and Varian 21EX with millennium120 MLC. TPS are TomoPlaning and RayStation for VMAT, respectively. The phantom is a 30cm diameter cylindrical solid water (TOMOTHERAPY, TOMOPHANTOM ASSY). The PTV is 4cm length with ellipsoidal sectional shape with major axis=5cm, minor axis=3cm in the axial plane and reversed in the coronal plane. The PTV volume is created with interpolation. It is located at the center of the phantom. The prescribed dose is 1000x5 cGy to 95% themore » PTV. The isocenter is set co-centered with the PTV. EBT-3 film was used to measure iso-dose lines at the center plane. Film dosimetry is performed with the RIT, v6.2. Results: the study shows: (1) dose falloff gradient is usually uneven, depending on the PTV shape in the gantry rotation plane. For an elliptical shape, the low dose spillage is wider in the minor axis direction than that in the major axis direction. The more a shape is closer to circular, the more even gradient is all directions; (2)for a circular shape (CAX plane in this study), the maximum dose in % of Rx dose at 2cm from PTV is 55% for Tomo, vs. 70% for VMAT (3) the most rapid dose falloff rang is between 95%–80% IDL for both modalities. Conclusion: Tomo has more rapid dose falloff outside of PTV. In some areas, the gradient is double for Tomo helical than that for LINAC VMAT at same points. Future work will examine the differences between optimization of doses and inherent delivery limitations.« less

Vection during conflicting multisensory information about the axis, magnitude, and direction of self-motion.

PubMed

Ash, April; Palmisano, Stephen

2012-01-01

We examined the vection induced by consistent and conflicting multisensory information about self-motion. Observers viewed displays simulating constant-velocity self-motion in depth while physically oscillating their heads left-right or back-forth in time with a metronome. Their tracked head movements were either ignored or incorporated directly into the self-motion display (as an added simulated self-acceleration). When this head oscillation was updated into displays, sensory conflict was generated by simulating oscillation along: (i) an orthogonal axis to the head movement; or (ii) the same axis, but in a non-ecological direction. Simulated head oscillation always produced stronger vection than 'no display oscillation'--even when the axis/direction of this display motion was inconsistent with the physical head motion. When head-and-display oscillation occurred along the same axis: (i) consistent (in-phase) horizontal display oscillation produced stronger vection than conflicting (out-of-phase) horizontal display oscillation; however, (ii) consistent and conflicting depth oscillation conditions did not induce significantly different vection. Overall, orthogonal-axis oscillation was found to produce very similar vection to same-axis oscillation. Thus, we conclude that while vection appears to be very robust to sensory conflict, there are situations where sensory consistency improves vection.

A novel method for patient exit and entrance dose prediction based on water equivalent path length measured with an amorphous silicon electronic portal imaging device.

PubMed

Kavuma, Awusi; Glegg, Martin; Metwaly, Mohamed; Currie, Garry; Elliott, Alex

2010-01-21

In vivo dosimetry is one of the quality assurance tools used in radiotherapy to monitor the dose delivered to the patient. Electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images for a set of solid water phantoms of varying thicknesses were acquired and the data fitted onto a quadratic equation, which relates the reduction in photon beam intensity to the attenuation coefficient and material thickness at a reference condition. The quadratic model is used to convert the measured grey scale value into water equivalent path length (EPL) at each pixel for any material imaged by the detector. For any other non-reference conditions, scatter, field size and MU variation effects on the image were corrected by relative measurements using an ionization chamber and an EPID. The 2D EPL is linked to the percentage exit dose table, for different thicknesses and field sizes, thereby converting the plane pixel values at each point into a 2D dose map. The off-axis ratio is corrected using envelope and boundary profiles generated from the treatment planning system (TPS). The method requires field size, monitor unit and source-to-surface distance (SSD) as clinical input parameters to predict the exit dose, which is then used to determine the entrance dose. The measured pixel dose maps were compared with calculated doses from TPS for both entrance and exit depth of phantom. The gamma index at 3% dose difference (DD) and 3 mm distance to agreement (DTA) resulted in an average of 97% passing for the square fields of 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm. The exit dose EPID dose distributions predicted by the algorithm were in better agreement with TPS-calculated doses than phantom entrance dose distributions.

A novel method for patient exit and entrance dose prediction based on water equivalent path length measured with an amorphous silicon electronic portal imaging device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavuma, Awusi; Glegg, Martin; Metwaly, Mohamed; Currie, Garry; Elliott, Alex

2010-01-01

In vivo dosimetry is one of the quality assurance tools used in radiotherapy to monitor the dose delivered to the patient. Electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images for a set of solid water phantoms of varying thicknesses were acquired and the data fitted onto a quadratic equation, which relates the reduction in photon beam intensity to the attenuation coefficient and material thickness at a reference condition. The quadratic model is used to convert the measured grey scale value into water equivalent path length (EPL) at each pixel for any material imaged by the detector. For any other non-reference conditions, scatter, field size and MU variation effects on the image were corrected by relative measurements using an ionization chamber and an EPID. The 2D EPL is linked to the percentage exit dose table, for different thicknesses and field sizes, thereby converting the plane pixel values at each point into a 2D dose map. The off-axis ratio is corrected using envelope and boundary profiles generated from the treatment planning system (TPS). The method requires field size, monitor unit and source-to-surface distance (SSD) as clinical input parameters to predict the exit dose, which is then used to determine the entrance dose. The measured pixel dose maps were compared with calculated doses from TPS for both entrance and exit depth of phantom. The gamma index at 3% dose difference (DD) and 3 mm distance to agreement (DTA) resulted in an average of 97% passing for the square fields of 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm. The exit dose EPID dose distributions predicted by the algorithm were in better agreement with TPS-calculated doses than phantom entrance dose distributions.

Evaluation of iodide deficiency in the lactating rat and pup using a biologically based dose-response model

EPA Science Inventory

A biologically-based dose response (BBDR) model for the hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid (BPT) axis in the lactating rat and nursing pup was developed to describe the perturbations caused by iodide deficiency on the HPT axis. Model calibrations, carried out by adjusting key model p...

Modeling and regression analysis of semiochemical dose-response curves of insect antennal reception and behavior

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Dose-response curves with semiochemicals are reported in many articles in insect chemical ecology regarding neurophysiology and behavioral bioassays. Most such curves are shown in figures where the x-axis has order of magnitude increases in dosages versus responses on the y-axis represented by point...

Evaluation of iodide deficiency in the lactating rat and pup using a biologically based dose response (BBDR) Model***

EPA Science Inventory

A biologically-based dose response (BBDR) model for the hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid (HPT) axis in the lactating rat and nursing pup was developed to describe the perturbations caused by iodide deficiency on the 1-IPT axis. Model calibrations, carried out by adjusting key model...

Monitor unit calculations for external photon and electron beams: Report of the AAPM Therapy Physics Committee Task Group No. 71

PubMed Central

Gibbons, John P.; Antolak, John A.; Followill, David S.; Huq, M. Saiful; Klein, Eric E.; Lam, Kwok L.; Palta, Jatinder R.; Roback, Donald M.; Reid, Mark; Khan, Faiz M.

2014-01-01

A protocol is presented for the calculation of monitor units (MU) for photon and electron beams, delivered with and without beam modifiers, for constant source-surface distance (SSD) and source-axis distance (SAD) setups. This protocol was written by Task Group 71 of the Therapy Physics Committee of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and has been formally approved by the AAPM for clinical use. The protocol defines the nomenclature for the dosimetric quantities used in these calculations, along with instructions for their determination and measurement. Calculations are made using the dose per MU under normalization conditions, \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document} }{}$D_0^\\prime $\\end{document}D0′, that is determined for each user's photon and electron beams. For electron beams, the depth of normalization is taken to be the depth of maximum dose along the central axis for the same field incident on a water phantom at the same SSD, where \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document} }{}$D_0^\\prime $\\end{document}D0′ = 1 cGy/MU. For photon beams, this task group recommends that a normalization depth of 10 cm be selected, where an energy-dependent \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document} }{}$D_0^\\prime $\\end{document}D0′ ≤ 1 cGy/MU is required. This recommendation differs from the more common approach of a normalization depth of dm, with \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document} }{}$D_0^\\prime $\\end{document}D0′ = 1 cGy/MU, although both systems are acceptable within the current protocol. For photon beams, the formalism includes the use of blocked fields, physical or dynamic wedges, and (static) multileaf collimation. No formalism is provided for intensity modulated radiation therapy calculations, although some general considerations and a review of current calculation techniques are included. For electron beams, the formalism provides for calculations at the standard and extended SSDs using either an effective SSD or an air-gap correction factor. Example tables and problems are included to illustrate the basic concepts within the presented formalism. PMID:24593704

A simplified approach to characterizing a kilovoltage source spectrum for accurate dose computation.

PubMed

Poirier, Yannick; Kouznetsov, Alexei; Tambasco, Mauro

2012-06-01

To investigate and validate the clinical feasibility of using half-value layer (HVL) and peak tube potential (kVp) for characterizing a kilovoltage (kV) source spectrum for the purpose of computing kV x-ray dose accrued from imaging procedures. To use this approach to characterize a Varian® On-Board Imager® (OBI) source and perform experimental validation of a novel in-house hybrid dose computation algorithm for kV x-rays. We characterized the spectrum of an imaging kV x-ray source using the HVL and the kVp as the sole beam quality identifiers using third-party freeware Spektr to generate the spectra. We studied the sensitivity of our dose computation algorithm to uncertainties in the beam's HVL and kVp by systematically varying these spectral parameters. To validate our approach experimentally, we characterized the spectrum of a Varian® OBI system by measuring the HVL using a Farmer-type Capintec ion chamber (0.06 cc) in air and compared dose calculations using our computationally validated in-house kV dose calculation code to measured percent depth-dose and transverse dose profiles for 80, 100, and 125 kVp open beams in a homogeneous phantom and a heterogeneous phantom comprising tissue, lung, and bone equivalent materials. The sensitivity analysis of the beam quality parameters (i.e., HVL, kVp, and field size) on dose computation accuracy shows that typical measurement uncertainties in the HVL and kVp (±0.2 mm Al and ±2 kVp, respectively) source characterization parameters lead to dose computation errors of less than 2%. Furthermore, for an open beam with no added filtration, HVL variations affect dose computation accuracy by less than 1% for a 125 kVp beam when field size is varied from 5 × 5 cm(2) to 40 × 40 cm(2). The central axis depth dose calculations and experimental measurements for the 80, 100, and 125 kVp energies agreed within 2% for the homogeneous and heterogeneous block phantoms, and agreement for the transverse dose profiles was within 6%. The HVL and kVp are sufficient for characterizing a kV x-ray source spectrum for accurate dose computation. As these parameters can be easily and accurately measured, they provide for a clinically feasible approach to characterizing a kV energy spectrum to be used for patient specific x-ray dose computations. Furthermore, these results provide experimental validation of our novel hybrid dose computation algorithm. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

A trichrome beam model for biological dose calculation in scanned carbon-ion radiotherapy treatment planning.

PubMed

Inaniwa, T; Kanematsu, N

2015-01-07

In scanned carbon-ion (C-ion) radiotherapy, some primary C-ions undergo nuclear reactions before reaching the target and the resulting particles deliver doses to regions at a significant distance from the central axis of the beam. The effects of these particles on physical dose distribution are accounted for in treatment planning by representing the transverse profile of the scanned C-ion beam as the superposition of three Gaussian distributions. In the calculation of biological dose distribution, however, the radiation quality of the scanned C-ion beam has been assumed to be uniform over its cross-section, taking the average value over the plane at a given depth (monochrome model). Since these particles, which have relatively low radiation quality, spread widely compared to the primary C-ions, the radiation quality of the beam should vary with radial distance from the central beam axis. To represent its transverse distribution, we propose a trichrome beam model in which primary C-ions, heavy fragments with atomic number Z ≥ 3, and light fragments with Z ≤ 2 are assigned to the first, second, and third Gaussian components, respectively. Assuming a realistic beam-delivery system, we performed computer simulations using Geant4 Monte Carlo code for analytical beam modeling of the monochrome and trichrome models. The analytical beam models were integrated into a treatment planning system for scanned C-ion radiotherapy. A target volume of 20  ×  20  ×  40 mm(3) was defined within a water phantom. A uniform biological dose of 2.65 Gy (RBE) was planned for the target with the two beam models based on the microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM). The plans were recalculated with Geant4, and the recalculated biological dose distributions were compared with the planned distributions. The mean target dose of the recalculated distribution with the monochrome model was 2.72 Gy (RBE), while the dose with the trichrome model was 2.64 Gy (RBE). The monochrome model underestimated the RBE within the target due to the assumption of no radial variations in radiation quality. Conversely, the trichrome model accurately predicted the RBE even in a small target. Our results verify the applicability of the trichrome model for clinical use in C-ion radiotherapy treatment planning.

A trichrome beam model for biological dose calculation in scanned carbon-ion radiotherapy treatment planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inaniwa, T.; Kanematsu, N.

2015-01-01

In scanned carbon-ion (C-ion) radiotherapy, some primary C-ions undergo nuclear reactions before reaching the target and the resulting particles deliver doses to regions at a significant distance from the central axis of the beam. The effects of these particles on physical dose distribution are accounted for in treatment planning by representing the transverse profile of the scanned C-ion beam as the superposition of three Gaussian distributions. In the calculation of biological dose distribution, however, the radiation quality of the scanned C-ion beam has been assumed to be uniform over its cross-section, taking the average value over the plane at a given depth (monochrome model). Since these particles, which have relatively low radiation quality, spread widely compared to the primary C-ions, the radiation quality of the beam should vary with radial distance from the central beam axis. To represent its transverse distribution, we propose a trichrome beam model in which primary C-ions, heavy fragments with atomic number Z ≥ 3, and light fragments with Z ≤ 2 are assigned to the first, second, and third Gaussian components, respectively. Assuming a realistic beam-delivery system, we performed computer simulations using Geant4 Monte Carlo code for analytical beam modeling of the monochrome and trichrome models. The analytical beam models were integrated into a treatment planning system for scanned C-ion radiotherapy. A target volume of 20  ×  20  ×  40 mm3 was defined within a water phantom. A uniform biological dose of 2.65 Gy (RBE) was planned for the target with the two beam models based on the microdosimetric kinetic model (MKM). The plans were recalculated with Geant4, and the recalculated biological dose distributions were compared with the planned distributions. The mean target dose of the recalculated distribution with the monochrome model was 2.72 Gy (RBE), while the dose with the trichrome model was 2.64 Gy (RBE). The monochrome model underestimated the RBE within the target due to the assumption of no radial variations in radiation quality. Conversely, the trichrome model accurately predicted the RBE even in a small target. Our results verify the applicability of the trichrome model for clinical use in C-ion radiotherapy treatment planning.

Measurement of relative depth-dose distribution in radiochromic film dosimeters irradiated with 43-70 keV electron beam for industrial application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsui, Shinjiro; Hattori, Takeaki; Nonaka, Takashi; Watanabe, Yuki; Morita, Ippei; Kondo, Junichi; Ishikawa, Masayoshi; Mori, Yoshitaka

2018-05-01

The relative dose in a layer, which is thinner than the thickness of the dosimeter is evaluated using simulated depth-dose distributions, and the measured responses of dosimeters with acceleration voltages from 43 to 70 kV, via ultra-low-energy electron beam (ULEB) irradiation. By stacking thin film dosimeters, we confirmed that the simulated depth-dose distributions coincided with the measured depth-dose curve within the measurement uncertainty (k = 2). Using the measurement dose of the 47 μm dosimeter and the simulated depth-dose distribution, the dose of 11 μm dosimeters in the surface was evaluated within the measurement uncertainty (k = 2). We also verified the effectiveness of this method for a thinner layer by changing the acceleration voltage of the irradiation source. We evaluated the relative dose for an adjusted depth of energy deposition from 4.4 μm to 22.8 μm. As a result, this method was found to be effective for a thickness, which is less than the thickness of the dosimeter. When irradiation conditions are well known with accuracy, using the confirmed relative depth-dose distributions across any dosimeter thickness range, a dose evaluation, in several μm steps will possibly improve the design of industrial ULEB processes.

Initial results of a new generation dual source CT system using only an in-plane comb filter for ultra-high resolution temporal bone imaging.

PubMed

Meyer, Mathias; Haubenreisser, Holger; Raupach, Rainer; Schmidt, Bernhard; Lietzmann, Florian; Leidecker, Christianne; Allmendinger, Thomas; Flohr, Thomas; Schad, Lothar R; Schoenberg, Stefan O; Henzler, Thomas

2015-01-01

To prospectively evaluate radiation dose and image quality of a third generation dual-source CT (DSCT) without z-axis filter behind the patient for temporal bone CT. Forty-five patients were either examined on a first, second, or third generation DSCT in an ultra-high-resolution (UHR) temporal bone-imaging mode. On the third generation DSCT system, the tighter focal spot of 0.2 mm(2) removes the necessity for an additional z-axis-filter, leading to an improved z-axis radiation dose efficiency. Images of 0.4 mm were reconstructed using standard filtered-back-projection or iterative reconstruction (IR) technique for previous generations of DSCT and a novel IR algorithm for the third generation DSCT. Radiation dose and image quality were compared between the three DSCT systems. The statistically significantly highest subjective and objective image quality was evaluated for the third generation DSCT when compared to the first or second generation DSCT systems (all p < 0.05). Total effective dose was 63%/39% lower for the third generation examination as compared to the first and second generation DSCT. Temporal bone imaging without z-axis-UHR-filter and a novel third generation IR algorithm allows for significantly higher image quality while lowering effective dose when compared to the first two generations of DSCTs. • Omitting the z-axis-filter allows a reduction in radiation dose of 50% • A smaller focal spot of 0.2 mm (2) significantly improves spatial resolution • Ultra-high-resolution temporal-bone-CT helps to gain diagnostic information of the middle/inner ear.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ali, Elsayed

Purpose: To characterize and correct for radiation-induced background (RIB) observed in the signals from a class of scanning water tanks. Methods: A method was developed to isolate the RIB through detector measurements in the background-free linac console area. Variation of the RIB against a large number of parameters was characterized, and its impact on basic clinical data for photon and electron beams was quantified. Different methods to minimize and/or correct for the RIB were proposed and evaluated. Results: The RIB is due to the presence of the electrometer and connection box in a low background radiation field (by design). Themore » absolute RIB current with a biased detector is up to 2 pA, independent of the detector size, which is 0.6% and 1.5% of the central axis reference signal for a standard and a mini scanning chamber, respectively. The RIB monotonically increases with field size, is three times smaller for detectors that do not require a bias (e.g., diodes), is up to 80% larger for positive (versus negative) polarity, decreases with increasing photon energy, exhibits a single curve versus dose rate at the electrometer location, and is negligible for electron beams. Data after the proposed field-size correction method agree with point measurements from an independent system to within a few tenth of a percent for output factor, head scatter, depth dose at depth, and out-of-field profile dose. Manufacturer recommendations for electrometer placement are insufficient and sometimes incorrect. Conclusions: RIB in scanning water tanks can have a non-negligible effect on dosimetric data.« less

Ice crystal c-axis orientation and mean grain size measurements from the Dome Summit South ice core, Law Dome, East Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Treverrow, Adam; Jun, Li; Jacka, Tim H.

2016-06-01

We present measurements of crystal c-axis orientations and mean grain area from the Dome Summit South (DSS) ice core drilled on Law Dome, East Antarctica. All measurements were made on location at the borehole site during drilling operations. The data are from 185 individual thin sections obtained between a depth of 117 m below the surface and the bottom of the DSS core at a depth of 1196 m. The median number of c-axis orientations recorded in each thin section was 100, with values ranging from 5 through to 111 orientations. The data from all 185 thin sections are provided in a single comma-separated value (csv) formatted file which contains the c-axis orientations in polar coordinates, depth information for each core section from which the data were obtained, the mean grain area calculated for each thin section and other data related to the drilling site. The data set is also available as a MATLAB™ structure array. Additionally, the c-axis orientation data from each of the 185 thin sections are summarized graphically in figures containing a Schmidt diagram, histogram of c-axis colatitudes and rose plot of c-axis azimuths. All these data are referenced by doi:10.4225/15/5669050CC1B3B and are available free of charge at https://data.antarctica.gov.au.<

A flexible Monte Carlo tool for patient or phantom specific calculations: comparison with preliminary validation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davidson, S.; Cui, J.; Followill, D.; Ibbott, G.; Deasy, J.

2008-02-01

The Dose Planning Method (DPM) is one of several 'fast' Monte Carlo (MC) computer codes designed to produce an accurate dose calculation for advanced clinical applications. We have developed a flexible machine modeling process and validation tests for open-field and IMRT calculations. To complement the DPM code, a practical and versatile source model has been developed, whose parameters are derived from a standard set of planning system commissioning measurements. The primary photon spectrum and the spectrum resulting from the flattening filter are modeled by a Fatigue function, cut-off by a multiplying Fermi function, which effectively regularizes the difficult energy spectrum determination process. Commonly-used functions are applied to represent the off-axis softening, increasing primary fluence with increasing angle ('the horn effect'), and electron contamination. The patient dependent aspect of the MC dose calculation utilizes the multi-leaf collimator (MLC) leaf sequence file exported from the treatment planning system DICOM output, coupled with the source model, to derive the particle transport. This model has been commissioned for Varian 2100C 6 MV and 18 MV photon beams using percent depth dose, dose profiles, and output factors. A 3-D conformal plan and an IMRT plan delivered to an anthropomorphic thorax phantom were used to benchmark the model. The calculated results were compared to Pinnacle v7.6c results and measurements made using radiochromic film and thermoluminescent detectors (TLD).

Quality correction factors of composite IMRT beam deliveries: Theoretical considerations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bouchard, Hugo

2012-11-15

Purpose: In the scope of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry using ionization chambers, quality correction factors of plan-class-specific reference (PCSR) fields are theoretically investigated. The symmetry of the problem is studied to provide recommendable criteria for composite beam deliveries where correction factors are minimal and also to establish a theoretical limit for PCSR delivery k{sub Q} factors. Methods: The concept of virtual symmetric collapsed (VSC) beam, being associated to a given modulated composite delivery, is defined in the scope of this investigation. Under symmetrical measurement conditions, any composite delivery has the property of having a k{sub Q} factor identicalmore » to its associated VSC beam. Using this concept of VSC, a fundamental property of IMRT k{sub Q} factors is demonstrated in the form of a theorem. The sensitivity to the conditions required by the theorem is thoroughly examined. Results: The theorem states that if a composite modulated beam delivery produces a uniform dose distribution in a volume V{sub cyl} which is symmetric with the cylindrical delivery and all beams fulfills two conditions in V{sub cyl}: (1) the dose modulation function is unchanged along the beam axis, and (2) the dose gradient in the beam direction is constant for a given lateral position; then its associated VSC beam produces no lateral dose gradient in V{sub cyl}, no matter what beam modulation or gantry angles are being used. The examination of the conditions required by the theorem lead to the following results. The effect of the depth-dose gradient not being perfectly constant with depth on the VSC beam lateral dose gradient is found negligible. The effect of the dose modulation function being degraded with depth on the VSC beam lateral dose gradient is found to be only related to scatter and beam hardening, as the theorem holds also for diverging beams. Conclusions: The use of the symmetry of the problem in the present paper leads to a valuable theorem showing that k{sub Q} factors of composite IMRT beam deliveries are close to unity under specific conditions. The theoretical limit k{sub Q{sub p{sub c{sub s{sub r,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub p}{sub c}{sub s}{sub r},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}}=1 is determined based on the property of PCSR deliveries to provide a uniform dose in the target volume. The present approach explains recent experimental observations and proposes ideal conditions for IMRT reference dosimetry. The result of this study could potentially serve as a theoretical basis for reference dosimetry of composite IMRT beam deliveries or for routine IMRT quality assurance.« less

Depth Resolution Dependence on Sample Thickness and Incident Energy in On-Axis Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction in Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

PubMed

Brodu, Etienne; Bouzy, Emmanuel

2017-12-01

Transmission Kikuchi diffraction is an emerging technique aimed at producing orientation maps of the structure of materials with a nanometric lateral resolution. This study investigates experimentally the depth resolution of the on-axis configuration, via a twinned silicon bi-crystal sample specifically designed and fabricated. The measured depth resolution varies from 30 to 65 nm in the range 10-30 keV, with a close to linear dependence with incident energy and no dependence with the total sample thickness. The depth resolution is explained in terms of two mechanisms acting concomitantly: generation of Kikuchi diffraction all along the thickness of the sample, associated with continuous absorption on the way out. A model based on the electron mean free path is used to account for the dependence with incident energy of the depth resolution. In addition, based on the results in silicon, the use of the mean absorption coefficient is proposed to predict the depth resolution for any atomic number and incident energy.

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell plasma source ion implantation of a prolate spheroid target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Cheng-Sen; Han, Hong-Ying; Peng, Xiao-Qing; Chang, Ye; Wang, De-Zhen

2010-03-01

A two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation is used to study the time-dependent evolution of the sheath surrounding a prolate spheroid target during a high voltage pulse in plasma source ion implantation. Our study shows that the potential contour lines pack more closely in the plasma sheath near the vertex of the major axis, i.e. where a thinner sheath is formed, and a non-uniform total ion dose distribution is incident along the surface of the prolate spheroid target due to the focusing of ions by the potential structure. Ion focusing takes place not only at the vertex of the major axis, where dense potential contour lines exist, but also at the vertex of the minor axis, where sparse contour lines exist. This results in two peaks of the received ion dose, locating at the vertices of the major and minor axes of the prolate spheroid target, and an ion dose valley, staying always between the vertices, rather than at the vertex of the minor axis.

Dosimetric characteristics of the University of Washington Clinical Neutron Therapy System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moffitt, Gregory B.; Stewart, Robert D.; Sandison, George A.; Goorley, John T.; Argento, David C.; Jevremovic, Tatjana; Emery, Robert; Wootton, Landon S.; Parvathaneni, Upendra; Laramore, George E.

2018-05-01

The University of Washington (UW) Clinical Neutron Therapy System (CNTS), which generates high linear energy transfer fast neutrons through interactions of 50.5 MeV protons incident on a Be target, has depth-dose characteristics similar to 6 MV x-rays. In contrast to the fixed beam angles and primitive blocking used in early clinical trials of neutron therapy, the CNTS has a gantry with a full 360° of rotation, internal wedges, and a multi-leaf collimator (MLC). Since October of 1984, over 3178 patients have received conformal neutron therapy treatments using the UW CNTS. In this work, the physical and dosimetric characteristics of the CNTS are documented through comparisons of measurements and Monte Carlo simulations. A high resolution computed tomography scan of the model 17 ionization chamber (IC-17) has also been used to improve the accuracy of simulations of the absolute calibration geometry. The response of the IC-17 approximates well the kinetic energy released per unit mass (KERMA) in water for neutrons and photons for energies from a few tens of keV up to about 20 MeV. Above 20 MeV, the simulated model 17 ion chamber response is 20%–30% higher than the neutron KERMA in water. For CNTS neutrons, simulated on- and off-axis output factors in water match measured values within ~2%  ±  2% for rectangular and irregularly shaped field with equivalent square areas ranging in a side dimension from 2.8 cm to 30.7 cm. Wedge factors vary by less than 1.9% of the measured dose in water for clinically relevant field sizes. Simulated tissue maximum ratios in water match measured values within 3.3% at depths up to 20 cm. Although the absorbed dose for water and adipose tissue are within 2% at a depth of 1.7 cm, the absorbed dose in muscle and bone can be as much as 12 to 40% lower than the absorbed dose in water. The reported studies are significant from a historical perspective and as additional validation of a new tool for patient quality assurance and as an aid in ongoing efforts to clinically implement advanced treatment techniques, such as intensity modulated neutron therapy, at the UW.

SU-F-T-372: Surface and Peripheral Dose in Compensator-Based FFF Beam IMRT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, D; Feygelman, V; Moros, E

2016-06-15

Purpose: Flattening filter free (FFF) beams produce higher dose rates. Combined with compensator IMRT techniques, the dose delivery for each beam can be much shorter compared to the flattened beam MLC-based or compensator-based IMRT. This ‘snap shot’ IMRT delivery is beneficial to patients for tumor motion management. Due to softer energy, surface doses in FFF beam treatment are usually higher than those from flattened beams. Because of less scattering due to no flattening filter, peripheral doses are usually lower in FFF beam treatment. However, in compensator-based IMRT using FFF beams, the compensator is in the beam pathway. Does it introducemore » beam hardening effects and scattering such that the surface dose is lower and peripheral dose is higher compared to FFF beam MLC-based IMRT? Methods: This study applied Monte Carlo techniques to investigate the surface and peripheral doses in compensator-based IMRT using FFF beams and compared it to the MLC-based IMRT using FFF beams and flattened beams. Besides various thicknesses of copper slabs to simulate various thicknesses of compensators, a simple cone-shaped compensator was simulated to mimic a clinical application. The dose distribution in water phantom by the cone-shaped compensator was then simulated by multiple MLC defined FFF and flattened beams with various openings. After normalized to Dmax, the surface and peripheral dose was compared between the FFF beam compensator-based IMRT and FFF/flattened beam MLC-based IMRT. Results: The surface dose at the central 0.5mm depth was close between the compensator and 6FFF MLC dose distributions, and about 8% (of Dmax) higher than the flattened 6MV MLC dose. At 8cm off axis at dmax, the peripheral dose between the 6FFF and flattened 6MV MLC demonstrated similar doses, while the compensator dose was about 1% higher. Conclusion: Compensator does not reduce the surface doses but slightly increases the peripheral doses due to scatter inside compensator.« less

Fabric and texture at Siple Dome, Antarctica

USGS Publications Warehouse

Diprinzio, C.L.; Wilen, Lawrence A.; Alley, R.B.; Fitzpatrick, J.J.; Spencer, M.K.; Gow, A.J.

2005-01-01

Preferred c-axis orientations are present in the firn at Siple Dome, West Antarctica, and recrystallization begins as shallow as 200 m depth in ice below -20??C, based on digital analysis of c-axis fabrics, grain-sizes and other characteristics of 52 vertical thin sections prepared in the field from the kilometer-long Siple Dome ice core. The shallowest section analyzed, from 22 m, shows clustering of c axes toward the vertical. By 200 m depth, girdle fabric and other features of recrystallized ice are evident in layers (or regions), separated by layers (regions) of typically finer-grained ice lacking evidence of recrystallization. Ice from about 700-780 m depth, which was deposited during the last ice age, is especially fine-grained, with strongly vertical c axes, but deeper ice shows much larger crystals and strong evidence of recrystallization. Azimuthal asymmetry of some c-axis fabrics, trends in grain-size, and other indicators reveal additional information on processes and history of ice flow at Siple Dome.

Structure of the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge from seismic reflection records

USGS Publications Warehouse

Morton, Janet L.; Sleep, Norman H.; Normark, William R.; Tompkins, Donald H.

1987-01-01

Twenty-four-channel seismic reflection records were obtained from the axial region of the southern Juan de Fuca Ridge. Two profiles are normal to the strike of the spreading center and intersect the ridge at latitude 44°40′N and 45°05′N; a third profile extends south along the ridge axis from latitude 45°20′N and crosses the Blanco Fracture Zone. Processing of the axial portions of the cross-strike lines resolved a weak reflection centered beneath the axis. The reflector is at a depth similar to seismically detected magma chambers on the East Pacific Rise and a Lau Basin spreading center; we suggest that the reflector represents the top of an axial magma chamber. In the migrated sections the top of the probable magma chamber is relatively flat and 1–2 km wide, and the subbottom depth of the chamber is greater where the depth to the ridge axis is greater.

Beam characteristics of energy-matched flattening filter free beams.

PubMed

Paynter, D; Weston, S J; Cosgrove, V P; Evans, J A; Thwaites, D I

2014-05-01

Flattening filter free (FFF) linear accelerators can increase treatment efficiency and plan quality. There are multiple methods of defining a FFF beam. The Elekta control system supports tuning of the delivered FFF beam energy to enable matching of the percentage depth-dose (PDD) of the flattened beam at 10 cm depth. This is compared to FFF beams where the linac control parameters are identical to those for the flattened beam. All beams were delivered on an Elekta Synergy accelerator with an Agility multi-leaf collimator installed and compared to the standard, flattened beam. The aim of this study is to compare "matched" FFF beams to both "unmatched" FFF beams and flattened beams to determine the benefits of matching beams. For the three modes of operation 6 MV flattened, 6 MV matched FFF, 6 MV unmatched FFF, 10 MV flattened, 10 MV matched FFF, and 10 MV unmatched FFF beam profiles were obtained using a plotting tank and were measured in steps of 0.1 mm in the penumbral region. Beam penumbra was defined as the distance between the 80% and 20% of the normalized dose when the inflection points of the unflattened and flattened profiles were normalized with the central axis dose of the flattened field set as 100%. PDD data was obtained at field sizes ranging from 3 cm × 3 cm to 40 cm × 40 cm. Radiation protection measurements were additionally performed to determine the head leakage and environmental monitoring through the maze and primary barriers. No significant change is made to the beam penumbra for FFF beams with and without PDD matching, the maximum change in penumbra for a 10 cm × 10 cm field was within the experimental error of the study. The changes in the profile shape with increasing field size are most significant for the matched FFF beam, and both FFF beams showed less profile shape variation with increasing depth when compared to flattened beams, due to consistency in beam energy spectra across the radiation field. The PDDs of the FFF beams showed less variation with field size, the d(max) value was deeper for the matched FFF beam than the FFF beam and deeper than the flattened beam for field sizes greater than 5 cm × 5 cm. The head leakage when using the machine in FFF mode is less than half that for a flattened beam, but comparable for both FFF modes. The radiation protection dose-rate measurements show an increase of instantaneous dose-rates when operating the machines in FFF mode but that increase is less than the ratio of MU/min produced by the machine. The matching of a FFF beam to a flattened beam at a depth of 10 cm in water by increasing the FFF beam energy does not reduce any of the reported benefits of FFF beams. Conversely, there are a number of potential benefits resulting from matching the FFF beam; the depth of maximum dose is deeper, the out of field dose is potentially reduced, and the beam quality and penetration more closely resembles the flattened beams currently used in clinical practice, making dose distributions in water more alike. Highlighted in this work is the fact that some conventional specifications and methods for measurement of beam parameters such as penumbra are not relevant and further work is required to address this situation with respect to "matched" FFF beams and to determine methods of measurement that are not reliant on an associated flattened beam.

Caffeine enhances the speed of the recovery of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis after chronic prednisolone administration in the rat.

PubMed

Marzouk, H F; Zuyderwijk, J; Uitterlinden, P; van Koetsveld, P; Blijd, J J; Abou-Hashim, E M; el-Kannishy, M H; de Jong, F H; Lamberts, S W

1991-11-01

Chronic administration of corticosteroids results in a suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. The time course of the recovery of the HPA axis depends on the dose and duration of corticosteroid administration. We investigated the recovery of the HPA axis after 14 days of prednisolone administration to rats at a dose of 2.0 mg/rat/day via the drinking water (188 mumol/l). The in vitro corticosterone production by dispersed adrenal cells in response to increasing concentrations of ACTH had recovered 3 days after stopping prednisolone administration. In parallel the initially suppressed plasma corticosterone concentrations had recovered after 3 days, while the pituitary ACTH content had recovered after 5 days. We investigated the possibility to enhance the speed of the recovery of the HPA axis by the simultaneous administration of two drugs with known CRF-stimulating activity via the drinking water. Caffeine in a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight enhanced the recovery of the prednisolone-suppressed HPA axis significantly. One day after the end of prednisolone administration a significant increase in the adrenal weight, in the corticosterone production by dispersed adrenal cells, as well as in the plasma corticosterone concentrations, and in the pituitary ACTH content was observed in the caffeine-treated rats. Chlorimipramine (20 mg/kg body weight), on the other hand, did not influence the prednisolone-mediated suppression of the HPA axis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A two-dimensional matrix correction for off-axis portal dose prediction errors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bailey, Daniel W.; Department of Radiation Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263; Kumaraswamy, Lalith

2013-05-15

Purpose: This study presents a follow-up to a modified calibration procedure for portal dosimetry published by Bailey et al. ['An effective correction algorithm for off-axis portal dosimetry errors,' Med. Phys. 36, 4089-4094 (2009)]. A commercial portal dose prediction system exhibits disagreement of up to 15% (calibrated units) between measured and predicted images as off-axis distance increases. The previous modified calibration procedure accounts for these off-axis effects in most regions of the detecting surface, but is limited by the simplistic assumption of radial symmetry. Methods: We find that a two-dimensional (2D) matrix correction, applied to each calibrated image, accounts for off-axismore » prediction errors in all regions of the detecting surface, including those still problematic after the radial correction is performed. The correction matrix is calculated by quantitative comparison of predicted and measured images that span the entire detecting surface. The correction matrix was verified for dose-linearity, and its effectiveness was verified on a number of test fields. The 2D correction was employed to retrospectively examine 22 off-axis, asymmetric electronic-compensation breast fields, five intensity-modulated brain fields (moderate-high modulation) manipulated for far off-axis delivery, and 29 intensity-modulated clinical fields of varying complexity in the central portion of the detecting surface. Results: Employing the matrix correction to the off-axis test fields and clinical fields, predicted vs measured portal dose agreement improves by up to 15%, producing up to 10% better agreement than the radial correction in some areas of the detecting surface. Gamma evaluation analyses (3 mm, 3% global, 10% dose threshold) of predicted vs measured portal dose images demonstrate pass rate improvement of up to 75% with the matrix correction, producing pass rates that are up to 30% higher than those resulting from the radial correction technique alone. As in the 1D correction case, the 2D algorithm leaves the portal dosimetry process virtually unchanged in the central portion of the detector, and thus these correction algorithms are not needed for centrally located fields of moderate size (at least, in the case of 6 MV beam energy).Conclusion: The 2D correction improves the portal dosimetry results for those fields for which the 1D correction proves insufficient, especially in the inplane, off-axis regions of the detector. This 2D correction neglects the relatively smaller discrepancies that may be caused by backscatter from nonuniform machine components downstream from the detecting layer.« less

Monte Carlo modeling and simulations of the High Definition (HD120) micro MLC and validation against measurements for a 6 MV beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Borges, C.; Zarza-Moreno, M.; Heath, E.

2012-01-15

Purpose: The most recent Varian micro multileaf collimator (MLC), the High Definition (HD120) MLC, was modeled using the BEAMNRC Monte Carlo code. This model was incorporated into a Varian medical linear accelerator, for a 6 MV beam, in static and dynamic mode. The model was validated by comparing simulated profiles with measurements. Methods: The Varian Trilogy (2300C/D) accelerator model was accurately implemented using the state-of-the-art Monte Carlo simulation program BEAMNRC and validated against off-axis and depth dose profiles measured using ionization chambers, by adjusting the energy and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the initial electron beam. Themore » HD120 MLC was modeled by developing a new BEAMNRC component module (CM), designated HDMLC, adapting the available DYNVMLC CM and incorporating the specific characteristics of this new micro MLC. The leaf dimensions were provided by the manufacturer. The geometry was visualized by tracing particles through the CM and recording their position when a leaf boundary is crossed. The leaf material density and abutting air gap between leaves were adjusted in order to obtain a good agreement between the simulated leakage profiles and EBT2 film measurements performed in a solid water phantom. To validate the HDMLC implementation, additional MLC static patterns were also simulated and compared to additional measurements. Furthermore, the ability to simulate dynamic MLC fields was implemented in the HDMLC CM. The simulation results of these fields were compared with EBT2 film measurements performed in a solid water phantom. Results: Overall, the discrepancies, with and without MLC, between the opened field simulations and the measurements using ionization chambers in a water phantom, for the off-axis profiles are below 2% and in depth-dose profiles are below 2% after the maximum dose depth and below 4% in the build-up region. On the conditions of these simulations, this tungsten-based MLC has a density of 18.7 g cm{sup -3} and an overall leakage of about 1.1 {+-} 0.03%. The discrepancies between the film measured and simulated closed and blocked fields are below 2% and 8%, respectively. Other measurements were performed for alternated leaf patterns and the agreement is satisfactory (to within 4%). The dynamic mode for this MLC was implemented and the discrepancies between film measurements and simulations are within 4%. Conclusions: The Varian Trilogy (2300 C/D) linear accelerator including the HD120 MLC was successfully modeled and simulated using the Monte Carlo BEAMNRC code by developing an independent CM, the HDMLC CM, either in static and dynamic modes.« less

The effects of the depth of web on the bending behaviour of triangular web profile steel beam section

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De'nan, Fatimah; Keong, Choong Kok; Hashim, Nor Salwani

2017-10-01

Due to extensive usage of corrugated web in construction, this paper performs finite element analysis to investigate the web thickness effects on the bending behaviour of Triangular Web Profile (TRIWP) steel section. A TRIWP steel section which are consists two flanges attached to a triangular profile web plate. This paper analyzes two categories of TRIWP steel sections which are D×100×6×3 mm and D×75×5×2 mm. It was observed that for steel section D×100×6×3 mm (TRIWP1), the deflection about minor and major axis increased as the span length increased. Meanwhile, the deflection about major axis decreased when depth of the web increased. About minor axis, the deflection increased for 3m and 4m span, while the deflection at 4.8m decreased with increment the depth of web. However, when the depth of the web exceeds 250mm, deflection at 3m and 4m were increased. For steel section D×75×5×2 mm (TRIWP2), the result was different with TRIWP1 steel section, where the deflection in both major and minor directions increased with the increment of span length and decreased with increment the depth of web. It shows that the deflection increased proportionally with the depth of web. Therefore, deeper web should be more considered because it resulted in smaller deflection.

Enhancement of phototropic response to a range of light doses in Triticum aestivum coleoptiles in clinostat-simulated microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heathcote, D. G.; Bircher, B. W.; Brown, A. H. (Principal Investigator)

1987-01-01

The phototropic dose-response relationship has been determined for Triticum aestivum cv. Broom coleoptiles growing on a purpose-built clinostat apparatus providing gravity compensation by rotation about a horizontal axis at 2 rev min-1. These data are compared with data sets obtained with the clinostat axis vertical and stationary, as a 1 g control, and rotating vertically to examine clinostat effects other than gravity compensation. Triticum at 1 g follows the well-established pattern of other cereal coleoptiles with a first positive curvature at low doses, followed by an indifferent response region, and a second positive response at progressively increasing doses. However, these response regions lie at higher dose levels than reported for Avena. There is no significant difference between the responses observed with the clinostat axis vertical in the rotating and stationary modes, but gravity compensation by horizontal rotation increases the magnitude of first and second positive curvatures some threefold at 100 min after stimulation. The indifferent response is replaced by a significant curvature towards the light source, but remains apparent as a reduced curvature response at these dose levels.

SU-E-T-632: Preliminary Study On Treating Nose Skin Using Energy and Intensity Modulated Electron Beams with Monte Carlo Based Dose Calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jin, L; Eldib, A; Li, J

Purpose: Uneven nose surfaces and air cavities underneath and the use of bolus present complexity and dose uncertainty when using a single electron energy beam to plan treatments of nose skin with a pencil beam-based planning system. This work demonstrates more accurate dose calculation and more optimal planning using energy and intensity modulated electron radiotherapy (MERT) delivered with a pMLC. Methods: An in-house developed Monte Carlo (MC)-based dose calculation/optimization planning system was employed for treatment planning. Phase space data (6, 9, 12 and 15 MeV) were used as an input source for MC dose calculations for the linac. To reducemore » the scatter-caused penumbra, a short SSD (61 cm) was used. Our previous work demonstrates good agreement in percentage depth dose and off-axis dose between calculations and film measurement for various field sizes. A MERT plan was generated for treating the nose skin using a patient geometry and a dose volume histogram (DVH) was obtained. The work also shows the comparison of 2D dose distributions between a clinically used conventional single electron energy plan and the MERT plan. Results: The MERT plan resulted in improved target dose coverage as compared to the conventional plan, which demonstrated a target dose deficit at the field edge. The conventional plan showed higher dose normal tissue irradiation underneath the nose skin while the MERT plan resulted in improved conformity and thus reduces normal tissue dose. Conclusion: This preliminary work illustrates that MC-based MERT planning is a promising technique in treating nose skin, not only providing more accurate dose calculation, but also offering an improved target dose coverage and conformity. In addition, this technique may eliminate the necessity of bolus, which often produces dose delivery uncertainty due to the air gaps that may exist between the bolus and skin.« less

Neutron dose measurements of Varian and Elekta linacs by TLD600 and TLD700 dosimeters and comparison with MCNP calculations

PubMed Central

Nedaie, Hassan Ali; Darestani, Hoda; Banaee, Nooshin; Shagholi, Negin; Mohammadi, Kheirollah; Shahvar, Arjang; Bayat, Esmaeel

2014-01-01

High-energy linacs produce secondary particles such as neutrons (photoneutron production). The neutrons have the important role during treatment with high energy photons in terms of protection and dose escalation. In this work, neutron dose equivalents of 18 MV Varian and Elekta accelerators are measured by thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) 600 and TLD700 detectors and compared with the Monte Carlo calculations. For neutron and photon dose discrimination, first TLDs were calibrated separately by gamma and neutron doses. Gamma calibration was carried out in two procedures; by standard 60Co source and by 18 MV linac photon beam. For neutron calibration by 241Am-Be source, irradiations were performed in several different time intervals. The Varian and Elekta linac heads and the phantom were simulated by the MCNPX code (v. 2.5). Neutron dose equivalent was calculated in the central axis, on the phantom surface and depths of 1, 2, 3.3, 4, 5, and 6 cm. The maximum photoneutron dose equivalents which calculated by the MCNPX code were 7.06 and 2.37 mSv.Gy-1 for Varian and Elekta accelerators, respectively, in comparison with 50 and 44 mSv.Gy-1 achieved by TLDs. All the results showed more photoneutron production in Varian accelerator compared to Elekta. According to the results, it seems that TLD600 and TLD700 pairs are not suitable dosimeters for neutron dosimetry inside the linac field due to high photon flux, while MCNPX code is an appropriate alternative for studying photoneutron production. PMID:24600167

Neutron dose measurements of Varian and Elekta linacs by TLD600 and TLD700 dosimeters and comparison with MCNP calculations.

PubMed

Nedaie, Hassan Ali; Darestani, Hoda; Banaee, Nooshin; Shagholi, Negin; Mohammadi, Kheirollah; Shahvar, Arjang; Bayat, Esmaeel

2014-01-01

High-energy linacs produce secondary particles such as neutrons (photoneutron production). The neutrons have the important role during treatment with high energy photons in terms of protection and dose escalation. In this work, neutron dose equivalents of 18 MV Varian and Elekta accelerators are measured by thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) 600 and TLD700 detectors and compared with the Monte Carlo calculations. For neutron and photon dose discrimination, first TLDs were calibrated separately by gamma and neutron doses. Gamma calibration was carried out in two procedures; by standard 60Co source and by 18 MV linac photon beam. For neutron calibration by (241)Am-Be source, irradiations were performed in several different time intervals. The Varian and Elekta linac heads and the phantom were simulated by the MCNPX code (v. 2.5). Neutron dose equivalent was calculated in the central axis, on the phantom surface and depths of 1, 2, 3.3, 4, 5, and 6 cm. The maximum photoneutron dose equivalents which calculated by the MCNPX code were 7.06 and 2.37 mSv.Gy(-1) for Varian and Elekta accelerators, respectively, in comparison with 50 and 44 mSv.Gy(-1) achieved by TLDs. All the results showed more photoneutron production in Varian accelerator compared to Elekta. According to the results, it seems that TLD600 and TLD700 pairs are not suitable dosimeters for neutron dosimetry inside the linac field due to high photon flux, while MCNPX code is an appropriate alternative for studying photoneutron production.

Potential errors in relative dose measurements in kilovoltage photon beams due to polarity effects in plane-parallel ionisation chambers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dowdell, S.; Tyler, M.; McNamara, J.; Sloan, K.; Ceylan, A.; Rinks, A.

2016-12-01

Plane-parallel ionisation chambers are regularly used to conduct relative dosimetry measurements for therapeutic kilovoltage beams during commissioning and routine quality assurance. This paper presents the first quantification of the polarity effect in kilovoltage photon beams for two types of commercially available plane-parallel ionisation chambers used for such measurements. Measurements were performed at various depths along the central axis in a solid water phantom and for different field sizes at 2 cm depth to determine the polarity effect for PTW Advanced Markus and Roos ionisation chambers (PTW-Freiburg, Germany). Data was acquired for kilovoltage beams between 100 kVp (half-value layer (HVL)  =  2.88 mm Al) and 250 kVp (HVL  =  2.12 mm Cu) and field sizes of 3-15 cm diameter for 30 cm focus-source distance (FSD) and 4  ×  4 cm2-20  ×  20 cm2 for 50 cm FSD. Substantial polarity effects, up to 9.6%, were observed for the Advanced Markus chamber compared to a maximum 0.5% for the Roos chamber. The magnitude of the polarity effect was observed to increase with field size and beam energy but was consistent with depth. The polarity effect is directly influenced by chamber design, with potentially large polarity effects for some plane-parallel ionisation chambers. Depending on the specific chamber used, polarity corrections may be required for output factor measurements of kilovoltage photon beams. Failure to account for polarity effects could lead to an incorrect dose being delivered to the patient.

SU-E-T-443: Geometric Uncertainties in Eye Plaque Dosimetry for a Fully Loaded 16 Mm COMS Plaque

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morrison, H; Menon, G; Jans, H

Purpose: To determine the effect of geometric uncertainties in the seed positions in a COMS eye plaque on the central axis (CAX) dose. Methods: A Silastic insert was placed into a photopolymer 3D printed 16 mm COMS plaque, which was then positioned onto a custom-designed PMMA eye phantom. High resolution 3D images were acquired of the setup using a Siemens Inveon microPET/CT scanner. Images were acquired with the plaque unloaded and loaded with IsoAid I-125 seed shells (lack of silver core to minimize metal artifacts). Seed positions and Silastic thickness beneath each slot were measured. The measured seed coordinates weremore » used to alter the seed positions within a standard 16 mm COMS plaque in Plaque Simulator v5.7.3 software. Doses along the plaque CAX were compared for the original and modified plaque coordinates using 3.5 mCi seeds with treatment times set to deliver 70 Gy to tumour apexes of 3.5, 5, and 10 mm height. Results: The majority of seeds showed length-wise displacement, and all seeds showed displacement radially outward from the eye center. The average radial displacement was 0.15 mm larger than the expected 1.4 mm offset, approximately half of which was due to increased Silastic thickness beneath each slot. The CAX doses for the modified seed positions were consistently lower for all tumour heights due to geometric displacement of the seeds; dose differences were found to increase to a maximum of 2.6% at a depth of ∼10 mm, after which they decreased due to the inverse square dose fall-off minimizing this effect. Conclusion: This work presents initial results of a broader dosimetric uncertainty evaluation for fully loaded COMS eye plaques and demonstrates the effects of seed positioning uncertainties. The small shifts in seed depths had noticeable effects on the CAX doses indicating the importance of careful Silastic loading. Funding provided by Alberta Cancer Foundation Grant #26655, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, and Alberta Innovates Health Sciences Graduate Studentship.« less

SU-F-T-28: Evaluation of BEBIG HDR Co-60 After-Loading System for Skin Cancer Treatment Using Conical Surface Applicator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Safigholi, H; Soliman, A; Song, W Y

Purpose: To evaluate the possibility of utilizing the BEBIG HDR 60Co remote after-loading system for malignant skin surface treatment using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation technique. Methods: First TG-43 parameters of BEBIG-Co-60 and Nucletron Ir-192-mHDR-V2 brachytherapy sources were simulated using MCNP6 code to benchmark the sources against the literature. Second a conical tungsten-alloy with 3-cm diameter of Planning-Target-Volume (PTV) at surface for use with a single stepping HDR source is designed. The HDR source is modeled parallel to treatment plane at the center of the conical applicator with a source surface distance (SSD) of 1.5-cm and a removable plastic end-cap withmore » a 1-mm thickness. Third, MC calculated dose distributions from HDR Co-60 for conical surface applicator were compared with the simulated data using HDR Ir-192 source. The initial calculations were made with the same conical surface applicator (standard-applicator) dimensions as the ones used with the Ir-192 system. Fourth, the applicator wall-thickness for the Co-60 system was increased (doubled) to diminish leakage dose to levels received when using the Ir-192 system. With this geometry, percentage depth dose (PDD), and relative 2D-dose profiles in transverse/coronal planes were normalized at 3-mm prescription-depth evaluated along the central axis. Results: PDD for Ir-192 and Co-60 were similar with standard and thick-walled applicator. 2D-relative dose distribution of Co-60, inside the standard-conical-applicator, generated higher penumbra (7.6%). For thick-walled applicator, it created smaller penumbra (<4%) compared to Ir-192 source in the standard-conicalapplicator. Dose leakage outside of thick-walled applicator with Co-60 source was approximately equal (≤3%) with standard applicator using Ir-192 source. Conclusion: Skin cancer treatment with equal quality can be performed with Co-60 source and thick-walled conical applicators instead of Ir-192 with standard applicators. These conical surface applicator must be used with a protective plastic end-cap to eliminate electron contamination and over-dosage of the skin.« less

DARHT Axis-I Diode Simulations II: Geometrical Scaling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ekdahl, Carl A. Jr.

2012-06-14

Flash radiography of large hydrodynamic experiments driven by high explosives is a venerable diagnostic technique in use at many laboratories. Many of the largest hydrodynamic experiments study mockups of nuclear weapons, and are often called hydrotests for short. The dual-axis radiography for hydrodynamic testing (DARHT) facility uses two electron linear-induction accelerators (LIA) to produce the radiographic source spots for perpendicular views of a hydrotest. The first of these LIAs produces a single pulse, with a fixed {approx}60-ns pulsewidth. The second axis LIA produces as many as four pulses within 1.6-{micro}s, with variable pulsewidths and separation. There are a wide varietymore » of hydrotest geometries, each with a unique radiographic requirement, so there is a need to adjust the radiographic dose for the best images. This can be accomplished on the second axis by simply adjusting the pulsewidths, but is more problematic on the first axis. Changing the beam energy or introducing radiation attenuation also changes the spectrum, which is undesirable. Moreover, using radiation attenuation introduces significant blur, increasing the effective spot size. The dose can also be adjusted by changing the beam kinetic energy. This is a very sensitive method, because the dose scales as the {approx}2.8 power of the energy, but it would require retuning the accelerator. This leaves manipulating the beam current as the best means for adjusting the dose, and one way to do this is to change the size of the cathode. This method has been proposed, and is being tested. This article describes simulations undertaken to develop scaling laws for use as design tools in changing the Axis-1 beam current by changing the cathode size.« less

Dose perturbation effect of metallic spinal implants in proton beam therapy.

PubMed

Jia, Yingcui; Zhao, Li; Cheng, Chee-Wai; McDonald, Mark W; Das, Indra J

2015-09-08

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dose perturbations for two metallic spinal screw implants in proton beam therapy in the perpendicular and parallel beam geometry. A 5.5 mm (diameter) by 45 mm (length) stainless steel (SS) screw and a 5.5 mm by 35 mm titanium (Ti) screw commonly used for spinal fixation were CT-scanned in a hybrid phantom of water and solid water. The CT data were processed with an orthopedic metal artifact reduction (O-MAR) algorithm. Treatment plans were generated for each metal screw with a proton beam oriented, first parallel and then perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis of the screw. The calculated dose profiles were compared with measured results from a plane-parallel ion chamber and Gafchromic EBT2 films. For the perpendicular setup, the measured dose immediately downstream from the screw exhibited dose enhancement up to 12% for SS and 8% for Ti, respectively, but such dose perturbation was not observed outside the lateral edges of the screws. The TPS showed 5% and 2% dose reductions immediately at the interface for the SS nd Ti screws, respectively, and up to 9% dose enhancements within 1 cm outside of the lateral edges of the screws. The measured dose enhancement was only observed within 5 mm from the interface along the beam path. At deeper depths, the lateral dose profiles appeared to be similar between the measurement and TPS, with dose reduction in the screw shadow region and dose enhancement within 1-2 cm outside of the lateral edges of the metals. For the parallel setup, no significant dose perturbation was detected at lateral distance beyond 3 mm away from both screws. Significant dose discrepancies exist between TPS calculations and ion chamber and film measurements in close proximity of high-Z inhomogeneities. The observed dose enhancement effect with proton therapy is not correctly modeled by TPS. An extra measure of caution should be taken when evaluating dosimetry with spinal metallic implants.

Monte Carlo simulation and film dosimetry for electron therapy in vicinity of a titanium mesh

PubMed Central

Rostampour, Masoumeh; Roayaei, Mahnaz

2014-01-01

Titanium (Ti) mesh plates are used as a bone replacement in brain tumor surgeries. In the case of radiotherapy, these plates might interfere with the beam path. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of titanium mesh on the dose distribution of electron fields. Simulations were performed using Monte Carlo BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc codes for 6 and 10 MeV electron beams. In Monte Carlo simulation, the shape of the titanium mesh was simulated. The simulated titanium mesh was considered as the one which is used in head and neck surgery with a thickness of 0.055 cm. First, by simulation, the percentage depth dose was obtained while the titanium mesh was present, and these values were then compared with the depth dose of homogeneous phantom with no titanium mesh. In the experimental measurements, the values of depth dose with titanium mesh and without titanium mesh in various depths were measured. The experiments were performed using a RW3 phantom with GAFCHROMIC EBT2 film. The results of experimental measurements were compared with values of depth dose obtained by simulation. In Monte Carlo simulation, as well as experimental measurements, for the voxels immediately beyond the titanium mesh, the change of the dose were evaluated. For this purpose the ratio of the dose for the case with titanium to the case without titanium was calculated as a function of titanium depth. For the voxels before the titanium mesh there was always an increase of the dose up to 13% with respect to the same voxel with no titanium mesh. This is because of the increased back scattering effect of the titanium mesh. The results also showed that for the voxel right beyond the titanium mesh, there is an increased or decreased dose to soft tissues, depending on the depth of the titanium mesh. For the regions before the depth of maximum dose, there is an increase of the dose up to 10% compared to the dose of the same depth in homogeneous phantom. Beyond the depth of maximum dose, there was a 16% decrease in dose. For both 6 and 10 MeV, before the titanium mesh, there was always an increase in dose. If titanium mesh is placed in buildup region, it causes an increase of the dose and could lead to overdose of the adjacent tissue, whereas if titanium mesh is placed beyond the buildup region, it would lead to a decrease in dose compared to the homogenous tissue. PACS number: 87.53.Bn PMID:25207397

Composite depth dose measurement for total skin electron (TSE) treatments using radiochromic film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gamble, Lisa M.; Farrell, Thomas J.; Jones, Glenn W.; Hayward, Joseph E.

2003-04-01

Total skin electron (TSE) radiotherapy is routinely used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and can be implemented using a modified Stanford technique. In our centre, the composite depth dose for this technique is achieved by a combination of two patient positions per day over a three-day cycle, and two gantry angles per patient position. Due to patient morphology, underdosed regions typically occur and have historically been measured using multiple thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). We show that radiochromic film can be used as a two-dimensional relative dosimeter to measure the percent depth dose in TSE radiotherapy. Composite depth dose curves were measured in a cylindrical, polystyrene phantom and compared with TLD data. Both multiple films (1 film per day) and a single film were used in order to reproduce a realistic clinical scenario. First, three individual films were used to measure the depth dose, one per treatment day, and then compared with TLD data; this comparison showed a reasonable agreement. Secondly, a single film was used to measure the dose delivered over three daily treatments and then compared with TLD data; this comparison showed good agreement throughout the depth dose, which includes doses well below 1 Gy. It will be shown that one piece of radiochromic film is sufficient to measure the composite percent depth dose for a TSE beam, hence making radiochromic film a suitable candidate for monitoring underdosed patient regions.

Composite depth dose measurement for total skin electron (TSE) treatments using radiochromic film.

PubMed

Gamble, Lisa M; Farrell, Thomas J; Jones, Glenn W; Hayward, Joseph E

2003-04-07

Total skin electron (TSE) radiotherapy is routinely used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and can be implemented using a modified Stanford technique. In our centre, the composite depth dose for this technique is achieved by a combination of two patient positions per day over a three-day cycle, and two gantry angles per patient position. Due to patient morphology, underdosed regions typically occur and have historically been measured using multiple thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). We show that radiochromic film can be used as a two-dimensional relative dosimeter to measure the percent depth dose in TSE radiotherapy. Composite depth dose curves were measured in a cylindrical, polystyrene phantom and compared with TLD data. Both multiple films (1 film per day) and a single film were used in order to reproduce a realistic clinical scenario. First, three individual films were used to measure the depth dose, one per treatment day, and then compared with TLD data; this comparison showed a reasonable agreement. Secondly, a single film was used to measure the dose delivered over three daily treatments and then compared with TLD data; this comparison showed good agreement throughout the depth dose, which includes doses well below 1 Gy. It will be shown that one piece of radiochromic film is sufficient to measure the composite percent depth dose for a TSE beam, hence making radiochromic film a suitable candidate for monitoring underdosed patient regions.

Calculating broad neutron resonances in a cut-off Woods-Saxon potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baran, Á.; Noszály, Cs.; Salamon, P.; Vertse, T.

2015-07-01

In a cut-off Woods-Saxon (CWS) potential with realistic depth S -matrix poles being far from the imaginary wave number axis form a sequence where the distances of the consecutive resonances are inversely proportional with the cut-off radius value, which is an unphysical parameter. Other poles lying closer to the imaginary wave number axis might have trajectories with irregular shapes as the depth of the potential increases. Poles being close repel each other, and their repulsion is responsible for the changes of the directions of the corresponding trajectories. The repulsion might cause that certain resonances become antibound and later resonances again when they collide on the imaginary axis. The interaction is extremely sensitive to the cut-off radius value, which is an apparent handicap of the CWS potential.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Z; Baker, J; Hsia, A

Purpose: The commercially available Leipzig-style Cone for High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy has a steep depth dose curve and a non-uniform dose distribution. This work shows the performance of a Ring Surface Applicator created using a 3D printer that can generate a better dose distribution. Calculated doses were verified with film measurement. Methods: The water equivalent red-ABS plastic was used to print the Ring Surface Applicator which hosts three catheters: a center piece with a straight catheter and two concentric rings with diameters of 3.5 and 5.5 cm. Gafchromic EBT2 film, Epson Expression 10000 flatbed scanner, and the online softwaremore » at radiochromic.com were used to analyze the measured data. 10cm×10cm piece of film was sandwiched between two 15×10×5cm3 polystyrene phantoms. The applicator was positioned directly on top of the phantom. Measurement was done using dwell time and positions calculated by Eclipse BrachyVision treatment planning system (RTP). Results: Depth dose curve was generated from the plan and measurement. The results show that the measured and calculated depth dose were in agreement (<3%) from surface to 4mm depth. A discrepancy of 6% was observed at 5 mm depth, where the dose is typically prescribed to. For depths deeper than 5 mm, the measured doses were lower than those calculated by Eclipse BrachyVision. This can be attributed to a combination of simple calculation algorithm using TG-43 and the lack of inhomogeneity correction. Dose profiles at 5 mm depth were also generated from TPS calculation and measured with film. The measured and calculated profiles are similar. Consistent with the depth dose curve, the measured dose is lower than the calculated. Conclusion: Our results showed that the Ring Surface Applicator, printed using 3D printer, can generate more uniform dose distribution within the target volume and can be safely used in the clinic.« less

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Clinical correlation of dose to the pharyngo-esophageal axis and dysphagia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fua, Tsien F.; Corry, June; Milner, Alvin D.

2007-03-15

Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantify the dose delivered to the pharyngo-esophageal axis using different intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and to correlate this with acute swallowing toxicity. Methods and Materials: The study population consisted of 28 patients treated with IMRT between February 2002 and August 2005: 20 with whole field IMRT (WF-IMRT) and 8 with IMRT fields junctioned with an anterior neck field with central shielding (j-IMRT). Dose to the pharyngo-esophageal axis was measured using dose-volume histograms. Acute swallowing toxicity was assessed by review of dysphagia grade during treatment and enteralmore » feeding requirements. Results: The mean pharyngo-esophageal dose was 55.2 Gy in the WF-IMRT group and 27.2 Gy in the j-IMRT group, p < 0.001. Ninety-five percent (19/20) of the WF-IMRT group developed Grade 3 dysphagia compared with 62.5% (5/8) of the j-IMRT group, p = 0.06. Feeding tube duration was a median of 38 days for the WF-IMRT group compared with 6 days for the j-IMRT group, p = 0.04. Conclusions: Clinical vigilance must be maintained when introducing new technology to ensure that unanticipated adverse effects do not result. Although newer planning systems can reduce the dose to the pharyngo-esophageal axis with WF-IMRT, the j-IMRT technique is preferred at least in patients with no gross disease in the lower neck.« less

Off-axis holographic laser speckle contrast imaging of blood vessels in tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdurashitov, Arkady; Bragina, Olga; Sindeeva, Olga; Sergey, Sindeev; Semyachkina-Glushkovskaya, Oxana V.; Tuchin, Valery V.

2017-09-01

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) has become one of the most common tools for functional imaging in tissues. Incomplete theoretical description and sophisticated interpretation of measurement results are completely sidelined by a low-cost and simple hardware, fastness, consistent results, and repeatability. In addition to the relatively low measuring volume with around 700 μm of the probing depth for the visible spectral range of illumination, there is no depth selectivity in conventional LSCI configuration; furthermore, in a case of high NA objective, the actual penetration depth of light in tissues is greater than depth of field (DOF) of an imaging system. Thus, the information about these out-of-focus regions persists in the recorded frames but cannot be retrieved due to intensity-based registration method. We propose a simple modification of LSCI system based on the off-axis holography to introduce after-registration refocusing ability to overcome both depth-selectivity and DOF problems as well as to get the potential possibility of producing a cross-section view of the specimen.

Conical Fourier shell correlation applied to electron tomograms.

PubMed

Diebolder, C A; Faas, F G A; Koster, A J; Koning, R I

2015-05-01

The resolution of electron tomograms is anisotropic due to geometrical constraints during data collection, such as the limited tilt range and single axis tilt series acquisition. Acquisition of dual axis tilt series can decrease these effects. However, in cryo-electron tomography, to limit the electron radiation damage that occurs during imaging, the total dose should not increase and must be fractionated over the two tilt series. Here we set out to determine whether it is beneficial fractionate electron dose for recording dual axis cryo electron tilt series or whether it is better to perform single axis acquisition. To assess the quality of tomographic reconstructions in different directions here we introduce conical Fourier shell correlation (cFSCe/o). Employing cFSCe/o, we compared the resolution isotropy of single-axis and dual-axis (cryo-)electron tomograms using even/odd split data sets. We show that the resolution of dual-axis simulated and cryo-electron tomograms in the plane orthogonal to the electron beam becomes more isotropic compared to single-axis tomograms and high resolution peaks along the tilt axis disappear. cFSCe/o also allowed us to compare different methods for the alignment of dual-axis tomograms. We show that different tomographic reconstruction programs produce different anisotropic resolution in dual axis tomograms. We anticipate that cFSCe/o can also be useful for comparisons of acquisition and reconstruction parameters, and different hardware implementations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SU-F-T-142: An Analytical Model to Correct the Aperture Scattered Dose in Clinical Proton Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sun, B; Liu, S; Zhang, T

2016-06-15

Purpose: Apertures or collimators are used to laterally shape proton beams in double scattering (DS) delivery and to sharpen the penumbra in pencil beam (PB) delivery. However, aperture-scattered dose is not included in the current dose calculations of treatment planning system (TPS). The purpose of this study is to provide a method to correct the aperture-scattered dose based on an analytical model. Methods: A DS beam with a non-divergent aperture was delivered using a single-room proton machine. Dose profiles were measured with an ion-chamber scanning in water and a 2-D ion chamber matrix with solid-water buildup at various depths. Themore » measured doses were considered as the sum of the non-contaminated dose and the aperture-scattered dose. The non-contaminated dose was calculated by TPS and subtracted from the measured dose. Aperture scattered-dose was modeled as a 1D Gaussian distribution. For 2-D fields, to calculate the scatter-dose from all the edges of aperture, a sum of weighted distance was used in the model based on the distance from calculation point to aperture edge. The gamma index was calculated between the measured and calculated dose with and without scatter correction. Results: For a beam with range of 23 cm and aperture size of 20 cm, the contribution of the scatter horn was ∼8% of the total dose at 4 cm depth and diminished to 0 at 15 cm depth. The amplitude of scatter-dose decreased linearly with the depth increase. The 1D gamma index (2%/2 mm) between the calculated and measured profiles increased from 63% to 98% for 4 cm depth and from 83% to 98% at 13 cm depth. The 2D gamma index (2%/2 mm) at 4 cm depth has improved from 78% to 94%. Conclusion: Using the simple analytical method the discrepancy between the measured and calculated dose has significantly improved.« less

Physical aspects of total-body irradiation at the Middlesex Hospital (UCL group of hospitals), London 1988-1993: I. Phantom measurements and planning methods.

PubMed

Planskoy, B; Bedford, A M; Davis, F M; Tapper, P D; Loverock, L T

1996-11-01

This paper, which is divided into parts I and II, describes the physical aspects of work on total-body irradiation (TBI) at the Middlesex Hospital, London, from 1988 to 1993. Irradiation is fractionated and bi-lateral with horizontal accelerator photon beams of 8 MV (1988-1992) at a source-surface distance (SSD) of 3.36 m and 10 MV (1992-1993) at an SSD of 4.62 m. The main aims were maximum patient comfort, a simple, accurate set-up with overall times per fraction of 30 min or less, dose homogeneity throughout the body within +/- 10 to +/- 15%, pre-irradiation treatment planning on nine CT slices using our commercial IGE RTplan (1988-1992) and Target 2 (1992-1993) treatment planning systems and, most important, verification of the plans by in vivo dosimetry to within +/- 5%. Verification of the planned lung doses, which are distributed over five CT slices, was given special attention. In part I of this paper we describe the preliminary work, most of which was done prior to patient treatment. This consisted of standard dosimetric measurements (central axis depth doses, beam profiles at several depths, build-up and build-down curves, beam output calibrations, effect of body compensators, etc), in evaluating silicon diode dosimeters for in vivo dosimetry and of adapting and verifying the methods of treatment planning for TBI conditions. The results obtained with phantoms, including a Rando body phantom, showed that, in principle, our aims could be achieved. The final proof depended, however, on an analysis of the results of the in vivo work and this forms the subject of part II of this paper.

Measurement of changes in linear accelerator photon energy through flatness variation using an ion chamber array

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gao Song; Balter, Peter A.; Rose, Mark

2013-04-15

Purpose: To compare the use of flatness versus percent depth dose (PDD) for determining changes in photon beam energy for a megavoltage linear accelerator. Methods: Energy changes were accomplished by adjusting the bending magnet current by up to {+-}15% in 5% increments away from the value used clinically. Two metrics for flatness, relative flatness in the central 80% of the field (Flat) and average maximum dose along the diagonals normalized by central axis dose (F{sub DN}), were measured using a commercially available planner ionization chamber array. PDD was measured in water at depths of 5 and 10 cm in 3more » Multiplication-Sign 3 cm{sup 2} and 10 Multiplication-Sign 10 cm{sup 2} fields using a cylindrical chamber. Results: PDD was more sensitive to changes in energy when the beam energy was increased than when it was decreased. For the 18-MV beam in particular, PDD was not sensitive to energy reductions below the nominal energy. The value of Flat was found to be more sensitive to decreases in energy than to increases, with little sensitivity to energy increases above the nominal energy for 18-MV beams. F{sub DN} was the only metric that was found to be sensitive to both increases and reductions of energy for both the 6- and 18-MV beams. Conclusions: Flatness based metrics were found to be more sensitive to energy changes than PDD, In particular, F{sub DN} was found to be the most sensitive metric to energy changes for photon beams of 6 and 18 MV. The ionization chamber array allows this metric to be conveniently measured as part of routine accelerator quality assurance.« less

Seismicity and state of stress near the Japan Trench axis off Miyagi, northeast Japan, after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obana, K.; Kodaira, S.; Takahashi, T.; Yamamoto, Y.; Nakamura, Y.; No, T.; Fujie, G.; Hino, R.; Shinohara, M.

2013-12-01

The 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake ruptured roughly 200 km wide and 500 km long megathrust along the Japan Trench. The rupture propagated to the trench axis with a maximum slip about 50 m near the trench axis. As a consequence of this large near-trench slip, earthquakes have been activated near the axis of the Japan Trench off Miyagi, northeast Japan. We have conducted ocean bottom seismograph (OBS) experiments in the Japan Trench axis area, surrounding area of the IODP JFAST drilling site, since the occurrence of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Although conventionally used OBS cannot be deployed at seafloor deeper than 6000 m water depth, we used newly developed ultra-deep OBS using ceramic sphere, which can be deployed at a depth of 9000 m, for the observations in the trench axis. The ultra-deep OBS has almost equivalent dimensions and weight with the conventionally used OBS, thus we can handle it in the same manner with the conventionally OBS without any special operation. As a result of a series of the OBS observations, we obtained accurate hypocenter locations and focal mechanisms in both seaward and landward of the trench axis. Earthquakes near the trench axis area were located within the overriding and incoming/subducting plates with very few on the plate interface below the inner trench slope landward of the trench axis. Most of the earthquakes both in the overriding and incoming/subducting plates having normal or strike-slip faulting focal mechanisms with T-axis normal to the trench axis. This indicates that tensional stress is dominant in the trench axis area. However, most seaward part of the seismicity within the overriding plate is characterized by a localized cluster of trench-normal compressional earthquakes, which may relate to spatial variation of the frictional behavior of the shallowest part of the megathrust. On the other hand, trench-normal extensional earthquakes in the incoming/subducting Pacific plate were located at depths shallower than about 35 to 40 km. The deepest trench-normal extensional earthquake observed during OBS observations from December 2012 to January 2013 is slightly shallower than that observed from May to June in 2011 but further observations are required to investigate the temporal change. Continued and repeated earthquake observations could provide information on post-seismic behavior of the megathrust and recovery process of the stress state.

ITAR: A modified TAR method to determine depth dose distribution for an ophthalmic device that performs kilovoltage x-ray pencil-beam stereotaxy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hanlon, Justin, E-mail: jhanlon@orayainc.com; Chell, Erik; Firpo, Michael

2014-02-15

Purpose: New technology has been developed to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using 100 kVp pencil-beams that enter the patient through the radio-resistant sclera with a depth of interest between 1.6 and 2.6 cm. Measurement of reference and relative dose in a kilovoltage x-ray beam with a 0.42 cm diameter field size and a 15 cm source to axis distance (SAD) is a challenge that is not fully addressed in current guidelines to medical physicists. AAPM's TG-61 gives dosimetry recommendations for low and medium energy x-rays, but not all of them are feasible to follow for this modality. Methods: Anmore » investigation was conducted to select appropriate equipment for the application. PTW's Type 34013 Soft X-Ray Chamber (Freiburg, Germany) and CIRS's Plastic Water LR (Norfolk, VA) were found to be the best available options. Attenuation curves were measured with minimal scatter contribution and thus called Low Scatter Tissue Air Ratio (LSTAR). A scatter conversion coefficient (C{sub scat}) was derived through Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation using MCNPX (LANL, Los Alamos, NM) to quantify the difference between a traditional TAR curve and the LSTAR curve. A material conversion coefficient (C{sub mat}) was determined through experimentation to evaluate the difference in attenuation properties between water and Plastic Water LR. Validity of performing direct dosimetry measurements with a source to detector distance other than the treatment distance, and therefore a different field size due to a fixed collimator, was explored. A method—Integrated Tissue Air Ratio (ITAR)—has been developed that isolates each of the three main radiological effects (distance from source, attenuation, and scatter) during measurement, and integrates them to determine the dose rate to the macula during treatment. Results: LSTAR curves were determined to be field size independent within the range explored, indicating that direct dosimetry measurements may be performed with a source to detector distance of 20 cm even though the SAD is 15 cm during treatment. C{sub scat} varied from 1.102 to 1.106 within the range of depths of interest. The experimental variance among repeated measurements of C{sub mat} was larger than depth dependence, so C{sub mat} was estimated as1.019 for all depths of interest. Conclusions: Equipment selection, measurement techniques, and formalism for the determination of dose rate to the macula during stereotaxy for AMD have been determined and are strongly recommended by the authors of this paper to be used by clinical medical physicists.« less

Medulloblastoma--prognostic factors and outcome of treatment: Review of the Mayo Clinic experience

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garton, G.R.; Schomberg, P.J.; Scheithauer, B.W.

1990-08-01

From March 1965 through December 1984, 58 patients (35 male and 23 female patients; median age, 17 years) with posterior fossa (PF) medulloblastoma underwent surgical treatment and postoperative radiation therapy at our institution. Radiation fields were the craniospinal axis in 39 patients, PF plus spinal axis in 12, PF in 6, and whole brain in 1. Median radiation doses were 43 Gy (22 to 60 Gy) to the PF and 34 Gy (6.2 to 50 Gy) to the spinal axis. Overall 5- and 10-year survivals were 50% and 33%, respectively; 5- and 10-year relapse-free survivals were 46% and 32%. Treatmentmore » failed in 34 patients (59%): in 18 who had irradiation to the craniospinal axis (13 had received 50 Gy or less to the PF) and in 16 who had a radiation field of less than the craniospinal axis. A statistically significant (P less than 0.05) improvement in 10-year survival was associated with the following prognostic variables: PF dose of 50 Gy or more, whole-brain irradiation, and spinal axis irradiation. In comparison with subtotal resection, total resection was correlated with better 10-year relapse-free survival but not overall survival. All five patients with initial treatment failure only in the spine had received a radiation dose of 30 Gy or less to the spinal axis. The 2-year survival after relapse was 46% with salvage chemotherapy or irradiation in 23 patients and 0% in the 11 patients who received no further treatment (P less than 0.01).« less

A new correction method serving to eliminate the parabola effect of flatbed scanners used in radiochromic film dosimetry.

PubMed

Poppinga, D; Schoenfeld, A A; Doerner, K J; Blanck, O; Harder, D; Poppe, B

2014-02-01

The purpose of this study is the correction of the lateral scanner artifact, i.e., the effect that, on a large homogeneously exposed EBT3 film, a flatbed scanner measures different optical densities at different positions along the x axis, the axis parallel to the elongated light source. At constant dose, the measured optical density profiles along this axis have a parabolic shape with significant dose dependent curvature. Therefore, the effect is shortly called the parabola effect. The objective of the algorithm developed in this study is to correct for the parabola effect. Any optical density measured at given position x is transformed into the equivalent optical density c at the apex of the parabola and then converted into the corresponding dose via the calibration of c versus dose. For the present study EBT3 films and an Epson 10000XL scanner including transparency unit were used for the analysis of the parabola effect. The films were irradiated with 6 MV photons from an Elekta Synergy accelerator in a RW3 slab phantom. In order to quantify the effect, ten film pieces with doses graded from 0 to 20.9 Gy were sequentially scanned at eight positions along the x axis and at six positions along the z axis (the movement direction of the light source) both for the portrait and landscape film orientations. In order to test the effectiveness of the new correction algorithm, the dose profiles of an open square field and an IMRT plan were measured by EBT3 films and compared with ionization chamber and ionization chamber array measurement. The parabola effect has been numerically studied over the whole measuring field of the Epson 10000XL scanner for doses up to 20.9 Gy and for both film orientations. The presented algorithm transforms any optical density at position x into the equivalent optical density that would be measured at the same dose at the apex of the parabola. This correction method has been validated up to doses of 5.2 Gy all over the scanner bed with 2D dose distributions of an open square photon field and an IMRT distribution. The algorithm presented in this study quantifies and corrects the parabola effect of EBT3 films scanned in commonly used commercial flatbed scanners at doses up to 5.2 Gy. It is easy to implement, and no additional work steps are necessary in daily routine film dosimetry.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Poppinga, D., E-mail: daniela.poppinga@uni-oldenburg.de; Schoenfeld, A. A.; Poppe, B.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is the correction of the lateral scanner artifact, i.e., the effect that, on a large homogeneously exposed EBT3 film, a flatbed scanner measures different optical densities at different positions along thex axis, the axis parallel to the elongated light source. At constant dose, the measured optical densitiy profiles along this axis have a parabolic shape with significant dose dependent curvature. Therefore, the effect is shortly called the parabola effect. The objective of the algorithm developed in this study is to correct for the parabola effect. Any optical density measured at given position x ismore » transformed into the equivalent optical density c at the apex of the parabola and then converted into the corresponding dose via the calibration of c versus dose. Methods: For the present study EBT3 films and an Epson 10000XL scanner including transparency unit were used for the analysis of the parabola effect. The films were irradiated with 6 MV photons from an Elekta Synergy accelerator in a RW3 slab phantom. In order to quantify the effect, ten film pieces with doses graded from 0 to 20.9 Gy were sequentially scanned at eight positions along thex axis and at six positions along the z axis (the movement direction of the light source) both for the portrait and landscape film orientations. In order to test the effectiveness of the new correction algorithm, the dose profiles of an open square field and an IMRT plan were measured by EBT3 films and compared with ionization chamber and ionization chamber array measurement. Results: The parabola effect has been numerically studied over the whole measuring field of the Epson 10000XL scanner for doses up to 20.9 Gy and for both film orientations. The presented algorithm transforms any optical density at positionx into the equivalent optical density that would be measured at the same dose at the apex of the parabola. This correction method has been validated up to doses of 5.2 Gy all over the scanner bed with 2D dose distributions of an open square photon field and an IMRT distribution. Conclusions: The algorithm presented in this study quantifies and corrects the parabola effect of EBT3 films scanned in commonly used commercial flatbed scanners at doses up to 5.2 Gy. It is easy to implement, and no additional work steps are necessary in daily routine film dosimetry.« less

Thinking in z-space: flatness and spatial narrativity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zone, Ray

2012-03-01

Now that digital technology has accessed the Z-space in cinema, narrative artistry is at a loss. Motion picture professionals no longer can readily resort to familiar tools. A new language and new linguistics for Z-axis storytelling are necessary. After first examining the roots of monocular thinking in painting, prior modes of visual narrative in twodimensional cinema obviating true binocular stereopsis can be explored, particularly montage, camera motion and depth of field, with historic examples. Special attention is paid to the manner in which monocular cues for depth have been exploited to infer depth on a planar screen. Both the artistic potential and visual limitations of actual stereoscopic depth as a filmmaking language are interrogated. After an examination of the historic basis of monocular thinking in visual culture, a context for artistic exploration of the use of the z-axis as a heightened means of creating dramatic and emotional impact upon the viewer is illustrated.

Modification and validation of an analytical source model for external beam radiotherapy Monte Carlo dose calculations.

PubMed

Davidson, Scott E; Cui, Jing; Kry, Stephen; Deasy, Joseph O; Ibbott, Geoffrey S; Vicic, Milos; White, R Allen; Followill, David S

2016-08-01

A dose calculation tool, which combines the accuracy of the dose planning method (DPM) Monte Carlo code and the versatility of a practical analytical multisource model, which was previously reported has been improved and validated for the Varian 6 and 10 MV linear accelerators (linacs). The calculation tool can be used to calculate doses in advanced clinical application studies. One shortcoming of current clinical trials that report dose from patient plans is the lack of a standardized dose calculation methodology. Because commercial treatment planning systems (TPSs) have their own dose calculation algorithms and the clinical trial participant who uses these systems is responsible for commissioning the beam model, variation exists in the reported calculated dose distributions. Today's modern linac is manufactured to tight specifications so that variability within a linac model is quite low. The expectation is that a single dose calculation tool for a specific linac model can be used to accurately recalculate dose from patient plans that have been submitted to the clinical trial community from any institution. The calculation tool would provide for a more meaningful outcome analysis. The analytical source model was described by a primary point source, a secondary extra-focal source, and a contaminant electron source. Off-axis energy softening and fluence effects were also included. The additions of hyperbolic functions have been incorporated into the model to correct for the changes in output and in electron contamination with field size. A multileaf collimator (MLC) model is included to facilitate phantom and patient dose calculations. An offset to the MLC leaf positions was used to correct for the rudimentary assumed primary point source. Dose calculations of the depth dose and profiles for field sizes 4 × 4 to 40 × 40 cm agree with measurement within 2% of the maximum dose or 2 mm distance to agreement (DTA) for 95% of the data points tested. The model was capable of predicting the depth of the maximum dose within 1 mm. Anthropomorphic phantom benchmark testing of modulated and patterned MLCs treatment plans showed agreement to measurement within 3% in target regions using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Using radiochromic film normalized to TLD, a gamma criteria of 3% of maximum dose and 2 mm DTA was applied with a pass rate of least 85% in the high dose, high gradient, and low dose regions. Finally, recalculations of patient plans using DPM showed good agreement relative to a commercial TPS when comparing dose volume histograms and 2D dose distributions. A unique analytical source model coupled to the dose planning method Monte Carlo dose calculation code has been modified and validated using basic beam data and anthropomorphic phantom measurement. While this tool can be applied in general use for a particular linac model, specifically it was developed to provide a singular methodology to independently assess treatment plan dose distributions from those clinical institutions participating in National Cancer Institute trials.

Depth dose measurements with the Liulin-5 experiment inside the spherical phantom of the MATROSHKA-R project onboard the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semkova, J.; Koleva, R.; Maltchev, St.; Bankov, N.; Benghin, V.; Chernykh, I.; Shurshakov, V.; Petrov, V.; Drobyshev, S.; Nikolaev, I.

2012-02-01

The Liulin-5 experiment is a part of the international project MATROSHKA-R on the Russian segment of the ISS, which uses a tissue-equivalent spherical phantom equipped with a set of radiation detectors. The objective of the MATROSHKA-R project is to provide depth dose distribution of the radiation field inside the sphere in order to get more information on the distribution of dose in a human body. Liulin-5 is a charged particle telescope using three silicon detectors. It measures time resolved energy deposition spectra, linear energy transfer (LET) spectra, particle flux, and absorbed doses of electrons, protons and heavy ions, simultaneously at three depths along the radius of the phantom. Measurements during the minimum of the solar activity in cycle 23 show that the average absorbed daily doses at 40 mm depth in the phantom are between 180 μGy/day and 220 μGy/day. The absorbed doses at 165 mm depth in the phantom decrease by a factor of 1.6-1.8 compared to the doses at 40 mm depth due to the self-shielding of the phantom from trapped protons. The average dose equivalent at 40 mm depth is 590 ± 32 μSV/day and the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) contribute at least 70% of the total dose equivalent at that depth. Shown is that due to the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) trapped protons asymmetry and the direction of Liulin-5 lowest shielding zone the dose rates on ascending and descending nodes in SAA are different. The data obtained are compared to data from other radiation detectors on ISS.

Threshold irradiation dose for amorphization of silicon carbide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Snead, L.L.; Zinkle, S.J.

1997-04-01

The amorphization of silicon carbide due to ion and electron irradiation is reviewed with emphasis on the temperature-dependent critical dose for amorphization. The effect of ion mass and energy on the threshold dose for amorphization is summarized, showing only a weak dependence near room temperature. Results are presented for 0.56 MeV silicon ions implanted into single crystal 6H-SiC as a function of temperature and ion dose. From this, the critical dose for amorphization is found as a function of temperature at depths well separated from the implanted ion region. Results are compared with published data generated using electrons and xenonmore » ions as the irradiating species. High resolution TEM analysis is presented for the Si ion series showing the evolution of elongated amorphous islands oriented such that their major axis is parallel to the free surface. This suggests that surface of strain effects may be influencing the apparent amorphization threshold. Finally, a model for the temperature threshold for amorphization is described using the Si ion irradiation flux and the fitted interstitial migration energy which was found to be {approximately}0.56 eV. This model successfully explains the difference in the temperature-dependent amorphization behavior of SiC irradiated with 0.56 MeV silicon ions at 1 x 10{sup {minus}3} dpa/s and with fission neutrons irradiated at 1 x 10{sup {minus}6} dpa/s irradiated to 15 dpa in the temperature range of {approximately}340 {+-} 10K.« less

Starfish (Asteroidea, Echinodermata) from the Faroe Islands; spatial distribution and abundance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ringvold, H.; Andersen, T.

2016-01-01

"Marine benthic fauna of the Faroe Islands" (BIOFAR) is a large programme with a focus on collecting invertebrate fauna from the Faroes (62°N and 7°W). Cruises were undertaken from 1987 to 1990, and starfish (Asteroidea, Echinodermata) collected during this time were analysed. Asteroidea were sampled at ~50% of all BIOFAR stations. A Detritus sledge and a Triangular dredge proved to be the most efficient equipment, collecting over 60% of the specimens. In total 2473 specimens were collected from 20 to 1500 m depth, including 41 species from 17 families and 31 genera. Henricia pertusa (O. F. Müller, 1776) group, Pontaster tenuispinus (Düben & Koren, 1846), and Leptychaster arcticus (M. Sars, 1851) showed highest relative abundance. Maximum species diversity was found at 500-700 m depth, which coincides with the transition zone of water masses (North Icelandic Winter Water and Arctic Intermediate Water (NI/AI)) at approximately 400-600 m depth. 63% of the species were recorded at an average-weighted depth above 600 m. Two different ordination methods (detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS)) gave highly consistent representations of the community structure gradients. The first ordination axis scores did not show significant relationships with any environmental variable. Biological covariates like the presence of Lophelia corals were not significantly related to ordination scores on any axis. The second ordination axis scores were significantly correlated with depth. Temperature and salinity were highly correlated (r=0.90), and both negatively correlated with depth (r=-0.69 and r=-0.57, respectively).

Hydraulic Jumps on Superhydrophobic Surfaces Exhibiting Ribs and Cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Michael; Russell, Benton; Maynes, Daniel; Webb, Brent

2009-11-01

We report experimental results characterizing the dynamics of a liquid jet impinging normally on superhydrophobic surfaces spanning the Weber number (based on the jet velocity and diameter) range from 100 to 1400. The superhydrophobic surfaces are fabricated with both silicon and PDMS surfaces and exhibit micro-ribs and cavities coated with a hydrophobic coating. In general, the hydraulic jump exhibits an elliptical shape with the major axis being aligned parallel to the ribs, concomitant with the frictional resistance being smaller in the parallel direction than in the transverse direction. When the water depth downstream of the jump was imposed at a predetermined value, the major and minor axis of the jump increased with decreasing water depth, following classical hydraulic jump behavior. When no water depth was imposed, however, the total projected area of the ellipse exhibited a nearly linear dependence on the jet Weber number, and was nominally invariant with varying hydrophobicity and relative size of the ribs and cavities. For this scenario the Weber number (based on the local radial velocity and water depth prior to the jump) was of order unity at the jump location. The results also reveal that for increasing relative size of the cavities, the ratio of the ellipse axis (major-to-minor) increases.

Study of a scanning HIFU therapy protocol, Part II: Experiment and results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrew, Marilee A.; Kaczkowski, Peter; Cunitz, Bryan W.; Brayman, Andrew A.; Kargl, Steven G.

2003-04-01

Instrumentation and protocols for creating scanned HIFU lesions in freshly excised bovine liver were developed in order to study the in vitro HIFU dose response and validate models. Computer-control of the HIFU transducer and 3-axis positioning system provided precise spatial placement of the thermal lesions. Scan speeds were selected in the range of 1 to 8 mm/s, and the applied electrical power was varied from 20 to 60 W. These parameters were chosen to hold the thermal dose constant. A total of six valid scans of 15 mm length were created in each sample; a 3.5 MHz single-element, spherically focused transducer was used. Treated samples were frozen, then sliced in 1.27 mm increments. Digital photographs of slices were downloaded to computer for image processing and analysis. Lesion characteristics, including the depth within the tissue, axial length, and radial width, were computed. Results were compared with those generated from modified KZK and BHTE models, and include a comparison of the statistical variation in the across-scan lesion radial width. [Work supported by USAMRMC.

Calculating Radiation Dose for Biological Tissue

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-05-30

This graph based on data from the RAD instrument onboard NASA Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft shows the flux of energetic particles vertical axis as a function of the estimated energy deposited in water horizontal axis.

Seismic velocity structure of the incoming Pacific Plate subducting into the central part of the Japan Trench revealed by traveltime tomography using OBS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obana, K.; Fujie, G.; Kodaira, S.; Takahashi, T.; Yamamoto, Y.; Miura, S.; Shinohara, M.

2016-12-01

Subduction of oceanic plates plays an important role in the water transportation from the earth surface into the deep mantle. Recent active seismic survey studies succeed to image that the seismic velocities within the oceanic crust and the uppermost mantle in the outer rise region decreases toward the trench axis. These velocity changes are considered as an indication of the hydration and alteration of the incoming oceanic plates prior to the subduction. However, the area with sufficient resolution of the active seismic studies is often limited at depths corresponding to the oceanic crust and several km beneath the oceanic Moho. In this study, we have examined the seismic velocity structure of the incoming/subducting Pacific Plate beneath the trench axis and outer trench-slope of the central part of the Japan Trench. The seismicity in the Pacific Plate, including several M7-class intra-plate earthquakes, has been active since the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake in the study area. These activities were observed by the ocean bottom seismographs (OBS) deployed repeatedly. The data obtained from these OBS observations allow us to resolve the seismic velocity structures at greater depths compared to the active seismic surveys. We conducted 3-D traveltime tomography by using double-difference tomography method (Zhang and Thurber, 2003). The results show that the seismic velocities within the oceanic mantle decreased toward the trench axis. The velocity reduction begins at about 80 km seaward of the trench axis and extended to a depth of at least 30 km beneath the trench axis area. If the observed P-wave velocity reduction from 8.4 km/s to 7.7 km/s at a depth of 15 km below the oceanic Moho is caused by the serpentinization of the oceanic mantle (Carlson and Miller, 2003), roughly 2.5 weight per cent of water is expected in the low velocity anomalies in the oceanic mantle.

Residual depth anomalies and the origin of the Australian-Antarctic discordance zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marks, Karen M.; Vogt, Peter R.; Hall, Stuart A.

1990-10-01

A new, high resolution depth anomaly map covering the anomalously deep and rough Australian-Antarctic Discordance (AAD) has been constructed using crustal ages derived from a detailed aeromagnetic survey. The map shows a large, arcuate-shaped, negative depth anomaly that is centered on the Southeast Indian Ridge and trends NNE across the Australian plate (SSE across the Antarctic plate). Within this broad scale feature, two prominent depth anomaly lows are observed at 45°S, 128°E (the northern flank) and 54°S, 125°E (the southern flank). Both lows are associated with 15 Ma oceanic crust. The observed depth anomaly patterns are compared with the distinctive patterns predicted by coldspot, downwelling limbs of convection cells, and thin crust models of the discordance source. The observed depth anomaly does not result from absolute plate motions over a fixed coldspot source because the predicted ENE trend on the Antarctic plate is not in agreement with the SSE trend observed. The symmetric arrangement of the large-scale depth anomaly and prominent lows about the ridge axis suggests instead a source that has varied in strength but remained located at the ridge axis as the ridge migrated northeastward in the absolute reference frame. The organized pattern of elongated depth anomaly highs and lows predicted for upper mantle convection (cells) is not evident in the observed depth anomaly map. Thus a convergence of downwelling limbs of convection cells beneath the discordance is not indicated. If the source of cooler upwelling that produces less magma and hence thin crust has not varied over time, nor migrated along the ridge, then the predicted depth anomaly would persist unchanged with distance from the ridge axis, and trend in the direction of relative plate motion (parallel to fracture zones). The observed depth anomaly trends obliquely across fracture zones and changes in both amplitude and location relative to the ridge axis, and is therefore not consistent with cool upwelling producing thin crust. To explain the features of the depth anomaly map, we propose that asthenospheric material flowing from the Amsterdam hotspot in the west, and the Balleny and Tasmantid hotspots in the east, collides within the discordance. Propagating rifts converging on the AAD provide evidence for such asthenospheric flow. Attenuated shear velocities beneath the George V fracture zone complex, and lavas geochemically identical to those from propagating rifts associated with hotspots, suggest a thermal anomaly producing additional asthenospheric flow east of the AAD. The increased flow and greater proximity of the discordance to the thermal anomaly and hotspots to the east produce a higher pressure gradient, and hence greater driving force, which results in a westward migration of the collision zone with time. Seafloor spreading over the westward moving collision zone has produced the observed arcuate-shaped anomaly with the accompanying oblique depth anomaly trends. We cannot decipher from depth anomalies alone whether the converging flows downwell within the AAD or simply mix with upwelling materials.

SU-E-T-577: Obliquity Factor and Surface Dose in Proton Beam Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Das, I; Andersen, A; Coutinho, L

2015-06-15

Purpose: The advantage of lower skin dose in proton beam may be diminished creating radiation related sequalae usually seen with photon and electron beams. This study evaluates the surface dose as a complex function of beam parameters but more importantly the effect of beam angle. Methods: Surface dose in proton beam depends on the beam energy, source to surface distance, the air gap between snout and surface, field size, material thickness in front of surface, atomic number of the medium, beam angle and type of nozzle (ie double scattering, (DS), uniform scanning (US) or pencil beam scanning (PBS). Obliquity factormore » (OF) is defined as ratio of surface dose in 0° to beam angle Θ. Measurements were made in water phantom at various beam angles using very small microdiamond that has shown favorable beam characteristics for high, medium and low proton energy. Depth dose measurements were performed in the central axis of the beam in each respective gantry angle. Results: It is observed that surface dose is energy dependent but more predominantly on the SOBP. It is found that as SSD increases, surface dose decreases. In general, SSD, and air gap has limited impact in clinical proton range. High energy has higher surface dose and so the beam angle. The OF rises with beam angle. Compared to OF of 1.0 at 0° beam angle, the value is 1.5, 1.6, 1,7 for small, medium and large range respectively for 60 degree angle. Conclusion: It is advised that just like range and SOBP, surface dose should be clearly understood and a method to reduce the surface dose should be employed. Obliquity factor is a critical parameter that should be accounted in proton beam therapy and a perpendicular beam should be used to reduce surface dose.« less

Aluminum surface modification by a non-mass-analyzed nitrogen ion beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohira, Shigeo; Iwaki, Masaya

Non-mass-analyzed nitrogen ion implantation into polycrystal and single crystal aluminum sheets has been carried out at an accelerating voltage of 90 kV and a dose of 1 × 10 18 N ions/cm 2 using a Zymet implanter model Z-100. The pressure during implantation rose to 10 -3 Pa due to the influence of N gas feeding into the ion source. The characteristics of the surface layers were investigated by means of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron diffraction (TED), and microscopy (TEM). The AES depth profiling shows a rectangular-like distribution of N atoms and little migration of O atoms near the surface. The high dose N-implantation forms c-axis oriented aluminum nitride (AIN) crystallines, and especially irradiation of Al single crystals with N ions leads to the formation of a hcp AlN single crystal. It is concluded that the high dose N-implantation in Al can result in the formation of AlN at room temperature without any thermal annealing. Furthermore, non-mass-analyzed N-implantation at a pressure of 10 -3 Pa of the nitrogen atmosphere causes the formation of pure AlN single crystals in the Al surface layer and consequently it can be practically used for AlN production.

Topographic stress perturbations in southern Davis Mountains, west Texas 1. Polarity reversal of principal stresses

USGS Publications Warehouse

Savage, W.Z.; Morin, R.H.

2002-01-01

We have applied a previously developed analytical stress model to interpret subsurface stress conditions inferred from acoustic televiewer logs obtained in two municipal water wells located in a valley in the southern Davis Mountains near Alpine, Texas. The appearance of stress-induced breakouts with orientations that shift by 90?? at two different depths in one of the wells is explained by results from exact solutions for the effects of valleys on gravity and tectonically induced subsurface stresses. The theoretical results demonstrate that above a reference depth termed the hinge point, a location that is dependent on Poisson's ratio, valley shape, and magnitude of the maximum horizontal tectonic stress normal to the long axis of the valley, horizontal stresses parallel to the valley axis are greater than those normal to it. At depths below this hinge point the situation reverses and horizontal stresses normal to the valley axis are greater than those parallel to it. Application of the theoretical model at Alpine is accommodated by the fact that nearby earthquake focal mechanisms establish an extensional stress regime with the regional maximum horizontal principal stress aligned perpendicular to the valley axis. We conclude that the localized stress field associated with a valley setting can be highly variable and that breakouts need to be examined in this context when estimating the orientations and magnitudes of regional principal stresses.

A procedure to determine the planar integral spot dose values of proton pencil beam spots

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anand, Aman; Sahoo, Narayan; Zhu, X. Ronald

2012-02-15

Purpose: Planar integral spot dose (PISD) of proton pencil beam spots (PPBSs) is a required input parameter for beam modeling in some treatment planning systems used in proton therapy clinics. The measurement of PISD by using commercially available large area ionization chambers, like the PTW Bragg peak chamber (BPC), can have large uncertainties due to the size limitation of these chambers. This paper reports the results of our study of a novel method to determine PISD values from the measured lateral dose profiles and peak dose of the PPBS. Methods: The PISDs of 72.5, 89.6, 146.9, 181.1, and 221.8 MeVmore » energy PPBSs were determined by area integration of their planar dose distributions at different depths in water. The lateral relative dose profiles of the PPBSs at selected depths were measured by using small volume ion chambers and were investigated for their angular anisotropies using Kodak XV films. The peak spot dose along the beam's central axis (D{sub 0}) was determined by placing a small volume ion chamber at the center of a broad field created by the superposition of spots at different locations. This method allows eliminating positioning uncertainties and the detector size effect that could occur when measuring it in single PPBS. The PISD was then calculated by integrating the measured lateral relative dose profiles for two different upper limits of integration and then multiplying it with corresponding D{sub 0}. The first limit of integration was set to radius of the BPC, namely 4.08 cm, giving PISD{sub RBPC}. The second limit was set to a value of the radial distance where the profile dose falls below 0.1% of the peak giving the PISD{sub full}. The calculated values of PISD{sub RBPC} obtained from area integration method were compared with the BPC measured values. Long tail dose correction factors (LTDCFs) were determined from the ratio of PISD{sub full}/PISD{sub RBPC} at different depths for PPBSs of different energies. Results: The spot profiles were found to have angular anisotropy. This anisotropy in PPBS dose distribution could be accounted in a reasonable approximate manner by taking the average of PISD values obtained using the in-line and cross-line profiles. The PISD{sub RBPC} values fall within 3.5% of those measured by BPC. Due to inherent dosimetry challenges associated with PPBS dosimetry, which can lead to large experimental uncertainties, such an agreement is considered to be satisfactory for validation purposes. The PISD{sub full} values show differences ranging from 1 to 11% from BPC measured values, which are mainly due to the size limitation of the BPC to account for the dose in the long tail regions of the spots extending beyond its 4.08 cm radius. The dose in long tail regions occur both for high energy beams such as 221.8 MeV PPBS due to the contributions of nuclear interactions products in the medium, and for low energy PPBS because of their larger spot sizes. The calculated LTDCF values agree within 1% with those determined by the Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Conclusions: The area integration method to compute the PISD from PPBS lateral dose profiles is found to be useful both to determine the correction factors for the values measured by the BPC and to validate the results from MC simulations.« less

Comparison of measured with calculated dose distribution from a 120-MeV electron beam from a laser-plasma accelerator.

PubMed

Lundh, O; Rechatin, C; Faure, J; Ben-Ismaïl, A; Lim, J; De Wagter, C; De Neve, W; Malka, V

2012-06-01

To evaluate the dose distribution of a 120-MeV laser-plasma accelerated electron beam which may be of potential interest for high-energy electron radiation therapy. In the interaction between an intense laser pulse and a helium gas jet, a well collimated electron beam with very high energy is produced. A secondary laser beam is used to optically control and to tune the electron beam energy and charge. The potential use of this beam for radiation treatment is evaluated experimentally by measurements of dose deposition in a polystyrene phantom. The results are compared to Monte Carlo simulations using the geant4 code. It has been shown that the laser-plasma accelerated electron beam can deliver a peak dose of more than 1 Gy at the entrance of the phantom in a single laser shot by direct irradiation, without the use of intermediate magnetic transport or focusing. The dose distribution is peaked on axis, with narrow lateral penumbra. Monte Carlo simulations of electron beam propagation and dose deposition indicate that the propagation of the intense electron beam (with large self-fields) can be described by standard models that exclude collective effects in the response of the material. The measurements show that the high-energy electron beams produced by an optically injected laser-plasma accelerator can deliver high enough dose at penetration depths of interest for electron beam radiotherapy of deep-seated tumors. Many engineering issues must be resolved before laser-accelerated electrons can be used for cancer therapy, but they also represent exciting challenges for future research. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Poster - Thurs Eve-03: Dose verification using a 2D diode array (Mapcheck) for electron beam modeling, QA and patient customized cutouts.

PubMed

Ghasroddashti, E; Sawchuk, S

2008-07-01

To assess a diode detector array (MapCheck) for commissioning, quality assurance (QA); and patient specific QA for electrons. 2D dose information was captured for various depths at several square fields ranging from 2×2 to 25×25cm 2 , and 9 patient customized cutouts using both Mapcheck and a scanning water phantom. Beam energies of 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV produced by Varian linacs were used. The water tank, beam energies and fields were also modeled on the Pinnacle planning system obtaining dose information. Mapcheck, water phantom and Pinnacle results were compared. Relative output factors (ROF) acquired with Mapcheck were compared to an in-house algorithm (JeffIrreg). Inter- and intra-observer variability was also investigated Results: Profiles and %DD data for Mapcheck, water tank, and Pinnacle agree well. High-dose, low-dose-gradient comparisons agree to within 1% between Mapcheck and water phantom. Field size comparisons showed mostly sub-millimeter agreement. ROFs for Mapcheck and JeffIrreg agreed within 2.0% (mean=0.9%±0.6%). The current standard for electron commissioning and QA is the scanning water tank which may be inefficient. Our results demonstrate that MapCheck can potentially be an alternative. Also the dose distributions for patient specific electron treatment require verification. This procedure is particularly challenging when the minimum dimension across the central axis of the cutout is smaller than the range of the electrons in question. Mapcheck offers an easy and efficient way of determining patient dose distributions especially compared to using the alternatives, namely, ion chamber and film. © 2008 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Array Simulation at the Bearing Stake Sites

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

C) The array was generally towed at 300 m depth. Four depth sensors on the array gave depth and tilt. With the exception of Site 1B the array was...Site 2, weights were added to the array to overcome its apparent buoyancy. The depth sensors failed on this run and the actual *ilt is not known. Data...horizontal axis title, " Sensor Group Separation," refers to posicion along che array. It .s equivalent to our simulated receiver depth with shallower

TH-C-12A-03: Development of Expanded Field Irradiation Technique with Gimbaled X-Ray Head

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ono, T; Miyabe, Y; Yamada, M

2014-06-15

Purpose: The Vero4DRT has a maximum field size of 150×150 mm{sup 2}. The purposes of this study were to develop an expanded field irradiation technique using a unique gimbaled x-ray head of Vero4DRT and to evaluate its dosimetric characteristic. Methods: The expanded field irradiation consisted of four separate fields with 2.39 degree gimbal rotation around orthogonal two axes. The central beam axis for each field shifted 40 mm from the isocenter for longitudinal and lateral directions, and thus, the field size was expanded up to 230×230 mm{sup 2}. Adjacent region were created at the isocenter (center-adjacent expanded-field) and 20 mmmore » from isocenter (offadjacent expanded-field). To create flat dose distribution in the combined piecewise-fields, the overlapping and gaps regions on the isocenter plane were adjusted with the gimbal rotating and the MLC. To evaluate dosimetric characteristic of the expanded-field, films inserted in water-equivalent phantoms at 50, 100 and 150 mm depth were irradiated and the field size, penumbra, flatness and symmetry were analyzed.In addition, the expandedfield irradiation technique was applied to IMRT. A head and neck IMRT field, which was planned for the conventional linac (Varian Clinac iX), was reproduced with the expanded-field of the Vero4DRT. The simulated dose distribution for the expanded IMRT field was compared to the measured dose distribution. Results: The field size, penumbra, flatness and symmetry of center- and off- adjacent expanded-fields were 230.2–232.1 mm, 7.8–10.7 mm, 2.3–6.5% and –0.5–0.4% at 100 mm depth. The 82.1% area of the expanded IMRT dose distribution was within 5% difference between measurement and simulation, which was analyzed upper 50% dose area, and the 3%/3 mm gamma pass rate was 98.4%. Conclusions: The expandedfield technique was developed using the gimbaled x-ray head. To extend applied targets, such as whole breast irradiations or head and neck IMRT, the expanded-field technique would be effective.« less

Percentage depth dose calculation accuracy of model based algorithms in high energy photon small fields through heterogeneous media and comparison with plastic scintillator dosimetry

PubMed Central

Mani, Ganesh Kadirampatti; Karunakaran, Kaviarasu

2016-01-01

Small fields smaller than 4×4 cm2 are used in stereotactic and conformal treatments where heterogeneity is normally present. Since dose calculation accuracy in both small fields and heterogeneity often involves more discrepancy, algorithms used by treatment planning systems (TPS) should be evaluated for achieving better treatment results. This report aims at evaluating accuracy of four model‐based algorithms, X‐ray Voxel Monte Carlo (XVMC) from Monaco, Superposition (SP) from CMS‐Xio, AcurosXB (AXB) and analytical anisotropic algorithm (AAA) from Eclipse are tested against the measurement. Measurements are done using Exradin W1 plastic scintillator in Solid Water phantom with heterogeneities like air, lung, bone, and aluminum, irradiated with 6 and 15 MV photons of square field size ranging from 1 to 4 cm2. Each heterogeneity is introduced individually at two different depths from depth‐of‐dose maximum (Dmax), one setup being nearer and another farther from the Dmax. The central axis percentage depth‐dose (CADD) curve for each setup is measured separately and compared with the TPS algorithm calculated for the same setup. The percentage normalized root mean squared deviation (%NRMSD) is calculated, which represents the whole CADD curve's deviation against the measured. It is found that for air and lung heterogeneity, for both 6 and 15 MV, all algorithms show maximum deviation for field size 1×1 cm2 and gradually reduce when field size increases, except for AAA. For aluminum and bone, all algorithms' deviations are less for 15 MV irrespective of setup. In all heterogeneity setups, 1×1 cm2 field showed maximum deviation, except in 6 MV bone setup. All algorithms in the study, irrespective of energy and field size, when any heterogeneity is nearer to Dmax, the dose deviation is higher compared to the same heterogeneity far from the Dmax. Also, all algorithms show maximum deviation in lower‐density materials compared to high‐density materials. PACS numbers: 87.53.Bn, 87.53.kn, 87.56.bd, 87.55.Kd, 87.56.jf PMID:26894345

Comparison of EGS4 and MCNP Monte Carlo codes when calculating radiotherapy depth doses.

PubMed

Love, P A; Lewis, D G; Al-Affan, I A; Smith, C W

1998-05-01

The Monte Carlo codes EGS4 and MCNP have been compared when calculating radiotherapy depth doses in water. The aims of the work were to study (i) the differences between calculated depth doses in water for a range of monoenergetic photon energies and (ii) the relative efficiency of the two codes for different electron transport energy cut-offs. The depth doses from the two codes agree with each other within the statistical uncertainties of the calculations (1-2%). The relative depth doses also agree with data tabulated in the British Journal of Radiology Supplement 25. A discrepancy in the dose build-up region may by attributed to the different electron transport algorithims used by EGS4 and MCNP. This discrepancy is considerably reduced when the improved electron transport routines are used in the latest (4B) version of MCNP. Timing calculations show that EGS4 is at least 50% faster than MCNP for the geometries used in the simulations.

Double diameter boring tool

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ashbaugh, F.N.; Murry, K.R.

A method of boring two concentric holes of different depths is described utilizing an elongated boring tool having a tool axis of rotation, a longitudinally disposed tool centerline axis, and first and second transverse cutting edges at one end thereof extending across the boring tool, the second cutting edge being longitudinally rearwardly recessed with respect to the first cutting edge. The method consists of inserting the boring tool into an adjustable boring head, adjusting a distance B between the tool centerline axis and the tool axis of rotation such that the tool axis of rotation intersects a first boring areamore » of the first cutting edge; and boring the concentric holes having respectively larger and smaller diameters.« less

SU-E-T-26: A Study On the Influence of Photonuclear Reactions On the Biological Effectiveness of Therapeutic High Energy X-Ray Beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wakita, A; National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Matsufuji, N

2014-06-01

Purpose: Photons from a modern high-energy therapeutic linear accelerator used in X-ray radiotherapy causes photonuclear reactions in an accelerator or patient's body. The aim of this study is to evaluate the biological effectiveness including these particles by Microdosimetric Kinetic Model (MKM) based on microdosimetry. Methods: A linear accelerator operating at 15 MV was used. CR-39 was used to obtain LET spectra of secondary ions selectively, as CR-39 is regarded insensitive to photons. CR-39 was put on the central axis of the X-ray beam at depths of 0, 5 and 10 cm in plastic phantom at a source to detector distancemore » of 100 cm. Pits formed by the traversal of ions were etched then analyzed to obtain restricted LET distribution. Frequency-mean and dose-mean lineal energy was evaluated from the relationship between the restricted LET and the lineal energy required to evaluate the biological effectiveness by MKM. The relationship was calculated by Monte Carlo simulations with GEANT4. Results: Restricted LET distributions of secondary particles showed broad distributions that decreases exponentially with increasing LET. Frequency-mean and dose-mean lineal energy were determined uniquely within the scope of the energies of secondary particles generated from photons of 15 MeV. The frequency-mean lineal energies at the depth of 0, 5 and 10 cm were 15.1, 16.0 and 19.7 keV/μm respectively, and the dose-mean lineal energies were 18.6, 20.5 and 19.6 keV/μm, respectively. RBE of secondary particles for HSG cell evaluated by MKM was about 2.0 at all depths, and RBE of all particles including photons was evaluated 1.0. Conclusion: We investigated the biological effectiveness of secondary particles by photonuclear reactions. The method to evaluate RBE by MKM was established with measurements and simulations. However, the influence of these secondary ions on RBE was found negligible in the entire biological effectiveness of the high-energy X-ray. This study has been supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 25861144.« less

Electron fluence correction factors for various materials in clinical electron beams.

PubMed

Olivares, M; DeBlois, F; Podgorsak, E B; Seuntjens, J P

2001-08-01

Relative to solid water, electron fluence correction factors at the depth of dose maximum in bone, lung, aluminum, and copper for nominal electron beam energies of 9 MeV and 15 MeV of the Clinac 18 accelerator have been determined experimentally and by Monte Carlo calculation. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to measure depth doses in these materials. The measured relative dose at dmax in the various materials versus that of solid water, when irradiated with the same number of monitor units, has been used to calculate the ratio of electron fluence for the various materials to that of solid water. The beams of the Clinac 18 were fully characterized using the EGS4/BEAM system. EGSnrc with the relativistic spin option turned on was used to optimize the primary electron energy at the exit window, and to calculate depth doses in the five phantom materials using the optimized phase-space data. Normalizing all depth doses to the dose maximum in solid water stopping power ratio corrected, measured depth doses and calculated depth doses differ by less than +/- 1% at the depth of dose maximum and by less than 4% elsewhere. Monte Carlo calculated ratios of doses in each material to dose in LiF were used to convert the TLD measurements at the dose maximum into dose at the center of the TLD in the phantom material. Fluence perturbation correction factors for a LiF TLD at the depth of dose maximum deduced from these calculations amount to less than 1% for 0.15 mm thick TLDs in low Z materials and are between 1% and 3% for TLDs in Al and Cu phantoms. Electron fluence ratios of the studied materials relative to solid water vary between 0.83+/-0.01 and 1.55+/-0.02 for materials varying in density from 0.27 g/cm3 (lung) to 8.96 g/cm3 (Cu). The difference in electron fluence ratios derived from measurements and calculations ranges from -1.6% to +0.2% at 9 MeV and from -1.9% to +0.2% at 15 MeV and is not significant at the 1sigma level. Excluding the data for Cu, electron fluence correction factors for open electron beams are approximately proportional to the electron density of the phantom material and only weakly dependent on electron beam energy.

Full ocular biometry through dual-depth whole-eye optical coherence tomography

PubMed Central

Kim, Hyung-Jin; Kim, Minji; Hyeon, Min Gyu; Choi, Youngwoon; Kim, Beop-Min

2018-01-01

We propose a new method of determining the optical axis (OA), pupillary axis (PA), and visual axis (VA) of the human eye by using dual-depth whole-eye optical coherence tomography (OCT). These axes, as well as the angles “α” between the OA and VA and “κ” between PA and VA, are important in many ophthalmologic applications, especially in refractive surgery. Whole-eye images are reconstructed based on simultaneously acquired images of the anterior segment and retina. The light from a light source is split into two orthogonal polarization components for imaging the anterior segment and retina, respectively. The OA and PA are identified based on their geometric definitions by using the anterior segment image only, while the VA is detected through accurate correlation between the two images. The feasibility of our approach was tested using a model eye and human subjects. PMID:29552378

Limitations of silicon diodes for clinical electron dosimetry.

PubMed

Song, Haijun; Ahmad, Munir; Deng, Jun; Chen, Zhe; Yue, Ning J; Nath, Ravinder

2006-01-01

This work investigates the relevance of several factors affecting the response of silicon diode dosemeters in depth-dose scans of electron beams. These factors are electron energy, instantaneous dose rate, dose per pulse, photon/electron dose ratio and electron scattering angle (directional response). Data from the literature and our own experiments indicate that the impact of these factors may be up to +/-15%. Thus, the different factors would have to cancel out perfectly at all depths in order to produce true depth-dose curves. There are reports of good agreement between depth-doses measured with diodes and ionisation chambers. However, our measurements with a Scantronix electron field detector (EFD) diode and with a plane-parallel ionisation chamber show discrepancies both in the build-up and in the low-dose regions, with a ratio up to 1.4. Moreover, the absolute sensitivity of two diodes of the same EFD model was found to differ by a factor of 3, and this ratio was not constant but changed with depth between 5 and 15% in the low-dose regions of some clinical electron beams. Owing to these inhomogeneities among diodes even of the same model, corrections for each factor would have to be diode-specific and beam-specific. All these corrections would have to be determined using parallel plane chambers, as recommended by AAPM TG-25, which would be unrealistic in clinical practice. Our conclusion is that in general diodes are not reliable in the measurement of depth-dose curves of clinical electron beams.

Validation of Monte Carlo simulation of mammography with TLD measurement and depth dose calculation with a detailed breast model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wenjing; Qiu, Rui; Ren, Li; Liu, Huan; Wu, Zhen; Li, Chunyan; Li, Junli

2017-09-01

Mean glandular dose (MGD) is not only determined by the compressed breast thickness (CBT) and the glandular content, but also by the distribution of glandular tissues in breast. Depth dose inside the breast in mammography has been widely concerned as glandular dose decreases rapidly with increasing depth. In this study, an experiment using thermo luminescent dosimeters (TLDs) was carried out to validate Monte Carlo simulations of mammography. Percent depth doses (PDDs) at different depth values were measured inside simple breast phantoms of different thicknesses. The experimental values were well consistent with the values calculated by Geant4. Then a detailed breast model with a CBT of 4 cm and a glandular content of 50%, which has been constructed in previous work, was used to study the effects of the distribution of glandular tissues in breast with Geant4. The breast model was reversed in direction of compression to get a reverse model with a different distribution of glandular tissues. Depth dose distributions and glandular tissue dose conversion coefficients were calculated. It revealed that the conversion coefficients were about 10% larger when the breast model was reversed, for glandular tissues in the reverse model are concentrated in the upper part of the model.

Comparison of immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry for ocular biometry in cataract patients.

PubMed

Montés-Micó, Robert; Carones, Francesco; Buttacchio, Antonietta; Ferrer-Blasco, Teresa; Madrid-Costa, David

2011-09-01

To compare ocular biometry parameters measured with immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry in cataract patients. Measurements of axial length and anterior chamber depth were analyzed and compared using immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry. Keratometry (K), flattest axis, and white-to-white measurements were compared between partial coherence interferometry and low coherence reflectometry. Seventy-eight cataract (LOCS II range: 1 to 3) eyes of 45 patients aged between 42 and 90 years were evaluated. A subanalysis as a function of cataract degree was done for axial length and anterior chamber depth between techniques. No statistically significant differences were noted for the study cohort or within each cataract degree among the three techniques for axial length and anterior chamber depth (P>.05, ANOVA test). Measurements between techniques were highly correlated for axial length (R=0.99) and anterior chamber depth (R=0.90 to 0.96) for all methods. Keratometry, flattest axis, and white-to-white measurements were comparable (paired t test, P>.1) and correlated well between partial coherence interferometry and low coherence reflectometry (K1 [R=0.95), K2 [R=0.97], flattest axis [R=0.95], and white-to-white [R=0.92]). Immersion ultrasound, partial coherence interferometry, and low coherence reflectometry provided comparable ocular biometry measurements in cataractous eyes. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.

Low-energy photons in high-energy photon fields--Monte Carlo generated spectra and a new descriptive parameter.

PubMed

Chofor, Ndimofor; Harder, Dietrich; Willborn, Kay; Rühmann, Antje; Poppe, Björn

2011-09-01

The varying low-energy contribution to the photon spectra at points within and around radiotherapy photon fields is associated with variations in the responses of non-water equivalent dosimeters and in the water-to-material dose conversion factors for tissues such as the red bone marrow. In addition, the presence of low-energy photons in the photon spectrum enhances the RBE in general and in particular for the induction of second malignancies. The present study discusses the general rules valid for the low-energy spectral component of radiotherapeutic photon beams at points within and in the periphery of the treatment field, taking as an example the Siemens Primus linear accelerator at 6 MV and 15 MV. The photon spectra at these points and their typical variations due to the target system, attenuation, single and multiple Compton scattering, are described by the Monte Carlo method, using the code BEAMnrc/EGSnrc. A survey of the role of low energy photons in the spectra within and around radiotherapy fields is presented. In addition to the spectra, some data compression has proven useful to support the overview of the behaviour of the low-energy component. A characteristic indicator of the presence of low-energy photons is the dose fraction attributable to photons with energies not exceeding 200 keV, termed P(D)(200 keV). Its values are calculated for different depths and lateral positions within a water phantom. For a pencil beam of 6 or 15 MV primary photons in water, the radial distribution of P(D)(200 keV) is bellshaped, with a wide-ranging exponential tail of half value 6 to 7 cm. The P(D)(200 keV) value obtained on the central axis of a photon field shows an approximately proportional increase with field size. Out-of-field P(D)(200 keV) values are up to an order of magnitude higher than on the central axis for the same irradiation depth. The 2D pattern of P(D)(200 keV) for a radiotherapy field visualizes the regions, e.g. at the field margin, where changes of detector responses and dose conversion factors, as well as increases of the RBE have to be anticipated. Parameter P(D)(200 keV) can also be used as a guidance supporting the selection of a calibration geometry suitable for radiation dosimeters to be used in small radiation fields. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Dose distribution for dental cone beam CT and its implication for defining a dose index

PubMed Central

Pauwels, R; Theodorakou, C; Walker, A; Bosmans, H; Jacobs, R; Horner, K; Bogaerts, R

2012-01-01

Objectives To characterize the dose distribution for a range of cone beam CT (CBCT) units, investigating different field of view sizes, central and off-axis geometries, full or partial rotations of the X-ray tube and different clinically applied beam qualities. The implications of the dose distributions on the definition and practicality of a CBCT dose index were assessed. Methods Dose measurements on CBCT devices were performed by scanning cylindrical head-size water and polymethyl methacrylate phantoms, using thermoluminescent dosemeters, a small-volume ion chamber and radiochromic films. Results It was found that the dose distribution can be asymmetrical for dental CBCT exposures throughout a homogeneous phantom, owing to an asymmetrical positioning of the isocentre and/or partial rotation of the X-ray source. Furthermore, the scatter tail along the z-axis was found to have a distinct shape, generally resulting in a strong drop (90%) in absorbed dose outside the primary beam. Conclusions There is no optimal dose index available owing to the complicated exposure geometry of CBCT and the practical aspects of quality control measurements. Practical validation of different possible dose indices is needed, as well as the definition of conversion factors to patient dose. PMID:22752320

Clinical implementation and evaluation of the Acuros dose calculation algorithm.

PubMed

Yan, Chenyu; Combine, Anthony G; Bednarz, Greg; Lalonde, Ronald J; Hu, Bin; Dickens, Kathy; Wynn, Raymond; Pavord, Daniel C; Saiful Huq, M

2017-09-01

The main aim of this study is to validate the Acuros XB dose calculation algorithm for a Varian Clinac iX linac in our clinics, and subsequently compare it with the wildely used AAA algorithm. The source models for both Acuros XB and AAA were configured by importing the same measured beam data into Eclipse treatment planning system. Both algorithms were validated by comparing calculated dose with measured dose on a homogeneous water phantom for field sizes ranging from 6 cm × 6 cm to 40 cm × 40 cm. Central axis and off-axis points with different depths were chosen for the comparison. In addition, the accuracy of Acuros was evaluated for wedge fields with wedge angles from 15 to 60°. Similarly, variable field sizes for an inhomogeneous phantom were chosen to validate the Acuros algorithm. In addition, doses calculated by Acuros and AAA at the center of lung equivalent tissue from three different VMAT plans were compared to the ion chamber measured doses in QUASAR phantom, and the calculated dose distributions by the two algorithms and their differences on patients were compared. Computation time on VMAT plans was also evaluated for Acuros and AAA. Differences between dose-to-water (calculated by AAA and Acuros XB) and dose-to-medium (calculated by Acuros XB) on patient plans were compared and evaluated. For open 6 MV photon beams on the homogeneous water phantom, both Acuros XB and AAA calculations were within 1% of measurements. For 23 MV photon beams, the calculated doses were within 1.5% of measured doses for Acuros XB and 2% for AAA. Testing on the inhomogeneous phantom demonstrated that AAA overestimated doses by up to 8.96% at a point close to lung/solid water interface, while Acuros XB reduced that to 1.64%. The test on QUASAR phantom showed that Acuros achieved better agreement in lung equivalent tissue while AAA underestimated dose for all VMAT plans by up to 2.7%. Acuros XB computation time was about three times faster than AAA for VMAT plans, and computation time for other plans will be discussed at the end. Maximum difference between dose calculated by AAA and dose-to-medium by Acuros XB (Acuros_D m,m ) was 4.3% on patient plans at the isocenter, and maximum difference between D 100 calculated by AAA and by Acuros_D m,m was 11.3%. When calculating the maximum dose to spinal cord on patient plans, differences between dose calculated by AAA and Acuros_D m,m were more than 3%. Compared with AAA, Acuros XB improves accuracy in the presence of inhomogeneity, and also significantly reduces computation time for VMAT plans. Dose differences between AAA and Acuros_D w,m were generally less than the dose differences between AAA and Acuros_D m,m . Clinical practitioners should consider making Acuros XB available in clinics, however, further investigation and clarification is needed about which dose reporting mode (dose-to-water or dose-to-medium) should be used in clinics. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

A measurement-based generalized source model for Monte Carlo dose simulations of CT scans

PubMed Central

Ming, Xin; Feng, Yuanming; Liu, Ransheng; Yang, Chengwen; Zhou, Li; Zhai, Hezheng; Deng, Jun

2018-01-01

The goal of this study is to develop a generalized source model (GSM) for accurate Monte Carlo dose simulations of CT scans based solely on the measurement data without a priori knowledge of scanner specifications. The proposed generalized source model consists of an extended circular source located at x-ray target level with its energy spectrum, source distribution and fluence distribution derived from a set of measurement data conveniently available in the clinic. Specifically, the central axis percent depth dose (PDD) curves measured in water and the cone output factors measured in air were used to derive the energy spectrum and the source distribution respectively with a Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. The in-air film measurement of fan-beam dose profiles at fixed gantry was back-projected to generate the fluence distribution of the source model. A benchmarked Monte Carlo user code was used to simulate the dose distributions in water with the developed source model as beam input. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed source model was tested on a GE LightSpeed and a Philips Brilliance Big Bore multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanners available in our clinic. In general, the Monte Carlo simulations of the PDDs in water and dose profiles along lateral and longitudinal directions agreed with the measurements within 4%/1mm for both CT scanners. The absolute dose comparison using two CTDI phantoms (16 cm and 32 cm in diameters) indicated a better than 5% agreement between the Monte Carlo-simulated and the ion chamber-measured doses at a variety of locations for the two scanners. Overall, this study demonstrated that a generalized source model can be constructed based only on a set of measurement data and used for accurate Monte Carlo dose simulations of patients’ CT scans, which would facilitate patient-specific CT organ dose estimation and cancer risk management in the diagnostic and therapeutic radiology. PMID:28079526

A measurement-based generalized source model for Monte Carlo dose simulations of CT scans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ming, Xin; Feng, Yuanming; Liu, Ransheng; Yang, Chengwen; Zhou, Li; Zhai, Hezheng; Deng, Jun

2017-03-01

The goal of this study is to develop a generalized source model for accurate Monte Carlo dose simulations of CT scans based solely on the measurement data without a priori knowledge of scanner specifications. The proposed generalized source model consists of an extended circular source located at x-ray target level with its energy spectrum, source distribution and fluence distribution derived from a set of measurement data conveniently available in the clinic. Specifically, the central axis percent depth dose (PDD) curves measured in water and the cone output factors measured in air were used to derive the energy spectrum and the source distribution respectively with a Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. The in-air film measurement of fan-beam dose profiles at fixed gantry was back-projected to generate the fluence distribution of the source model. A benchmarked Monte Carlo user code was used to simulate the dose distributions in water with the developed source model as beam input. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed source model was tested on a GE LightSpeed and a Philips Brilliance Big Bore multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanners available in our clinic. In general, the Monte Carlo simulations of the PDDs in water and dose profiles along lateral and longitudinal directions agreed with the measurements within 4%/1 mm for both CT scanners. The absolute dose comparison using two CTDI phantoms (16 cm and 32 cm in diameters) indicated a better than 5% agreement between the Monte Carlo-simulated and the ion chamber-measured doses at a variety of locations for the two scanners. Overall, this study demonstrated that a generalized source model can be constructed based only on a set of measurement data and used for accurate Monte Carlo dose simulations of patients’ CT scans, which would facilitate patient-specific CT organ dose estimation and cancer risk management in the diagnostic and therapeutic radiology.

Modification and validation of an analytical source model for external beam radiotherapy Monte Carlo dose calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Davidson, Scott E., E-mail: sedavids@utmb.edu

Purpose: A dose calculation tool, which combines the accuracy of the dose planning method (DPM) Monte Carlo code and the versatility of a practical analytical multisource model, which was previously reported has been improved and validated for the Varian 6 and 10 MV linear accelerators (linacs). The calculation tool can be used to calculate doses in advanced clinical application studies. One shortcoming of current clinical trials that report dose from patient plans is the lack of a standardized dose calculation methodology. Because commercial treatment planning systems (TPSs) have their own dose calculation algorithms and the clinical trial participant who usesmore » these systems is responsible for commissioning the beam model, variation exists in the reported calculated dose distributions. Today’s modern linac is manufactured to tight specifications so that variability within a linac model is quite low. The expectation is that a single dose calculation tool for a specific linac model can be used to accurately recalculate dose from patient plans that have been submitted to the clinical trial community from any institution. The calculation tool would provide for a more meaningful outcome analysis. Methods: The analytical source model was described by a primary point source, a secondary extra-focal source, and a contaminant electron source. Off-axis energy softening and fluence effects were also included. The additions of hyperbolic functions have been incorporated into the model to correct for the changes in output and in electron contamination with field size. A multileaf collimator (MLC) model is included to facilitate phantom and patient dose calculations. An offset to the MLC leaf positions was used to correct for the rudimentary assumed primary point source. Results: Dose calculations of the depth dose and profiles for field sizes 4 × 4 to 40 × 40 cm agree with measurement within 2% of the maximum dose or 2 mm distance to agreement (DTA) for 95% of the data points tested. The model was capable of predicting the depth of the maximum dose within 1 mm. Anthropomorphic phantom benchmark testing of modulated and patterned MLCs treatment plans showed agreement to measurement within 3% in target regions using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). Using radiochromic film normalized to TLD, a gamma criteria of 3% of maximum dose and 2 mm DTA was applied with a pass rate of least 85% in the high dose, high gradient, and low dose regions. Finally, recalculations of patient plans using DPM showed good agreement relative to a commercial TPS when comparing dose volume histograms and 2D dose distributions. Conclusions: A unique analytical source model coupled to the dose planning method Monte Carlo dose calculation code has been modified and validated using basic beam data and anthropomorphic phantom measurement. While this tool can be applied in general use for a particular linac model, specifically it was developed to provide a singular methodology to independently assess treatment plan dose distributions from those clinical institutions participating in National Cancer Institute trials.« less

Evaluation of surface and shallow depth dose reductions using a Superflab bolus during conventional and advanced external beam radiotherapy.

PubMed

Yoon, Jihyung; Xie, Yibo; Zhang, Rui

2018-03-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a methodology to reduce scatter and leakage radiations to patients' surface and shallow depths during conventional and advanced external beam radiotherapy. Superflab boluses of different thicknesses were placed on top of a stack of solid water phantoms, and the bolus effect on surface and shallow depth doses for both open and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) beams was evaluated using thermoluminescent dosimeters and ion chamber measurements. Contralateral breast dose reduction caused by the bolus was evaluated by delivering clinical postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) plans to an anthropomorphic phantom. For the solid water phantom measurements, surface dose reduction caused by the Superflab bolus was achieved only in out-of-field area and on the incident side of the beam, and the dose reduction increased with bolus thickness. The dose reduction caused by the bolus was more significant at closer distances from the beam. Most of the dose reductions occurred in the first 2-cm depth and stopped at 4-cm depth. For clinical PMRT treatment plans, surface dose reductions using a 1-cm Superflab bolus were up to 31% and 62% for volumetric-modulated arc therapy and 4-field IMRT, respectively, but there was no dose reduction for Tomotherapy. A Superflab bolus can be used to reduce surface and shallow depth doses during external beam radiotherapy when it is placed out of the beam and on the incident side of the beam. Although we only validated this dose reduction strategy for PMRT treatments, it is applicable to any external beam radiotherapy and can potentially reduce patients' risk of developing radiation-induced side effects. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Beam angle selection incorporation of anatomical heterogeneities for pencil beam scanning charged-particle therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toramatsu, Chie; Inaniwa, Taku

2016-12-01

In charged particle therapy with pencil beam scanning (PBS), localization of the dose in the Bragg peak makes dose distributions sensitive to lateral tissue heterogeneities. The sensitivity of a PBS plan to lateral tissue heterogeneities can be reduced by selecting appropriate beam angles. The purpose of this study is to develop a fast and accurate method of beam angle selection for PBS. The lateral tissue heterogeneity surrounding the path of the pencil beams at a given angle was quantified with the heterogeneity number representing the variation of the Bragg peak depth across the cross section of the beams using the stopping power ratio of body tissues with respect to water. To shorten the computation time, one-dimensional dose optimization was conducted along the central axis of the pencil beams as they were directed by the scanning magnets. The heterogeneity numbers were derived for all possible beam angles for treatment. The angles leading to the minimum mean heterogeneity number were selected as the optimal beam angle. Three clinical cases of head and neck cancer were used to evaluate the developed method. Dose distributions and their robustness to setup and range errors were evaluated for all tested angles, and their relation to the heterogeneity numbers was investigated. The mean heterogeneity number varied from 1.2 mm-10.6 mm in the evaluated cases. By selecting a field with a low mean heterogeneity number, target dose coverage and robustness against setup and range errors were improved. The developed method is simple, fast, accurate and applicable for beam angle selection in charged particle therapy with PBS.

Investigation of Kodak extended dose range (EDR) film for megavoltage photon beam dosimetry.

PubMed

Chetty, Indrin J; Charland, Paule M

2002-10-21

We have investigated the dependence of the measured optical density on the incident beam energy, field size and depth for a new type of film, Kodak extended dose range (Kodak EDR). Film measurements have been conducted over a range of field sizes (3 x 3 cm2 to 25 x 25 cm2) and depths (d(max) to 15 cm), for 6 MV and 15 MV photons within a solid water phantom, and the variation in sensitometric response (net optical density versus dose) has been reported. Kodak EDR film is found to have a linear response with dose, from 0 to 350 cGy, which is much higher than that typically seen for Kodak XV film (0-50 cGy). The variation in sensitometric response for Kodak EDR film as a function of field size and depth is observed to be similar to that of Kodak XV film; the optical density varied in the order of 2-3% for field sizes of 3 x 3 cm2 and 10 x 10 cm2 at depths of d(max), 5 cm and 15 cm in the phantom. Measurements for a 25 x 25 cm2 field size showed consistently higher optical densities at depths of d(max), 5 cm and 15 cm, relative to a 10 x 10 cm2 field size at 5 cm depth, with 4-5% differences noted at a depth of 15 cm. Fractional depth dose and profiles conducted with Kodak EDR film showed good agreement (2%/2 mm) with ion chamber measurements for all field sizes except for the 25 x 25 cm2 at depths greater than 15 cm, where differences in the order of 3-5% were observed. In addition, Kodak EDR film measurements were found to be consistent with those of Kodak XV film for all fractional depth doses and profiles. The results of this study indicate that Kodak EDR film may be a useful tool for relative dosimetry at higher dose ranges.

Design and characterization of a new high-dose-rate brachytherapy Valencia applicator for larger skin lesions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Candela-Juan, C., E-mail: ccanjuan@gmail.com; Niatsetski, Y.; Laarse, R. van der

Purpose: The aims of this study were (i) to design a new high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy applicator for treating surface lesions with planning target volumes larger than 3 cm in diameter and up to 5 cm in size, using the microSelectron-HDR or Flexitron afterloader (Elekta Brachytherapy) with a {sup 192}Ir source; (ii) to calculate by means of the Monte Carlo (MC) method the dose distribution for the new applicator when it is placed against a water phantom; and (iii) to validate experimentally the dose distributions in water. Methods: The PENELOPE2008 MC code was used to optimize dwell positions and dwell times.more » Next, the dose distribution in a water phantom and the leakage dose distribution around the applicator were calculated. Finally, MC data were validated experimentally for a {sup 192}Ir mHDR-v2 source by measuring (i) dose distributions with radiochromic EBT3 films (ISP); (ii) percentage depth–dose (PDD) curve with the parallel-plate ionization chamber Advanced Markus (PTW); and (iii) absolute dose rate with EBT3 films and the PinPoint T31016 (PTW) ionization chamber. Results: The new applicator is made of tungsten alloy (Densimet) and consists of a set of interchangeable collimators. Three catheters are used to allocate the source at prefixed dwell positions with preset weights to produce a homogenous dose distribution at the typical prescription depth of 3 mm in water. The same plan is used for all available collimators. PDD, absolute dose rate per unit of air kerma strength, and off-axis profiles in a cylindrical water phantom are reported. These data can be used for treatment planning. Leakage around the applicator was also scored. The dose distributions, PDD, and absolute dose rate calculated agree within experimental uncertainties with the doses measured: differences of MC data with chamber measurements are up to 0.8% and with radiochromic films are up to 3.5%. Conclusions: The new applicator and the dosimetric data provided here will be a valuable tool in clinical practice, making treatment of large skin lesions simpler, faster, and safer. Also the dose to surrounding healthy tissues is minimal.« less

Poster - 23: Dosimetric Characterization and Transferability of an Accessory Mounted Mini-Beam Collimator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Davis, William; Crewson, Cody; Alexander, Andrew

Objective: The dosimetric characterization of an accessory-mounted mini-beam collimator across three beam matched linear accelerators. Materials and Methods: Percent depth dose and profiles were measured for the open and mini-beam collimated fields. The average beam quality and peak-to-valley dose ratio (PVDR), the ratio of average peak dose to average valley dose, were obtained from these measurements. The open field relative output and the mini-beam collimator factor, the ratio of the mini-beam dose to open field dose at the beam center, were measured for square fields of side 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm. Mini-beam output as a function of collimatormore » inclination angle relative to the central axis was also investigated. Results and Discussion: Beam quality for both the open and mini-beam collimated fields agreed across all linacs to within ±1.0%. The PVDR was found to vary by up to ±6.6% from the mean. For the 2, 3, and 4 cm fields the average open field relative output with respect to the 5 cm field was 0.874±0.4%, 0.921±0.3%, and 0.962±0.1%. The average collimator factors were 0.450±3.9%, 0.443±3.9%, 0.438±3.9%, and 0.434±3.9%. A decrease in collimator factor greater than 7% was found for an inclination angle change of 0.09°. Conclusion: The mini-beam collimator has revealed a difference between the three linacs not apparent in the open field data, yet transferability can still be attained through thorough dosimetric characterization.« less

SU-E-T-224: Considerations for the Proper Treatment of Multiple Cranial Metastases with Single Isocenter Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Audet, C; Poffenbarger, B; Hwang, A

2015-06-15

Purpose: To investigate some limitations of single isocenter VMAT for cranial multiple met cases. Methods: A single isocenter VMAT plan (Varian, Eclipse AAA10 commissioned down to 1 cm) was designed for two 7mm diameter spherical targets in a rectangular Solid Water (Gammex) phantom. The targets were separated by a distance of 6cm and the isocenter was centered in one of the targets. The plan was delivered (Varian, Truebeam STx) three separate times with different artificial couch angle errors of 0, 0.5 and 1 degree. The coronal dose distributions were measured with calibrated EBT3 film placed at mid-phantom. EBT3 film dosimetrymore » was also performed on the delivery of separate multiple arc vmat plans to targets below 6mm in diameter. Results: Measurements of the sup/inf dose profiles through the high dose distributions show no movement of the central axis high dose region and shifts of the high dose region intended for the off-axis target. For the 1 degree rotation error, the high dose region was shifted 1.04mm from the target. This corresponds to the shift expected from triangulation (60mmxTan(1deg)=1.047mm). Furthermore, a streak of 10% interleaf leakage dose was observed and is likely a Result of the off axis target traveling a wide path such that a long length of MLC is exposed for the whole arc. The calculated dose was about 10% to 15% low compared to that measured on film for a 5mm diameter target. Conclusion: Judicious use of additional margin for off axis targets or limits on the span of multiple mets treated with one isocenter is recommended. The magnitude of the margin should be based on the rotational errors evaluated for the positioning system and the distance of the target from the isocenter. A lower limit of lesion size that can be accurately treated with VMAT should be determined.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smit, C; Plessis, F du

Purpose: To extract the electron contamination energy spectra for an Elekta Precise Linac, based on pure photon and measured clinical beam percentage depth dose data. And to include this as an additional source in isource 4 in DOSXYZnrc. Methods: A pure photon beam was simulated for the Linac using isource 4 in the DOSXYZnrc Monte Carlo (MC) code. Percentage depth dose (PDD) data were extracted afterwards for a range of field sizes (FS). These simulated dose data were compared to actual measured dose PDD data, with the data normalized at 10 cm depth. The resulting PDD data resembled the electronmore » contamination depth dose. Since the dose fall-off is a strictly decreasing function, a method was adopted to derive the contamination electron spectrum. Afterwards this spectrum was used in a DOSXYZnrc MC simulation run to verify that the original electron depth dose could be replicated. Results: Various square aperture FS’s for 6, 8 and 15 megavolt (MV) photon beams were modeled, simulated and compared to their respective actual measured PDD data. As FS increased, simulated pure photon depth-dose profiles shifted deeper, thus requiring electron contamination to increase the surface dose. The percentage of electron weight increased with increase in FS. For a FS of 15×15 cm{sup 2}, the percentage electron weight is 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4% for 6, 8 and 15 MV beams respectively. Conclusion: From the PDD results obtained, an additional electron contamination source was added to the photon source model so that simulation and measured PDD data could match within 2 % / 2 mm gamma-index criteria. The improved source model could assure more accurate simulations of surface doses. This research project was funded by the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) with funds from National Treasury under its Economic Competitiveness and Support package.« less

Concept of proton radiography using energy resolved dose measurement.

PubMed

Bentefour, El H; Schnuerer, Roland; Lu, Hsiao-Ming

2016-08-21

Energy resolved dosimetry offers a potential path to single detector based proton imaging using scanned proton beams. This is because energy resolved dose functions encrypt the radiological depth at which the measurements are made. When a set of predetermined proton beams 'proton imaging field' are used to deliver a well determined dose distribution in a specific volume, then, at any given depth x of this volume, the behavior of the dose against the energies of the proton imaging field is unique and characterizes the depth x. This concept applies directly to proton therapy scanning delivery methods (pencil beam scanning and uniform scanning) and it can be extended to the proton therapy passive delivery methods (single and double scattering) if the delivery of the irradiation is time-controlled with a known time-energy relationship. To derive the water equivalent path length (WEPL) from the energy resolved dose measurement, one may proceed in two different ways. A first method is by matching the measured energy resolved dose function to a pre-established calibration database of the behavior of the energy resolved dose in water, measured over the entire range of radiological depths with at least 1 mm spatial resolution. This calibration database can also be made specific to the patient if computed using the patient x-CT data. A second method to determine the WEPL is by using the empirical relationships between the WEPL and the integral dose or the depth at 80% of the proximal fall off of the energy resolved dose functions in water. In this note, we establish the evidence of the fundamental relationship between the energy resolved dose and the WEPL at the depth of the measurement. Then, we illustrate this relationship with experimental data and discuss its imaging dynamic range for 230 MeV protons.

LiF TLD-100 as a Dosimeter in High Energy Proton Beam Therapy-Can It Yield Accurate Results?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zullo, John R.; Kudchadker, Rajat J.; Zhu, X. Ronald

In the region of high-dose gradients at the end of the proton range, the stopping power ratio of the protons undergoes significant changes, allowing for a broad spectrum of proton energies to be deposited within a relatively small volume. Because of the potential linear energy transfer dependence of LiF TLD-100 (thermolumescent dosimeter), dose measurements made in the distal fall-off region of a proton beam may be less accurate than those made in regions of low-dose gradients. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy and precision of dose measured using TLD-100 for a pristine Bragg peak, particularly inmore » the distal fall-off region. All measurements were made along the central axis of an unmodulated 200-MeV proton beam from a Probeat passive beam-scattering proton accelerator (Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) at varying depths along the Bragg peak. Measurements were made using TLD-100 powder flat packs, placed in a virtual water slab phantom. The measurements were repeated using a parallel plate ionization chamber. The dose measurements using TLD-100 in a proton beam were accurate to within {+-}5.0% of the expected dose, previously seen in our past photon and electron measurements. The ionization chamber and the TLD relative dose measurements agreed well with each other. Absolute dose measurements using TLD agreed with ionization chamber measurements to within {+-} 3.0 cGy, for an exposure of 100 cGy. In our study, the differences in the dose measured by the ionization chamber and those measured by TLD-100 were minimal, indicating that the accuracy and precision of measurements made in the distal fall-off region of a pristine Bragg peak is within the expected range. Thus, the rapid change in stopping power ratios at the end of the range should not affect such measurements, and TLD-100 may be used with confidence as an in vivo dosimeter for proton beam therapy.« less

Adaptive Response in Female Modeling of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal Axis

EPA Science Inventory

Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can affect reproduction and development in both humans and wildlife. We are developing a mechanistic computational model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in female fathead minnows to predict dose-response and time-course ...

Dose delivered from Varian's CBCT to patients receiving IMRT for prostate cancer.

PubMed

Wen, Ning; Guan, Huaiqun; Hammoud, Rabih; Pradhan, Deepak; Nurushev, T; Li, Shidong; Movsas, Benjamin

2007-04-21

With the increased use of cone beam CT (CBCT) for daily patient setup, the accumulated dose from CBCT may be significantly higher than that from simulation CT or portal imaging. The objective of this work is to measure the dose from daily pelvic scans with fixed technical settings and collimations. CBCT scans were acquired in half-fan mode using a half bowtie and x-rays were delivered in pulsed-fluoro mode. The skin doses for seven prostate patients were measured on an IRB-approved protocol. TLD capsules were placed on the patient's skin at the central axis of three beams: AP, left lateral (Lt Lat) and right lateral (Rt Lat). To avoid the ring artefacts centred in the prostate, the treatment couch was dropped 3 cm from the patient's tattoo (central axis). The measured AP skin doses ranged 3-6 cGy for 20-33 cm separation. The larger the patient size the less the AP skin dose. Lateral doses did not change much with patient size. The Lt Lat dose was approximately 4.0 cGy, which was approximately 40% higher than the Rt Lat dose of approximately 2.6 cGy. To verify this dose asymmetry, surface doses on an IMRT QA phantom (oval shaped, 30 cm x 20 cm) were measured at the same three sites using TLD capsules with 3 cm table-drop. The dose asymmetry was due to: (1) kV source rotation which always starts from the patient's Lt Lat and ends at Lt Lat. Gantry rotation gets much slower near the end of rotation but dose rate stays constant and (2) 370 degrees scan rotation (10 degrees scan overlap on the Lt Lat side). In vivo doses were measured inside a Rando pelvic heterogeneous phantom using TLDs. The left hip (femoral head and neck) received the highest doses of approximately 10-11 cGy while the right hip received approximately 6-7 cGy. The surface and in vivo doses were also measured for phantoms at the central-axis setup. The difference was less than approximately 12% to the table-drop setup.

Dose delivered from Varian's CBCT to patients receiving IMRT for prostate cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Ning; Guan, Huaiqun; Hammoud, Rabih; Pradhan, Deepak; Nurushev, T.; Li, Shidong; Movsas, Benjamin

2007-04-01

With the increased use of cone beam CT (CBCT) for daily patient setup, the accumulated dose from CBCT may be significantly higher than that from simulation CT or portal imaging. The objective of this work is to measure the dose from daily pelvic scans with fixed technical settings and collimations. CBCT scans were acquired in half-fan mode using a half bowtie and x-rays were delivered in pulsed-fluoro mode. The skin doses for seven prostate patients were measured on an IRB-approved protocol. TLD capsules were placed on the patient's skin at the central axis of three beams: AP, left lateral (Lt Lat) and right lateral (Rt Lat). To avoid the ring artefacts centred in the prostate, the treatment couch was dropped 3 cm from the patient's tattoo (central axis). The measured AP skin doses ranged 3-6 cGy for 20-33 cm separation. The larger the patient size the less the AP skin dose. Lateral doses did not change much with patient size. The Lt Lat dose was ~4.0 cGy, which was ~40% higher than the Rt Lat dose of ~2.6 cGy. To verify this dose asymmetry, surface doses on an IMRT QA phantom (oval shaped, 30 cm × 20 cm) were measured at the same three sites using TLD capsules with 3 cm table-drop. The dose asymmetry was due to: (1) kV source rotation which always starts from the patient's Lt Lat and ends at Lt Lat. Gantry rotation gets much slower near the end of rotation but dose rate stays constant and (2) 370° scan rotation (10° scan overlap on the Lt Lat side). In vivo doses were measured inside a Rando pelvic heterogeneous phantom using TLDs. The left hip (femoral head and neck) received the highest doses of ~10-11 cGy while the right hip received ~6-7 cGy. The surface and in vivo doses were also measured for phantoms at the central-axis setup. The difference was less than ~12% to the table-drop setup.

Determination of crack depth in aluminum using eddy currents and GMR sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes Ribeiro, A.; Pasadas, D.; Ramos, H. G.; Rocha, T.

2015-03-01

In this paper we use eddy currents to determine the depth of linear cracks in aluminum plates. A constant field probe is used to generate the spatially uniform excitation field and a single axis giant magneto-resistor (GMR) sensor is used to measure the eddy currents magnetic field. Different depths were machined in one aluminum plate with 4 mm of thickness. By scanning those cracks the magnetic field components parallel and perpendicular to the crack's line were measured when the eddy currents were launched perpendicularly to the crack's line. To characterize one crack in a plate of a given thickness and material, the experimental procedure was defined. The plate surface is scanned to detect and locate one crack. The acquired data enables the determination of the crack's length and orientation. A second scanning is performed with the excitation current perpendicular to the crack and the GMR sensing axis perpendicular and parallel to the crack's line.

Conflicting motion perspective simulating sinultaneous clockwise and counterclockwise rotation in depth.

PubMed

Hershberger, W A; Stewart, M R; Laughlin, N K

1976-05-01

Motion projections (pictures) simulating a horizontal array of vertical lines rotating in depth about its central vertical line were observed by 24 college students who rotated a crank handle in the direction of apparent rotation. All displays incorporated contradictory motion perspective: Whereas the perspective transformation in the vertical (y) dimension stimulated one direction of rotation, the transformation in the horizontal (x) dimension simulated the opposite direction. The amount of perspective in each dimension was varied independently of the other by varying the projection ratio used for each dimension. We used the same five ratios for each dimension, combining them factorially to generate the 25 displays. Analysis of variance of the duration of crank turning which agreed with y-axis information yielded main effects of both x and y projection ratios but no interaction, revealing that x- and y-axis motion perspectives mediate kinetic depth effects which are functionally independent.

SU-E-T-352: Effects of Skull Attenuation and Missing Backscatter On Brain Dose in HDR Treatment of the Head with Surface Applicators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cifter, F; Dhou, S; Lewis, J

2015-06-15

Purpose: To calculate the effect of lack of backscatter from air and attenuation of bone on dose distributions in brachytherapy surface treatment of head. Existing treatment planning systems based on TG43 do not account for heterogeneities, and thus may overestimate the dose to the brain. While brachytherapy generally has rapid dose falloff, the dose to the deeper tissues (in this case, the brain) can become significant when treating large curved surfaces. Methods: Applicator geometries representing a range of clinical cases were simulated in MCNP5. An Ir-192 source was modeled using the energy spectrum presented by TG-43. The head phantom wasmore » modeled as a 7.5-cm radius water sphere, with a 7 -mm thick skull embedded 5-mm beneath the surface. Dose values were calculated at 20 points inside the head, in which 10 of them were on the central axis and the other 10 on the axis connecting the central of the phantom with the second to last source from the applicator edge. Results: Central and peripheral dose distributions for a range of applicator and head sizes are presented. The distance along the central axis at which the dose falls to 80% of the prescribed dose (D80) was 7 mm for a representative small applicator and 9 mm for a large applicator. Corresponding D50 and D30 for the same small applicator were 17 mm and 32 mm respectively. D50 and D30 for the larger applicator were 32 mm and 60 mm respectively. These results reflect the slower falloff expected for larger applicators on a curved surface. Conclusion: Our results can provide guidance for clinicians to calculate the dose reduction effect due to bone attenuation and the lack of backscatter from air to estimate the brain dose for the HDR treatments of surface lesions.« less

Beam perturbation characteristics of a 2D transmission silicon diode array, Magic Plate

PubMed Central

Alrowaili, Ziyad A.; Lerch, Michael L.F.; Petasecca, Marco; Carolan, Martin G.; Metcalfe, Peter E.

2016-01-01

The main objective of this study is to demonstrate the performance characteristics of the Magic Plate (MP) system when operated upstream of the patient in transmission mode (MPTM). The MPTM is an essential component of a real‐time QA system designed for operation during radiotherapy treatment. Of particular interest is a quantitative study into the influence of the MP on the radiation beam quality at several field sizes and linear accelerator potential differences. The impact is measured through beam perturbation effects such as changes in the skin dose and/or percentage depth dose (PDD) (both in and out of field). The MP was placed in the block tray of a Varian linac head operated at 6, 10 and 18 MV beam energy. To optimize the MPTM operational setup, two conditions were investigated and each setup was compared to the case where no MP is positioned in place (i.e., open field): (i) MPTM alone and (ii) MPTM with a thin passive contamination electron filter. The in‐field and out‐of‐field surface doses of a solid water phantom were investigated for both setups using a Markus plane parallel (Model N23343) and Attix parallel‐plate, MRI model 449 ionization chambers. In addition, the effect on the 2D dose distribution measured by the Delta4 QA system was also investigated. The transmission factor for both of these MPTM setups in the central axis was also investigated using a Farmer ionization chamber (Model 2571A) and an Attix ionization chamber. Measurements were performed for different irradiation field sizes of 5×5 cm2 and 10×10 cm2. The change in the surface dose relative to dmax was measured to be less than 0.5% for the 6 MV, 10 MV, and 18 MV energy beams. Transmission factors measured for both set ups (i & ii above) with 6 MV, 10 MV, and 18 MV at a depth of dmax and a depth of 10 cm were all within 1.6% of open field. The impact of both the bare MPTM and the MPTM with 1 mm buildup on 3D dose distribution in comparison to the open field investigated using the Delta4 system and both the MPTM versions passed standard clinical gamma analysis criteria. Two MPTM operational setups were studied and presented in this article. The results indicate that both versions may be suitable for the new real‐time megavoltage photon treatment delivery QA system under development. However, the bare MPTM appears to be slightly better suited of the two MP versions, as it minimally perturbs the radiation field and does not lead to any significant increase in skin dose to the patient. PACS number(s): 87.50.up, 87.53.Bn, 87.55.N, 87.55.Qr, 87.56.Fc. PMID:27074475

Monte Carlo study of si diode response in electron beams.

PubMed

Wang, Lilie L W; Rogers, David W O

2007-05-01

Silicon semiconductor diodes measure almost the same depth-dose distributions in both photon and electron beams as those measured by ion chambers. A recent study in ion chamber dosimetry has suggested that the wall correction factor for a parallel-plate ion chamber in electron beams changes with depth by as much as 6%. To investigate diode detector response with respect to depth, a silicon diode model is constructed and the water/silicon dose ratio at various depths in electron beams is calculated using EGSnrc. The results indicate that, for this particular diode model, the diode response per unit water dose (or water/diode dose ratio) in both 6 and 18 MeV electron beams is flat within 2% versus depth, from near the phantom surface to the depth of R50 (with calculation uncertainty <0.3%). This suggests that there must be some other correction factors for ion chambers that counter-balance the large wall correction factor at depth in electron beams. In addition, the beam quality and field-size dependence of the diode model are also calculated. The results show that the water/diode dose ratio remains constant within 2% over the electron energy range from 6 to 18 MeV. The water/diode dose ratio does not depend on field size as long as the incident electron beam is broad and the electron energy is high. However, for a very small beam size (1 X 1 cm(2)) and low electron energy (6 MeV), the water/diode dose ratio may decrease by more than 2% compared to that of a broad beam.

A study on quantitative analysis of field size and dose by using gating system in 4D conformal radiation treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Youn-Sang; Dong, Kyung-Rae; Kim, Chang-Bok; Chung, Woon-Kwan; Cho, Jae-Hwan; Lee, Hae-Kag

2012-10-01

This study evaluated the gating-based 4-D conformal radiation therapy (4D-CT) treatment planning by a comparison with the common 3-D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CT) treatment planning and examined the change in treatment field size and dose to the tumors and adjacent normal tissues because an unnecessary dose is also included in the 3-D treatment planning for the radiation treatment of tumors in the chest and abdomen. The 3D-CT and gating-based 4D-CT images were obtained from patients who had undergone radiation treatment for chest and abdomen tumors in the oncology department. After establishing a treatment plan, the CT treatment and planning system were used to measure the change in field size for analysis. A dose volume histogram (DVH) was used to calculate the appropriate dose to planning target volume (PTV) tumors and adjacent normal tissue. The difference in the treatment volume of the chest was 0.6 and 0.83 cm on the X- and Y-axis, respectively, for the gross tumor volume (GTV). Accordingly, the values in the 4D-CT treatment planning were smaller and the dose was more concentrated by 2.7% and 0.9% on the GTV and clinical target volume (CTV), respectively. The normal tissues in the surrounding normal tissues were reduced by 3.0%, 7.2%, 0.4%, 1.7%, 2.6% and 0.2% in the bronchus, chest wall, esophagus, heart, lung and spinal cord, respectively. The difference in the treatment volume of the abdomen was 0.72 cm on the X-axis and 0.51 cm on the Y-axis for the GTV; and 1.06 cm on the X-axis and 1.85 cm on the Y-axis for the PTV. Therefore, the values in the 4D-CT treatment planning were smaller. The dose was concentrated by 6.8% and 4.3% on the GTV and PTV, respectively, whereas the adjacent normal tissues in the cord, Lt. kidney, Rt. kidney, small bowels and whole liver were reduced by 3.2%, 4.2%, 1.5%, 6.2% and 12.7%, respectively. The treatment field size was smaller in volume in the case of the 4D-CT treatment planning. In the DVH, the 4D-CT treatment planning showed a higher dose concentration on the part to be treated than the 3D-CT treatment planning with a lower dose to the adjacent normal tissues. Overall, the gating-based 4D-CT treatment planning is believed to be more helpful than the 3D-CT treatment planning.

A photon source model based on particle transport in a parameterized accelerator structure for Monte Carlo dose calculations.

PubMed

Ishizawa, Yoshiki; Dobashi, Suguru; Kadoya, Noriyuki; Ito, Kengo; Chiba, Takahito; Takayama, Yoshiki; Sato, Kiyokazu; Takeda, Ken

2018-05-17

An accurate source model of a medical linear accelerator is essential for Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculations. This study aims to propose an analytical photon source model based on particle transport in parameterized accelerator structures, focusing on a more realistic determination of linac photon spectra compared to existing approaches. We designed the primary and secondary photon sources based on the photons attenuated and scattered by a parameterized flattening filter. The primary photons were derived by attenuating bremsstrahlung photons based on the path length in the filter. Conversely, the secondary photons were derived from the decrement of the primary photons in the attenuation process. This design facilitates these sources to share the free parameters of the filter shape and be related to each other through the photon interaction in the filter. We introduced two other parameters of the primary photon source to describe the particle fluence in penumbral regions. All the parameters are optimized based on calculated dose curves in water using the pencil-beam-based algorithm. To verify the modeling accuracy, we compared the proposed model with the phase space data (PSD) of the Varian TrueBeam 6 and 15 MV accelerators in terms of the beam characteristics and the dose distributions. The EGS5 Monte Carlo code was used to calculate the dose distributions associated with the optimized model and reference PSD in a homogeneous water phantom and a heterogeneous lung phantom. We calculated the percentage of points passing 1D and 2D gamma analysis with 1%/1 mm criteria for the dose curves and lateral dose distributions, respectively. The optimized model accurately reproduced the spectral curves of the reference PSD both on- and off-axis. The depth dose and lateral dose profiles of the optimized model also showed good agreement with those of the reference PSD. The passing rates of the 1D gamma analysis with 1%/1 mm criteria between the model and PSD were 100% for 4 × 4, 10 × 10, and 20 × 20 cm 2 fields at multiple depths. For the 2D dose distributions calculated in the heterogeneous lung phantom, the 2D gamma pass rate was 100% for 6 and 15 MV beams. The model optimization time was less than 4 min. The proposed source model optimization process accurately produces photon fluence spectra from a linac using valid physical properties, without detailed knowledge of the geometry of the linac head, and with minimal optimization time. © 2018 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

SU-E-T-439: An Improved Formula of Scatter-To-Primary Ratio for Photon Dose Calculation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, T

2014-06-01

Purpose: Scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) is an important dosimetric quantity that describes the contribution from the scatter photons in an external photon beam. The purpose of this study is to develop an improved analytical formula to describe SPR as a function of circular field size (r) and depth (d) using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Methods: MC simulation was performed for Mohan photon spectra (Co-60, 4, 6, 10, 15, 23 MV) using EGSNRC code. Point-spread scatter dose kernels in water are generated. The scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) is also calculated using MC simulation as a function of field size for circular field sizemore » with radius r and depth d. The doses from forward scatter and backscatter photons are calculated using a convolution of the point-spread scatter dose kernel and by accounting for scatter photons contributing to dose before (z'd) reaching the depth of interest, d, where z' is the location of scatter photons, respectively. The depth dependence of the ratio of the forward scatter and backscatter doses is determined as a function of depth and field size. Results: We are able to improve the existing 3-parameter (a, w, d0) empirical formula for SPR by introducing depth dependence for one of the parameter d0, which becomes 0 for deeper depths. The depth dependence of d0 can be directly calculated as a ratio of backscatter-to-forward scatter doses for otherwise the same field and depth. With the improved empirical formula, we can fit SPR for all megavoltage photon beams to within 2%. Existing 3-parameter formula cannot fit SPR data for Co-60 to better than 3.1%. Conclusion: An improved empirical formula is developed to fit SPR for all megavoltage photon energies to within 2%.« less

WE-A-17A-12: The Influence of Eye Plaque Design On Dose Distributions and Dose- Volume Histograms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aryal, P; Molloy, JA; Rivard, MJ

Purpose: To investigate the effect of slot design of the model EP917 plaque on dose distributions and dose-volume histograms (DVHs). Methods: The dimensions and orientation of the slots in EP917 plaques were measured. In the MCNP5 radiation simulation geometry, dose distributions on orthogonal planes and DVHs for a tumor and sclera were generated for comparisons. 27 slot designs and 13 plaques were evaluated and compared with the published literature and the Plaque Simulator clinical treatment planning system. Results: The dosimetric effect of the gold backing composition and mass density was < 3%. Slot depth, width, and length changed the centralmore » axis (CAX) dose distributions by < 1% per 0.1 mm in design variation. Seed shifts in the slot towards the eye and shifts of the {sup 125} I-coated Ag rod within the capsule had the greatest impact on CAX dose distribution, increasing by 14%, 9%, 4%, and 2.5% at 1, 2, 5, and 10 mm, respectively, from the inner sclera. Along the CAX, dose from the full plaque geometry using the measured slot design was 3.4% ± 2.3% higher than the manufacturer-provided geometry. D{sub 10} for the simulated tumor, inner sclera, and outer sclera for the measured plaque was also higher, but 9%, 10%, and 20%, respectively. In comparison to the measured plaque design, a theoretical plaque having narrow and deep slots delivered 30%, 37%, and 62% lower D{sub 10} doses to the tumor, inner sclera, and outer sclera, respectively. CAX doses at −1, 0, 1, and 2 mm were also lower by a factor of 2.6, 1.4, 1.23, and 1.13, respectively. Conclusion: The study identified substantial sensitivity of the EP917 plaque dose distributions to slot design. However, it did not identify substantial dosimetric variations based on radionuclide choice ({sup 125}I, {sup 103}Pd, or {sup 131}Cs). COMS plaques provided lower scleral doses with similar tumor dose coverage.« less

Estimation of depth to magnetic source using maximum entropy power spectra, with application to the Peru-Chile Trench

USGS Publications Warehouse

Blakely, Richard J.

1981-01-01

Estimations of the depth to magnetic sources using the power spectrum of magnetic anomalies generally require long magnetic profiles. The method developed here uses the maximum entropy power spectrum (MEPS) to calculate depth to source on short windows of magnetic data; resolution is thereby improved. The method operates by dividing a profile into overlapping windows, calculating a maximum entropy power spectrum for each window, linearizing the spectra, and calculating with least squares the various depth estimates. The assumptions of the method are that the source is two dimensional and that the intensity of magnetization includes random noise; knowledge of the direction of magnetization is not required. The method is applied to synthetic data and to observed marine anomalies over the Peru-Chile Trench. The analyses indicate a continuous magnetic basement extending from the eastern margin of the Nazca plate and into the subduction zone. The computed basement depths agree with acoustic basement seaward of the trench axis, but deepen as the plate approaches the inner trench wall. This apparent increase in the computed depths may result from the deterioration of magnetization in the upper part of the ocean crust, possibly caused by compressional disruption of the basaltic layer. Landward of the trench axis, the depth estimates indicate possible thrusting of the oceanic material into the lower slope of the continental margin.

Optimal sensitometric curves of Kodak EDR2 film for dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy verification

PubMed Central

Suriyapee, S; Pitaxtarnin, N; Oonsiri, S; Jumpangern, C; Israngkul Na Ayuthaya, I

2008-01-01

Purpose: To investigate the optimal sensitometric curves of extended dose range (EDR2) radiographic film in terms of depth, field size, dose range and processing conditions for dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry verification with 6 MV X-ray beams. Materials and methods: A Varian Clinac 23 EX linear accelerator with 6 MV X-ray beam was used to study the response of Kodak EDR2 film. Measurements were performed at depths of 5, 10 and 15 cm in MedTec virtual water phantom and with field sizes of 2x2, 3x3, 10x10 and 15x15 cm2. Doses ranging from 20 to 450 cGy were used. The film was developed with the Kodak RP X-OMAT Model M6B automatic film processor. Film response was measured with the Vidar model VXR-16 scanner. Sensitometric curves were applied to the dose profiles measured with film at 5 cm in the virtual water phantom with field sizes of 2x2 and 10x10 cm2 and compared with ion chamber data. Scanditronix/Wellhofer OmniProTM IMRT software was used for the evaluation of the IMRT plan calculated by Eclipse treatment planning. Results: Investigation of the reproducibility and accuracy of the film responses, which depend mainly on the film processor, was carried out by irradiating one film nine times with doses of 20 to 450 cGy. A maximum standard deviation of 4.9% was found which decreased to 1.9% for doses between 20 and 200 cGy. The sensitometric curves for various field sizes at fixed depth showed a maximum difference of 4.2% between 2x2 and 15x15 cm2 at 5 cm depth with a dose of 450 cGy. The shallow depth tended to show a greater effect of field size responses than the deeper depths. The sensitometric curves for various depths at fixed field size showed slightly different film responses; the difference due to depth was within 1.8% for all field sizes studied. Both field size and depth effect were reduced when the doses were lower than 450 cGy. The difference was within 2.5% in the dose range from 20 to 300 cGy for all field sizes and depths studied. Dose profiles measured with EDR2 film were consistent with those measured with an ion chamber. The optimal sensitometric curve was acquired by irradiating film at a depth of 5 cm with doses ranging from 20 to 450 cGy with a 3×3 cm2 multileaf collimator. The optimal sensitometric curve allowed accurate determination of the absolute dose distribution. In almost 200 cases of dynamic IMRT plan verification with EDR2 film, the difference between measured and calculated dose was generally less than 3% and with 3 mm distance to agreement when using gamma value verification. Conclusion: EDR2 film can be used for accurate verification of composite isodose distributions of dynamic IMRT when the optimal sensitometric curve has been established. PMID:21614315

Optimal sensitometric curves of Kodak EDR2 film for dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy verification.

PubMed

Suriyapee, S; Pitaxtarnin, N; Oonsiri, S; Jumpangern, C; Israngkul Na Ayuthaya, I

2008-01-01

To investigate the optimal sensitometric curves of extended dose range (EDR2) radiographic film in terms of depth, field size, dose range and processing conditions for dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry verification with 6 MV X-ray beams. A Varian Clinac 23 EX linear accelerator with 6 MV X-ray beam was used to study the response of Kodak EDR2 film. Measurements were performed at depths of 5, 10 and 15 cm in MedTec virtual water phantom and with field sizes of 2x2, 3x3, 10x10 and 15x15 cm(2). Doses ranging from 20 to 450 cGy were used. The film was developed with the Kodak RP X-OMAT Model M6B automatic film processor. Film response was measured with the Vidar model VXR-16 scanner. Sensitometric curves were applied to the dose profiles measured with film at 5 cm in the virtual water phantom with field sizes of 2x2 and 10x10 cm(2) and compared with ion chamber data. Scanditronix/Wellhofer OmniPro(TM) IMRT software was used for the evaluation of the IMRT plan calculated by Eclipse treatment planning. Investigation of the reproducibility and accuracy of the film responses, which depend mainly on the film processor, was carried out by irradiating one film nine times with doses of 20 to 450 cGy. A maximum standard deviation of 4.9% was found which decreased to 1.9% for doses between 20 and 200 cGy. The sensitometric curves for various field sizes at fixed depth showed a maximum difference of 4.2% between 2x2 and 15x15 cm(2) at 5 cm depth with a dose of 450 cGy. The shallow depth tended to show a greater effect of field size responses than the deeper depths. The sensitometric curves for various depths at fixed field size showed slightly different film responses; the difference due to depth was within 1.8% for all field sizes studied. Both field size and depth effect were reduced when the doses were lower than 450 cGy. The difference was within 2.5% in the dose range from 20 to 300 cGy for all field sizes and depths studied. Dose profiles measured with EDR2 film were consistent with those measured with an ion chamber. The optimal sensitometric curve was acquired by irradiating film at a depth of 5 cm with doses ranging from 20 to 450 cGy with a 3×3 cm(2) multileaf collimator. The optimal sensitometric curve allowed accurate determination of the absolute dose distribution. In almost 200 cases of dynamic IMRT plan verification with EDR2 film, the difference between measured and calculated dose was generally less than 3% and with 3 mm distance to agreement when using gamma value verification. EDR2 film can be used for accurate verification of composite isodose distributions of dynamic IMRT when the optimal sensitometric curve has been established.

Monte Carlo simulation of depth-dose distributions in TLD-100 under 90Sr-90Y irradiation.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Villafuerte, M; Gamboa-deBuen, I; Brandan, M E

1997-04-01

In this work the depth-dose distribution in TLD-100 dosimeters under beta irradiation from a 90Sr-90Y source was investigated using the Monte Carlo method. Comparisons between the simulated data and experimental results showed that the depth-dose distribution is strongly affected by the different components of both the source and dosimeter holders due to the large number of electron scattering events.

Crustal tomographic imaging of a transitional continental rift: the Ethiopian rift

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daly, E.; Keir, D.; Ebinger, C. J.; Stuart, G. W.; Bastow, I. D.; Ayele, A.

2008-03-01

In this study we image crustal structure beneath a magmatic continental rift to understand the interplay between crustal stretching and magmatism during the late stages of continental rifting: the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). The northern sector of this region marks the transition from continental rifting in the East African Rift to incipient seafloor spreading in the southern Red Sea and western Gulf of Aden. Our local tomographic inversion exploits 172 broad-band instruments covering an area of 250 × 350 km of the rift and adjacent plateaux. The instruments recorded a total of 2139 local earthquakes over a 16-month period. Several synthetic tests show that resolution is good between 12 and 25 km depth (below sea level), but some horizontal velocity smearing is evident along the axis of the Main Ethiopian Rift below 16 km. We present a 3-D P-wave velocity model of the mid-crust and present the first 3-D Vp/Vs model of the region. Our models show high P-wave velocities (6.5 km s-1) beneath the axis of the rift at a depth of 12-25 km. The presence of high Vp/Vs ratios (1.81-1.84) at the same depth range suggest that they are cooled mafic intrusions. The high Vp/Vs values, along with other geophysical evidence, suggest that dyking is pervasive beneath the axis of the rift from the mid-crustal depths to the surface and that some portion of partial melt may exist at lower crustal depths. Although the crustal stretching factor across the Main Ethiopian Rift is ~1.7, our results indicate that magma intrusion in narrow zones accommodates a large proportion of extensional strain, with similarities to slow-spreading mid-ocean ridge processes.

Tomographic imaging of the transition from asthenospheric to lithospheric melt migration processes: 3-D structure of the topmost mantle and crust at the Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnoux, G. M.; Toomey, D. R.; Hooft, E. E. E.; Wilcock, W. S. D.

2017-12-01

We present tomographic images of the intermediate-spreading Endeavour Segment that constrain the nature of an axial magmatic system as it transitions from asthenospheric- to lithospheric-dominated rheologies. We use seismic energy from 5500 air gun shots refracted through the crust (Pg), reflected off the Moho (PmP), and refracted below the Moho (Pn)—as recorded by 64 OBSs from the Endeavour tomography experiment—to image the isotropic and anisotropic P-wave velocity structure of the topmost mantle and crust, as well as crustal thickness. At crustal depths, results reveal a low-velocity zone (LVZ)—inferred to be the axial magmatic system—that: (i) is continuous along the entire Endeavour Segment at depths of 2-3 km below seafloor and closely follows the axis of spreading, (ii) broadens and becomes more discontinuous at lower crustal depths, and (iii) has its largest amplitude from the mid- to lower-crust at the segment center. The ridge-tracking trend of the mid-crustal LVZ is in contrast to the crustal thickness pattern; in particular, a swath of thin crust is skewed with respect to both the ridge axis and the mid-crustal magmatic system and connects two overlapping spreading centers bounding the segment. The trend of thinner crust, however, is aligned with the mantle LVZ, which constrains the thermal structure and distribution of melt within the topmost mantle. The systematic depth variation of the map-view orientation and structure of the magmatic system indicates a distinct transition from a broad, cross-axis regime in the topmost asthenosphere governed by a regional, north-south trending thermal structure, to a narrow, cross-axis regime in the mid- to upper-crust governed by lithospheric rifting, magma injection, and hydrothermal processes. The lower-crustal magmatic system connects these two regimes. We also postulate that accumulation and differentiation of magma immediately beneath the crust-mantle boundary increases temperatures and suppresses plagioclase crystallization, thereby reducing the depth of lower crustal accretion and resulting in the observed north-south trending swath of thinner crust.

Method and system for determining depth distribution of radiation-emitting material located in a source medium and radiation detector system for use therein

DOEpatents

Benke, Roland R.; Kearfott, Kimberlee J.; McGregor, Douglas S.

2003-03-04

A method, system and a radiation detector system for use therein are provided for determining the depth distribution of radiation-emitting material distributed in a source medium, such as a contaminated field, without the need to take samples, such as extensive soil samples, to determine the depth distribution. The system includes a portable detector assembly with an x-ray or gamma-ray detector having a detector axis for detecting the emitted radiation. The radiation may be naturally-emitted by the material, such as gamma-ray-emitting radionuclides, or emitted when the material is struck by other radiation. The assembly also includes a hollow collimator in which the detector is positioned. The collimator causes the emitted radiation to bend toward the detector as rays parallel to the detector axis of the detector. The collimator may be a hollow cylinder positioned so that its central axis is perpendicular to the upper surface of the large area source when positioned thereon. The collimator allows the detector to angularly sample the emitted radiation over many ranges of polar angles. This is done by forming the collimator as a single adjustable collimator or a set of collimator pieces having various possible configurations when connected together. In any one configuration, the collimator allows the detector to detect only the radiation emitted from a selected range of polar angles measured from the detector axis. Adjustment of the collimator or the detector therein enables the detector to detect radiation emitted from a different range of polar angles. The system further includes a signal processor for processing the signals from the detector wherein signals obtained from different ranges of polar angles are processed together to obtain a reconstruction of the radiation-emitting material as a function of depth, assuming, but not limited to, a spatially-uniform depth distribution of the material within each layer. The detector system includes detectors having different properties (sensitivity, energy resolution) which are combined so that excellent spectral information may be obtained along with good determinations of the radiation field as a function of position.

SU-E-I-16: Scan Length Dependency of the Radial Dose Distribution in a Long Polyethylene Cylinder

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bakalyar, D; McKenney, S; Feng, W

Purpose: The area-averaged dose in the central plane of a long cylinder following a CT scan depends upon the radial dose distribution and the length of the scan. The ICRU/TG200 phantom, a polyethylene cylinder 30 cm in diameter and 60 cm long, was the subject of this study. The purpose was to develop an analytic function that could determine the dose for a scan length L at any point in the central plane of this phantom. Methods: Monte Carlo calculations were performed on a simulated ICRU/TG200 phantom under conditions of cylindrically symmetric conditions of irradiation. Thus, the radial dose distributionmore » function must be an even function that accounts for two competing effects: The direct beam makes its weakest contribution at the center while the scatter begins abruptly at the outer radius and grows as the center is approached. The scatter contribution also increases with scan length with the increase approaching its limiting value at the periphery faster than along the central axis. An analytic function was developed that fit the data and possessed these features. Results: Symmetry and continuity dictate a local extremum at the center which is a minimum for the ICRU/TG200 phantom. The relative depth of the minimum decreases as the scan length grows and an absolute maximum can occur between the center and outer edge of the cylinders. As the scan length grows, the relative dip in the center decreases so that for very long scan lengths, the dose profile is relatively flat. Conclusion: An analytic function characterizes the radial and scan length dependency of dose for long cylindrical phantoms. The function can be integrated with the results expressed in closed form. One use for this is to help determine average dose distribution over the central cylinder plane for any scan length.« less

SU-E-T-243: MonteCarlo Simulation Study of Polymer and Radiochromic Gel for Three-Dimensional Proton Dose Distribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, M; Jung, H; Kim, G

2014-06-01

Purpose: To estimate the three dimensional dose distributions in a polymer gel and a radiochromic gel by comparing with the virtual water phantom exposed to proton beams by applying Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: The polymer gel dosimeter is the compositeness material of gelatin, methacrylic acid, hydroquinone, tetrakis, and distilled water. The radiochromic gel is PRESAGE product. The densities of polymer and radiochromic gel were 1.040 and 1.0005 g/cm3, respectively. The shape of water phantom was a hexahedron with the size of 13 × 13 × 15 cm3. The proton beam energies of 72 and 116 MeV were used in themore » simulation. Proton beam was directed to the top of the phantom with Z-axis and the shape of beam was quadrangle with 10 × 10 cm2 dimension. The Percent depth dose and the dose distribution were evaluated for estimating the dose distribution of proton particle in two gel dosimeters, and compared with the virtual water phantom. Results: The Bragg-peak for proton particles in two gel dosimeters was similar to the virtual water phantom. Bragg-peak regions of polymer gel, radiochromic gel, and virtual water phantom were represented in the identical region (4.3 cm) for 72 MeV proton beam. For 116 MeV proton beam, the Bragg-peak regions of polymer gel, radiochromic gel, and virtual water phantom were represented in 9.9, 9.9 and 9.7 cm, respectively. The dose distribution of proton particles in polymer gel, radiochromic gel, and virtual water phantom was approximately identical in the case of 72 and 116 MeV energies. The errors for the simulation were under 10%. Conclusion: This work indicates the evaluation of three dimensional dose distributions by exposing proton particles to polymer and radiochromic gel dosimeter by comparing with the water phantom. The polymer gel and the radiochromic gel dosimeter show similar dose distributions for the proton beams.« less

Polynomial expressions of electron depth dose as a function of energy in various materials: application to thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deogracias, E. C.; Wood, J. L.; Wagner, E. C.; Kearfott, K. J.

1999-02-01

The CEPXS/ONEDANT code package was used to produce a library of depth-dose profiles for monoenergetic electrons in various materials for energies ranging from 500 keV to 5 MeV in 10 keV increments. The various materials for which depth-dose functions were derived include: lithium fluoride (LiF), aluminum oxide (Al 2O 3), beryllium oxide (BeO), calcium sulfate (CaSO 4), calcium fluoride (CaF 2), lithium boron oxide (LiBO), soft tissue, lens of the eye, adiopose, muscle, skin, glass and water. All materials data sets were fit to five polynomials, each covering a different range of electron energies, using a least squares method. The resultant three dimensional, fifth-order polynomials give the dose as a function of depth and energy for the monoenergetic electrons in each material. The polynomials can be used to describe an energy spectrum by summing the doses at a given depth for each energy, weighted by the spectral intensity for that energy. An application of the polynomial is demonstrated by explaining the energy dependence of thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs) and illustrating the relationship between TLD signal and actual shallow dose due to beta particles.

SU-F-T-502: FFF Beams, Jaw-Tracking and Treatment Techniques: Out of Field Dose Considerations for Pediatric Radiation Therapy Delivery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ben Bouchta, Y; Bergman, A; Vancouver Cancer Center-British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC

Purpose: To compare the extended dose profile delivered by 3DCRT and VMAT techniques for flattened and flattening-filter-free(FFF) photon beams (6X, 6XFFF,10XFFF), with and without jaw-tracking (JT) on Varian TrueBeam linac. The goal is to determine which treatment technique/modality will minimize the peripheral photon dose exposure (and ultimately minimize the risk of second malignant neoplasms (SMN)) in pediatric patients. Methods: 3DCRT, VMAT, and jaw tracking VMAT (JTVMAT) plans with 6X, 6XFFF and 10XFFF x-ray beams were created on a 30×60×22.5cm solid water phantom with a 551 cc PTV. The 3DCRT plans consisted of a 4FLD arrangement. The optimization objectives for themore » single-arc VMAT plans was V95%Rx=98% to PTV and minimize dose to a 5cm diameter organ at risk (OAR). The OAR to PTV distance varied from 0–30cm along the long axis at 7.5cm depth. The dose to the center of the OAR was measured using a 0.6cc ion chamber. Results: Relative to the 6X flattened beam, the 10XFFF photon beam had the lowest dose in the penumbra and peripheral region (>15 cm) region by up to 20% and 40%, respectively for all modalities (3DCRT, VMAT, JTVMAT). The 6XFFF beams only showed a dose reduction in the peripheral region (by up to 20%). JT did not significantly affect the peripheral dose for all modalities and energies. Conclusion: Treating pediatric patients with a 10XFFF beam is the most effective way to reduce photon scatter dose in both the penumbra and peripheral regions. However, the neutron dose contribution resulting from the 10MV beam still needs to be considered. For all modalities, 6XFFF was the next effective method to reduce peripheral photon doses. 3DCRT beams had the lowest peripheral doses for all energies compared to VMAT and JTVMAT, however previous publications have shown that this comes at the expense of PTV conformity and OAR sparing.« less

Transition Regimes of Jet Impingement on Rib and Cavity Superhydrophobic Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Michael; Maynes, Daniel; Webb, Brent

2010-11-01

We report experimental results characterizing the dynamics of a liquid jet impinging normally on superhydrophobic surfaces spanning the Weber number (based on the jet velocity and diameter) range from 100 to 2000.The superhydrophobic surfaces are fabricated with both silicon and PDMS surfaces and exhibit micro-ribs and cavities coated with a hydrophobic coating. In general, the hydraulic jump exhibits an elliptical shape with the major axis being aligned parallel to the ribs, concomitant with the frictional resistance being smaller in the parallel direction than in the transverse direction. When the water depth downstream of the jump was imposed at a predetermined value, the major and minor axis of the jump increased with decreasing water depth, following classical hydraulic jump behavior. When no water depth was imposed, a regime change was observed within the Weber number range explained. For We < 1200, the flow forms a filament at the edge of the ellipse, where the flow moves along the rim of the ellipse toward the major axis. The filaments then join and continue to move parallel to the ribs. For 1200 < We < 1800, the filaments beyond the ellipse break into multiple streams and droplets and begin to take on a component perpendicular to the ribs. For We > 1800 a small amount of water flows purely in the transverse direction.

SU-F-I-34: How Does Longitudinal Dose Profile Change with Tube Current Distribution in CT?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, X; Yang, K; Liu, B

Purpose: To investigate how longitudinal dose profile D{sub L}(z) in 30 cm-diameter water cylinder change with tube current (mA) distribution and scan length. Methods: A constant and four variable mA distributions from two previous papers [Dixon et al., Med. Phys. 40, 111920 (14pp.) (2013); Zhang et al., Med. Phys. 41, 091911 (9pp.) (2014)] were adopted in three scan lengths of 10, 28.6, and 50 cm, and all mA distributions had the same average mA over scan ranges. Using the symmetry based dose calculation algorithms and the previously published CT dose equilibration data [Li et al., Med. Phys. 40, 031903 (10pp.)more » (2013); 41, 111910 (5pp.) (2014)], the authors calculated DL(z) on the phantom central and peripheral axes. Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test was used to compare the lineshapes of two arbitrary distributions. Results: In constant mA scans, D{sub L}(z) was “bell-shaped”. In variable mA scans, D{sub L}(z) approximately followed the mA lineshape, and the K-S distance generally changed with mA distribution. The distance decreased with scan length, and was larger on the central axis than on the peripheral axis. However, the opposite trends were found in the K-S distance between the D{sub L}(z) distributions of constant and variable mA distributions. Conclusion: Radiation dose from TCM scan is best evaluated using the specific tube current distribution. A constant mA based evaluation may lead to inconsistent longitudinal dose profile with that of TCM scan. Their difference in lineshape is larger on the phantom peripheral axis than on the central axis and increases with scan length. This work confirms that radiation dose in CT depends on not only local mA but also the overall mA distribution and scan length. On the other hand, the concept of regional tube current may be useful when scan length is large, tube current peaks near scan range edge, or the target site is superficial.« less

SU-E-T-145: Effects of Temporary Tachytherapy Inhibition Magnet On MOSFET Dose Measurements of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices (CIED) in Radiation Therapy Patients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

P, Joshi; Salomons, G; Kerr, A

2014-06-01

Purpose: To determine the effects of temporary tachytherapy inhibition magnet on MOSFET dose measurements of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) in radiation therapy patients. Methods: Infield and peripheral MOSFET dose measurements with 6MV photon beams were performed to evaluate dose to a CIED in the presence of a doughnut shaped temporary tachytherapy inhibition magnet. Infield measurements were done to quantify the effects of the magnetic field alone and shielding by the magnet. MOSFETs were placed inside a 20×20cm{sup 2} field at a depth of 3cm in the isocentre plane in the presence and absence of the magnet. Peripheral dose measurementsmore » were done to determine the impact of the magnet on dose to the CIED in a clinical setting. These measurements were performed at the centre, under the rim and half way between a 10×10cm{sup 2} field edge and the magnet with MOSFETS placed at the surface, 0.5cm and 1cm depths in the presence and absence of the magnet. Results: Infield measurements showed that effects of magnetic field on the MOSFET readings were within the 2% MOSFET dose measurement uncertainty; a 20% attenuation of dose under the magnet rim was observed. Peripheral dose measurements at the centre of the magnet show an 8% increase in surface dose and a 6% decrease in dose at 1cm depth. Dose under the magnet rim was reduced by approximately 68%, 45% and 25% for MOSFET placed at 0.0, 0.5 and 1.0cm bolus depths, respectively. Conclusions: The magnetic field has an insignificant effect on MOSFET dose measurements. Dose to the central region of CIED represented by centre of the magnet doughnut increases at the surface, and decreases at depths due to low energy scattering contributions from the magnet. Dose under the magnet rim, representing CIED edges, decreased significantly due to shielding.« less

Modulated-alignment dual-axis (MAD) confocal microscopy for deep optical sectioning in tissues

PubMed Central

Leigh, Steven Y.; Chen, Ye; Liu, Jonathan T.C.

2014-01-01

A strategy is presented to enable optical-sectioning microscopy with improved contrast and imaging depth using low-power (0.5 - 1 mW) diode laser illumination. This technology combines the inherent strengths of focal-modulation microscopy and dual-axis confocal (DAC) microscopy for rejecting out-of-focus and multiply scattered background light in tissues. The DAC architecture is unique in that it utilizes an intersecting pair of illumination and collection beams to improve the spatial-filtering and optical-sectioning performance of confocal microscopy while focal modulation selectively ‘labels’ in-focus signals via amplitude modulation. Simulations indicate that modulating the spatial alignment of dual-axis beams at a frequency f generates signals from the focal volume of the microscope that are modulated at 2f with minimal modulation of background signals, thus providing nearly an order-of-magnitude improvement in optical-sectioning contrast compared to DAC microscopy alone. Experiments show that 2f lock-in detection enhances contrast and imaging depth within scattering phantoms and fresh tissues. PMID:24940534

Implementation of the DPM Monte Carlo code on a parallel architecture for treatment planning applications.

PubMed

Tyagi, Neelam; Bose, Abhijit; Chetty, Indrin J

2004-09-01

We have parallelized the Dose Planning Method (DPM), a Monte Carlo code optimized for radiotherapy class problems, on distributed-memory processor architectures using the Message Passing Interface (MPI). Parallelization has been investigated on a variety of parallel computing architectures at the University of Michigan-Center for Advanced Computing, with respect to efficiency and speedup as a function of the number of processors. We have integrated the parallel pseudo random number generator from the Scalable Parallel Pseudo-Random Number Generator (SPRNG) library to run with the parallel DPM. The Intel cluster consisting of 800 MHz Intel Pentium III processor shows an almost linear speedup up to 32 processors for simulating 1 x 10(8) or more particles. The speedup results are nearly linear on an Athlon cluster (up to 24 processors based on availability) which consists of 1.8 GHz+ Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Athlon processors on increasing the problem size up to 8 x 10(8) histories. For a smaller number of histories (1 x 10(8)) the reduction of efficiency with the Athlon cluster (down to 83.9% with 24 processors) occurs because the processing time required to simulate 1 x 10(8) histories is less than the time associated with interprocessor communication. A similar trend was seen with the Opteron Cluster (consisting of 1400 MHz, 64-bit AMD Opteron processors) on increasing the problem size. Because of the 64-bit architecture Opteron processors are capable of storing and processing instructions at a faster rate and hence are faster as compared to the 32-bit Athlon processors. We have validated our implementation with an in-phantom dose calculation study using a parallel pencil monoenergetic electron beam of 20 MeV energy. The phantom consists of layers of water, lung, bone, aluminum, and titanium. The agreement in the central axis depth dose curves and profiles at different depths shows that the serial and parallel codes are equivalent in accuracy.

SU-F-T-53: Treatment Planning with Inhomogeneity Correction for Intraoperative Radiotherapy Using KV X-Ray Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Y; Ghaly, M; Souri, S

Purpose: The current standard in dose calculation for intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) using the ZEISS Intrabeam 50 kV x-ray system is based on depth dose measurements in water and no heterogeneous tissue effect has been taken into account. We propose an algorithm for pre-treatment planning including inhomogeneity correction based on data of depth dose measurements in various tissue phantoms for kV x-rays. Methods: Direct depth dose measurements were made in air, water, inner bone and cortical bone phantoms for the Intrabeam 50 kV x-rays with a needle applicator. The data were modelled by a function of power law combining exponential withmore » different parameters. Those phantom slabs used in the measurements were scanned to obtain CT numbers. The x-ray beam initiated from the source isocenter is ray-traced through tissues. The corresponding doses will be deposited/assigned at different depths. On the boundary of tissue/organ changes, the x-ray beam will be re-traced in new tissue/organ starting at an equivalent depth with the same dose. In principle, a volumetric dose distribution can be generated if enough directional beams are traced. In practice, a several typical rays traced may be adequate in providing estimates of maximum dose to the organ at risk and minimum dose in the target volume. Results: Depth dose measurements and modeling are shown in Figure 1. The dose versus CT number is shown in Figure 2. A computer program has been written for Kypho-IORT planning using those data. A direct measurement through 2 mm solid water, 2 mm inner bone, and 1 mm solid water yields a dose rate of 7.7 Gy/min. Our calculation shows 8.1±0.4 Gy/min, consistent with the measurement within 5%. Conclusion: The proposed method can be used to more accurately calculate the dose by taking into account the heterogeneous effect. The further validation includes comparison with Monte Carlo simulation.« less

SU-F-T-153: Experimental Validation and Calculation Benchmark for a Commercial Monte Carlo Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy Treatment Planning System in Water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, L; Huang, S; Kang, M

Purpose: Eclipse proton Monte Carlo AcurosPT 13.7 was commissioned and experimentally validated for an IBA dedicated PBS nozzle in water. Topas 1.3 was used to isolate the cause of differences in output and penumbra between simulation and experiment. Methods: The spot profiles were measured in air at five locations using Lynx. PTW-34070 Bragg peak chamber (Freiburg, Germany) was used to collect the relative integral Bragg peak for 15 proton energies from 100 MeV to 225 MeV. The phase space parameters (σx, σθ, ρxθ) number of protons per MU, energy spread and calculated mean energy provided by AcurosPT were identically implementedmore » into Topas. The absolute dose, profiles and field size factors measured using ionization chamber arrays were compared with both AcurosPT and Topas. Results: The beam spot size, σx, and the angular spread, σθ, in air were both energy-dependent: in particular, the spot size in air at isocentre ranged from 2.8 to 5.3 mm, and the angular spread ranged from 2.7 mrad to 6 mrad. The number of protons per MU increased from ∼9E7 at 100 MeV to ∼1.5E8 at 225 MeV. Both AcurosPT and TOPAS agree with experiment within 2 mm penumbra difference or 3% dose difference for scenarios including central axis depth dose and profiles at two depths in multi-spot square fields, from 40 to 200 mm, for all the investigated single-energy and multi-energy beams, indicating clinically acceptable source model and radiation transport algorithm in water. Conclusion: By comparing measured data and TOPAS simulation using the same source model, the AcurosPT 13.7 was validated in water within 2 mm penumbra difference or 3% dose difference. Benchmarks versus an independent Monte Carlo code are recommended to study the agreement in output, filed size factors and penumbra differences. This project is partially supported by the Varian grant under the master agreement between University of Pennsylvania and Varian.« less

TU-EF-304-10: Efficient Multiscale Simulation of the Proton Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) for DNA Double Strand Break (DSB) Induction and Bio-Effective Dose in the FLUKA Monte Carlo Radiation Transport Code

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moskvin, V; Tsiamas, P; Axente, M

2015-06-15

Purpose: One of the more critical initiating events for reproductive cell death is the creation of a DNA double strand break (DSB). In this study, we present a computationally efficient way to determine spatial variations in the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of proton therapy beams within the FLUKA Monte Carlo (MC) code. Methods: We used the independently tested Monte Carlo Damage Simulation (MCDS) developed by Stewart and colleagues (Radiat. Res. 176, 587–602 2011) to estimate the RBE for DSB induction of monoenergetic protons, tritium, deuterium, hellium-3, hellium-4 ions and delta-electrons. The dose-weighted (RBE) coefficients were incorporated into FLUKA to determinemore » the equivalent {sup 6}°60Co γ-ray dose for representative proton beams incident on cells in an aerobic and anoxic environment. Results: We found that the proton beam RBE for DSB induction at the tip of the Bragg peak, including primary and secondary particles, is close to 1.2. Furthermore, the RBE increases laterally to the beam axis at the area of Bragg peak. At the distal edge, the RBE is in the range from 1.3–1.4 for cells irradiated under aerobic conditions and may be as large as 1.5–1.8 for cells irradiated under anoxic conditions. Across the plateau region, the recorded RBE for DSB induction is 1.02 for aerobic cells and 1.05 for cells irradiated under anoxic conditions. The contribution to total effective dose from secondary heavy ions decreases with depth and is higher at shallow depths (e.g., at the surface of the skin). Conclusion: Multiscale simulation of the RBE for DSB induction provides useful insights into spatial variations in proton RBE within pristine Bragg peaks. This methodology is potentially useful for the biological optimization of proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. The study highlights the need to incorporate spatial variations in proton RBE into proton therapy treatment plans.« less

Mechanical property assessment of tissue-mimicking phantoms using remote palpation and optical read-out for amplitude of vibration and refractive index modulation.

PubMed

Usha Devi, C; Bharat Chandran, R S; Vasu, R Mohan; Sood, Ajay K

2007-01-01

A coherent light beam is used to interrogate the focal region within a tissue-mimicking phantom insonified by an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound-tagged photons exiting from the object carry with them information on local optical path length fluctuations caused by refractive index variations and medium vibration. Through estimation of the force distribution in the focal region of the ultrasound transducer, and solving the forward elastography problem for amplitude of vibration of tissue particles, we observe that the amplitude is directed along the axis of the transducer. It is shown that the focal region interrogated by photons launched along the transducer axis carries phase fluctuations owing to both refractive index variations and particle vibration, whereas the photons launched perpendicular to the transducer axis carry phase fluctuations arising mainly from the refractive index variations, with only smaller contribution from vibration of particles. Monte-Carlo simulations and experiments done on tissue-mimicking phantoms prove that as the storage modulus of the phantom is increased, the detected modulation depth in autocorrelation is reduced, significantly for axial photons and only marginally for the transverse-directed photons. It is observed that the depth of modulation is reduced to a significantly lower and constant value as the storage modulus of the medium is increased. This constant value is found to be the same for both axial and transverse optical interrogation. This proves that the residual modulation depth is owing to refractive index fluctuations alone, which can be subtracted from the overall measured modulation depth, paving the way for a possible quantitative reconstruction of storage modulus. Moreover, since the transverse-directed photons are not significantly affected by storage modulus variations, for a quantitatively accurate read-out of absorption coefficient variation, the interrogating light should be perpendicular to the focusing ultrasound transducer axis.

A BBDR-HPT Axis Model for the Pregnant Rat and Fetus: Evaluation of Iodide Deficiency

EPA Science Inventory

A biologically based dose response (BBDR) model for the hypothalamic-pituitarythyroid (HPT) axis for the pregnant rat and fetus is being developed to advance understanding of thyroid hormone disruptions and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). The model for the pregnant rat and fet...

Developing Predictive Approaches to Characterize Adaptive Responses of the Reproductive Endocrine Axis to Aromatase Inhibition: Computational Modeling

EPA Science Inventory

Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can affect reproduction and development in both humans and wildlife. We developed a mechanistic mathematical model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in female fathead minnows to predict dose-response and time-course (DRTC)...

Predicting Adaptive Response to Fadrozole Exposure: Computational Model of the Fathead Minnow Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis

EPA Science Inventory

Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can affect reproduction and development in both humans and wildlife. We are developing a mechanistic mathematical model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in female fathead minnows to predict dose-response and time-course (...

Adaptive Response in Female Fathead Minnows Exposed to an Aromatase Inhibitor: Computational Modeling of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis

EPA Science Inventory

Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can affect reproduction and development in both humans and wildlife. We are developing a mechanistic computational model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in female fathead minnows to predict dose-response and time-course ...

A BBDR-HPT Axis Model for the Lactating Rat and Nursing Pup: Evaluation of Iodide Deficiency

EPA Science Inventory

A biologically based dose response (BBDR) model for the lactating rat and pup hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is being developed to advance understanding of thyroid hormone disruptions and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). The model for the lactating rat and pup quanti...

49 CFR 587.14 - Deformable face component dimensions and material specifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... tolerance of ±2.5 mm (0.1 in) unless otherwise specified. (a) Main honeycomb block. (1) Dimensions. The main honeycomb block has a height of 650 mm (25.6 in) (in the direction of honeycomb ribbon axis), a width of 1,000 mm (39.4 in), and a depth of 450 mm (17.7 in)(in the direction of honeycomb cell axis). (2...

49 CFR 587.14 - Deformable face component dimensions and material specifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... tolerance of ±2.5 mm (0.1 in) unless otherwise specified. (a) Main honeycomb block. (1) Dimensions. The main honeycomb block has a height of 650 mm (25.6 in) (in the direction of honeycomb ribbon axis), a width of 1,000 mm (39.4 in), and a depth of 450 mm (17.7 in)(in the direction of honeycomb cell axis). (2...

49 CFR 587.14 - Deformable face component dimensions and material specifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... tolerance of ±2.5 mm (0.1 in) unless otherwise specified. (a) Main honeycomb block. (1) Dimensions. The main honeycomb block has a height of 650 mm (25.6 in) (in the direction of honeycomb ribbon axis), a width of 1,000 mm (39.4 in), and a depth of 450 mm (17.7 in)(in the direction of honeycomb cell axis). (2...

49 CFR 587.14 - Deformable face component dimensions and material specifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... tolerance of ±2.5 mm (0.1 in) unless otherwise specified. (a) Main honeycomb block. (1) Dimensions. The main honeycomb block has a height of 650 mm (25.6 in) (in the direction of honeycomb ribbon axis), a width of 1,000 mm (39.4 in), and a depth of 450 mm (17.7 in)(in the direction of honeycomb cell axis). (2...

49 CFR 587.14 - Deformable face component dimensions and material specifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... tolerance of ±2.5 mm (0.1 in) unless otherwise specified. (a) Main honeycomb block. (1) Dimensions. The main honeycomb block has a height of 650 mm (25.6 in) (in the direction of honeycomb ribbon axis), a width of 1,000 mm (39.4 in), and a depth of 450 mm (17.7 in)(in the direction of honeycomb cell axis). (2...

Ambient neutron dose equivalent during proton therapy using wobbling scanning system: Measurements and calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yung-Chieh; Lee, Chung-Chi; Chao, Tsi-Chian; Tsai, Hui-Yu

2017-11-01

Neutron production is a concern in proton therapy, particularly in scattering proton beam delivery systems. Despite this fact, little is known about the effects of secondary neutron exposure around wobbling scattered proton treatment nozzles. The objective of this study was to estimate the neutron dose level resulting from the use of a wobbling scattered proton treatment unit. We applied the Monte Carlo method for predict the ambient neutron dose equivalent, H*(10), per absorbed dose at the treatment isocenter, D, in the proton therapy center of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. For a 190-MeV proton beam, H* (10) / D values typically decreased with the distance from the isocenter, being 1.106 mSv/Gy at the isocenter versus 0.112 mSv/Gy at a distance of 150 cm from the isocenter. The H* (10) / D values generally decreased as the neutron receptors moved away from the isocenter, and increased when the angle from the initial beam axis increased. The ambient neutron dose equivalents were observed to be slightly lower in the direction of multileaf collimator movement. For radiation protection, the central axis of a proton-treated patient is suggested to be at the 0° angle of the beam. If the beam direction at the 90° angle is necessary, the patient axis is suggested to be along with the direction of MLC movement. Our study provides the neutron dose level and neutron energy fluence for the first wobbling proton system at the proton therapy center of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Radial secondary electron dose profiles and biological effects in light-ion beams based on analytical and Monte Carlo calculations using distorted wave cross sections.

PubMed

Wiklund, Kristin; Olivera, Gustavo H; Brahme, Anders; Lind, Bengt K

2008-07-01

To speed up dose calculation, an analytical pencil-beam method has been developed to calculate the mean radial dose distributions due to secondary electrons that are set in motion by light ions in water. For comparison, radial dose profiles calculated using a Monte Carlo technique have also been determined. An accurate comparison of the resulting radial dose profiles of the Bragg peak for (1)H(+), (4)He(2+) and (6)Li(3+) ions has been performed. The double differential cross sections for secondary electron production were calculated using the continuous distorted wave-eikonal initial state method (CDW-EIS). For the secondary electrons that are generated, the radial dose distribution for the analytical case is based on the generalized Gaussian pencil-beam method and the central axis depth-dose distributions are calculated using the Monte Carlo code PENELOPE. In the Monte Carlo case, the PENELOPE code was used to calculate the whole radial dose profile based on CDW data. The present pencil-beam and Monte Carlo calculations agree well at all radii. A radial dose profile that is shallower at small radii and steeper at large radii than the conventional 1/r(2) is clearly seen with both the Monte Carlo and pencil-beam methods. As expected, since the projectile velocities are the same, the dose profiles of Bragg-peak ions of 0.5 MeV (1)H(+), 2 MeV (4)He(2+) and 3 MeV (6)Li(3+) are almost the same, with about 30% more delta electrons in the sub keV range from (4)He(2+)and (6)Li(3+) compared to (1)H(+). A similar behavior is also seen for 1 MeV (1)H(+), 4 MeV (4)He(2+) and 6 MeV (6)Li(3+), all classically expected to have the same secondary electron cross sections. The results are promising and indicate a fast and accurate way of calculating the mean radial dose profile.

SU-F-T-124: Radiation Biological Equivalent Presentations OfLEM-1 and MKM Approaches in the Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hsi, W; Jiang, G; Sheng, Y

Purpose: To study the correlations of the radiation biological equivalent doses (BED) along depth and lateral distance between LEM-1 and MKM approaches. Methods: In NIRS-MKM (Microdosimetric Kinetic Model) approach, the prescribed BED, referred as C-Eq, doses aims to present the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for different energies of carbon-ions on a fixed 10% survival value of HCG cell with respect to convention X-ray. Instead of a fixed 10% survival, the BED doses of LEM-1 (Local Effect Model) approach, referred as X-Eq, aims to present the RBE over the whole survival curve of chordoma-like cell with alpha/beta ratio of 2.0. Themore » relationship of physical doses as a function of C-Eq and X-Eq doses were investigated along depth and lateral distance for various sizes of cubic targets in water irradiated by carbon-ions. Results: At the center of each cubic target, the trends between physical and C-Eq or X-Eq doses can be described by a linear and 2nd order polynomial functions, respectively. Using fit functions can then calculate a scaling factor between C-Eq and X-Eq doses to have similar physical doses. With equalized C-Eq and X-Eq doses at the depth of target center, over- and under-estimated X-Eq to C-Eq are seen for depths before and after the target center, respectively. Near the distal edge along depth, sharp rising of RBE value is observed for X-Eq, but sharp dropping of RBE value is observed for C-Eq. For lateral locations near and just outside 50% dose level, sharp raising of RBE value is also seen for X-Eq, while only minor increasing with fast dropping for C-Eq. Conclusion: An analytical function to model the differences between the CEq and X-Eq doses along depth and lateral distance need to further investigated to explain varied clinic outcome of specific cancers using two different approaches to calculated BED doses.« less

Device Acquires and Retains Rock or Ice Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Giersch, Louis R.; Backes, Paul G.

2009-01-01

The Rock Baller is a sample acquisition tool that improves sample retention. The basic elements of the Rock Baller are the tool rotation axis, the hub, the two jaws, and the cutting blades, which are located on each of the jaws. The entire device rotates about the tool rotation axis, which is aligned parallel to the nominal normal direction of the parent rock surface. Both jaws also rotate about the jaw axis, which is perpendicular to the tool rotation axis, at a rate much slower than the rotation about the tool rotation axis. This movement gradually closes the jaws into a nearly continuous hemispherical shell that encloses the sample as it is cut from the parent rock. When required the jaws are opened to release the sample. The hemispherical cutting method eliminates the sample retention problems associated with existing sample acquisition methods that employ conventional cylindrical cutting. The resulting samples are hemispherical, or nearly hemispherical, and as a result the aspect ratio (sample depth relative to sample radius) is essentially fixed. This fixed sample aspect ratio may be considered a drawback of the Rock Baller method, as samples with a higher aspect ratio (more depth, less width) may be considered more scientifically valuable because such samples would allow for a broader inspection of the geological record. This aspect ratio issue can be ameliorated if the Rock Baller is paired with a device similar to the Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) used on the Mars Exploration Rovers. The RAT could be used to first grind into the surface of the parent rock, after which the Rock Baller would extract a sample from a depth inside the rock that would not have been possible without first using the RAT. Other potential applications for this technology include medical applications such as the removal of tissue samples or tumors from the body, particularly during endoscopic, laparoscopic, or thoracoscopic surgeries.

Evaluation on Geant4 Hadronic Models for Pion Minus, Pion Plus and Neutron Particles as Major Antiproton Annihilation Products

PubMed Central

Tavakoli, Mohammad Bagher; Mohammadi, Mohammad Mehdi; Reiazi, Reza; Jabbari, Keyvan

2015-01-01

Geant4 is an open source simulation toolkit based on C++, which its advantages progressively lead to applications in research domains especially modeling the biological effects of ionizing radiation at the sub-cellular scale. However, it was shown that Geant4 does not give a reasonable result in the prediction of antiproton dose especially in Bragg peak. One of the reasons could be lack of reliable physic model to predict the final states of annihilation products like pions. Considering the fact that most of the antiproton deposited dose is resulted from high-LET nuclear fragments following pion interaction in surrounding nucleons, we reproduced depth dose curves of most probable energy range of pions and neutron particle using Geant4. We consider this work one of the steps to understand the origin of the error and finally verification of Geant4 for antiproton tracking. Geant4 toolkit version 9.4.6.p01 and Fluka version 2006.3 were used to reproduce the depth dose curves of 220 MeV pions (both negative and positive) and 70 MeV neutrons. The geometry applied in the simulations consist a 20 × 20 × 20 cm3 water tank, similar to that used in CERN for antiproton relative dose measurements. Different physic lists including Quark-Gluon String Precompound (QGSP)_Binary Cascade (BIC)_HP, the recommended setting for hadron therapy, were used. In the case of pions, Geant4 resulted in at least 5% dose discrepancy between different physic lists at depth close to the entrance point. Even up to 15% discrepancy was found in some cases like QBBC compared to QGSP_BIC_HP. A significant difference was observed in dose profiles of different Geant4 physic list at small depths for a beam of pions. In the case of neutrons, large dose discrepancy was observed when LHEP or LHEP_EMV lists were applied. The magnitude of this dose discrepancy could be even 50% greater than the dose calculated by LHEP (or LHEP_EMV) at larger depths. We found that effect different Geant4 physic list in reproducing depth dose profile of the beam of pions was not negligible. Because the discrepancies were pronounced in smaller depth and also regarding the contribution of pions in deposited dose of a beam of antiproton, further investigation on choosing most suitable and accurate physic list for this purpose should be done. Furthermore, this study showed careful attention must be paid to choose the appropriate Geant4 physic list for neutron tracking depending to the applications criteria. We failed to find any agreement between results from Geant4 and Fluka to reproduce depth dose profile of pion with the energy range used in this study. PMID:26120569

Magnetic penetration depth of YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) thin films determined by the power transmission method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heinen, Vernon O.; Miranda, Felix A.; Bhasin, Kul B.

1992-01-01

A power transmission measurement technique was used to determine the magnetic penetration depth (lambda) of YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) superconducting thin films on LaAlO3 within the 26.5 to 40.0 GHz frequency range, and at temperatures from 20 to 300 K. Values of lambda ranging from 1100 to 2500 A were obtained at low temperatures. The anisotropy of lambda was determined from measurements of c-axis and a-axis oriented films. An estimate of the intrinsic value of lambda of 90 +/- 30 nm was obtained from the dependence of lambda on film thickness. The advantage of this technique is that it allows lambda to be determined nondestructively.

SU-C-213-06: Dosimetric Verification of 3D Printed Electron Bolus

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rasmussen, K; Corbett, M; Pelletier, C

2015-06-15

Purpose: To determine the dosimetric effect of 3D printed bolus in an anthropomorphic phantom. Methods: Conformable bolus material was generated for an anthropomorphic phantom from a DICOM volume. The bolus generated was a uniform expansion of 5mm applied to the nose region of the phantom, as this is a difficult area to uniformly apply bolus clinically. A Printrbot metal 3D Printer using PLA plastic generated the bolus. A 9MeV anterior beam with a 5cm cone was used to deliver dose to the nose of the phantom. TLD measurements were compared to predicted values at the phantom surface. Film planes weremore » analyzed for the printed bolus, a standard 5mm bolus sheet placed on the phantom, and the phantom with no bolus applied to determine depth and dose distributions. Results: TLDs measured within 2.5% of predicted value for the 3D bolus. Film demonstrated a more uniform dose distribution in the nostril region for the 3d printed bolus than the standard bolus. This difference is caused by the air gap created around the nostrils by the standard bolus, creating a secondary build-up region. Both demonstrated a 50% central axis dose shift of 5mm relative to the no bolus film. HU for the bolus calculated the PLA electron density to be ∼1.1g/cc. Physical density was measured to be 1.3g/cc overall. Conclusion: 3D printed PLA bolus demonstrates improved dosimetric performance to standard bolus for electron beams with complex phantom geometry.« less

Poster — Thur Eve — 43: Monte Carlo Modeling of Flattening Filter Free Beams and Studies of Relative Output Factors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhan, Lixin; Jiang, Runqing; Osei, Ernest K.

2014-08-15

Flattening filter free (FFF) beams have been adopted by many clinics and used for patient treatment. However, compared to the traditional flattened beams, we have limited knowledge of FFF beams. In this study, we successfully modeled the 6 MV FFF beam for Varian TrueBeam accelerator with the Monte Carlo (MC) method. Both the percentage depth dose and profiles match well to the Golden Beam Data (GBD) from Varian. MC simulations were then performed to predict the relative output factors. The in-water output ratio, Scp, was simulated in water phantom and data obtained agrees well with GBD. The in-air output ratio,more » Sc, was obtained by analyzing the phase space placed at isocenter, in air, and computing the ratio of water Kerma rates for different field sizes. The phantom scattering factor, Sp, can then be obtained from the traditional way of taking the ratio of Scp and Sc. We also simulated Sp using a recently proposed method based on only the primary beam dose delivery in water phantom. Because there is no concern of lateral electronic disequilibrium, this method is more suitable for small fields. The results from both methods agree well with each other. The flattened 6 MV beam was simulated and compared to 6 MV FFF. The comparison confirms that 6 MV FFF has less scattering from the Linac head and less phantom scattering contribution to the central axis dose, which will be helpful for improving accuracy in beam modeling and dose calculation in treatment planning systems.« less

SU-F-T-506: Development and Commissioning of the Effective and Efficient Grid Therapy Using High Dose Rate Flattening Filter Free Beam and Multileaf Collimator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, M; Wen, N; Beyer, C

Purpose: Treating bulky tumors with grid therapy (GT) has demonstrated high response rates. Long delivery time (∼15min), with consequent increased risk of intrafraction motion, is a major disadvantage of conventional MLC-based GT (MLC-GT). The goal of this study was to develop and commission a MLC-GT technique with similar dosimetric characteristics, but more efficient delivery. Methods: Grid plan was designed with 10X-FFF (2400MU/min) beam and MLC in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS). Grid size was 1cm by 1cm and grid-to-grid distance was 2cm. Field-in-field technique was used to flatten the dose profile at depth of 10cm. Prescription was 15Gy atmore » 1.5cm depth. Doses were verified at depths of 1.5cm, 5cm and 10cm. Point dose was measured with a plastic scintillator detector (PSD) while the planar dose was measured with calibrated Gafchromic EBT3 films in a 20cm think, 30cmx30cm solid water phantom. The measured doses were compared to the doses calculated in the treatment planning system. Percent depth dose (PDD) within the grid was also measured using EBT3 film. Five clinical cases were planned to compare beam-on time. Results: The valley-to-peak dose ratio at the 3 depths was approximately 10–15%, which is very similar to published result. The average point dose difference between the PSD measurements and TPS calculation is 2.1±0.6%. Film dosimetry revealed good agreement between the delivered and calculated dose. The average gamma passing rates at the 3 depths were 95% (3%, 1mm). The average percent difference between the measured PDD and calculated PDD was 2.1% within the depth of 20cm. The phantom plan delivery time was 3.6 min. Average beam-on time was reduced by 66.1±5.6% for the 5 clinical cases. Conclusion: An effective and efficient GT technique was developed and commissioned for the treatment of bulky tumors using FFF beam combined with MLC and automation. The Department of Radiation Oncology at Henry Ford Health System receives research support from Varian Medical Systems and Philips Health Care.« less

The combination of the error correction methods of GAFCHROMIC EBT3 film

PubMed Central

Li, Yinghui; Chen, Lixin; Zhu, Jinhan; Liu, Xiaowei

2017-01-01

Purpose The aim of this study was to combine a set of methods for use of radiochromic film dosimetry, including calibration, correction for lateral effects and a proposed triple-channel analysis. These methods can be applied to GAFCHROMIC EBT3 film dosimetry for radiation field analysis and verification of IMRT plans. Methods A single-film exposure was used to achieve dose calibration, and the accuracy was verified based on comparisons with the square-field calibration method. Before performing the dose analysis, the lateral effects on pixel values were corrected. The position dependence of the lateral effect was fitted by a parabolic function, and the curvature factors of different dose levels were obtained using a quadratic formula. After lateral effect correction, a triple-channel analysis was used to reduce disturbances and convert scanned images from films into dose maps. The dose profiles of open fields were measured using EBT3 films and compared with the data obtained using an ionization chamber. Eighteen IMRT plans with different field sizes were measured and verified with EBT3 films, applying our methods, and compared to TPS dose maps, to check correct implementation of film dosimetry proposed here. Results The uncertainty of lateral effects can be reduced to ±1 cGy. Compared with the results of Micke A et al., the residual disturbances of the proposed triple-channel method at 48, 176 and 415 cGy are 5.3%, 20.9% and 31.4% smaller, respectively. Compared with the ionization chamber results, the difference in the off-axis ratio and percentage depth dose are within 1% and 2%, respectively. For the application of IMRT verification, there were no difference between two triple-channel methods. Compared with only corrected by triple-channel method, the IMRT results of the combined method (include lateral effect correction and our present triple-channel method) show a 2% improvement for large IMRT fields with the criteria 3%/3 mm. PMID:28750023

Gamma index evaluation of IMRT technique using gafchromic film EBT3 for homogeneous and inhomogeneous material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisauf, T. A.; Wibowo, W. E.; Pawiro, S. A.

2017-07-01

This study was done to evaluate the gamma index for registering between the planar of dose planning and the measurement of EBT film. The treatment plan was simulated for 5 patients using Fan Beam Computerized Tomography (FBCT) modality, Philips Pinnacle planning system, 6 MV photon energy, 50 segments IMRT technique, and calculation grid resolution (CGR) of 0.2 cm. Gamma Index (GI) evaluation was done with criteria of dose difference (DD) of 2 %, dose to agreement (DTA) of 2 mm and dose difference (DD) of 5 % DTA of 3 mm, SAD 100 cm, depth of 5 cm and 10 cm of the phantom. The result shows that GI for homogeneous material is greater than for inhomogeneous material with discrepancy to previous work is about 1.98 % for homogeneous material (depth 5 cm) and 2.05 % (depth 10 cm) while it was found of 2.98 % for inhomogeneous material (equivalent depth 5 cm) and 4.59 % (equivalent depth 10 cm).

Computational Modeling of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis to Predict Adaptive Responses in Female Fathead Minnows Exposed to an Aromatase Inhibitor

EPA Science Inventory

Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can affect reproduction and development in both humans and wildlife. We are developing a mechanistic computational model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in female fathead minnows to predict dose response and time-course...

Monte Carlo simulations of {sup 3}He ion physical characteristics in a water phantom and evaluation of radiobiological effectiveness

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Taleei, Reza; Guan, Fada; Peeler, Chris

Purpose: {sup 3}He ions may hold great potential for clinical therapy because of both their physical and biological properties. In this study, the authors investigated the physical properties, i.e., the depth-dose curves from primary and secondary particles, and the energy distributions of helium ({sup 3}He) ions. A relative biological effectiveness (RBE) model was applied to assess the biological effectiveness on survival of multiple cell lines. Methods: In light of the lack of experimental measurements and cross sections, the authors used Monte Carlo methods to study the energy deposition of {sup 3}He ions. The transport of {sup 3}He ions in watermore » was simulated by using three Monte Carlo codes—FLUKA, GEANT4, and MCNPX—for incident beams with Gaussian energy distributions with average energies of 527 and 699 MeV and a full width at half maximum of 3.3 MeV in both cases. The RBE of each was evaluated by using the repair-misrepair-fixation model. In all of the simulations with each of the three Monte Carlo codes, the same geometry and primary beam parameters were used. Results: Energy deposition as a function of depth and energy spectra with high resolution was calculated on the central axis of the beam. Secondary proton dose from the primary {sup 3}He beams was predicted quite differently by the three Monte Carlo systems. The predictions differed by as much as a factor of 2. Microdosimetric parameters such as dose mean lineal energy (y{sub D}), frequency mean lineal energy (y{sub F}), and frequency mean specific energy (z{sub F}) were used to characterize the radiation beam quality at four depths of the Bragg curve. Calculated RBE values were close to 1 at the entrance, reached on average 1.8 and 1.6 for prostate and head and neck cancer cell lines at the Bragg peak for both energies, but showed some variations between the different Monte Carlo codes. Conclusions: Although the Monte Carlo codes provided different results in energy deposition and especially in secondary particle production (most of the differences between the three codes were observed close to the Bragg peak, where the energy spectrum broadens), the results in terms of RBE were generally similar.« less

SU-F-T-74: Experimental Validation of Monaco Electron Monte Carlo Dose Calculation for Small Fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Varadhan; Way, S; Arentsen, L

2016-06-15

Purpose: To verify experimentally the accuracy of Monaco (Elekta) electron Monte Carlo (eMC) algorithm to calculate small field size depth doses, monitor units and isodose distributions. Methods: Beam modeling of eMC algorithm was performed for electron energies of 6, 9, 12 15 and 18 Mev for a Elekta Infinity Linac and all available ( 6, 10, 14 20 and 25 cone) applicator sizes. Electron cutouts of incrementally smaller field sizes (20, 40, 60 and 80% blocked from open cone) were fabricated. Dose calculation was performed using a grid size smaller than one-tenth of the R{sub 80–20} electron distal falloff distancemore » and number of particle histories was set at 500,000 per cm{sup 2}. Percent depth dose scans and beam profiles at dmax, d{sub 90} and d{sub 80} depths were measured for each cutout and energy with Wellhoffer (IBA) Blue Phantom{sup 2} scanning system and compared against eMC calculated doses. Results: The measured dose and output factors of incrementally reduced cutout sizes (to 3cm diameter) agreed with eMC calculated doses within ± 2.5%. The profile comparisons at dmax, d{sub 90} and d{sub 80} depths and percent depth doses at reduced field sizes agreed within 2.5% or 2mm. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the Monaco eMC algorithm can accurately predict depth doses, isodose distributions, and monitor units in homogeneous water phantom for field sizes as small as 3.0 cm diameter for energies in the 6 to 18 MeV range at 100 cm SSD. Consequently, the old rule of thumb to approximate limiting cutout size for an electron field determined by the lateral scatter equilibrium (E (MeV)/2.5 in centimeters of water) does not apply to Monaco eMC algorithm.« less

Factors influencing perceived angular velocity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaiser, Mary K.; Calderone, Jack B.

1991-01-01

Angular velocity perception is examined for rotations both in depth and in the image plane and the influence of several object properties on this motion parameter is explored. Two major object properties are considered, namely, texture density which determines the rate of edge transitions for rotations in depth, i.e., the number of texture elements that pass an object's boundary per unit of time, and object size which determines the tangential linear velocities and 2D image velocities of texture elements for a given angular velocity. Results of experiments show that edge-transition rate biased angular velocity estimates only when edges were highly salient. Element velocities had an impact on perceived angular velocity; this bias was associated with 2D image velocity rather than 3D tangential velocity. Despite these biases judgements were most strongly determined by the true angular velocity. Sensitivity to this higher order motion parameter appeared to be good for rotations both in depth (y-axis) and parallel to the line of sight (z-axis).

SU-F-T-324: Experimental Measurement of Optically Stimulated Luminescence Detectors in a MR-IGRT Environment Toward Assessing Magnetic Field Effects On These Devices and Their Use as An In-Vivo Dosimeter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Reilly, M; Curcuru, A; Yaddanapudi, S

Purpose: To characterize magnetic field effects on Optically Stimulated Luminescence Detectors (OSLDs) for use as an in-vivo dosimeter in an MRIGRT machine. Methods: Landauer OSLD nano-dots and the MicroStar II reader were used to measure and record OSLDs exposed in and on a solid water phantom in a 10.5 × 10.5 cm{sup 2} field, Co-60, 0.32-Tesla MR-IGRT machine - with and without the presence of the magnetic field. Two orthogonal gantry angles were considered to assess orientation effects on the OSLDs with respect to the incident angle of the radiation beam and magnetic field. The same OSLDs were then usedmore » (after readout and bleaching) when the magnetic field was restored. Results: The measured surface dose decreased by 14.1 ± 1.8% when magnetic field was ’on’ due to contamination electrons being swept away by the field. Doses at both 0.5 cm and 5 cm depth increased by 6.5 ± 0.9% and 8.8 ± 0.5% respectively when the magnetic field was present and the OSLDs oriented with their long axis parallel with the incident beam. This contrasts with an increased dose of 2.7 ± 1.1% when the magnetic field was present and the OSLDs were oriented with their long axis perpendicular to the incident beam. Conclusion: Previous works have shown that OSLDs have a dependence on beam incidence angle. Our current work suggests an additional dependence on the presence of the magnetic field when the beam is not perpendicular to the plane of the detector and this effect needs to be considered. Furthermore, the use of an in-vivo dosimeter was shown to have no effect on image quality during the use of MR guidance. Future work will focus on the use of an electromagnet with a linear accelerator to further characterize these effects.« less

Angular dependence of the MOSFET dosimeter and its impact on in vivo surface dose measurement in breast cancer treatment.

PubMed

Qin, S; Chen, T; Wang, L; Tu, Y; Yue, N; Zhou, J

2014-08-01

The focus of this study is the angular dependence of two types of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) dosimeters (MOSFET20 and OneDose/OneDosePlus) when used for surface dose measurements. External beam radiationat different gantry angles were delivered to a cubic solid water phantom with a MOSFET placed on the top surface at CAX. The long axis of the MOSFET was oriented along the gantry axis of rotation, with the dosimeter (bubble side) facing the radiation source. MOSFET-measured surface doses were compared against calibrated radiochromic film readings. It was found that both types of MOSFET dosimeters exhibited larger than previously reported angular dependence when measuring surface dose in beams at large oblique angles. For the MOSFET20 dosimeter the measured surface dose deviation against film readings was as high as 17% when the incident angle was 72 degrees to the norm of the phantom surface. It is concluded that some MOSFET dosimeters may have a strong angular dependence when placed on the surface of water-equivalent material, even though they may have an isotropic angular response when surrounded by uniform medium. Extra on-surface calibration maybe necessary before using MOSFET dosimeters for skin dose measurement in tangential fields.

Hard X-ray dosimetry of a plasma focus suitable for industrial radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knoblauch, P.; Raspa, V.; Di Lorenzo, F.; Clausse, A.; Moreno, C.

2018-04-01

Dosimetric measurements of the hard X-ray emission by a small-chamber 4.7 kJ Mather-type plasma focus device capable of producing neat radiographs of metallic objects, were carried out with a set of thermoluminescent detectors TLD 700 (LiF:Mg,Ti). Measurements of the hard X-ray dose dependence with the angular position relative to the electrodes axis, are presented. The source-detector distance was changed in the range from 50 to 100 cm, and the angular positions were explored between ± 70°, relative to the symmetry axis of the electrodes. On-axis measurements show that the X-ray intensity is uniform within a half aperture angle of 6°, in which the source delivers an average dose of (1.5 ± 0.1) mGy/sr per shot. Monte Carlo calculations suggest that the energy of the electron beam responsible for the X-ray emission ranges 100-600 keV.

Small field measurements with a novel silicon position sensitive diode array.

PubMed

Manolopoulos, S; Wojnecki, C; Hugtenburg, R; Jaafar Sidek, M A; Chalmers, G; Heyes, G; Green, S

2009-02-07

DOSI, a novel dosimeter based on position sensitive detectors for particle physics experiments, was used for relative clinical dosimetry measurements in small radiotherapy fields. The device is capable of dynamic measurements in real time and provides sub-millimetre spatial resolution. The basic beam data for a stereotactic radiotherapy collimator system (BrainLAB) using 6 MV photons were measured and compared with the corresponding data acquired with a small diamond detector and a PinPoint ionization chamber. All measurements showed an excellent agreement between DOSI and the diamond detector. There was an increasing discrepancy between the relative output factors (ROF) measured with DOSI and those measured with the ionization chamber with decreasing field size, specifically for collimators with a diameter smaller than 15 mm. The percentage depth doses (PDD) were in agreement to better than 1% for all depths. The agreement on off-axis ratios (OAR) was better than 3% for all collimators, whereas the agreement on relative output factors (ROF) was at the 1% level. DOSI's fast read-out electronics made it possible for all measurements to be recorded within 45 min including time to change collimators. This should reduce the overall time for commissioning and QA measurements, an important factor especially for busy radiotherapy departments.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Plessis, F.C.P. du; Willemse, C.A.

In this paper the radiological properties of a compensator material consisting of wax and gypsum is presented. Effective attenuation coefficients (EACs) have been determined from transmission measurements with an ion chamber in a Perspex phantom. Measurements were made at 80 and 100 cm source-to-skin distance (SSD) for beam energies of 6, 8, and 15 MV, for field sizes ranging from narrow beam geometries up to 40x40 cm{sup 2}, and at measurement depths of maximum dose build-up, 5 and 10 cm. A parametrization equation could be constructed to predict the EAC values within 4% uncertainty as a function of field sizemore » and depth of measurement. The EAC dependence on off-axis position was also quantified at each beam energy and SSD. It was found that the compensator material reduced the required thickness for compensation by 26% at 8 MV when compared to pure paraffin wax for a 10x10 cm{sup 2} field. Relative surface ionization (RSI) measurements have been made to quantify the effect of scattered electrons from the wax-gypsum compensator. Results indicated that for 80 cm SSD the RSI would exceed 50% for fields larger than 15x15 cm{sup 2}. At 100 cm SSD the RSI values were below 50% for all field sizes used.« less

Relationships of neuroticism and extraversion with axis I and II comorbidity among patients with DSM-IV major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Jylhä, Pekka; Melartin, Tarja; Isometsä, Erkki

2009-04-01

High comorbidity with axis I and II disorders among major depressive disorder (MDD) patients may in part be due to the predisposing personality dimensions of neuroticism and extraversion. However, a comprehensive view of this relationship is lacking. MDD patients (n=193) in the Vantaa Depression Study were interviewed at baseline and at 6 and 18 months with the SCAN and SCID-II, and a general population comparison group (n=388) surveyed by mail. Neuroticism and extraversion were measured with the Eysenck Personality Inventory. A dose-exposure relationship between standardized levels of neuroticism and extraversion and type and number of comorbid axis I and II disorders among patients with MDD was hypothesized. Prevalence and number of comorbid axis I and II disorders increased significantly with increasing level of neuroticism. In contrast, as the level of extraversion increased, the prevalences of social phobia and cluster C personality disorders decreased. Patients with pure MDD or with any comorbid axis I or II disorder had z-scores of neuroticism of +0.46, +0.90 and +1.30 and of extraversion of -0.34, -0.47 and -0.84, respectively. Patients' personality scores were not pre-morbid. Among MDD patients, a positive dose-exposure relationship appears to exist between neuroticism and prevalence and number of comorbid axis I and II disorders. A negative relationship exists between level of extraversion and prevalence of social phobia and cluster C personality disorders. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that high neuroticism and low extraversion predispose to comorbid axis I and II disorders among patients with MDD.

Agreement Between Institutional Measurements and Treatment Planning System Calculations for Basic Dosimetric Parameters as Measured by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core-Houston

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kerns, James R.; Followill, David S.; Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core-Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, Texas

Purpose: To compare radiation machine measurement data collected by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core at Houston (IROC-H) with institutional treatment planning system (TPS) values, to identify parameters with large differences in agreement; the findings will help institutions focus their efforts to improve the accuracy of their TPS models. Methods and Materials: Between 2000 and 2014, IROC-H visited more than 250 institutions and conducted independent measurements of machine dosimetric data points, including percentage depth dose, output factors, off-axis factors, multileaf collimator small fields, and wedge data. We compared these data with the institutional TPS values for the same points bymore » energy, class, and parameter to identify differences and similarities using criteria involving both the medians and standard deviations for Varian linear accelerators. Distributions of differences between machine measurements and institutional TPS values were generated for basic dosimetric parameters. Results: On average, intensity modulated radiation therapy–style and stereotactic body radiation therapy–style output factors and upper physical wedge output factors were the most problematic. Percentage depth dose, jaw output factors, and enhanced dynamic wedge output factors agreed best between the IROC-H measurements and the TPS values. Although small differences were shown between 2 common TPS systems, neither was superior to the other. Parameter agreement was constant over time from 2000 to 2014. Conclusions: Differences in basic dosimetric parameters between machine measurements and TPS values vary widely depending on the parameter, although agreement does not seem to vary by TPS and has not changed over time. Intensity modulated radiation therapy–style output factors, stereotactic body radiation therapy–style output factors, and upper physical wedge output factors had the largest disagreement and should be carefully modeled to ensure accuracy.« less

The Acoustic Model Evaluation Committee (AMEC) Reports. Volume 1A. Summary of Range Independent Environment Acoustic Propagation Data Sets

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-01

experiment were: isothermal layer depth 36 ft depressed channel axis 66 ft surface water temperature 59.4 F sea state 2 Discussion The propagation loss...experiments were: isothermal layer depths 56 ft surface water temperature 59.7 0F - sea state 1 Discussion The propagation loss measurements are summarized...number of observations 1854 isothermal layer depth 33 ft surface water temperature 59.9°F sea state 2 Discussion The propagation loss measurements

High-energy neutron depth-dose distribution experiment.

PubMed

Ferenci, M S; Hertel, N E

2003-01-01

A unique set of high-energy neutron depth-dose benchmark experiments were performed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center/Weapons Neutron Research (LANSCE/WNR) complex. The experiments consisted of filtered neutron beams with energies up to 800 MeV impinging on a 30 x 30 x 30 cm3 liquid, tissue-equivalent phantom. The absorbed dose was measured in the phantom at various depths with tissue-equivalent ion chambers. This experiment is intended to serve as a benchmark experiment for the testing of high-energy radiation transport codes for the international radiation protection community.

Optics for multimode lasers with elongated depth of field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laskin, Alexander; Laskin, Vadim; Ostrun, Aleksei

2017-02-01

Modern multimode high-power lasers are widely used in industrial applications and control of their radiation, especially by focusing, is of great importance. Because of relatively low optical quality, characterized by high values of specifications Beam Parameter Product (BPP) or M², the depth of field by focusing of multimode laser radiation is narrow. At the same time laser technologies like deep penetration welding, cutting of thick metal sheets get benefits from elongated depth of field in area of focal plane, therefore increasing of zone along optical axis with minimized spot size is important technical task. As a solution it is suggested to apply refractive optical systems splitting an initial laser beam into several beamlets, which are focused in different foci separated along optical axis with providing reliable control of energy portions in each separate focus, independently of beam size or mode structure. With the multi-focus optics, the length of zone of material processing along optical axis is defined rather by distances between separate foci, which are determined by optical design of the optics and can be chosen according to requirements of a particular laser technology. Due to stability of the distances between foci there is provided stability of a technology process. This paper describes some design features of refractive multi-focus optics, examples of real implementations and experimental results will be presented as well.

Commissioning dose computation models for spot scanning proton beams in water for a commercially available treatment planning system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, X. R.; Poenisch, F.; Lii, M.

2013-04-15

Purpose: To present our method and experience in commissioning dose models in water for spot scanning proton therapy in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS). Methods: The input data required by the TPS included in-air transverse profiles and integral depth doses (IDDs). All input data were obtained from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations that had been validated by measurements. MC-generated IDDs were converted to units of Gy mm{sup 2}/MU using the measured IDDs at a depth of 2 cm employing the largest commercially available parallel-plate ionization chamber. The sensitive area of the chamber was insufficient to fully encompass the entire lateralmore » dose deposited at depth by a pencil beam (spot). To correct for the detector size, correction factors as a function of proton energy were defined and determined using MC. The fluence of individual spots was initially modeled as a single Gaussian (SG) function and later as a double Gaussian (DG) function. The DG fluence model was introduced to account for the spot fluence due to contributions of large angle scattering from the devices within the scanning nozzle, especially from the spot profile monitor. To validate the DG fluence model, we compared calculations and measurements, including doses at the center of spread out Bragg peaks (SOBPs) as a function of nominal field size, range, and SOBP width, lateral dose profiles, and depth doses for different widths of SOBP. Dose models were validated extensively with patient treatment field-specific measurements. Results: We demonstrated that the DG fluence model is necessary for predicting the field size dependence of dose distributions. With this model, the calculated doses at the center of SOBPs as a function of nominal field size, range, and SOBP width, lateral dose profiles and depth doses for rectangular target volumes agreed well with respective measured values. With the DG fluence model for our scanning proton beam line, we successfully treated more than 500 patients from March 2010 through June 2012 with acceptable agreement between TPS calculated and measured dose distributions. However, the current dose model still has limitations in predicting field size dependence of doses at some intermediate depths of proton beams with high energies. Conclusions: We have commissioned a DG fluence model for clinical use. It is demonstrated that the DG fluence model is significantly more accurate than the SG fluence model. However, some deficiencies in modeling the low-dose envelope in the current dose algorithm still exist. Further improvements to the current dose algorithm are needed. The method presented here should be useful for commissioning pencil beam dose algorithms in new versions of TPS in the future.« less

Commissioning dose computation models for spot scanning proton beams in water for a commercially available treatment planning system

PubMed Central

Zhu, X. R.; Poenisch, F.; Lii, M.; Sawakuchi, G. O.; Titt, U.; Bues, M.; Song, X.; Zhang, X.; Li, Y.; Ciangaru, G.; Li, H.; Taylor, M. B.; Suzuki, K.; Mohan, R.; Gillin, M. T.; Sahoo, N.

2013-01-01

Purpose: To present our method and experience in commissioning dose models in water for spot scanning proton therapy in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS). Methods: The input data required by the TPS included in-air transverse profiles and integral depth doses (IDDs). All input data were obtained from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations that had been validated by measurements. MC-generated IDDs were converted to units of Gy mm2/MU using the measured IDDs at a depth of 2 cm employing the largest commercially available parallel-plate ionization chamber. The sensitive area of the chamber was insufficient to fully encompass the entire lateral dose deposited at depth by a pencil beam (spot). To correct for the detector size, correction factors as a function of proton energy were defined and determined using MC. The fluence of individual spots was initially modeled as a single Gaussian (SG) function and later as a double Gaussian (DG) function. The DG fluence model was introduced to account for the spot fluence due to contributions of large angle scattering from the devices within the scanning nozzle, especially from the spot profile monitor. To validate the DG fluence model, we compared calculations and measurements, including doses at the center of spread out Bragg peaks (SOBPs) as a function of nominal field size, range, and SOBP width, lateral dose profiles, and depth doses for different widths of SOBP. Dose models were validated extensively with patient treatment field-specific measurements. Results: We demonstrated that the DG fluence model is necessary for predicting the field size dependence of dose distributions. With this model, the calculated doses at the center of SOBPs as a function of nominal field size, range, and SOBP width, lateral dose profiles and depth doses for rectangular target volumes agreed well with respective measured values. With the DG fluence model for our scanning proton beam line, we successfully treated more than 500 patients from March 2010 through June 2012 with acceptable agreement between TPS calculated and measured dose distributions. However, the current dose model still has limitations in predicting field size dependence of doses at some intermediate depths of proton beams with high energies. Conclusions: We have commissioned a DG fluence model for clinical use. It is demonstrated that the DG fluence model is significantly more accurate than the SG fluence model. However, some deficiencies in modeling the low-dose envelope in the current dose algorithm still exist. Further improvements to the current dose algorithm are needed. The method presented here should be useful for commissioning pencil beam dose algorithms in new versions of TPS in the future. PMID:23556893

Commissioning dose computation models for spot scanning proton beams in water for a commercially available treatment planning system.

PubMed

Zhu, X R; Poenisch, F; Lii, M; Sawakuchi, G O; Titt, U; Bues, M; Song, X; Zhang, X; Li, Y; Ciangaru, G; Li, H; Taylor, M B; Suzuki, K; Mohan, R; Gillin, M T; Sahoo, N

2013-04-01

To present our method and experience in commissioning dose models in water for spot scanning proton therapy in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS). The input data required by the TPS included in-air transverse profiles and integral depth doses (IDDs). All input data were obtained from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations that had been validated by measurements. MC-generated IDDs were converted to units of Gy mm(2)/MU using the measured IDDs at a depth of 2 cm employing the largest commercially available parallel-plate ionization chamber. The sensitive area of the chamber was insufficient to fully encompass the entire lateral dose deposited at depth by a pencil beam (spot). To correct for the detector size, correction factors as a function of proton energy were defined and determined using MC. The fluence of individual spots was initially modeled as a single Gaussian (SG) function and later as a double Gaussian (DG) function. The DG fluence model was introduced to account for the spot fluence due to contributions of large angle scattering from the devices within the scanning nozzle, especially from the spot profile monitor. To validate the DG fluence model, we compared calculations and measurements, including doses at the center of spread out Bragg peaks (SOBPs) as a function of nominal field size, range, and SOBP width, lateral dose profiles, and depth doses for different widths of SOBP. Dose models were validated extensively with patient treatment field-specific measurements. We demonstrated that the DG fluence model is necessary for predicting the field size dependence of dose distributions. With this model, the calculated doses at the center of SOBPs as a function of nominal field size, range, and SOBP width, lateral dose profiles and depth doses for rectangular target volumes agreed well with respective measured values. With the DG fluence model for our scanning proton beam line, we successfully treated more than 500 patients from March 2010 through June 2012 with acceptable agreement between TPS calculated and measured dose distributions. However, the current dose model still has limitations in predicting field size dependence of doses at some intermediate depths of proton beams with high energies. We have commissioned a DG fluence model for clinical use. It is demonstrated that the DG fluence model is significantly more accurate than the SG fluence model. However, some deficiencies in modeling the low-dose envelope in the current dose algorithm still exist. Further improvements to the current dose algorithm are needed. The method presented here should be useful for commissioning pencil beam dose algorithms in new versions of TPS in the future.

Transit dosimetry in IMRT with an a-Si EPID in direct detection configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabet, Mahsheed; Rowshanfarzad, Pejman; Vial, Philip; Menk, Frederick W.; Greer, Peter B.

2012-08-01

In this study an amorphous silicon electronic portal imaging device (a-Si EPID) converted to direct detection configuration was investigated as a transit dosimeter for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). After calibration to dose and correction for a background offset signal, the EPID-measured absolute IMRT transit doses for 29 fields were compared to a MatriXX two-dimensional array of ionization chambers (as reference) using Gamma evaluation (3%, 3 mm). The MatriXX was first evaluated as reference for transit dosimetry. The accuracy of EPID measurements was also investigated by comparison of point dose measurements by an ionization chamber on the central axis with slab and anthropomorphic phantoms in a range of simple to complex fields. The uncertainty in ionization chamber measurements in IMRT fields was also investigated by its displacement from the central axis and comparison with the central axis measurements. Comparison of the absolute doses measured by the EPID and MatriXX with slab phantoms in IMRT fields showed that on average 96.4% and 97.5% of points had a Gamma index<1 in head and neck and prostate fields, respectively. For absolute dose comparisons with anthropomorphic phantoms, the values changed to an average of 93.6%, 93.7% and 94.4% of points with Gamma index<1 in head and neck, brain and prostate fields, respectively. Point doses measured by the EPID and ionization chamber were within 3% difference for all conditions. The deviations introduced in the response of the ionization chamber in IMRT fields were<1%. The direct EPID performance for transit dosimetry showed that it has the potential to perform accurate, efficient and comprehensive in vivo dosimetry for IMRT.

Determination of the depth dose distribution of proton beam using PRESAGE TM dosimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, L.; Das, I. J.; Zhao, Q.; Thomas, A.; Adamovics, J.; Oldman, M.

2010-11-01

PRESAGETM dosimeter dosimeter has been proved useful for 3D dosimetry in conventional photon therapy and IMRT [1-5]. Our objective is to examine the use of PRESAGETM dosimeter for verification of depth dose distribution in proton beam therapy. Three PRESAGETM samples were irradiated with a 79 MeV un-modulated proton beam. Percent depth dose profile measured from the PRESAGETM dosimeter is compared with data obtained in a water phantom using a parallel plate Advanced Markus chamber. The Bragg-peak position determined from the PRESAGETM is within 2 mm compared to measurements in water. PRESAGETM shows a highly linear response to proton dose. However, PRESAGETM also reveals an underdosage around the Bragg peak position due to LET effects. Depth scaling factor and quenching correction factor need further investigation. Our initial result shows that PRESAGETM has promising dosimetric characteristics that could be suitable for proton beam dosimetry.

Generation and dose distribution measurement of flash x-ray in KALI-5000 system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Menon, Rakhee; Roy, Amitava; Mitra, S.

2008-10-15

Flash x-ray generation studies have been carried out in KALI-5000 Pulse power system. The intense relativistic electron beam has been bombarded on a tantalum target at anode to produce flash x-ray via bremsstrahlung conversion. The typical electron beam parameter was 360 kV, 18 kA, and 100 ns, with a few hundreds of A/cm{sup 2} current density. The x-ray dose has been measured with calcium sulfate:dysposium (CaSO{sub 4}:Dy) thermoluminescent dosimeter and the axial dose distribution has been characterized. It has been observed that the on axis dose falls of with distance {approx}1/x{sup n}, where n varies from 1.8 to 1.85. Amore » maximum on axis dose of 46 mrad has been measured at 1 m distance from the source. A plastic scintillator with optical fiber coupled to a photomultiplier tube has been developed to measure the x-ray pulse width. The typical x-ray pulse width varied from 50 to 80 ns.« less

Elastic flexure controls magma trajectories and explains the offset of primary volcanic activity upstream of mantle plume axis at la Réunion and Hawaii hotspot islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerbault, Muriel; Fontaine, Fabrice J.; Rabinowicz, Michel; Bystricky, Misha

2017-03-01

Surface volcanism at la Réunion and Hawaii occurs with an offset of 150-180 km upstream to the plume axis with respect to the plate motion. This striking observation raises questions about the forcing of plume-lithosphere thermo-mechanical interactions on melt trajectories beneath these islands. Based on visco-elasto-plastic numerical models handled at kilometric resolution, we propose to explain this offset by the development of compressional stresses at the base of the lithosphere, that result from elastic plate bending above the upward load exerted by the plume head. This horizontal compression adopts a disc shape centered around the plume axis: (i) it is 20 km thick, (ii) it has a 150 km radius, (iii) it lays at the base of the elastic part of the lithosphere, i.e., around ∼50-70 km depth where the temperature varies from ∼600 °C to ∼750 °C, (iv) it lasts for 5 to 10 My in an oceanic plate of age greater than 70 My, and (vi) it is controlled by the visco-elastic relaxation time at ∼50-70 km depth. This period of time exceeds the time during which both the Somalian/East-African and Pacific plates drift over the Reunion and Hawaii plumes, respectively. This indicates that this basal compression is actually a persistent feature. It is inferred that the buoyant melts percolating in the plume head pond below this zone of compression and eventually spread laterally until the most compressive principal elastic stresses reverse to the vertical, i.e., ∼150 km away from the plume head. There, melts propagate through dikes upwards to ∼35 km depth, where the plate curvature reverses and ambient compression diminishes. This 30-35 km depth may thus host a magmatic reservoir where melts transported by dykes pond. Only after further magmatic differentiation can dykes resume their ascension up to the surface and begin forming a volcanic edifice. As the volcano grows because of melt accumulation at the top of the plate, the lithosphere is flexed downwards, inducing extra tensile stress at 30-35 km depth and compression at ∼15 km depth (induced by the edifice load). It implies that now the melts pond at ∼15 km and form another magmatic reservoir lying just underneath the crust. These processes explain the ponding of primary (shield) melts at ∼35 km and ∼15 km depths as recorded below La Reunion, Mauritius or Hawaii volcanoes, all shifted by ∼150 km with respect to the plume axis.

Proton dose distribution measurements using a MOSFET detector with a simple dose-weighted correction method for LET effects.

PubMed

Kohno, Ryosuke; Hotta, Kenji; Matsuura, Taeko; Matsubara, Kana; Nishioka, Shie; Nishio, Teiji; Kawashima, Mitsuhiko; Ogino, Takashi

2011-04-04

We experimentally evaluated the proton beam dose reproducibility, sensitivity, angular dependence and depth-dose relationships for a new Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) detector. The detector was fabricated with a thinner oxide layer and was operated at high-bias voltages. In order to accurately measure dose distributions, we developed a practical method for correcting the MOSFET response to proton beams. The detector was tested by examining lateral dose profiles formed by protons passing through an L-shaped bolus. The dose reproducibility, angular dependence and depth-dose response were evaluated using a 190 MeV proton beam. Depth-output curves produced using the MOSFET detectors were compared with results obtained using an ionization chamber (IC). Since accurate measurements of proton dose distribution require correction for LET effects, we developed a simple dose-weighted correction method. The correction factors were determined as a function of proton penetration depth, or residual range. The residual proton range at each measurement point was calculated using the pencil beam algorithm. Lateral measurements in a phantom were obtained for pristine and SOBP beams. The reproducibility of the MOSFET detector was within 2%, and the angular dependence was less than 9%. The detector exhibited a good response at the Bragg peak (0.74 relative to the IC detector). For dose distributions resulting from protons passing through an L-shaped bolus, the corrected MOSFET dose agreed well with the IC results. Absolute proton dosimetry can be performed using MOSFET detectors to a precision of about 3% (1 sigma). A thinner oxide layer thickness improved the LET in proton dosimetry. By employing correction methods for LET dependence, it is possible to measure absolute proton dose using MOSFET detectors.

LOW-DOSE EFFECTS OF AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE ON THE HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-THYROID (HPT) AXIS OF ADULT MALE RATS PRETREATED WITH PCB126

EPA Science Inventory

The objective of this research was to characterize the disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis resulting from exposure to a binary mixture, 3,3',4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) and perchlorate (ClO_4 ), known to cause hypothyroid-ism by different modes of...

EFFECTS OF ATRAZINE (ATR), DEISOPROPYLATRAZINE (DIA), AND DIAMINOCHLOROTRIAZINE (DACT) ON THE HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-ADRENAL (HPA) AXIS IN FEMALE RATS

EPA Science Inventory

Previously we reported that a single dose of ATR herbicide stimulated HPA axis activation in the male rat while its primary metabolite, DACT, did so to a lesser extent. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ATR, DACT, and an intermediate metabolite, DIA, on adrenocorticotrop...

Optical characterization of porcine articular cartilage using a polarimetry technique with differential Mueller matrix formulism.

PubMed

Chang, Ching-Min; Lo, Yu-Lung; Tran, Nghia-Khanh; Chang, Yu-Jen

2018-03-20

A method is proposed for characterizing the optical properties of articular cartilage sliced from a pig's thighbone using a Stokes-Mueller polarimetry technique. The principal axis angle, phase retardance, optical rotation angle, circular diattenuation, diattenuation axis angle, linear diattenuation, and depolarization index properties of the cartilage sample are all decoupled in the proposed analytical model. Consequently, the accuracy and robustness of the extracted results are improved. The glucose concentration, collagen distribution, and scattering properties of samples from various depths of the articular cartilage are systematically explored via an inspection of the related parameters. The results show that the glucose concentration and scattering effect are both enhanced in the superficial region of the cartilage. By contrast, the collagen density increases with an increasing sample depth.

[Evaluation of Dose Reduction of the Active Collimator in Multi Detector Row CT].

PubMed

Ueno, Hiroyuki; Matsubara, Kosuke

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of active collimator by changing acquisition parameters and obtaining dose profiles in z-axis direction. Dose profiles along z-axis were obtained using XRQA2 Gafchromic film. As a result, the active collimator reduced overranging about 55% compared to that without the active collimator. In addition, by changing the combination of X-ray beam width (32 mm, 40 mm), pitch factor (1.4, 0.6), and the X-ray tube rotation time (0.5 s/rot, 1.0 s/rot), the overranging changed from 19.4 to 34.9 mm. Although the active collimator is effective for reducing overranging, it is necessary to adjust acquisition parameters by taking the properties of the active collimator for acquisition parameters, especially setting beam width, into consideration.

A simple calculation method for determination of equivalent square field.

PubMed

Shafiei, Seyed Ali; Hasanzadeh, Hadi; Shafiei, Seyed Ahmad

2012-04-01

Determination of the equivalent square fields for rectangular and shielded fields is of great importance in radiotherapy centers and treatment planning software. This is accomplished using standard tables and empirical formulas. The goal of this paper is to present a formula based on analysis of scatter reduction due to inverse square law to obtain equivalent field. Tables are published by different agencies such as ICRU (International Commission on Radiation Units and measurements), which are based on experimental data; but there exist mathematical formulas that yield the equivalent square field of an irregular rectangular field which are used extensively in computation techniques for dose determination. These processes lead to some complicated and time-consuming formulas for which the current study was designed. In this work, considering the portion of scattered radiation in absorbed dose at a point of measurement, a numerical formula was obtained based on which a simple formula was developed to calculate equivalent square field. Using polar coordinate and inverse square law will lead to a simple formula for calculation of equivalent field. The presented method is an analytical approach based on which one can estimate the equivalent square field of a rectangular field and may be used for a shielded field or an off-axis point. Besides, one can calculate equivalent field of rectangular field with the concept of decreased scatter radiation with inverse square law with a good approximation. This method may be useful in computing Percentage Depth Dose and Tissue-Phantom Ratio which are extensively used in treatment planning.

LiF TLD-100 as a dosimeter in high energy proton beam therapy--can it yield accurate results?

PubMed

Zullo, John R; Kudchadker, Rajat J; Zhu, X Ronald; Sahoo, Narayan; Gillin, Michael T

2010-01-01

In the region of high-dose gradients at the end of the proton range, the stopping power ratio of the protons undergoes significant changes, allowing for a broad spectrum of proton energies to be deposited within a relatively small volume. Because of the potential linear energy transfer dependence of LiF TLD-100 (thermolumescent dosimeter), dose measurements made in the distal fall-off region of a proton beam may be less accurate than those made in regions of low-dose gradients. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy and precision of dose measured using TLD-100 for a pristine Bragg peak, particularly in the distal fall-off region. All measurements were made along the central axis of an unmodulated 200-MeV proton beam from a Probeat passive beam-scattering proton accelerator (Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) at varying depths along the Bragg peak. Measurements were made using TLD-100 powder flat packs, placed in a virtual water slab phantom. The measurements were repeated using a parallel plate ionization chamber. The dose measurements using TLD-100 in a proton beam were accurate to within +/-5.0% of the expected dose, previously seen in our past photon and electron measurements. The ionization chamber and the TLD relative dose measurements agreed well with each other. Absolute dose measurements using TLD agreed with ionization chamber measurements to within +/- 3.0 cGy, for an exposure of 100 cGy. In our study, the differences in the dose measured by the ionization chamber and those measured by TLD-100 were minimal, indicating that the accuracy and precision of measurements made in the distal fall-off region of a pristine Bragg peak is within the expected range. Thus, the rapid change in stopping power ratios at the end of the range should not affect such measurements, and TLD-100 may be used with confidence as an in vivo dosimeter for proton beam therapy. Copyright 2010 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Head-and-neck IMRT treatments assessed with a Monte Carlo dose calculation engine.

PubMed

Seco, J; Adams, E; Bidmead, M; Partridge, M; Verhaegen, F

2005-03-07

IMRT is frequently used in the head-and-neck region, which contains materials of widely differing densities (soft tissue, bone, air-cavities). Conventional methods of dose computation for these complex, inhomogeneous IMRT cases involve significant approximations. In the present work, a methodology for the development, commissioning and implementation of a Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation engine for intensity modulated radiotherapy (MC-IMRT) is proposed which can be used by radiotherapy centres interested in developing MC-IMRT capabilities for research or clinical evaluations. The method proposes three levels for developing, commissioning and maintaining a MC-IMRT dose calculation engine: (a) development of a MC model of the linear accelerator, (b) validation of MC model for IMRT and (c) periodic quality assurance (QA) of the MC-IMRT system. The first step, level (a), in developing an MC-IMRT system is to build a model of the linac that correctly predicts standard open field measurements for percentage depth-dose and off-axis ratios. Validation of MC-IMRT, level (b), can be performed in a rando phantom and in a homogeneous water equivalent phantom. Ultimately, periodic quality assurance of the MC-IMRT system is needed to verify the MC-IMRT dose calculation system, level (c). Once the MC-IMRT dose calculation system is commissioned it can be applied to more complex clinical IMRT treatments. The MC-IMRT system implemented at the Royal Marsden Hospital was used for IMRT calculations for a patient undergoing treatment for primary disease with nodal involvement in the head-and-neck region (primary treated to 65 Gy and nodes to 54 Gy), while sparing the spinal cord, brain stem and parotid glands. Preliminary MC results predict a decrease of approximately 1-2 Gy in the median dose of both the primary tumour and nodal volumes (compared with both pencil beam and collapsed cone). This is possibly due to the large air-cavity (the larynx of the patient) situated in the centre of the primary PTV and the approximations present in the dose calculation.

SU-F-T-461: Dosimetric Evaluation of Indigenous Farmer Type Chamber FAR65- GB for Reference Dosimetry of FFF MV Photon Beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Patwe, P; Mhatre, V; Dandekar, P

Purpose: Indigenous Farmer type chamber FAR 65 GB is a reference class 0.6 cc ion chamber. It can be used for dosimetric evaluation of photon and high energy electron beams. We studied dosimetric characteristics of the chamber for 6MV and 10MV Flattening filter free FFF photon beams available on trueBEAM STx Linac. Methods: The study was carried out on trueBEAM STx Linac having 6 and 10 MV FFF photon beam with maximum dose rate 1400 and 2400 MU per min respectively. The dosimetric device to be evaluated is Rosalina Instruments FAR 65-GB Ion Chamber with active volume 0.65 cc, totalmore » active length 23.1cm, inner diameter of cylinder 6.2mm, wall thickness 0.4mm, inner electrode diameter 1mm. Inner and outer electrodes are made from Aluminium 2.7 gm per cc and graphite 1.82 gm per cc respectively. The ion chamber was placed along central axis of beam at 10cm depth and irradiated for 10cm × 10cm field size at SAD of 100 cm in plastic phantom. We studied Precision, Dose Linearity, Dose Rate dependence, directional dependence, Recombination effect. Recombination effect was determined using standard two-voltage method. Results: 1. Measurements were reproducible std deviation of 0.0105 and type A uncertainty 0.003265 under same set of reference conditions 2. Chamber exhibit dose linearity over a wider dose range. 3. Chamber shows dose rate independence for all available dose rate range. 4. Response of chamber with the angle of incidence of radiation is constant. 5. Recombination correction factors were 1.01848 and 1.02537 for dose rate 1400 and 2400 MU per min resp. Conclusion: Our study reveals that the chamber is prone to saturation effect at dose rate of 2400 MU per min. FAR 65-GB can be used for reference dosimetry of FFF MV photon beam with proper calculation of recombination effect.« less

Analytical probabilistic proton dose calculation and range uncertainties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bangert, M.; Hennig, P.; Oelfke, U.

2014-03-01

We introduce the concept of analytical probabilistic modeling (APM) to calculate the mean and the standard deviation of intensity-modulated proton dose distributions under the influence of range uncertainties in closed form. For APM, range uncertainties are modeled with a multivariate Normal distribution p(z) over the radiological depths z. A pencil beam algorithm that parameterizes the proton depth dose d(z) with a weighted superposition of ten Gaussians is used. Hence, the integrals ∫ dz p(z) d(z) and ∫ dz p(z) d(z)2 required for the calculation of the expected value and standard deviation of the dose remain analytically tractable and can be efficiently evaluated. The means μk, widths δk, and weights ωk of the Gaussian components parameterizing the depth dose curves are found with least squares fits for all available proton ranges. We observe less than 0.3% average deviation of the Gaussian parameterizations from the original proton depth dose curves. Consequently, APM yields high accuracy estimates for the expected value and standard deviation of intensity-modulated proton dose distributions for two dimensional test cases. APM can accommodate arbitrary correlation models and account for the different nature of random and systematic errors in fractionated radiation therapy. Beneficial applications of APM in robust planning are feasible.

SU-F-T-325: On the Use of Bolus in Dosimetry and Dose Reduction for Pacemaker and Defibrillator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, W; Kenneth, R; Higgins, S

Purpose: Special attention is required in planning and administering radiation therapy to patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), such as pacemaker and defibrillator. The range of dose to CIEDs that can induce malfunction is very large among CIEDs. Significant defects have been reported at dose as low as 0.15Gy. Failures causing discomfort have been reported at dose as low as 0.05Gy. Therefore, accurate estimation of dose to CIED and dose reduction are both important even if the dose is expected to be less than the often-used 2Gy limit. We investigate the use of bolus in in vivo dosimetry formore » CIEDs. Methods: In our clinic, high-energy beams (>10MV) are not used for patients with CIED due to neutron production. Solid water phantom measurements of out-of-field dose for a 6MV beam were performed using parallel plate chamber at different depth with and without 2cm bolus covering the chamber. In vivo dosimetry at skin surface above the pacemaker was performed with and without bolus for 3 patients with pacemaker <5cm from the field edge. Results: Chamber measured dose at depth ∼1 to 1.5cm below the skin surface, where the CIED is normally located, was reduced by ∼6% – 20% with bolus. The dose reduction became smaller at deeper depth. In vivo dosimetry at skin surface also yielded ∼20% – 60% lower dose when using bolus for the 3 patients. In general, TPS calculation underestimated the dose. The dose measured with bolus is closer to the dose at the depth of the pacemaker and less affected by contaminant electrons and linac head leakage. Conclusion: In vivo CIED dose measurements should be performed with 1 to 2cm bolus covering the dosimeter on the skin above the CIED for more accurate CIED dose estimation. The use of bolus also reduces the dose delivered to CIED.« less

Impact energy and retained dose uniformity in enhanced glow discharge plasma immersion ion implantation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lu, Q. Y.; Fu, Ricky K. Y.; Chu, Paul K.

2009-08-10

The implantation energy and retained dose uniformity in enhanced glow discharge plasma immersion ion implantation (EGD-PIII) is investigated numerically and experimentally. Depth profiles obtained from different samples processed by EGD-PIII and traditional PIII are compared. The retained doses under different pulse widths are calculated by integrating the area under the depth profiles. Our results indicate that the improvement in the impact energy and retained dose uniformity by this technique is remarkable.

Superficial dose evaluation of four dose calculation algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Ying; Yang, Xiaoyu; Yang, Zhen; Qiu, Xiaoping; Lv, Zhiping; Lei, Mingjun; Liu, Gui; Zhang, Zijian; Hu, Yongmei

2017-08-01

Accurate superficial dose calculation is of major importance because of the skin toxicity in radiotherapy, especially within the initial 2 mm depth being considered more clinically relevant. The aim of this study is to evaluate superficial dose calculation accuracy of four commonly used algorithms in commercially available treatment planning systems (TPS) by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and film measurements. The superficial dose in a simple geometrical phantom with size of 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm was calculated by PBC (Pencil Beam Convolution), AAA (Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm), AXB (Acuros XB) in Eclipse system and CCC (Collapsed Cone Convolution) in Raystation system under the conditions of source to surface distance (SSD) of 100 cm and field size (FS) of 10×10 cm2. EGSnrc (BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc) program was performed to simulate the central axis dose distribution of Varian Trilogy accelerator, combined with measurements of superficial dose distribution by an extrapolation method of multilayer radiochromic films, to estimate the dose calculation accuracy of four algorithms in the superficial region which was recommended in detail by the ICRU (International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurement) and the ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection). In superficial region, good agreement was achieved between MC simulation and film extrapolation method, with the mean differences less than 1%, 2% and 5% for 0°, 30° and 60°, respectively. The relative skin dose errors were 0.84%, 1.88% and 3.90%; the mean dose discrepancies (0°, 30° and 60°) between each of four algorithms and MC simulation were (2.41±1.55%, 3.11±2.40%, and 1.53±1.05%), (3.09±3.00%, 3.10±3.01%, and 3.77±3.59%), (3.16±1.50%, 8.70±2.84%, and 18.20±4.10%) and (14.45±4.66%, 10.74±4.54%, and 3.34±3.26%) for AXB, CCC, AAA and PBC respectively. Monte Carlo simulation verified the feasibility of the superficial dose measurements by multilayer Gafchromic films. And the rank of superficial dose calculation accuracy of four algorithms was AXB>CCC>AAA>PBC. Care should be taken when using the AAA and PBC algorithms in the superficial dose calculation.

Effect of bit wear on hammer drill handle vibration and productivity.

PubMed

Antonucci, Andrea; Barr, Alan; Martin, Bernard; Rempel, David

2017-08-01

The use of large electric hammer drills exposes construction workers to high levels of hand vibration that may lead to hand-arm vibration syndrome and other musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this laboratory study was to investigate the effect of bit wear on drill handle vibration and drilling productivity (e.g., drilling time per hole). A laboratory test bench system was used with an 8.3 kg electric hammer drill and 1.9 cm concrete bit (a typical drill and bit used in commercial construction). The system automatically advanced the active drill into aged concrete block under feed force control to a depth of 7.6 cm while handle vibration was measured according to ISO standards (ISO 5349 and 28927). Bits were worn to 4 levels by consecutive hole drilling to 4 cumulative drilling depths: 0, 1,900, 5,700, and 7,600 cm. Z-axis handle vibration increased significantly (p<0.05) from 4.8 to 5.1 m/s 2 (ISO weighted) and from 42.7-47.6 m/s 2 (unweighted) when comparing a new bit to a bit worn to 1,900 cm of cumulative drilling depth. Handle vibration did not increase further with bits worn more than 1900 cm of cumulative drilling depth. Neither x- nor y-axis handle vibration was effected by bit wear. The time to drill a hole increased by 58% for the bit with 5,700 cm of cumulative drilling depth compared to a new bit. Bit wear led to a small but significant increase in both ISO weighted and unweighted z-axis handle vibration. Perhaps more important, bit wear had a large effect on productivity. The effect on productivity will influence a worker's allowable daily drilling time if exposure to drill handle vibration is near the ACGIH Threshold Limit Value. [1] Construction contractors should implement a bit replacement program based on these findings.

Influence of environmental enrichment on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses to single-dose nicotine, continuous nicotine by osmotic mini-pumps, and nicotine withdrawal by mecamylamine in male and female rats

PubMed Central

Skwara, Amanda J.; Karwoski, Tracy E.; Czambel, R. Kenneth; Rubin, Robert T.; Rhodes, Michael E.

2012-01-01

In the present study, we determined the effects of environmental enrichment (EE; Kong Toys® and Nestlets®) on sexually diergic HPA axis responses to single-dose nicotine (NIC), single-dose NIC following continuous NIC administration for two weeks, and NIC withdrawal by single-dose mecamylamine (MEC) in male and female rats. Blood sampling occurred before and after MEC and NIC administrations for the determination of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT). Supporting and extending our previous findings, EE appeared to produce anxiolytic effects by reducing hormone responses: Male and female rats housed with EE had lower baseline ACTH and significantly lower HPA axis responses to the mild stress of saline (SAL) injection than did those housed without EE. The sexually diergic responses to single dose NIC, continuous NIC, and MEC-induced NIC withdrawal were reduced by EE in many male and female groups. ACTH responses to continuous NIC and MEC-induced NIC withdrawal were blunted to a greater extent in female EE groups than in male EE groups, suggesting that females are more sensitive to the anxiolytic effects of EE. Because EE lowered stress-responsive hormones of the HPA axis in most groups, EE may be a useful intervention for stress reduction in animal models of NIC addiction. As well, the effectiveness of EE in animal studies of NIC withdrawal may enlighten human studies addressing coping styles and tobacco cessation in men and women. PMID:22705101

Faulting Parameters of the January 16, 1994 Wyomissing Hills, Pennsylvania Earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ammon, C.J.; Herrmann, Robert B.; Langston, C.A.; Benz, H.

1998-01-01

Two events dominated the January 1994, Wyomissing, PA earthquake sequence, an Mw 4.0 foreshock, followed by an Mw 4.6 mainshock. We modeled regional waveforms to estimate the event depth and the moment tensors for the two largest events in the sequence, and examine teleseismic wave-forms recorded on the ARCESS short-period seismic array to estimate the depth and source time function of the mainshock. Our data constrain the depth of the events to be shallower than 5 km, and prefer a depth of 3-5 km. For an assumed depth of 3 km, the mainshock moment tensor is 75% double couple, with (the major double couple) planes striking at 135??N, 347??N, dips of 49??, 46??, and rakes of 68??, 114??. The estimated moment is 8.9 ?? 1022 dyne-cm. The P axis strikes 241??N and plunges 2??, the Tension axis strikes 336??N and plunges 73??. The foreshock inversion results are virtually identical to the mainshock results; for a source depth of three km, we find a major double couple with a strike, dip, and rake of 121??N, 60??, and 66??, respectively. The seismic moment for the foreshock is 1.2 ?? 1022 dyne-cm, which is approximately 13% of the mainshock moment release. These events did not excite high-frequency Lg waves as effectively as typical eastern North American events, and the mainshock had a stress drop in the range of 25-50 bars.

Controlling dental enamel-cavity ablation depth with optimized stepping parameters along the focal plane normal using a three axis, numerically controlled picosecond laser.

PubMed

Yuan, Fusong; Lv, Peijun; Wang, Dangxiao; Wang, Lei; Sun, Yuchun; Wang, Yong

2015-02-01

The purpose of this study was to establish a depth-control method in enamel-cavity ablation by optimizing the timing of the focal-plane-normal stepping and the single-step size of a three axis, numerically controlled picosecond laser. Although it has been proposed that picosecond lasers may be used to ablate dental hard tissue, the viability of such a depth-control method in enamel-cavity ablation remains uncertain. Forty-two enamel slices with approximately level surfaces were prepared and subjected to two-dimensional ablation by a picosecond laser. The additive-pulse layer, n, was set to 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70. A three-dimensional microscope was then used to measure the ablation depth, d, to obtain a quantitative function relating n and d. Six enamel slices were then subjected to three dimensional ablation to produce 10 cavities, respectively, with additive-pulse layer and single-step size set to corresponding values. The difference between the theoretical and measured values was calculated for both the cavity depth and the ablation depth of a single step. These were used to determine minimum-difference values for both the additive-pulse layer (n) and single-step size (d). When the additive-pulse layer and the single-step size were set 5 and 45, respectively, the depth error had a minimum of 2.25 μm, and 450 μm deep enamel cavities were produced. When performing three-dimensional ablating of enamel with a picosecond laser, adjusting the timing of the focal-plane-normal stepping and the single-step size allows for the control of ablation-depth error to the order of micrometers.

The thermoluminescence response of doped SiO2 optical fibres subjected to photon and electron irradiations.

PubMed

Hashim, S; Al-Ahbabi, S; Bradley, D A; Webb, M; Jeynes, C; Ramli, A T; Wagiran, H

2009-03-01

Modern linear accelerators, the predominant teletherapy machine in major radiotherapy centres worldwide, provide multiple electron and photon beam energies. To obtain reasonable treatment times, intense electron beam currents are achievable. In association with this capability, there is considerable demand to validate patient dose using systems of dosimetry offering characteristics that include good spatial resolution, high precision and accuracy. Present interest is in the thermoluminescence response and dosimetric utility of commercially available doped optical fibres. The important parameter for obtaining the highest TL yield during this study is to know the dopant concentration of the SiO2 fibre because during the production of the optical fibres, the dopants tend to diffuse. To achieve this aim, proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), which has no depth resolution but can unambiguously identify elements and analyse for trace elements with detection limits approaching microg/g, was used. For Al-doped fibres, the dopant concentration in the range 0.98-2.93 mol% have been estimated, with equivalent range for Ge-doped fibres being 0.53-0.71 mol%. In making central-axis irradiation measurements a solid water phantom was used. For 6-MV photons and electron energies in the range 6, 9 and 12 MeV, a source to surface distance of 100 cm was used, with a dose rate of 400 cGy/min for photons and electrons. The TL measurements show a linear dose-response over the delivered range of absorbed dose from 1 to 4 Gy. Fading was found to be minimal, less than 10% over five days subsequent to irradiation. The minimum detectable dose for 6-MV photons was found to be 4, 30 and 900 microGy for TLD-100 chips, Ge- and Al-doped fibres, respectively. For 6-, 9- and 12-MeV electron energies, the minimum detectable dose were in the range 3-5, 30-50 and 800-1400 microGy for TLD-100 chip, Ge-doped and Al-doped fibres, respectively.

WE-EF-BRA-06: Feasibility of Spatially Modulated Proton Beams for Small Animal Research

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, E; Meyer, J

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of proton minibeam radiotherapy (pMBRT) for small animal research. The motivation is to explore with protons the extraordinary normal tissue sparing effects to spatially modulated beams as observed on high flux synchrotron beam lines. We hypothesized that we can design a multi-slit collimator for our proton beam line to produce planar-parallel dose profiles with high modulation in the entrance region and homogenous dose coverage in the overlap of the Bragg peaks. Methods: The high dose rate 50 MeV research proton beamline at the University of Washington was modeled using the TOol for PArticle Simulation (TOPAS)more » Monte Carlo package. A brass collimator was implemented to generate proton minibeams. The collimator consists of an array of 2 cm long slits to cover an area of 2×2 cm{sup 2}. The slit widths (0.1–1 mm), center-to-center (ctc) distances (1–3 mm) and collimator thickness (1–7 cm) were varied to evaluate the effect on dose rate, the peak-to-valley dose ratios (PVDR) and the change of penumbra and peak width (FWHM) with depth. Results: The Bragg peak was at a depth of ∼21 mm. The penumbra and FWHM remained relatively constant to a depth of about 10–15 mm. The PVDR ranged from 1.6 to 26 and the dose rate dropped exponentially with collimator thickness. A uniform dose can be achieved at depth with slightly compromised PVDRs and dose rate. Conclusion: The technical realization of pMBRT is feasible. The simulations have shown that it is possible to obtain uniform dose at depth while modulation is maintained on the entrance side. While the simulated beam widths are larger than on synchrotron generated microbeams the dosimetric advantage could avoid having to interlace two microbeams to achieve uniform dose in the target. The next steps are to build a collimator and verify the simulations experimentally.« less

SU-E-T-283: Dose Perturbations Near Heterogeneity Junctions for Modulated-Scanning Protons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deng, Y; Li, Y; Sheng, Y

2015-06-15

Purpose: To compare calculated and measured doses near heterogeneity junctions of tissue-substitute materials for modulated-scanning protons. Methods: Three heterogeneous phantoms were configured using slabs of various plastics to simulate lung, fat, soft-tissue (polystyrene), and bone with known relative linear stopping powers (RLSPs). Each phantom consisted of soft-tissue and a single heterogeneity of a 5 or 10 cm thickness of a non-soft-tissue material. CT images were loaded into a Syngo treatment planning system and each material contoured and assigned its RLSP. Planning target volumes (PTVs) were drawn such that a beam would partially traverse the heterogeneity and partially only soft-tissue. Lateralmore » profiles were measured using EDR2 films at a minimum of six depths between the phantom surface and the depth corresponding to the beam range. Absolute doses were measured inside and distal to the PTV in all phantoms using either a parallel plate or thimble chamber. Additional dose measurements were made between two lung slabs. Results: Profiles measured by film generally agreed with calculations except for depths distal to lung and fat junctions. Measured lateral penumbras for depths at the distal junction of lung were found to be wider than calculated ones. Compared with calculated doses, measured doses in the PTVs were 5.19% and 2.51% lower for lung and fat respectively but for bone were 0.2% higher. Measured doses for depths distal to the PTV were up to 29.65% and 10.58% higher for lung and fat, respectively but 6.30% lower for bone. Conclusion: The low measured doses in the PTVs for lung and fat might be due to underestimation of lateral scattering of protons. The higher measured doses distal to the PTV for the lung and fat are a Result of a shortened calculated beam range whereas the higher dose distal to the bone junction is within uncertainties.« less

The short Synacthen (corticotropin) test can be used to predict recovery of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis function.

PubMed

Pofi, Riccardo; Feliciano, Chona; Sbardella, Emilia; Argese, Nicola; Woods, Conor P; Grossman, Ashley B; Jafar-Mohammadi, Bahram; Gleeson, Helena; Lenzi, Andrea; Isidori, Andrea M; Tomlinson, Jeremy W

2018-05-25

The 250μg Short Synacthen (corticotropin) Test (SST) is the most commonly used tool to assess hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. There are many potentially reversible causes of adrenal insufficiency (AI), but currently no data to guide clinicians as to the frequency of repeat testing or likelihood of HPA axis recovery. To use the SST results to predict recovery of adrenal function. A retrospective analysis of data from 1912 SSTs. 776 patients with reversible causes of AI were identified who had at least two SSTs performed. A subgroup analysis was performed on individuals previously treated with suppressive doses of glucocorticoids (n=110). Recovery of HPA axis function. SST 30-minute cortisol levels above or below 350nmol/L (12.7μg/dL) best predicted HPA axis recovery (AUC ROC=0.85; median recovery time 334 vs. 1368 days, p=8.5x10-13): 99% of patients with a 30-minute cortisol >350nmol/L recovered adrenal function within 4-years, compared with 49% in those with cortisol levels <350nmol/L. In patients exposed to suppressive doses of glucocorticoids, delta cortisol (30-minute - basal) was the best predictor of recovery (AUC ROC = 0.77; median recovery time 262 vs. 974 days, p=7.0x10-6). No patient with a delta cortisol <100nmol (3.6μg/dL) and a subsequent random cortisol <200nmol/L (7.3μg/dL) measured approximately 1-year later recovered HPA axis function. Cortisol levels across an SST can be used to predict recovery of AI and may guide the frequency of repeat testing and inform both clinicians and patients as to the likelihood of restoration of HPA axis function.

A comparison of methods for monitoring photon beam energy constancy.

PubMed

Gao, Song; Balter, Peter A; Rose, Mark; Simon, William E

2016-11-08

In extension of a previous study, we compared several photon beam energy metrics to determine which was the most sensitive to energy change; in addition to those, we accounted for both the sensitivity of each metric and the uncertainty in determining that metric for both traditional flattening filter (FF) beams (4, 6, 8, and 10 MV) and for flattening filter-free (FFF) beams (6 and 10 MV) on a Varian TrueBeam. We examined changes in these energy metrics when photon energies were changed to ± 5% and ± 10% from their nominal energies: 1) an attenuation-based metric (the percent depth dose at 10 cm depth, PDD(10)) and, 2) profile-based metrics, including flatness (Flat) and off-axis ratios (OARs) measured on the orthogonal axes or on the diagonals (diagonal normalized flatness, FDN). Profile-based metrics were measured near dmax and also near 10 cm depth in water (using a 3D scanner) and with ioniza-tion chamber array (ICA). PDD(10) was measured only in water. Changes in PDD, OAR, and FDN were nearly linear to the changes in the bend magnet current (BMI) over the range from -10% to +10% for both FF and FFF beams: a ± 10% change in energy resulted in a ± 1.5% change in PDD(10) for both FF and FFF beams, and changes in OAR and FDN were > 3.0% for FF beams and > 2.2% for FFF beams. The uncertainty in determining PDD(10) was estimated to be 0.15% and that for OAR and FDN about 0.07%. This resulted in minimally detectable changes in energy of 2.5% for PDD(10) and 0.5% for OAR and FDN. We found that the OAR- or FDN- based metrics were the best for detecting energy changes for both FF and FFF beams. The ability of the OAR-based metrics determined with a water scanner to detect energy changes was equivalent to that using an ionization chamber array. We recommend that OAR be measured either on the orthogonal axes or the diagonals, using an ionization chamber array near the depth of maximum dose, as a sensitive and efficient way to confirm stability of photon beam energy. © 2016 The Authors.

Monte Carlo simulated corrections for beam commissioning measurements with circular and MLC shaped fields on the CyberKnife M6 System: a study including diode, microchamber, point scintillator, and synthetic microdiamond detectors.

PubMed

Francescon, P; Kilby, W; Noll, J M; Masi, L; Satariano, N; Russo, S

2017-02-07

Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate correction factors for output factor (OF), percentage depth-dose (PDD), and off-axis ratio (OAR) measurements with the CyberKnife M6 System. These include the first such data for the InCise MLC. Simulated detectors include diodes, air-filled microchambers, a synthetic microdiamond detector, and point scintillator. Individual perturbation factors were also evaluated. OF corrections show similar trends to previous studies. With a 5 mm fixed collimator the diode correction to convert a measured OF to the corresponding point dose ratio varies between  -6.1% and  -3.5% for the diode models evaluated, while in a 7.6 mm  ×  7.7 mm MLC field these are  -4.5% to  -1.8%. The corresponding microchamber corrections are  +9.9% to  +10.7% and  +3.5% to  +4.0%. The microdiamond corrections have a maximum of  -1.4% for the 7.5 mm and 10 mm collimators. The scintillator corrections are  <1% in all beams. Measured OF showed uncorrected inter-detector differences  >15%, reducing to  <3% after correction. PDD corrections at d  >  d max were  <2% for all detectors except IBA Razor where a maximum 4% correction was observed at 300 mm depth. OAR corrections were smaller inside the field than outside. At the beam edge microchamber OAR corrections were up to 15%, mainly caused by density perturbations, which blurs the measured penumbra. With larger beams and depths, PTW and IBA diode corrections outside the beam were up to 20% while the Edge detector needed smaller corrections although these did vary with orientation. These effects are most noticeable for large field size and depth, where they are dominated by fluence and stopping power perturbations. The microdiamond OAR corrections were  <3% outside the beam. This paper provides OF corrections that can be used for commissioning new CyberKnife M6 Systems and retrospectively checking estimated corrections used previously. We recommend the PDD and OAR corrections are used to guide detector selection and inform the evaluation of results rather than to explicitly correct measurements.

Monte Carlo simulated corrections for beam commissioning measurements with circular and MLC shaped fields on the CyberKnife M6 System: a study including diode, microchamber, point scintillator, and synthetic microdiamond detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Francescon, P.; Kilby, W.; Noll, J. M.; Masi, L.; Satariano, N.; Russo, S.

2017-02-01

Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate correction factors for output factor (OF), percentage depth-dose (PDD), and off-axis ratio (OAR) measurements with the CyberKnife M6 System. These include the first such data for the InCise MLC. Simulated detectors include diodes, air-filled microchambers, a synthetic microdiamond detector, and point scintillator. Individual perturbation factors were also evaluated. OF corrections show similar trends to previous studies. With a 5 mm fixed collimator the diode correction to convert a measured OF to the corresponding point dose ratio varies between  -6.1% and  -3.5% for the diode models evaluated, while in a 7.6 mm  ×  7.7 mm MLC field these are  -4.5% to  -1.8%. The corresponding microchamber corrections are  +9.9% to  +10.7% and  +3.5% to  +4.0%. The microdiamond corrections have a maximum of  -1.4% for the 7.5 mm and 10 mm collimators. The scintillator corrections are  <1% in all beams. Measured OF showed uncorrected inter-detector differences  >15%, reducing to  <3% after correction. PDD corrections at d  >  d max were  <2% for all detectors except IBA Razor where a maximum 4% correction was observed at 300 mm depth. OAR corrections were smaller inside the field than outside. At the beam edge microchamber OAR corrections were up to 15%, mainly caused by density perturbations, which blurs the measured penumbra. With larger beams and depths, PTW and IBA diode corrections outside the beam were up to 20% while the Edge detector needed smaller corrections although these did vary with orientation. These effects are most noticeable for large field size and depth, where they are dominated by fluence and stopping power perturbations. The microdiamond OAR corrections were  <3% outside the beam. This paper provides OF corrections that can be used for commissioning new CyberKnife M6 Systems and retrospectively checking estimated corrections used previously. We recommend the PDD and OAR corrections are used to guide detector selection and inform the evaluation of results rather than to explicitly correct measurements.

SU-E-T-373: Evaluation and Reduction of Contralateral Skin /subcutaneous Dose for Tangential Breast Irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Butson, M; Carroll, S; Whitaker, M

2015-06-15

Purpose: Tangential breast irradiation is a standard treatment technique for breast cancer therapy. One aspect of dose delivery includes dose delivered to the skin caused by electron contamination. This effect is especially important for highly oblique beams used on the medical tangent where the electron contamination deposits dose on the contralateral breast side. This work aims to investigate and predict as well as define a method to reduce this dose during tangential breast radiotherapy. Methods: Analysis and calculation of breast skin and subcutaneous dose is performed using a Varian Eclipse planning system, AAA algorithm for 6MV x-ray treatments. Measurements weremore » made using EBT3 Gafchromic film to verify the accuracy of planning data. Various materials were tested to assess their ability to remove electron contamination on the contralateral breast. Results: Results showed that the Varian Eclipse AAA algorithm could accurately estimate contralateral breast dose in the build-up region at depths of 2mm or deeper. Surface dose was underestimated by the AAA algorithm. Doses up to 12% of applied dose were seen on the contralateral breast surface and up to 9 % at 2mm depth. Due to the nature of this radiation, being mainly low energy electron contamination, a bolus material could be used to reduce this dose to less than 3%. This is accomplished by 10 mm of superflab bolus or by 1 mm of lead. Conclusion: Contralateral breast skin and subcutaneous dose is present for tangential breast treatment and has been measured to be up to 12% of applied dose from the medial tangent beam. This dose is deposited at shallow depths and is accurately calculated by the Eclipse AAA algorithm at depths of 2mm or greater. Bolus material placed over the contralateral can be used to effectively reduce this skin dose.« less

SU-F-T-18: The Importance of Immobilization Devices in Brachytherapy Treatments of Vaginal Cuff

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shojaei, M; Dumitru, N; Pella, S

2016-06-15

Purpose: High dose rate brachytherapy is a highly localized radiation therapy that has a very high dose gradient. Thus one of the most important parts of the treatment is the immobilization. The smallest movement of the patient or applicator can result in dose variation to the surrounding tissues as well as to the tumor to be treated. We will revise the ML Cylinder treatments and their localization challenges. Methods: A retrospective study of 25 patients with 5 treatments each looking into the applicator’s placement in regard to the organs at risk. Motion possibilities for each applicator intra and inter fractionationmore » with their dosimetric implications were covered and measured in regard with their dose variance. The localization immobilization devices used were assessed for the capability to prevent motion before and during the treatment delivery. Results: We focused on the 100% isodose on central axis and a 15 degree displacement due to possible rotation analyzing the dose variations to the bladder and rectum walls. The average dose variation for bladder was 15% of the accepted tolerance, with a minimum variance of 11.1% and a maximum one of 23.14% on the central axis. For the off axis measurements we found an average variation of 16.84% of the accepted tolerance, with a minimum variance of 11.47% and a maximum one of 27.69%. For the rectum we focused on the rectum wall closest to the 120% isodose line. The average dose variation was 19.4%, minimum 11.3% and a maximum of 34.02% from the accepted tolerance values Conclusion: Improved immobilization devices are recommended. For inter-fractionation, localization devices are recommended in place with consistent planning in regards with the initial fraction. Many of the present immobilization devices produced for external radiotherapy can be used to improve the localization of HDR applicators during transportation of the patient and during treatment.« less

TLD extrapolation for skin dose determination in vivo.

PubMed

Kron, T; Butson, M; Hunt, F; Denham, J

1996-11-01

Prediction of skin reactions requires knowledge of the dose at various depths in the human skin. Using thermoluminescence dosimeters of three different thicknesses, the dose can be extrapolated to the surface and interpolated between the different depths. A TLD holder was designed for these TLD extrapolation measurements on patients during treatment which allowed measurements of entrance and exit skin dose with a day to day variability of +/-7% (S.D. of mean reading). In a pilot study on 18 patients undergoing breast irradiation, it was found that the angle of incidence of the radiation beam is the most significant factor influencing skin entrance dose. In most of these measurements the beam exit dose contributed 50% more to the surface dose than the entrance dose.

Acquisition of Ice-Tethered Profilers with Velocity (ITP-V) Instruments for Future Arctic Studies

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-11-15

instrument that measures sea water temperature and salinity versus depth, the ITP-V adds a multi-axis acoustic -travel-time current meter and...housing capped by an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene dome. The electronics case sits within a foam body designed to provide buoyancy for...then transmits them by satellite to a logger computer at WHO I. The ITP-V instruments add a multi-axis acoustic -travel-time current meter and

Magnetic fields are causing small, but significant changes of the radiochromic EBT3 film response to 6 MV photons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delfs, Björn; Schoenfeld, Andreas A.; Poppinga, Daniela; Kapsch, Ralf-Peter; Jiang, Ping; Harder, Dietrich; Poppe, Björn; Khee Looe, Hui

2018-02-01

The optical density (OD) of EBT3 radiochromic films (Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) exposed to absorbed doses to water up to D  =  20 Gy in magnetic fields of B  =  0.35 and 1.42 T was measured in the three colour channels of an Epson Expression 10000XL flatbed scanner. A 7 cm wide water phantom with fixed film holder was placed between the pole shoes of a constant-current electromagnet with variable field strength and was irradiated by a 6 MV photon beam whose axis was directed at right angles with the field lines. The doses at the film position at water depth 5 cm were measured with a calibrated ionization chamber when the magnet was switched off and were converted to the doses in presence of the magnetic field via the monitor units and by a Monte Carlo-calculated correction accounting for the slight change of the depth dose curves in magnetic fields. In the presence of the 0.35 and 1.42 T fields small negative changes of the OD values at given absorbed doses to water occurred and just significantly exceeded the uncertainty margin given by the stochastic and the uncorrected systematic deviations. This change can be described by a  +2.1% change of the dose values needed to produce a given optical density in the presence of a 1.42 T field. The thereby modified OD versus D function remained unchanged irrespective of whether the original short film side—the preference direction of the monomer crystals of the film—was directed parallel or orthogonal to the magnetic field. The ‘orientation effect’, the difference between the optical densities measured in the ‘portrait’ or ‘landscape’ film positions on the scanner bed caused by the reflection of polarised light in the scanner’s mirror system, remained unaltered after EBT3 film exposure in magnetic fields. An independent optical bench investigation of EBT3 films exposed to doses of 10 and 20 Gy at 0.35 and 1.42 T showed that the direction of the electric vector of polarised light experiencing the largest transmission through EBT3 films remained unaltered after film exposure in the magnetic fields. The observed small modification of the OD versus D curve of the radiochromic film EBT3 in the range up to 20 Gy and 1.42 T, hardly exceeding the experimental uncertainty margin, numerically confirms other recent studies on EBT3 film. A stronger magnetic field effect had been observed with the previous product EBT2 exposed to 60Co gamma radiation at 0.35 T.

Magnetic fields are causing small, but significant changes of the radiochromic EBT3 film response to 6 MV photons.

PubMed

Delfs, Björn; Schoenfeld, Andreas A; Poppinga, Daniela; Kapsch, Ralf-Peter; Jiang, Ping; Harder, Dietrich; Poppe, Björn; Looe, Hui Khee

2018-01-31

The optical density (OD) of EBT3 radiochromic films (Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) exposed to absorbed doses to water up to D  =  20 Gy in magnetic fields of B  =  0.35 and 1.42 T was measured in the three colour channels of an Epson Expression 10000XL flatbed scanner. A 7 cm wide water phantom with fixed film holder was placed between the pole shoes of a constant-current electromagnet with variable field strength and was irradiated by a 6 MV photon beam whose axis was directed at right angles with the field lines. The doses at the film position at water depth 5 cm were measured with a calibrated ionization chamber when the magnet was switched off and were converted to the doses in presence of the magnetic field via the monitor units and by a Monte Carlo-calculated correction accounting for the slight change of the depth dose curves in magnetic fields. In the presence of the 0.35 and 1.42 T fields small negative changes of the OD values at given absorbed doses to water occurred and just significantly exceeded the uncertainty margin given by the stochastic and the uncorrected systematic deviations. This change can be described by a  +2.1% change of the dose values needed to produce a given optical density in the presence of a 1.42 T field. The thereby modified OD versus D function remained unchanged irrespective of whether the original short film side-the preference direction of the monomer crystals of the film-was directed parallel or orthogonal to the magnetic field. The 'orientation effect', the difference between the optical densities measured in the 'portrait' or 'landscape' film positions on the scanner bed caused by the reflection of polarised light in the scanner's mirror system, remained unaltered after EBT3 film exposure in magnetic fields. An independent optical bench investigation of EBT3 films exposed to doses of 10 and 20 Gy at 0.35 and 1.42 T showed that the direction of the electric vector of polarised light experiencing the largest transmission through EBT3 films remained unaltered after film exposure in the magnetic fields. The observed small modification of the OD versus D curve of the radiochromic film EBT3 in the range up to 20 Gy and 1.42 T, hardly exceeding the experimental uncertainty margin, numerically confirms other recent studies on EBT3 film. A stronger magnetic field effect had been observed with the previous product EBT2 exposed to 60 Co gamma radiation at 0.35 T.

Evaluation of Al2O3:C optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters for passive dosimetry of high-energy photon and electron beams in radiotherapy.

PubMed

Yukihara, E G; Mardirossian, G; Mirzasadeghi, M; Guduru, S; Ahmad, S

2008-01-01

This article investigates the performance of Al2O3: C optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) for application in radiotherapy. Central-axis depth dose curves and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) responses were obtained in a water phantom for 6 and 18 MV photons, and for 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV electron beams from a Varian 21EX linear accelerator. Single OSL measurements could be repeated with a precision of 0.7% (one standard deviation) and the differences between absorbed doses measured with OSLDs and an ionization chamber were within +/- 1% for photon beams. Similar results were obtained for electron beams in the low-gradient region after correction for a 1.9% photon-to-electron bias. The distance-to-agreement values were of the order of 0.5-1.0 mm for electrons in high dose gradient regions. Additional investigations also demonstrated that the OSL response dependence on dose rate, field size, and irradiation temperature is less than 1% in the conditions of the present study. Regarding the beam energy/quality dependence, the relative response of the OSLD for 18 MV was (0.51 +/- 0.48)% of the response for the 6 MV photon beam. The OSLD response for the electron beams relative to the 6 MV photon beam. The OSLD response for the electron beams relative to the 6 MV photon beam was in average 1.9% higher, but this result requires further confirmation. The relative response did not seem to vary with electron energy at dmax within the experimental uncertainties (0.5% in average) and, therefore, a fixed correction factor of 1.9% eliminated the energy dependence in our experimental conditions.

Evaluation of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}:C optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters for passive dosimetry of high-energy photon and electron beams in radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yukihara, E. G.; Mardirossian, G.; Mirzasadeghi, M.

This article investigates the performance of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}:C optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) for application in radiotherapy. Central-axis depth dose curves and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) responses were obtained in a water phantom for 6 and 18 MV photons, and for 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV electron beams from a Varian 21EX linear accelerator. Single OSL measurements could be repeated with a precision of 0.7% (one standard deviation) and the differences between absorbed doses measured with OSLDs and an ionization chamber were within {+-}1% for photon beams. Similar results were obtained for electron beams in the low-gradientmore » region after correction for a 1.9% photon-to-electron bias. The distance-to-agreement values were of the order of 0.5-1.0 mm for electrons in high dose gradient regions. Additional investigations also demonstrated that the OSL response dependence on dose rate, field size, and irradiation temperature is less than 1% in the conditions of the present study. Regarding the beam energy/quality dependence, the relative response of the OSLD for 18 MV was (0.51{+-}0.48)% of the response for the 6 MV photon beam. The OSLD response for the electron beams relative to the 6 MV photon beam. The OSLD response for the electron beams relative to the 6 MV photon beam was in average 1.9% higher, but this result requires further confirmation. The relative response did not seem to vary with electron energy at d{sub max} within the experimental uncertainties (0.5% in average) and, therefore, a fixed correction factor of 1.9% eliminated the energy dependence in our experimental conditions.« less

Suppression of dark current radiation in step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiation therapy by the initial pulse-forming network.

PubMed

Cheng, Chee-Wai; Das, Indra J; Ndlovu, Alois M

2002-09-01

The effect of the initial pulse forming network (IPFN) on the suppression of dark current is investigated for a Siemens Primus accelerator. The dark current produces a spurious radiation, which is referred to as dark current radiation (DCR) in this study. In the step-and-shoot delivery of an intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the DCR could be of some concern for whole body dose along with leakage radiation through collimator jaws or multileaf collimator. By adjusting the IPFN-to-PFN ratio to >0.8, the DCR can be measured with an ion chamber during the "PAUSE" state of the accelerator in the IMRT mode. For 15 MV x rays, the magnitude of the DCR is approximately equal to 0.7% of the dose at dmax for a 10 x 10 cm2 field. The DCR has a similar central axis depth dose as a 15 MV beam as determined from a water phantom scan. When the IPFN-to-PFN ratio is lowered to <0.8, no DCR is detected. For low energy x rays (6 MV), no DCR is detected regardless of the IPFN-to-PFN ratio. Although the DCR is studied only for the Siemens Primus model accelerator, the same precaution applies to other models of modern accelerators from other vendors. Due to the large number of field segments used in a step-and-shoot IMRT, it is imperative therefore, that dark current evaluation be part of machine commissioning and annual calibration for high-energy photon beams. Should DCR be detected, the medical physicist should work with a service engineer to rectify the problem. In view of DCR and whole body dose, low-energy photon beams are advisable for IMRT.

Design of a modulated orthovoltage stereotactic radiosurgery system.

PubMed

Fagerstrom, Jessica M; Bender, Edward T; Lawless, Michael J; Culberson, Wesley S

2017-07-01

To achieve stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) dose distributions with sharp gradients using orthovoltage energy fluence modulation with inverse planning optimization techniques. A pencil beam model was used to calculate dose distributions from an orthovoltage unit at 250 kVp. Kernels for the model were derived using Monte Carlo methods. A Genetic Algorithm search heuristic was used to optimize the spatial distribution of added tungsten filtration to achieve dose distributions with sharp dose gradients. Optimizations were performed for depths of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 cm, with cone sizes of 5, 6, 8, and 10 mm. In addition to the beam profiles, 4π isocentric irradiation geometries were modeled to examine dose at 0.07 mm depth, a representative skin depth, for the low energy beams. Profiles from 4π irradiations of a constant target volume, assuming maximally conformal coverage, were compared. Finally, dose deposition in bone compared to tissue in this energy range was examined. Based on the results of the optimization, circularly symmetric tungsten filters were designed to modulate the orthovoltage beam across the apertures of SRS cone collimators. For each depth and cone size combination examined, the beam flatness and 80-20% and 90-10% penumbrae were calculated for both standard, open cone-collimated beams as well as for optimized, filtered beams. For all configurations tested, the modulated beam profiles had decreased penumbra widths and flatness statistics at depth. Profiles for the optimized, filtered orthovoltage beams also offered decreases in these metrics compared to measured linear accelerator cone-based SRS profiles. The dose at 0.07 mm depth in the 4π isocentric irradiation geometries was higher for the modulated beams compared to unmodulated beams; however, the modulated dose at 0.07 mm depth remained <0.025% of the central, maximum dose. The 4π profiles irradiating a constant target volume showed improved statistics for the modulated, filtered distribution compared to the standard, open cone-collimated distribution. Simulations of tissue and bone confirmed previously published results that a higher energy beam (≥ 200 keV) would be preferable, but the 250 kVp beam was chosen for this work because it is available for future measurements. A methodology has been described that may be used to optimize the spatial distribution of added filtration material in an orthovoltage SRS beam to result in dose distributions with decreased flatness and penumbra statistics compared to standard open cones. This work provides the mathematical foundation for a novel, orthovoltage energy fluence-modulated SRS system. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Atrazine Does Not Induce Pica Behavior at Doses that Increase Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activation and Cause Conditioned Taste Avoidance.

EPA Science Inventory

Previous work has shown that a single oral administration of atrazine (ATR), a chlorotriazine herbicide, induces dose-dependent increases in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serum corticosterone (CORT) and progesterone. The mechanism for these effects is unknown. To tes...

On the determination of the depth of EAS development maximum using the lateral distribution of Cerenkov light at distances 150 m from EAS axis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aliev, N.; Alimov, T.; Kakhkharov, M.; Makhmudov, B. M.; Rakhimova, N.; Tashpulatov, R.; Kalmykov, N. N.; Khristiansen, G. B.; Prosin, V. V.

1985-01-01

The Samarkand extensive air showers (EAS) array was used to measure the mean and individual lateral distribution functions (LDF) of EAS Cerenkov light. The analysis of the individual parameters b showed that the mean depth of EAS maximum and the variance of the depth distribution of maxima of EAS with energies of approx. 2x10 to the 15th power eV can properly be described in terms of Kaidalov-Martirosyan quark-gluon string model (QGSM).

Improving spot-scanning proton therapy patient specific quality assurance with HPlusQA, a second-check dose calculation engine.

PubMed

Mackin, Dennis; Li, Yupeng; Taylor, Michael B; Kerr, Matthew; Holmes, Charles; Sahoo, Narayan; Poenisch, Falk; Li, Heng; Lii, Jim; Amos, Richard; Wu, Richard; Suzuki, Kazumichi; Gillin, Michael T; Zhu, X Ronald; Zhang, Xiaodong

2013-12-01

The purpose of this study was to validate the use of HPlusQA, spot-scanning proton therapy (SSPT) dose calculation software developed at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, as second-check dose calculation software for patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA). The authors also showed how HPlusQA can be used within the current PSQA framework. The authors compared the dose calculations of HPlusQA and the Eclipse treatment planning system with 106 planar dose measurements made as part of PSQA. To determine the relative performance and the degree of correlation between HPlusQA and Eclipse, the authors compared calculated with measured point doses. Then, to determine how well HPlusQA can predict when the comparisons between Eclipse calculations and the measured dose will exceed tolerance levels, the authors compared gamma index scores for HPlusQA versus Eclipse with those of measured doses versus Eclipse. The authors introduce the αβγ transformation as a way to more easily compare gamma scores. The authors compared measured and calculated dose planes using the relative depth, z∕R × 100%, where z is the depth of the measurement and R is the proton beam range. For relative depths than less than 80%, both Eclipse and HPlusQA calculations were within 2 cGy of dose measurements on average. When the relative depth was greater than 80%, the agreement between the calculations and measurements fell to 4 cGy. For relative depths less than 10%, the Eclipse and HPlusQA dose discrepancies showed a negative correlation, -0.21. Otherwise, the correlation between the dose discrepancies was positive and as large as 0.6. For the dose planes in this study, HPlusQA correctly predicted when Eclipse had and had not calculated the dose to within tolerance 92% and 79% of the time, respectively. In 4 of 106 cases, HPlusQA failed to predict when the comparison between measurement and Eclipse's calculation had exceeded the tolerance levels of 3% for dose and 3 mm for distance-to-agreement. The authors found HPlusQA to be reasonably effective (79% ± 10%) in determining when the comparison between measured dose planes and the dose planes calculated by the Eclipse treatment planning system had exceeded the acceptable tolerance levels. When used as described in this study, HPlusQA can reduce the need for patient specific quality assurance measurements by 64%. The authors believe that the use of HPlusQA as a dose calculation second check can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the QA process.

Segmentation and Contrasting Magma Supply Along the South-East Indian Ridge, 130°E to 140°E: Results of the STORM Cruise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briais, A.; Ruellan, E.; Maia, M.; Hemond, C.; Hanan, B. B.; Ceuleneer, G.; Graham, D. W.; Park, S. H.

2017-12-01

We present observations of the South-East Indian Ridge (SEIR) between 130°E to 140°E, mostly collected during the STORM cruise (South Tasmania Ocean Ridge and Mantle) on the N/O L'Atalante. The SEIR displays large variations of axial depth despite an almost constant intermediate full spreading rate of 75 km/m.y. In the study area the analysis of multibeam bathymetry maps shows that the axis displays a rise morphology to the east away from the discontinuities, and a rifted high morphology in the west and near the OSCs, as often observed along intermediate-spreading mid-ocean ridges. The ridge axis is offset by 27 km at 131°E and 20 km at 135°E by two large-offset overlapping spreading centers (OSCs) propagating westward, and by a smaller OSC at 137°17'E. These OSCs define four second-order ridge segments (A2 to A5 from west to east). We observe a general shallowing of the ridge axis from 3100 m depth in the west to 2400 m depth in the east, and a prominent deepening of the axis near the large OSCs. The easternmost segment A5 shows a very shallow axial ridge suggesting a robust magma supply despite its proximity to the George V transform fault (140°E). Major element variations in basalt glasses are systematically related to morphotectonic segmentation of the ridge axis, showing contrasts in crystal fractionation from one segment to another that may relate to differences in replenishment of axial melt lenses by primitive melts. Along segment A5, crystallization increases with proximity to the George V transform fault, consistent with an expected cold edge effect. In contrast, along segment A3 the extent of crystallization increases progressively from east to west in the direction of ridge propagation. *STORM Cruise Scientific Party: F. Barrere, C. Boulart, A. Briais, D. Brunelli, G. Ceuleneer, N. Ferreira, D. Graham, B. Hanan, C. Hémond, S. Macleod, M. Maia, A. Maillard, S. Merkuryev, S.H. Park, S. Révillon, E. Ruellan, A. Schohn, S. Watson, and Y.S. Yang.

Melt distribution along the axis of ultraslow spreading mid-ocean ridges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlindwein, V. S. N.; Schmid, F.; Meier, M.

2017-12-01

Ultraslow spreading mid-ocean ridges (<15 mm/y full spreading rate) differ from faster spreading ridges by their uneven melt distribution. Crustal thickness varies along axis from zero to more than 8 km at volcanic centers. These volcanic centers receive more melt than the regional average and may be sustained for millions of years. The segmentation pattern and active volcanism at ultraslow spreading ridges greatly differs from faster spreading ridges. Using networks of ocean bottom seismometers at three differing ridge segments, we could show that the maximum depth of brittle faulting, equivalent approximately to temperatures of 600-700°C, varies drastically along axis. Ridge sections that lack an igneous crust exhibit a thick lithosphere as evidenced by the deepest mid-ocean ridge earthquakes observed so far at more than 30 km depth. Beneath areas of basalt exposure, in particular beneath pronounced volcanic centers, the axial lithosphere may be more than 15 km thinner allowing for melt flow at the base of the lithosphere towards the volcanoes, a process that has been postulated to explain the uneven along-axis melt distribution. Spreading events at ultraslow spreading ridges are unusual as we found from two spreading episodes at 85°E Gakkel Ridge and Segment 8 volcano on the Southwest Indian Ridge. These eruptions were preceded or accompanied by large (M>5) and long-lasting earthquake swarms and active magmatism lasted over 3-16 years. A massive hydrothermal event plume and sounds from deep submarine explosive volcanism were observed at Gakkel Ridge. At the Segment 8 volcano, we imaged a melt reservoir extending to about 8 km depth below the volcano that potentially fed a sill intrusion recorded by an ocean bottom seismometers about 30 km away at a neighboring subordinate volcanic center. To better understand the segmentation and melt transport at ultraslow spreading rigdes, we recently conducted a segment-scale seismicity survey of Knipovich Ridge in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea. Here we deployed 28 ocean bottom seismometers along 160 km of ridge axis for one year, the currently largest mid-ocean ridge microseismicity experiment.

TH-C-BRD-04: Beam Modeling and Validation with Triple and Double Gaussian Dose Kernel for Spot Scanning Proton Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hirayama, S; Takayanagi, T; Fujii, Y

2014-06-15

Purpose: To present the validity of our beam modeling with double and triple Gaussian dose kernels for spot scanning proton beams in Nagoya Proton Therapy Center. This study investigates the conformance between the measurements and calculation results in absolute dose with two types of beam kernel. Methods: A dose kernel is one of the important input data required for the treatment planning software. The dose kernel is the 3D dose distribution of an infinitesimal pencil beam of protons in water and consists of integral depth doses and lateral distributions. We have adopted double and triple Gaussian model as lateral distributionmore » in order to take account of the large angle scattering due to nuclear reaction by fitting simulated inwater lateral dose profile for needle proton beam at various depths. The fitted parameters were interpolated as a function of depth in water and were stored as a separate look-up table for the each beam energy. The process of beam modeling is based on the method of MDACC [X.R.Zhu 2013]. Results: From the comparison results between the absolute doses calculated by double Gaussian model and those measured at the center of SOBP, the difference is increased up to 3.5% in the high-energy region because the large angle scattering due to nuclear reaction is not sufficiently considered at intermediate depths in the double Gaussian model. In case of employing triple Gaussian dose kernels, the measured absolute dose at the center of SOBP agrees with calculation within ±1% regardless of the SOBP width and maximum range. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the beam modeling results of dose distribution employing double and triple Gaussian dose kernel. Treatment planning system with the triple Gaussian dose kernel has been successfully verified and applied to the patient treatment with a spot scanning technique in Nagoya Proton Therapy Center.« less

High-precision dosimetry for radiotherapy using the optically stimulated luminescence technique and thin Al2O3:C dosimeters.

PubMed

Yukihara, E G; Yoshimura, E M; Lindstrom, T D; Ahmad, S; Taylor, K K; Mardirossian, G

2005-12-07

The potential of using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique with aluminium oxide (Al(2)O(3):C) dosimeters for a precise and accurate estimation of absorbed doses delivered by high-energy photon beams was investigated. This study demonstrates the high reproducibility of the OSL measurements and presents a preliminary determination of the depth-dose curve in water for a 6 MV photon beam from a linear accelerator. The uncertainty of a single OSL measurement, estimated from the variance of a large sample of dosimeters irradiated with the same dose, was 0.7%. In the depth-dose curve obtained using the OSL technique, the difference between the measured and expected doses was < or =0.7% for depths between 1.5 and 10 cm, and 1.1% for a depth of 15 cm. The readout procedure includes a normalization of the response of the dosimeter with respect to a reference dose in order to eliminate variations in the dosimeter mass, dosimeter sensitivity, and the reader's sensitivity. This may be relevant for quality assurance programmes, since it simplifies the requirements in terms of personnel training to achieve the precision and accuracy necessary for radiotherapy applications. We concluded that the OSL technique has the potential to be reliably incorporated in quality assurance programmes and dose verification.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Xinhua; Zhang, Da; Liu, Bob, E-mail: bliu7@mgh.harvard.edu

Purpose: The knowledge of longitudinal dose distribution provides the most direct view of the accumulated dose in computed tomography (CT) scanning. The purpose of this work was to perform a comprehensive study of dose distribution width and energy absorption with a wide range of subject sizes and beam irradiated lengths. Methods: Cumulative dose distribution along the z-axis was calculated based on the previously published CT dose equilibration data by Li, Zhang, and Liu [Med. Phys. 40, 031903 (10pp.) (2013)] and a mechanism for computing dose on axial lines by Li, Zhang, and Liu [Med. Phys. 39, 5347–5352 (2012)]. Full widthmore » at half maximum (FWHM), full width at tenth maximum (FWTM), the total energy (E) absorbed in a small cylinder of unit mass per centimeter square about the central or peripheral axis, and the energy (E{sub in}) absorbed inside irradiated length (L) were subsequently extracted from the dose distribution. Results: Extensive results of FWHM, FWTM, and E{sub in}/E were presented on the central and peripheral axes of infinitely long PMMA (diameters 6–50 cm) and water (diameters 6–55 cm) cylinders with L < 100 cm. FWHM was greater than the primary beam width only on the central axes of large phantoms and also with L ranging from a few centimeter to about 33 cm. FWTM generally increased with phantom diameter, and could be up to 32 cm longer than irradiated length, depending on L, phantom diameter and axis, but was insensitive to phantom material (PMMA or water). E{sub in}/E increased with L and asymptotically approached unity for large L. As phantom diameter increased, E{sub in}/E generally decreased, but asymptotically approached constant levels on the peripheral axes of large phantoms. A heuristic explanation of dose distribution width results was presented. Conclusions: This study enables the reader to gain a comprehensive view of dose distribution width and energy absorption and provides useful data for estimating doses to organs inside or beyond the irradiated region. The dose length product (DLP) presented by CT scanners is equal to neither E nor E{sub in}. Both E and E{sub in} can be evaluated using the equations and results presented in this paper and are robust with both constant and variable tube current scanning techniques.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qu, H; Yu, N; Qi, P

Purpose: In commercial secondary dose calculation system, an average effective depth is used to calculate the Monitor Units for an arc beam from the volumetric modulated arc (VMAT) plans. Typically, an arithmetic mean of the effective depths (AMED) of a VMAT arc beam is used, which may result in large MU discrepancy from that of the primary treatment planning system. This study is to demonstrate the use of a dose weighted mean effective depth (DWED) can improve accuracy of MU calculation for the secondary MU verification. Methods: In-house scripts were written in the primary treatment planning system (TPS) to firstmore » convert a VMAT arc beam to a series of static step & shoot beams (every 4 degree). The computed dose and effective depth of each static beam were then used to obtain the dose weighted mean effective depth (DWED) for the VMAT beam. The DWED was used for the secondary MU calculation for VMAT plans. Six lung SBRT VMAT plans, eight head and neck VMAT plans and ten prostate VMAT plans that had > 5% MU deviations (failed MU verification) using the AMED method were recalculated with the DWED. For comparison, same number VMAT plans that had < 5% MU deviations (passed MU verification) using AMED method were also reevaluated with the dose weighted mean effective depth method. Results: For MU verification passed plans, the mean and standard deviation of MU differences between the TPS and the secondary calculation program were 2.2%±1.5% for the AMED and 2.1%±1.7% for the DMED method. For the failed plans, the mean and standard deviation of MU differences of TPS to the secondary calculation program were 9.9%±4.7% and 4.7%±2.6, respectively. Conclusion: The dose weighted mean effective depth improved MU calculation accuracy which can be used for the pre-treatment MU verification of VMAT plans.« less

Double peacock eye optical element for extended focal depth imaging with ophthalmic applications.

PubMed

Romero, Lenny A; Millán, María S; Jaroszewicz, Zbigniew; Kolodziejczyk, Andrzej

2012-04-01

The aged human eye is commonly affected by presbyopia, and therefore, it gradually loses its capability to form images of objects placed at different distances. Extended depth of focus (EDOF) imaging elements can overcome this inability, despite the introduction of a certain amount of aberration. This paper evaluates the EDOF imaging performance of the so-called peacock eye phase diffractive element, which focuses an incident plane wave into a segment of the optical axis and explores the element's potential use for ophthalmic presbyopia compensation optics. Two designs of the element are analyzed: the single peacock eye, which produces one focal segment along the axis, and the double peacock eye, which is a spatially multiplexed element that produces two focal segments with partial overlapping along the axis. The performances of the peacock eye elements are compared with those of multifocal lenses through numerical simulations as well as optical experiments in the image space. The results demonstrate that the peacock eye elements form sharper images along the focal segment than the multifocal lenses and, therefore, are more suitable for presbyopia compensation. The extreme points of the depth of field in the object space, which represent the remote and the near object points, have been experimentally obtained for both the single and the double peacock eye optical elements. The double peacock eye element has better imaging quality for relatively short and intermediate distances than the single peacock eye, whereas the latter seems better for far distance vision.

The net fractional depth dose: a basis for a unified analytical description of FDD, TAR, TMR, and TPR.

PubMed

van de Geijn, J; Fraass, B A

1984-01-01

The net fractional depth dose (NFD) is defined as the fractional depth dose (FDD) corrected for inverse square law. Analysis of its behavior as a function of depth, field size, and source-surface distance has led to an analytical description with only seven model parameters related to straightforward physical properties. The determination of the characteristic parameter values requires only seven experimentally determined FDDs. The validity of the description has been tested for beam qualities ranging from 60Co gamma rays to 18-MV x rays, using published data from several different sources as well as locally measured data sets. The small number of model parameters is attractive for computer or hand-held calculator applications. The small amount of required measured data is important in view of practical data acquisition for implementation of a computer-based dose calculation system. The generating function allows easy and accurate generation of FDD, tissue-air ratio, tissue-maximum ratio, and tissue-phantom ratio tables.

Net fractional depth dose: a basis for a unified analytical description of FDD, TAR, TMR, and TPR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

van de Geijn, J.; Fraass, B.A.

The net fractional depth dose (NFD) is defined as the fractional depth dose (FDD) corrected for inverse square law. Analysis of its behavior as a function of depth, field size, and source-surface distance has led to an analytical description with only seven model parameters related to straightforward physical properties. The determination of the characteristic parameter values requires only seven experimentally determined FDDs. The validity of the description has been tested for beam qualities ranging from /sup 60/Co gamma rays to 18-MV x rays, using published data from several different sources as well as locally measured data sets. The small numbermore » of model parameters is attractive for computer or hand-held calculator applications. The small amount of required measured data is important in view of practical data acquisition for implementation of a computer-based dose calculation system. The generating function allows easy and accurate generation of FDD, tissue-air ratio, tissue-maximum ratio, and tissue-phantom ratio tables.« less

Long-term erythemal UV doses at Sodankylä estimated using total ozone, sunshine duration and snow depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindfors, A. V.; Arola, A.; Kaurola, J.; Taalas, P.; Svenøe, T.

2003-04-01

A method for estimating daily erythemal UV doses using total ozone, sunshine duration and snow depth has been developed. The method consists of three steps: (1) daily clear-sky UV doses were simulated using the UVSPEC radiative transfer program, with daily values of total ozone as input data, (2) an empirical relationship was sought between the simulated clear-sky UV doses, the measured UV doses and the duration of bright sunshine, (3) daily erythemal UV doses were estimated using this relationship. The method accounts for the varying surface albedo by dividing the period of interest into winter and summer days, depending on the snow depth. Using this method, the daily erythemal UV doses at Sodankylä were estimated for the period 1950--99. This was done using Tromsø's total ozone together with Sodankylä's own sunshine duration and snow depth as input data. Although the method is fairly simple, the results are in good agreement, even on the daily scale, with the UV radiation measured with the Brewer spectrophotometer at Sodankylä. Statistically significant increasing trends in erythemal UV doses of a few percents per decade over the period 1950--99 were found for March and April, suggesting a connection to the stratospheric ozone depletion. For July, on the other hand, a significant decreasing trend of about 3% per decade, supported by the changes in both total ozone and sunshine duration, was found. The produced data set of erythemal UV doses is the longest time series of estimated UV known to the authors.

SU-E-T-614: Derivation of Equations to Define Inflection Points and Its Analysis in Flattening Filter Free Photon Beams Based On the Principle of Polynomial function

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Muralidhar, K Raja; Komanduri, K

2014-06-01

Purpose: The objective of this work is to present a mechanism for calculating inflection points on profiles at various depths and field sizes and also a significant study on the percentage of doses at the inflection points for various field sizes and depths for 6XFFF and 10XFFF energy profiles. Methods: Graphical representation was done on Percentage of dose versus Inflection points. Also using the polynomial function, the authors formulated equations for calculating spot-on inflection point on the profiles for 6X FFF and 10X FFF energies for all field sizes and at various depths. Results: In a flattening filter free radiationmore » beam which is not like in Flattened beams, the dose at inflection point of the profile decreases as field size increases for 10XFFF. Whereas in 6XFFF, the dose at the inflection point initially increases up to 10x10cm2 and then decreases. The polynomial function was fitted for both FFF beams for all field sizes and depths. For small fields less than 5x5 cm2 the inflection point and FWHM are almost same and hence analysis can be done just like in FF beams. A change in 10% of dose can change the field width by 1mm. Conclusion: The present study, Derivative of equations based on the polynomial equation to define inflection point concept is precise and accurate way to derive the inflection point dose on any FFF beam profile at any depth with less than 1% accuracy. Corrections can be done in future studies based on the multiple number of machine data. Also a brief study was done to evaluate the inflection point positions with respect to dose in FFF energies for various field sizes and depths for 6XFFF and 10XFFF energy profiles.« less

A silicon strip detector array for energy verification and quality assurance in heavy ion therapy.

PubMed

Debrot, Emily; Newall, Matthew; Guatelli, Susanna; Petasecca, Marco; Matsufuji, Naruhiro; Rosenfeld, Anatoly B

2018-02-01

The measurement of depth dose profiles for range and energy verification of heavy ion beams is an important aspect of quality assurance procedures for heavy ion therapy facilities. The steep dose gradients in the Bragg peak region of these profiles require the use of detectors with high spatial resolution. The aim of this work is to characterize a one dimensional monolithic silicon detector array called the "serial Dose Magnifying Glass" (sDMG) as an independent ion beam energy and range verification system used for quality assurance conducted for ion beams used in heavy ion therapy. The sDMG detector consists of two linear arrays of 128 silicon sensitive volumes each with an effective size of 2mm × 50μm × 100μm fabricated on a p-type substrate at a pitch of 200 μm along a single axis of detection. The detector was characterized for beam energy and range verification by measuring the response of the detector when irradiated with a 290 MeV/u 12 C ion broad beam incident along the single axis of the detector embedded in a PMMA phantom. The energy of the 12 C ion beam incident on the detector and the residual energy of an ion beam incident on the phantom was determined from the measured Bragg peak position in the sDMG. Ad hoc Monte Carlo simulations of the experimental setup were also performed to give further insight into the detector response. The relative response profiles along the single axis measured with the sDMG detector were found to have good agreement between experiment and simulation with the position of the Bragg peak determined to fall within 0.2 mm or 1.1% of the range in the detector for the two cases. The energy of the beam incident on the detector was found to vary less than 1% between experiment and simulation. The beam energy incident on the phantom was determined to be (280.9 ± 0.8) MeV/u from the experimental and (280.9 ± 0.2) MeV/u from the simulated profiles. These values coincide with the expected energy of 281 MeV/u. The sDMG detector response was studied experimentally and characterized using a Monte Carlo simulation. The sDMG detector was found to accurately determine the 12 C beam energy and is suited for fast energy and range verification quality assurance. It is proposed that the sDMG is also applicable for verification of treatment planning systems that rely on particle range. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

SU-E-T-16: A Comparison of Expected Dwell Times and Dose Variations for NAMD Patients Treated with An Episcleral Brachytherapy Device

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hamilton, R; Patel, P; Balaggan, K

2015-06-15

Purpose: To evaluate the variations in dwell times and doses expected when using an episcleral brachytherapy device for treatment of neovascular agerelated macular degeneration (n-AMD) based on accurate imaging modalities Methods: Data from 40 eyes from 40 subjects with known n- AMD acquired through the Distance of Choroid Study (DOCS) conducted at Moorfields Eye Hospital was used to determine the target depth; the distance from the outer scleral surface of the eye, through the choroid, to the apex of the choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Each subject underwent, in triplicate, enhanced-depth Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT), Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography,more » (SS-OCT) and Ocular Ultrasound (O-US). These data are the most comprehensive and accurate measurements of the dimensions of the CNV and adjacent layers of the eye for this cohort of patients. During treatment of n-AMD, patients receive a dose of 24Gy to the apex at the target depth. Using the percentage depth dose for a Sr-90 episcleral brachytherapy device, dwell times and doses to the apex were computed to determine the expected variations. Results: The mean target depth and the 95% confidence interval (CI) determined by combining O-US with SD-OCT were 1326 (956,1696)µm and with SS-OCT were 1332 (970,1693)µm. The calculated corresponding mean dwell times and 95% (CI) were 334 (223,445)s and 335 (226,445)s for SD-OCT and SS-OCT determined depths, respectively. The corresponding mean apex dose and 95% (CI) were 24 (35.9,18.0)Gy (SD-OCT) and 24 (35.6,18.1)Gy (SS-OCT). Conclusion: For episcleral brachytherapy treatment of n-AMD, using a patient population average target depth for treatment planning is inadequate, resulting in dose variations of a factor of approximately two over the 95% CI and larger variations for a nontrivial segment of the population. Each patient should have individualized imaging studies to determine the target depth for use in the dwell time calculation. Study was sponsored by Salutaris Medical Devices, Ltd., a subsidiary of Salutaris Medical Devices, Inc. Hamilton and Marsteller are founders of Salutaris Medical Devices, Inc. Drew, McGovern and Vitali are minor equity holders in Salutaris Medical Devices, Inc.« less

Double diameter boring tool

DOEpatents

Ashbaugh, F.A.; Murry, K.R.

1986-02-10

A boring tool and a method of operation are provided for boring two concentric holes of precision diameters and depths in a single operation. The boring tool includes an elongated tool body, a shank for attachment to a standard adjustable boring head which is used on a manual or numerical control milling machine and first and second diametrically opposed cutting flutes formed for cutting in opposite directions. The diameter of the elongated tool body is substantially equal to the distance from the first flute tip to the axis of rotation plus the distance from the second flute tip to the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the tool is spaced from the tool centerline a distance substantially equal to one-half the distance from the second flute tip to the axis of rotation minus one-half the distance from the first flute tip to the axis of rotation. The method includes the step of inserting the boring tool into the boring head, adjusting the distance between the tool centerline and the tool axis of rotation as described above and boring the two concentric holes.

Double diameter boring tool

DOEpatents

Ashbaugh, Fred N.; Murry, Kenneth R.

1988-12-27

A boring tool and a method of operation are provided for boring two concentric holes of precision diameters and depths in a single operation. The boring tool includes an elongated tool body, a shank for attachment to a standard adjustable boring head which is used on a manual or numerical control milling machine and first and second diametrically opposed cutting edges formed for cutting in opposite directions. The diameter of the elongated tool body is substantially equal to the distance from the first cutting edge tip to the axis of rotation plus the distance from the second cutting edge tip to the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the tool is spaced from the tool centerline a distance substantially equal to one-half the distance from the second cutting edge tip to the axis of rotation minus one-half the distance from the first cutting edge tip to the axis of rotation. The method includes the step of inserting the boring tool into the boring head, adjusting the distance between the tool centerline and the tool axis of rotation as described above and boring the two concentric holes.

Double diameter boring tool

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ashbaugh, F.A.; Murry, K.R.

A boring tool and a method of operation are provided for boring two concentric holes of precision diameters and depths in a single operation. The boring tool includes an elongated tool body, a shank for attachment to a standard adjustable boring head which is used on a manual or numerical control milling machine and first and second diametrically opposed cutting flutes formed for cutting in opposite directions. The diameter of the elongated tool body is substantially equal to the distance from the first flute tip to the axis of rotation plus the distance from the second flute tip to themore » axis of rotation. The axis of rotation of the tool is spaced from the tool centerline a distance substantially equal to one-half the distance from the second flute tip to the axis of rotation minus one-half the distance from the first flute tip to the axis of rotation. The method includes the step of inserting the boring tool into the boring head, adjusting the distance between the tool centerline and the tool axis of rotation as described above and boring the two concentric holes.« less

Estimation of the optical errors on the luminescence imaging of water for proton beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yabe, Takuya; Komori, Masataka; Horita, Ryo; Toshito, Toshiyuki; Yamamoto, Seiichi

2018-04-01

Although luminescence imaging of water during proton-beam irradiation can be applied to range estimation, the height of the Bragg peak of the luminescence image was smaller than that measured with an ionization chamber. We hypothesized that the reasons of the difference were attributed to the optical phenomena; parallax errors of the optical system and the reflection of the luminescence from the water phantom. We estimated the errors cause by these optical phenomena affecting the luminescence image of water. To estimate the parallax error on the luminescence images, we measured the luminescence images during proton-beam irradiation using a cooled charge-coupled camera by changing the heights of the optical axis of the camera from those of the Bragg peak. When the heights of the optical axis matched to the depths of the Bragg peak, the Bragg peak heights in the depth profiles were the highest. The reflection of the luminescence of water with a black wall phantom was slightly smaller than that with a transparent phantom and changed the shapes of the depth profiles. We conclude that the parallax error significantly affects the heights of the Bragg peak and the reflection of the phantom affects the shapes of depth profiles of the luminescence images of water.

Energy spectrum and dose enhancement due to the depth of the Lipiodol position using flattened and unflattened beams.

PubMed

Kawahara, Daisuke; Ozawa, Shuichi; Saito, Akito; Kimura, Tomoki; Suzuki, Tatsuhiko; Tsuneda, Masato; Tanaka, Sodai; Hioki, Kazunari; Nakashima, Takeo; Ohno, Yoshimi; Murakami, Yuji; Nagata, Yasushi

2018-01-01

Lipiodol was used for stereotactic body radiotherapy combining trans arterial chemoembolization. Lipiodol used for tumour seeking in trans arterial chemoembolization remains in stereotactic body radiation therapy. In our previous study, we reported the dose enhancement effect in Lipiodol with 10× flattening-filter-free (FFF). The objective of our study was to evaluate the dose enhancement and energy spectrum of photons and electrons due to the Lipiodol depth with flattened (FF) and FFF beams. FF and FFF for 6 MV beams from TrueBeam were used in this study. The Lipiodol (3 × 3 × 3 cm 3 ) was located at depths of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 cm in water. The dose enhancement factor (DEF) and the energy fluence were obtained by Monte Carlo calculations of the particle and heavy ion transport code system (PHITS). The DEFs at the centre of Lipiodol with the FF beam were 6.8, 7.3, 7.6, 7.2, 6.1, and 5.7% and those with the FFF beam were 20.6, 22.0, 21.9, 20.0, 12.3, and 12.1% at depths of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 cm, respectively, where Lipiodol was located in water. Moreover, spectrum results showed that more low-energy photons and electrons were present at shallow depth where Lipiodol was located in water. The variation in the low-energy spectrum due to the depth of the Lipiodol position was more explicit with the FFF beam than that with the FF beam. The current study revealed variations in the DEF and energy spectrum due to the depth of the Lipiodol position with the FF and FFF beams. Although the FF beam could reduce the effect of energy dependence due to the depth of the Lipiodol position, the dose enhancement was overall small. To cause a large dose enhancement, the FFF beam with the distance of the patient surface to Lipiodol within 10 cm should be used.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ferreira, C; Ahmad, S; Firestone, B

Purpose: To compare dosimetrically three plan calculation systems (Plato, Varian Brachytherapy, and in-house-made Excel) available for I-125 COMS eye plaque treatment with measurement. Methods: All systems assume homogeneous media and calculations are based on a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates, Plato and Brachytherapy Planning are based on AAPM TG-43 and the in-house Excel program only on inverse square corrections. Doses at specific depths were measured with EBT3 Gafchromic film from a fully loaded and a partially loaded 16 mm plaque (13 and 8 seeds respectively, I-125, model 6711 GE, Oncura). Measurements took place in a water tank, utilizing solid water blocks andmore » a 3D-printed plaque holder. Taking advantage that gafchromic film has low energy dependence, a dose step wedge was delivered with 6 MV photon beam from a Varian 2100 EX linac for calibration. The gray-scale to dose in cGy was obtained with an Epson Expression 10000 XL scanner in the green channel. Treatment plans were generated for doses of 2200 cGy to a depth of 7 mm, and measurements were taken on a sagittal plane. Results: The calculated dose at the prescription point was 2242, 2344, and 2211 cGy with Excel, Brachyvision and Plato respectively for a fully loaded plaque, for the partially loaded plaque the doses were 2266, 2477, and 2193 cGy respectively. At 5 mm depth the doses for Brachyvision and Plato were comparable (3399 and 3267 cGy respectively), however, the measured dose in film was 3180 cGy which was lower by as much as 6.4% in the fully loaded plaque and 7.6% in the partially loaded plaque. Conclusion: Careful methodology and calibration are essential when measuring doses at specific depth due to the sensitivity and rapid dose fall off of I-125.« less

U.S. Geological Survey Combined Well-Bore Flow and Depth-Dependent Water Sampler

USGS Publications Warehouse

Izbicki, John A.; Christensen, Allen H.; Hanson, Randall T.; Martin, Peter; Crawford, Steven M.; Smith, Gregory A.

1999-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a combined well-bore flow and depth-dependent sample collection tool. It is suitable for use in existing production wells having limited access and clearances as small as 1 inch. The combination of well-bore flow and depth-dependent water-quality data is especially effective in assessing changes in aquifer properties and water quality with depth. These are direct measures of changes in well yield and ground-water quality with depth under actual operating conditions. Combinations of other geophysical tools capable of making these measurements, such as vertical-axis current meters used with wire-line samplers, are commercially available but these tools are large and can not easily enter existing production wells.

SU-E-T-50: Automatic Validation of Megavoltage Beams Modeled for Clinical Use in Radiation Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Melchior, M; Salinas Aranda, F; 21st Century Oncology, Ft. Myers, FL

2014-06-01

Purpose: To automatically validate megavoltage beams modeled in XiO™ 4.50 (Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden) and Varian Eclipse™ Treatment Planning Systems (TPS) (Varian Associates, Palo Alto, CA, USA), reducing validation time before beam-on for clinical use. Methods: A software application that can automatically read and analyze DICOM RT Dose and W2CAD files was developed using MatLab integrated development environment.TPS calculated dose distributions, in DICOM RT Dose format, and dose values measured in different Varian Clinac beams, in W2CAD format, were compared. Experimental beam data used were those acquired for beam commissioning, collected on a water phantom with a 2D automatic beam scanningmore » system.Two methods were chosen to evaluate dose distributions fitting: gamma analysis and point tests described in Appendix E of IAEA TECDOC-1583. Depth dose curves and beam profiles were evaluated for both open and wedged beams. Tolerance parameters chosen for gamma analysis are 3% and 3 mm dose and distance, respectively.Absolute dose was measured independently at points proposed in Appendix E of TECDOC-1583 to validate software results. Results: TPS calculated depth dose distributions agree with measured beam data under fixed precision values at all depths analyzed. Measured beam dose profiles match TPS calculated doses with high accuracy in both open and wedged beams. Depth and profile dose distributions fitting analysis show gamma values < 1. Relative errors at points proposed in Appendix E of TECDOC-1583 meet therein recommended tolerances.Independent absolute dose measurements at points proposed in Appendix E of TECDOC-1583 confirm software results. Conclusion: Automatic validation of megavoltage beams modeled for their use in the clinic was accomplished. The software tool developed proved efficient, giving users a convenient and reliable environment to decide whether to accept or not a beam model for clinical use. Validation time before beam-on for clinical use was reduced to a few hours.« less

Dosimetric evaluation of internal shielding in a high dose rate skin applicator

PubMed Central

Granero, Domingo; Perez-Calatayud, Jose; Carmona, Vicente; Pujades, M Carmen; Ballester, Facundo

2011-01-01

Purpose The Valencia HDR applicators are accessories of the microSelectron HDR afterloading system (Nucletron) shaped as truncated cones. The base of the cone is either 2 or 3 cm diameter. They are intended to treat skin lesions, being the typical prescription depth 3 mm. In patients with eyelid lesions, an internal shielding is very useful to reduce the dose to the ocular globe. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the dose enhancement from potential backscatter and electron contamination due to the shielding. Material and methods Two methods were used: a) Monte Carlo simulation, performed with the GEANT4 code, 2 cm Valencia applicator was placed on the surface of a water phantom in which 2 mm lead slab was located at 3 mm depth; b) radiochromic EBT films, used to verify the Monte Carlo results, positioning the films at 1.5, 3, 5 and 7 mm depth, inside the phantom. Two irradiations, with and without the lead shielding slab, were carried out. Results The Monte Carlo results showed that due to the backscatter component from the lead, the dose level raised to about 200% with a depth range of 0.5 mm. Under the lead the dose level was enhanced to about 130% with a depth range of 1 mm. Two millimeters of lead reduce the dose under the slab with about 60%. These results agree with film measurements within uncertainties. Conclusions In conclusion, the use of 2 mm internal lead shielding in eyelid skin treatments with the Valencia applicators were evaluated using MC methods and EBT film dosimetry. The minimum bolus thickness that was needed above and below the shielding was 0.5 mm and 1 mm respectively, and the shielding reduced the absorbed dose delivered to the ocular globe by about 60%. PMID:27877198

Automated medial axis seeding and guided evolutionary simulated annealing for optimization of gamma knife radiosurgery treatment plans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Pengpeng

The Leksell Gamma KnifeRTM (LGK) is a tool for providing accurate stereotactic radiosurgical treatment of brain lesions, especially tumors. Currently, the treatment planning team "forward" plans radiation treatment parameters while viewing a series of 2D MR scans. This primarily manual process is cumbersome and time consuming because the difficulty in visualizing the large search space for the radiation parameters (i.e., shot overlap, number, location, size, and weight). I hypothesize that a computer-aided "inverse" planning procedure that utilizes tumor geometry and treatment goals could significantly improve the planning process and therapeutic outcome of LGK radiosurgery. My basic observation is that the treatment team is best at identification of the location of the lesion and prescribing a lethal, yet safe, radiation dose. The treatment planning computer is best at determining both the 3D tumor geometry and optimal LGK shot parameters necessary to deliver a desirable dose pattern to the tumor while sparing adjacent normal tissue. My treatment planning procedure asks the neurosurgeon to identify the tumor and critical structures in MR images and the oncologist to prescribe a tumoricidal radiation dose. Computer-assistance begins with geometric modeling of the 3D tumor's medial axis properties. This begins with a new algorithm, a Gradient-Phase Plot (G-P Plot) decomposition of the tumor object's medial axis. I have found that medial axis seeding, while insufficient in most cases to produce an acceptable treatment plan, greatly reduces the solution space for Guided Evolutionary Simulated Annealing (GESA) treatment plan optimization by specifying an initial estimate for shot number, size, and location, but not weight. They are used to generate multiple initial plans which become initial seed plans for GESA. The shot location and weight parameters evolve and compete in the GESA procedure. The GESA objective function optimizes tumor irradiation (i.e., as close to the prescribed dose as possible) and minimizes normal tissue and critical structure damage. In tests of five patient data sets (4 acoustic neuromas and 1 meningioma), the G-P Plot/GESA-generated treatment plans improved conformality of the lethal dose to the tumor, required no human interaction, improved dose homogeneity, suggested use of fewer shots, and reduced treatment administration time.

High doses of the histone deacetylase inhibitor sodium butyrate trigger a stress-like response.

PubMed

Gagliano, Humberto; Delgado-Morales, Raul; Sanz-Garcia, Ancor; Armario, Antonio

2014-04-01

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated by a wide range of stimuli, including drugs. Here we report that in male rats, a dose of sodium butyrate (NaBu) that is typically used to inhibit histone deacetylation (1200 mg/kg) increased the peripheral levels of HPA hormones and glucose. In a further experiment, we compared the effects of two different doses of NaBu (200 and 1200 mg/kg) and equimolar saline solutions on peripheral neuroendocrine markers and brain c-Fos expression to demonstrate a specific stress-like effect of NaBu that is not related to hypertonicity and to localise putatively involved brain areas. Only the high dose of NaBu increased the plasma levels of stress markers. The equimolar (hypertonic) saline solution also activated the HPA axis and the c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), a key area for the control of the HPA axis, but the effects were of a lower magnitude than those of NaBu. Regarding other brain areas, group differences in c-Fos expression were not observed in the medial prefrontal cortex or the medial amygdala, but they were observed in the central amygdala and the lateral ventral septum. However, only the latter area of the NaBu group showed enhanced c-Fos expression that was significantly higher than that after hypertonic saline. The present data indicate that high doses of NaBu appear to act as a pharmacological stressor, and this fact should be taken into account when using this drug to study the role of epigenetic processes in learning and emotional behaviour. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

FORGE Milford Triaxial Test Data and Summary from EGI labs

DOE Data Explorer

Joe Moore

2016-03-01

Six samples were evaluated in unconfined and triaxial compression, their data are included in separate excel spreadsheets, and summarized in the word document. Three samples were plugged along the axis of the core (presumed to be nominally vertical) and three samples were plugged perpendicular to the axis of the core. A designation of "V"indicates vertical or the long axis of the plugged sample is aligned with the axis of the core. Similarly, "H" indicates a sample that is nominally horizontal and cut orthogonal to the axis of the core. Stress-strain curves were made before and after the testing, and are included in the word doc.. The confining pressure for this test was 2800 psi. A series of tests are being carried out on to define a failure envelope, to provide representative hydraulic fracture design parameters and for future geomechanical assessments. The samples are from well 52-21, which reaches a maximum depth of 3581 ft +/- 2 ft into a gneiss complex.

Hemodynamic directed cardiopulmonary resuscitation improves short-term survival from ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest.

PubMed

Friess, Stuart H; Sutton, Robert M; Bhalala, Utpal; Maltese, Matthew R; Naim, Maryam Y; Bratinov, George; Weiland, Theodore R; Garuccio, Mia; Nadkarni, Vinay M; Becker, Lance B; Berg, Robert A

2013-12-01

During cardiopulmonary resuscitation, adequate coronary perfusion pressure is essential for establishing return of spontaneous circulation. Current American Heart Association guidelines recommend standardized interval administration of epinephrine for patients in cardiac arrest. The objective of this study was to compare short-term survival using a hemodynamic directed resuscitation strategy versus chest compression depth-directed cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a porcine model of cardiac arrest. Randomized interventional study. Preclinical animal laboratory. Twenty-four 3-month-old female swine. After 7 minutes of ventricular fibrillation, pigs were randomized to receive one of three resuscitation strategies: 1) Hemodynamic directed care (coronary perfusion pressure-20): chest compressions with depth titrated to a target systolic blood pressure of 100 mm Hg and titration of vasopressors to maintain coronary perfusion pressure greater than 20 mm Hg; 2) Depth 33 mm: target chest compression depth of 33 mm with standard American Heart Association epinephrine dosing; or 3) Depth 51 mm: target chest compression depth of 51 mm with standard American Heart Association epinephrine dosing. All animals received manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation guided by audiovisual feedback for 10 minutes before first shock. Forty-five-minute survival was higher in the coronary perfusion pressure-20 group (8 of 8) compared to depth 33 mm (1 of 8) or depth 51 mm (3 of 8) groups; p equals to 0.002. Coronary perfusion pressures were higher in the coronary perfusion pressure-20 group compared to depth 33 mm (p = 0.004) and depth 51 mm (p = 0.006) and in survivors compared to nonsurvivors (p < 0.01). Total epinephrine dosing and defibrillation attempts were not different. Hemodynamic directed resuscitation targeting coronary perfusion pressures greater than 20 mm Hg during 10 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest improves short-term survival, when compared to resuscitation with depth of compressions guided to 33 mm or 51 mm and standard American Heart Association vasopressor dosing.

Measurement of computed tomography dose profile with pitch variation using Gafchromic XR-QA2 and thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Purwaningsih, S.; Lubis, L. E.; Pawiro, S. A.; Soejoko, D. S.

2016-03-01

This research was aimed to check the patterns of dose profile on adult and pediatric head scan. We compared measurement result on dose profile along the z- axis rotation at peripheries and center phantom with a variety of pitch, i.e. 0.75, 1, 1.5 for adult and pediatric head protocol, keeping the rest of the scan parameters constant. Measurements were performed on homogeneous, cylindrical PMMA phantom with diameters of 16 and 10 cm using XR-QA2 Gafchromic film and TLD as dosimeters. The measurement result indicated a decrease in the dose about 50% and 47% for adult and pediatric head scan with the increase of pitch. For 0.75 value of pitch adult head scan, dose range for each position were (2.4 - 5.0) cGy, (3.1 - 5.3) cGy, (2.2 - 4.5) cGy, (2.8 - 5.3) cGy, and (3.3 - 5.6) cGy for position of center, 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock peripheral phantom position respectively. Dose profile for adult and pediatric head scan protocols has pattern curve with the maximum dose in the middle and tendency of symmetry near the edges, with different the plateau length along z- axis direction in accordance to the measurement position in the phantom.

[Radiation dose evaluation in a photon-counting digital mammography unit].

PubMed

Matsubara, Kosuke; Matsumoto, China; Mochiya, Yuko; Toda, Kanako; Noto, Kimiya; Koshida, Kichiro

2014-05-01

The purpose of our study was to evaluate radiation dose and beam quality in photon-counting digital mammography (PCDM) and compare them with those in a full-field digital mammography (FFDM) unit. Dose variation in the X-ray tube axis direction, aluminum half-value layer, average glandular and skin doses, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were evaluated for the PCDM and FFDM units. In PCDM, the dose variation in the X-ray tube axis direction was greater than that in FFDM. At a tube voltage of 28 kV, the first half-value layers were 0.407 mmAl for PCDM, 0.357 mmAl for FFDM with a molybdenum target and molybdenum filter (Mo/Mo), and 0.579 mmAl for FFDM with a tungsten target and rhodium filter (W/Rh). The average glandular doses with 45-mm-equivalent breast thickness were 0.723 mGy for the PCDM, 1.55 mGy for the FFDM with Mo/Mo in low-dose mode, and 0.835 mGy for the FFDM with W/Rh in low-dose mode. In PCDM, the skin dose was equivalent to or lower than that in FFDM. The CNR was 2.65±0.04, 2.35±0.04, and 2.52±0.03 for the PCDM, FFDM with Mo/Mo, and that with W/Rh, respectively. The CNR for PCDM was significantly higher than that for FFDM (p<0.001). It is therefore possible to reduce the radiation dose to the patient by using a PCDM unit while maintaining a significantly higher CNR than with the FFDM unit.

Dosimetric characterization and behaviour in small X-ray fields of a microchamber and a plastic scintillator detector.

PubMed

Pasquino, Massimo; Cutaia, Claudia; Radici, Lorenzo; Valzano, Serena; Gino, Eva; Cavedon, Carlo; Stasi, Michele

2017-01-01

The aim of this work was to investigate the main dosimetric characteristics and the performance of an A26 Exradin ionization microchamber (A26 IC) and a W1 Exradin plastic scintillation detector (W1 PSD) in small photon beam dosimetry for treatment planning system commissioning and quality assurance programme. Detector characterization measurements (short-term stability, dose linearity, angular dependence and energy dependence) were performed in water for field sizes up to 10 × 10 cm 2 . Polarity effect (P pol ) was examined for the A26 IC. The behaviour of the detectors in small field relative dosimetry [percentage depth dose, dose profiles often called the off-axis ratio and output factors (OFs)] was investigated for field sizes ranging from 1 × 1 to 3 × 3 cm 2 . Results were compared with those obtained with other detectors we already use for small photon beam dosimetry. A26 IC and W1 PSD showed a linear dose response. While the A26 IC showed no energy dependence, the W1 PSD showed energy dependence within 2%; no angular dependence was registered. P pol values for A26 IC were below 0.9% (0.5% for field size >2 × 2 cm 2 ). A26 IC and W1 PSD depth-dose curves and lateral profiles agreed with those obtained with an EDGE diode. No differences were observed among the detectors in OF measurement for field sizes larger than 1 × 1 cm 2 , with average differences <1%. For field sizes <1 × 1 cm 2 , the effective volume of ionization chamber and non-water equivalence of EDGE diode become significant. A26 IC OF values were significantly lower than EDGE diode and W1 PSD values, with percentage differences of about -23 and -13% for the smallest field, respectively. W1 PSD OF values lay between ion chambers and diode values, with a maximum percentage difference of about -10% with respect to the EDGE diode, for a 6 × 6-mm 2 field size. The results of our investigation confirm that A26 IC and W1 PSD could play an important role in small field relative dosimetry. Advances in knowledge: Dosimetric characteristics of Exradin A26 ionization microchamber and W1 plastic scintillation detector for small field dosimetry.

ATRAZINE DOES NOT INDUCE GASTROINTESTINAL DISCOMFORT (PICA) IN RATS AT DOSES THAT INCREASE HPA-AXIS ACTIVATION AND CAUSE CONDITIONED TASTE AVERSION.

EPA Science Inventory

Previous work has shown that a single oral administration of atrazine (ATR), a chlorotriazine herbicide, induces dose-dependent increases in plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum corticosterone (CORT), with a NOEL equal to 5mg/kg. The mechanism for these effects ...

Retrospective evaluation of pediatric cranio-spinal axis irradiation plans with the Hi-ART tomotherapy system.

PubMed

Penagaricano, José A; Yan, Yulong; Corry, Peter; Moros, Eduardo; Ratanatharathorn, Vaneerat

2007-08-01

Helical tomotherapy (HT) can be used for the delivery of cranio-spinal axis irradiation (CSAI) without the need for beam matching of conventional linac-based external beam irradiation. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate HT plans used for treatment in nine patients treated with CSAI. Helical tomotherapy cranio-spinal axis irradiation (HT-CSAI) plans were created for each patient. Average length along the cranio-spinal axis of the PTV was 65.6 cm with a range between 53 and 74 cm. Treatment planning optimization and plan evaluation parameters were obtained from the HT planning station for each of the nine patients. PTV coverage by the 95% isodose surface ranged between 98.0 to 100.0% for all nine patients. The clinically acceptable dose variation within the PTV or tolerance range was between 0.7 and 2.5% for all nine patients. Doses to the organs at risk were clinically acceptable. An increasing length along the longitudinal axis of the PTV did not consistently increase the beam-on time indicating that using a larger jaw width had a greater impact on treatment time. With a larger jaw width it is possible to substantially reduce the normalized beam-on treatment time without compromising plan quality and sparing of organs at risk. By using a larger jaw width or lower modulation factor or both, normalized beam-on times were decreased by up to 61% as compared to the other evaluated treatment plans. From the nine cases reported in this study the minimum beam-on time was achieved with a jaw width of 5.0 cm, pitch of 0.287 and a modulation factor of 2.0. Large and long cylindrical volumes can be effectively treated with helical tomotherapy with both clinically acceptable dose distribution and beam-on time.

Depth profiling of ion-induced damage in D9 alloy using X-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dey, S.; Gayathri, N.; Mukherjee, P.

2018-04-01

The ion-induced depthwise damage profile in 35 MeV α-irradiated D9 alloy samples with doses of 5 × 1015 He2+/cm2, 6.4 × 1016 He2+/cm2 and 2 × 1017 He2+/cm2 has been assessed using X-ray diffraction technique. The microstructural characterisation has been done along the depth from beyond the stopping region (peak damage region) to the homogeneous damage region (surface) as simulated from SRIM. The parameters such as domain size and microstrain have been evaluated using two different X-ray diffraction line profile analysis techniques. The results indicate that at low dose the damage profile shows a prominent variation as a function of depth but, with increasing dose, it becomes more homogeneous along the depth. This suggests that enhanced defect diffusion and their annihilation in pre-existing and newly formed sinks play a significant role in deciding the final microstructure of the irradiated sample as a function of depth.

Development of a silicon diode detector for skin dosimetry in radiotherapy.

PubMed

Vicoroski, Nikolina; Espinoza, Anthony; Duncan, Mitchell; Oborn, Bradley M; Carolan, Martin; Metcalfe, Peter; Menichelli, David; Perevertaylo, Vladimir L; Lerch, Michael L F; Rosenfeld, Anatoly B; Petasecca, Marco

2017-10-01

The aim of in vivo skin dosimetry was to measure the absorbed dose to the skin during radiotherapy, when treatment planning calculations cannot be relied on. It is of particularly importance in hypo-fractionated stereotactic modalities, where excessive dose can lead to severe skin toxicity. Currently, commercial diodes for such applications are with water equivalent depths ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 mm. In this study, we investigate a new detector for skin dosimetry based on a silicon epitaxial diode, referred to as the skin diode. The skin diode is manufactured on a thin epitaxial layer and packaged using the "drop-in" technology. It was characterized in terms of percentage depth dose, dose linearity, and dose rate dependence, and benchmarked against the Attix ionization chamber. The response of the skin diode in the build-up region of the percentage depth dose (PDD) curve of a 6 MV clinical photon beam was investigated. Geant4 radiation transport simulations were used to model the PDD in order to estimate the water equivalent measurement depth (WED) of the skin diode. Measured output factors using the skin diode were compared with the MOSkin detector and EBT3 film at 10 cm depth and at surface at isocenter of a water equivalent phantom. The intrinsic angular response of the skin diode was also quantified in charge particle equilibrium conditions (CPE) and at the surface of a solid water phantom. Finally, the radiation hardness of the skin diode up to an accumulated dose of 80 kGy using photons from a Co-60 gamma source was evaluated. The PDD curve measured with the skin diode was within 0.5% agreement of the equivalent Geant4 simulated curve. When placed at the phantom surface, the WED of the skin diode was estimated to be 0.075 ± 0.005 mm from Geant4 simulations and was confirmed using the response of a corrected Attix ionization chamber placed at water equivalent depth of 0.075 mm, with the measurement agreement to within 0.3%. The output factor measurements at 10 cm depth were within 2% of those measured with film and the MOSkin detector down to a field size of 2 × 2 cm 2 . The dose-response for all detector samples was linear and with a repeatability within 0.2%. The skin diode intrinsic angular response showed a maximum deviation of 8% at 90 degrees and from 0 to 60 degree is less than 5%. The radiation sensitivity reduced by 25% after an accumulated dose of 20 kGy but after was found to stabilize. At 60 kGy total accumulated dose the response was within 2% of that measured at 20 kGy total accumulated dose. This work characterizes an innovative detector for in vivo and real-time skin dose measurements that is based on an epitaxial silicon diode combined with the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics (CMRP) "drop-in" packaging technology. The skin diode proved to have a water equivalent depth of measurement of 0.075 ± 0.005 mm and the ability to measure doses accurately relative to reference detectors. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

SU-E-T-756: Tissue Inhomogeneity Corrections in Intra-Operative Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sethi, A; Chinsky, B; Gros, S

Purpose: Investigate the impact of tissue inhomogeneities on dose distributions produced by low-energy X-rays in intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT). Methods: A 50-kV INTRABEAM X-ray device with superficial (Flat and Surface) applicators was commissioned at our institution. For each applicator, percent depth-dose (PDD), dose-profiles (DP) and output factors (OF) were obtained. Calibrated GaFchromic (EBT3) films were used to measure dose distributions in solid water phantom at various depths (2, 5, 10, and 15 mm). All recommended precautions for film-handling, film-exposure and scanning were observed. The effects of tissue inhomogeneities on dose distributions were examined by placing air-cavities and bone and tissue equivalentmore » materials of different density (ρ), atomic number (Z), and thickness (t = 0–4mm) between applicator and film detector. All inhomogeneities were modeled as a cylindrical cavity (diameter 25 mm). Treatment times were calculated to deliver 1Gy dose at 5mm depth. Film results were verified by repeat measurements with a thin-window parallel plate ion-chamber (PTW 34013A) in a water tank. Results: For a Flat-4cm applicator, the measured dose rate at 5mm depth in solid water was 0.35 Gy/min. Introduction of a cylindrical air-cavity resulted in an increased dose past the inhomogeneity. Compared to tissue equivalent medium, dose enhancement due to 1mm, 2mm, 3mm and 4mm air cavities was 10%, 16%, 24%, and 35% respectively. X-ray attenuation by 2mm thick cortical bone resulted in a significantly large (58%) dose decrease. Conclusion: IORT dose calculations assume homogeneous tissue equivalent medium. However, soft X-rays are easily affected by non-tissue equivalent materials. The results of this study may be used to estimate and correct IORT dose delivered in the presence of tissue inhomogeneities.« less

Comparative evaluation of Kodak EDR2 and XV2 films for verification of intensity modulated radiation therapy.

PubMed

Dogan, Nesrin; Leybovich, Leonid B; Sethi, Anil

2002-11-21

Film dosimetry provides a convenient tool to determine dose distributions, especially for verification of IMRT plans. However, the film response to radiation shows a significant dependence on depth, energy and field size that compromise the accuracy of measurements. Kodak's XV2 film has a low saturation dose (approximately 100 cGy) and, consequently, a relatively short region of linear dose-response. The recently introduced Kodak extended range EDR2 film was reported to have a linear dose-response region extending to 500 cGy. This increased dose range may be particularly useful in the verification of IMRT plans. In this work, the dependence of Kodak EDR2 film's response on the depth, field size and energy was evaluated and compared with Kodak XV2 film. Co-60, 6 MV, 10 MV and 18 MV beams were used. Field sizes were 2 x 2, 6 x 6, 10 x 10, 14 x 14, 18 x 18 and 24 x 24 cm2. Doses for XV2 and EDR2 films were 80 cGy and 300 cGy, respectively. Optical density was converted to dose using depth-corrected sensitometric (Hurter and Driffield, or H&D) curves. For each field size, XV2 and EDR2 depth-dose curves were compared with ion chamber depth-dose curves. Both films demonstrated similar (within 1%) field size dependence. The deviation from the ion chamber for both films was small forthe fields ranging from 2 x 2 to 10 x 10 cm2: < or =2% for 6, 10 and 18 MV beams. No deviation was observed for the Co-60 beam. As the field size increased to 24 x 24 cm2, the deviation became significant for both films: approximately 7.5% for Co-60, approximately 5% for 6 MV and 10 MV, and approximately 6% for 18 MV. During the verification of IMRT plans, EDR2 film showed a better agreement with the calculated dose distributions than the XV2 film.

Detachment Fault Behavior Revealed by Micro-Seismicity at 13°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parnell-Turner, R. E.; Sohn, R. A.; MacLeod, C. J.; Peirce, C.; Reston, T. J.; Searle, R. C.

2016-12-01

Under certain tectono-magmatic conditions, crustal accretion and extension at slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges is accommodated by low-angle detachment faults. While it is now generally accepted that oceanic detachments initiate on steeply dipping faults that rotate to low-angles at shallow depths, many details of their kinematics remain unknown. Debate has continued between a "continuous" model, where a single, undulating detachment surface underlies an entire ridge segment, and a "discrete" (or discontinuous) model, where detachments are spatially restricted and ephemeral. Here we present results from a passive microearthquake study of detachment faulting at the 13°N region of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This study is one component of a joint US-UK seismic study to constrain the sub-surface structure and 3-dimensional geometry of oceanic detachment faults. We detected over 300,000 microearthquakes during a 6-month deployment of 25 ocean bottom seismographs. Events are concentrated in two 1-2 km wide ridge-parallel bands, located between the prominent corrugated detachment fault surface at 13°20'N and the present-day spreading axis, separated by a 1-km wide patch of reduced seismicity. These two bands are 7-8 km in length parallel to the ridge and are clearly limited in spatial extent to the north and south. Events closest to the axis are generally at depths of 6-8 km, while those nearest to the oceanic detachment fault are shallower, at 4-6 km. There is an overall trend of deepening seismicity northwards, with events occurring progressively deeper by 4 km over an along-axis length of 8 km. Events are typically very small, and range in local magnitude from ML -1 to 3. Focal mechanisms indicate two modes of deformation, with extension nearest to the axis and compression at shallower depths near to the detachment fault termination.

SU-F-T-193: Evaluation of a GPU-Based Fast Monte Carlo Code for Proton Therapy Biological Optimization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Taleei, R; Qin, N; Jiang, S

2016-06-15

Purpose: Biological treatment plan optimization is of great interest for proton therapy. It requires extensive Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to compute physical dose and biological quantities. Recently, a gPMC package was developed for rapid MC dose calculations on a GPU platform. This work investigated its suitability for proton therapy biological optimization in terms of accuracy and efficiency. Methods: We performed simulations of a proton pencil beam with energies of 75, 150 and 225 MeV in a homogeneous water phantom using gPMC and FLUKA. Physical dose and energy spectra for each ion type on the central beam axis were scored. Relativemore » Biological Effectiveness (RBE) was calculated using repair-misrepair-fixation model. Microdosimetry calculations were performed using Monte Carlo Damage Simulation (MCDS). Results: Ranges computed by the two codes agreed within 1 mm. Physical dose difference was less than 2.5 % at the Bragg peak. RBE-weighted dose agreed within 5 % at the Bragg peak. Differences in microdosimetric quantities such as dose average lineal energy transfer and specific energy were < 10%. The simulation time per source particle with FLUKA was 0.0018 sec, while gPMC was ∼ 600 times faster. Conclusion: Physical dose computed by FLUKA and gPMC were in a good agreement. The RBE differences along the central axis were small, and RBE-weighted dose difference was found to be acceptable. The combined accuracy and efficiency makes gPMC suitable for proton therapy biological optimization.« less

Long-term erythemal UV doses at Sodankylä estimated using total ozone, sunshine duration, and snow depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindfors, A. V.; Arola, A.; Kaurola, J.; Taalas, P.; SvenøE, T.

2003-08-01

A method for estimating daily erythemal UV doses using total ozone, sunshine duration, and snow depth has been developed. The method consists of three steps: (1) daily clear-sky UV doses were simulated using the UVSPEC radiative transfer program, with daily values of total ozone as input data, (2) an empirical relationship was sought between the simulated clear-sky UV doses, the measured UV doses, and the duration of bright sunshine, and (3) daily erythemal UV doses were estimated using this relationship. The method accounts for the varying surface albedo by dividing the period of interest into winter and summer days, depending on the snow depth. Using this method, the daily erythemal UV doses at Sodankylä were estimated for the period 1950-1999. This was done using Tromsø's total ozone together with Sodankylä's own sunshine duration and snow depth as input data. Although the method is fairly simple, the results are in good agreement, even on the daily scale, with the UV radiation measured with the Brewer spectrophotometer at Sodankylä. Over the period 1950-1999 a statistically significant increasing trend of 3.9% per decade in erythemal UV doses was found for March. The fact that this trend is much more pronounced during the latter part of the period, which is also the case for April, suggests a connection to the stratospheric ozone depletion. For July, on the other hand, a significant decreasing trend of 3.3% per decade, supported by the changes in both total ozone and sunshine duration, was found.

Surface buildup dose dependence on photon field delivery technique for IMRT

PubMed Central

Yokoyama, Shigeru; Roberson, Peter L.; Litzenberg, Dale W.; Moran, Jean M.; Fraass, Benedick A.

2004-01-01

The more complex delivery techniques required for implementation of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) based on inverse planning optimization have changed the relationship between dose at depth and dose at buildup regions near the surface. Surface buildup dose is dependent on electron contamination primarily from the unblocked view of the flattening filter and secondarily from air and collimation systems. To evaluate the impact of beam segmentation on buildup dose, measurements were performed with 10×10 cm2 fields, which were delivered with 3 static 3.5×10 cm2 or 3×10 cm2 strips, 5 static 2×10 cm2 strips, 10 static 1×10 cm2 strips, and 1.1×10 cm2 dynamic delivery, compared with a 10×10 cm2 open field. Measurements were performed in water and Solid Water using parallel plate chambers, a stereotactic diode, and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) for a 6 MV X‐ray beam. Depth doses at 2 mm depth (relative to dose at 10 cm depth) were lower by 6%, 7%, 11%, and 10% for the above field delivery techniques, respectively, compared to the open field. These differences are most influenced by differences in multileaf collimator (MLC) transmission contributing to the useful beam. An example IMRT field was also studied to assess variations due to delivery technique (static vs. dynamic) and intensity level. Buildup dose is weakly dependent on the multileaf delivery technique for efficient IMRT fields. PACS numbers: 87.53.‐j, 87.53.Dq PMID:15738914

Fast focus-scanning head in two-photon photoacoustic microscopy with electrically controlled liquid lens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamaoka, Yoshihisa; Kimura, Yuka; Harada, Yoshinori; Takamatsu, Tetsuro; Takahashi, Eiji

2018-02-01

Conventional one-photon photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) utilizes high-frequency components of generated photoacoustic waves to improve the depth resolution. However, to obtain optically-high resolution in PAM in the depth direction, the use of high-frequency ultrasonic waves is to be avoided. It is because that the propagation distance is shortened as the frequency of ultrasonic waves becomes high. To overcome this drawback, we have proposed and developed two-photon photoacoustic microscopy (TP-PAM). Two-photon absorption occurs only at the focus point. TPPAM does not need to use the high-frequency components of photoacoustic waves. Thus, TP-PAM can improve the penetration depth while preserving the spatial resolution. However, the image acquisition time of TP-PAM is longer than that of conventional PAM, because TP-PAM needs to scan the laser spot both in the depth and transverse directions to obtain cross-sectional images. In this paper, we have introduced a focus-tunable electrically-controlled liquid lens in TP-PAM. Instead of a mechanical stepping-motor stage, we employed electrically-controlled liquid lens so that the depth of the focus spot can be quickly changed. In our system, the imaging speed of TP-PAM using the liquid lens and one-axis stepping-motor stage was 10 times faster than that using a two-axis stepping-motor stage only. TP-PAM with focus-scanning head consisting of the liquid lens and stepping-motor stage will be a promising method to investigate the inside of living tissues.

Peripheral Dose Heterogeneity Due to the Thread Effect in Total Marrow Irradiation With Helical Tomotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takahashi, Yutaka; Verneris, Michael R.; Dusenbery, Kathryn E.

Purpose: To report potential dose heterogeneity leading to underdosing at different skeletal sites in total marrow irradiation (TMI) with helical tomotherapy due to the thread effect and provide possible solutions to reduce this effect. Methods and Materials: Nine cases were divided into 2 groups based on patient size, defined as maximum left-to-right arm distance (mLRD): small mLRD (≤47 cm) and large mLRD (>47 cm). TMI treatment planning was conducted by varying the pitch and modulation factor while a jaw size (5 cm) was kept fixed. Ripple amplitude, defined as the peak-to-trough dose relative to the average dose due to themore » thread effect, and the dose–volume histogram (DVH) parameters for 9 cases with various mLRD was analyzed in different skeletal regions at off-axis (eg, bones of the arm or femur), at the central axis (eg, vertebrae), and planning target volume (PTV), defined as the entire skeleton plus 1-cm margin. Results: Average ripple amplitude for a pitch of 0.430, known as one of the magic pitches that reduce thread effect, was 9.2% at 20 cm off-axis. No significant differences in DVH parameters of PTV, vertebrae, or femur were observed between small and large mLRD groups for a pitch of ≤0.287. Conversely, in the bones of the arm, average differences in the volume receiving 95% and 107% dose (V95 and V107, respectively) between large and small mLRD groups were 4.2% (P=.016) and 16% (P=.016), respectively. Strong correlations were found between mLRD and ripple amplitude (rs=.965), mLRD and V95 (rs=−.742), and mLRD and V107 (rs=.870) of bones of the arm. Conclusions: Thread effect significantly influences DVH parameters in the bones of the arm for large mLRD patients. By implementing a favorable pitch value and adjusting arm position, peripheral dose heterogeneity could be reduced.« less

Improving spot-scanning proton therapy patient specific quality assurance with HPlusQA, a second-check dose calculation engine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mackin, Dennis; Li, Yupeng; Taylor, Michael B.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate the use of HPlusQA, spot-scanning proton therapy (SSPT) dose calculation software developed at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, as second-check dose calculation software for patient-specific quality assurance (PSQA). The authors also showed how HPlusQA can be used within the current PSQA framework.Methods: The authors compared the dose calculations of HPlusQA and the Eclipse treatment planning system with 106 planar dose measurements made as part of PSQA. To determine the relative performance and the degree of correlation between HPlusQA and Eclipse, the authors compared calculated with measured point doses.more » Then, to determine how well HPlusQA can predict when the comparisons between Eclipse calculations and the measured dose will exceed tolerance levels, the authors compared gamma index scores for HPlusQA versus Eclipse with those of measured doses versus Eclipse. The authors introduce the αβγ transformation as a way to more easily compare gamma scores.Results: The authors compared measured and calculated dose planes using the relative depth, z/R × 100%, where z is the depth of the measurement and R is the proton beam range. For relative depths than less than 80%, both Eclipse and HPlusQA calculations were within 2 cGy of dose measurements on average. When the relative depth was greater than 80%, the agreement between the calculations and measurements fell to 4 cGy. For relative depths less than 10%, the Eclipse and HPlusQA dose discrepancies showed a negative correlation, −0.21. Otherwise, the correlation between the dose discrepancies was positive and as large as 0.6. For the dose planes in this study, HPlusQA correctly predicted when Eclipse had and had not calculated the dose to within tolerance 92% and 79% of the time, respectively. In 4 of 106 cases, HPlusQA failed to predict when the comparison between measurement and Eclipse's calculation had exceeded the tolerance levels of 3% for dose and 3 mm for distance-to-agreement.Conclusions: The authors found HPlusQA to be reasonably effective (79%± 10%) in determining when the comparison between measured dose planes and the dose planes calculated by the Eclipse treatment planning system had exceeded the acceptable tolerance levels. When used as described in this study, HPlusQA can reduce the need for patient specific quality assurance measurements by 64%. The authors believe that the use of HPlusQA as a dose calculation second check can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the QA process.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paudel, M R; Beachey, D J; Sarfehnia, A

Purpose: A new commercial GPU-based Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm (GPUMCD) developed by the vendor Elekta™ to be used in the Monaco Treatment Planning System (TPS) is capable of modeling dose for both a standard linear accelerator and for an Elekta MRI-Linear accelerator (modeling magnetic field effects). We are evaluating this algorithm in two parts: commissioning the algorithm for an Elekta Agility linear accelerator (the focus of this work) and evaluating the algorithm’s ability to model magnetic field effects for an MRI-linear accelerator. Methods: A beam model was developed in the Monaco TPS (v.5.09.06) using the commissioned beam data formore » a 6MV Agility linac. A heterogeneous phantom representing tumor-in-lung, lung, bone-in-tissue, and prosthetic was designed/built. Dose calculations in Monaco were done using the current clinical algorithm (XVMC) and the new GPUMCD algorithm (1 mm3 voxel size, 0.5% statistical uncertainty) and in the Pinnacle TPS using the collapsed cone convolution (CCC) algorithm. These were compared with the measured doses using an ionization chamber (A1SL) and Gafchromic EBT3 films for 2×2 cm{sup 2}, 5×5 cm{sup 2}, and 10×10 cm{sup 2} field sizes. Results: The calculated central axis percentage depth doses (PDDs) in homogeneous solid water were within 2% compared to measurements for XVMC and GPUMCD. For tumor-in-lung and lung phantoms, doses calculated by all of the algorithms were within the experimental uncertainty of the measurements (±2% in the homogeneous phantom and ±3% for the tumor-in-lung or lung phantoms), except for 2×2 cm{sup 2} field size where only the CCC algorithm differs from film by 5% in the lung region. The analysis for bone-in-tissue and the prosthetic phantoms are ongoing. Conclusion: The new GPUMCD algorithm calculated dose comparable to both the XVMC algorithm and to measurements in both a homogeneous solid water medium and the heterogeneous phantom representing lung or tumor-in-lung for 2×2 cm{sup 2}-10×10 cm{sup 2} field sizes. Funding support was obtained from Elekta.« less

A simple calculation method for determination of equivalent square field

PubMed Central

Shafiei, Seyed Ali; Hasanzadeh, Hadi; Shafiei, Seyed Ahmad

2012-01-01

Determination of the equivalent square fields for rectangular and shielded fields is of great importance in radiotherapy centers and treatment planning software. This is accomplished using standard tables and empirical formulas. The goal of this paper is to present a formula based on analysis of scatter reduction due to inverse square law to obtain equivalent field. Tables are published by different agencies such as ICRU (International Commission on Radiation Units and measurements), which are based on experimental data; but there exist mathematical formulas that yield the equivalent square field of an irregular rectangular field which are used extensively in computation techniques for dose determination. These processes lead to some complicated and time-consuming formulas for which the current study was designed. In this work, considering the portion of scattered radiation in absorbed dose at a point of measurement, a numerical formula was obtained based on which a simple formula was developed to calculate equivalent square field. Using polar coordinate and inverse square law will lead to a simple formula for calculation of equivalent field. The presented method is an analytical approach based on which one can estimate the equivalent square field of a rectangular field and may be used for a shielded field or an off-axis point. Besides, one can calculate equivalent field of rectangular field with the concept of decreased scatter radiation with inverse square law with a good approximation. This method may be useful in computing Percentage Depth Dose and Tissue-Phantom Ratio which are extensively used in treatment planning. PMID:22557801

SU-E-J-64: Feasibility Study of Surgical Clips for Fiducial Tracking in CyberKnife System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, H; Yoon, J; Lee, E

Purpose: To investigate the ability of CyberKnife to track surgical clips used as fiducial markers. Methods: The Octavius 1000SRS detector and solid water (RW3) slab phantom were used with motion platform to evaluate the study. The RW3 slab phantom was set up to measure the dose distribution from coronal plane. It consists of 9 plates and the thickness of each plate is 10mm. Among them, one plate was attached with 3 surgical clips, which are orthogonally positioned on outer region of array. The length of attached clip was represented as 1cm on planning CT. The clip plate was placed onmore » the 1000SRS detector and 3 slabs were stacked up on the plate to build the measuring depth. Below the detector, 5 slabs were set. The two-axis motion platform was programmed with 1D sinusoidal movement (20mm peak-to-peak, 3s period) toward superior/inferior and left/right directions to simulate target motion. During delivery, two clips were extracted by two X-ray imagers, which led to translational error correction only. Synchrony was also used for dynamic tracking. After the irradiation, the measured dose distribution of coronal plane was compared with the planar dose distribution calculated by the CyberKnife treatment planning system (Multiplan) for cross verification. The results were assessed by comparing the absolute Gamma (γ) index. Results: The dose distributions measured by the 1000SRS detector were in good agreements with those calculated by Multiplan. In the dosimetric comparison using γ-function criteria based on the distance-to-agreement of 3mm and the local dose difference of 3%, the passing rate with γ- parameter ≤1 was 91% in coronal plane. Conclusion: The surgical clips can be considered as new fiducials for robotic radiosurgery delivery by considering the target margin with less than 5mm.« less

Full range line-field parallel swept source imaging utilizing digital refocusing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fechtig, Daniel J.; Kumar, Abhishek; Drexler, Wolfgang; Leitgeb, Rainer A.

2015-12-01

We present geometric optics-based refocusing applied to a novel off-axis line-field parallel swept source imaging (LPSI) system. LPSI is an imaging modality based on line-field swept source optical coherence tomography, which permits 3-D imaging at acquisition speeds of up to 1 MHz. The digital refocusing algorithm applies a defocus-correcting phase term to the Fourier representation of complex-valued interferometric image data, which is based on the geometrical optics information of the LPSI system. We introduce the off-axis LPSI system configuration, the digital refocusing algorithm and demonstrate the effectiveness of our method for refocusing volumetric images of technical and biological samples. An increase of effective in-focus depth range from 255 μm to 4.7 mm is achieved. The recovery of the full in-focus depth range might be especially valuable for future high-speed and high-resolution diagnostic applications of LPSI in ophthalmology.

Experimental depth dose curves of a 67.5 MeV proton beam for benchmarking and validation of Monte Carlo simulation

PubMed Central

Faddegon, Bruce A.; Shin, Jungwook; Castenada, Carlos M.; Ramos-Méndez, José; Daftari, Inder K.

2015-01-01

Purpose: To measure depth dose curves for a 67.5 ± 0.1 MeV proton beam for benchmarking and validation of Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: Depth dose curves were measured in 2 beam lines. Protons in the raw beam line traversed a Ta scattering foil, 0.1016 or 0.381 mm thick, a secondary emission monitor comprised of thin Al foils, and a thin Kapton exit window. The beam energy and peak width and the composition and density of material traversed by the beam were known with sufficient accuracy to permit benchmark quality measurements. Diodes for charged particle dosimetry from two different manufacturers were used to scan the depth dose curves with 0.003 mm depth reproducibility in a water tank placed 300 mm from the exit window. Depth in water was determined with an uncertainty of 0.15 mm, including the uncertainty in the water equivalent depth of the sensitive volume of the detector. Parallel-plate chambers were used to verify the accuracy of the shape of the Bragg peak and the peak-to-plateau ratio measured with the diodes. The uncertainty in the measured peak-to-plateau ratio was 4%. Depth dose curves were also measured with a diode for a Bragg curve and treatment beam spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) on the beam line used for eye treatment. The measurements were compared to Monte Carlo simulation done with geant4 using topas. Results: The 80% dose at the distal side of the Bragg peak for the thinner foil was at 37.47 ± 0.11 mm (average of measurement with diodes from two different manufacturers), compared to the simulated value of 37.20 mm. The 80% dose for the thicker foil was at 35.08 ± 0.15 mm, compared to the simulated value of 34.90 mm. The measured peak-to-plateau ratio was within one standard deviation experimental uncertainty of the simulated result for the thinnest foil and two standard deviations for the thickest foil. It was necessary to include the collimation in the simulation, which had a more pronounced effect on the peak-to-plateau ratio for the thicker foil. The treatment beam, being unfocussed, had a broader Bragg peak than the raw beam. A 1.3 ± 0.1 MeV FWHM peak width in the energy distribution was used in the simulation to match the Bragg peak width. An additional 1.3–2.24 mm of water in the water column was required over the nominal values to match the measured depth penetration. Conclusions: The proton Bragg curve measured for the 0.1016 mm thick Ta foil provided the most accurate benchmark, having a low contribution of proton scatter from upstream of the water tank. The accuracy was 0.15% in measured beam energy and 0.3% in measured depth penetration at the Bragg peak. The depth of the distal edge of the Bragg peak in the simulation fell short of measurement, suggesting that the mean ionization potential of water is 2–5 eV higher than the 78 eV used in the stopping power calculation for the simulation. The eye treatment beam line depth dose curves provide validation of Monte Carlo simulation of a Bragg curve and SOBP with 4%/2 mm accuracy. PMID:26133619

Phase pupil functions for focal-depth enhancement derived from a Wigner distribution function.

PubMed

Zalvidea, D; Sicre, E E

1998-06-10

A method for obtaining phase-retardation functions, which give rise to an increase of the image focal depth, is proposed. To this end, the Wigner distribution function corresponding to a specific aperture that has an associated small depth of focus in image space is conveniently sheared in the phase-space domain to generate a new Wigner distribution function. From this new function a more uniform on-axis image irradiance can be accomplished. This approach is illustrated by comparison of the imaging performance of both the derived phase function and a previously reported logarithmic phase distribution.

An information-theoretic approach to designing the plane spacing for multifocal plane microscopy

PubMed Central

Tahmasbi, Amir; Ram, Sripad; Chao, Jerry; Abraham, Anish V.; Ward, E. Sally; Ober, Raimund J.

2015-01-01

Multifocal plane microscopy (MUM) is a 3D imaging modality which enables the localization and tracking of single molecules at high spatial and temporal resolution by simultaneously imaging distinct focal planes within the sample. MUM overcomes the depth discrimination problem of conventional microscopy and allows high accuracy localization of a single molecule in 3D along the z-axis. An important question in the design of MUM experiments concerns the appropriate number of focal planes and their spacings to achieve the best possible 3D localization accuracy along the z-axis. Ideally, it is desired to obtain a 3D localization accuracy that is uniform over a large depth and has small numerical values, which guarantee that the single molecule is continuously detectable. Here, we address this concern by developing a plane spacing design strategy based on the Fisher information. In particular, we analyze the Fisher information matrix for the 3D localization problem along the z-axis and propose spacing scenarios termed the strong coupling and the weak coupling spacings, which provide appropriate 3D localization accuracies. Using these spacing scenarios, we investigate the detectability of the single molecule along the z-axis and study the effect of changing the number of focal planes on the 3D localization accuracy. We further review a software module we recently introduced, the MUMDesignTool, that helps to design the plane spacings for a MUM setup. PMID:26113764

The small-animal radiation research platform (SARRP): dosimetry of a focused lens system.

PubMed

Deng, Hua; Kennedy, Christopher W; Armour, Elwood; Tryggestad, Erik; Ford, Eric; McNutt, Todd; Jiang, Licai; Wong, John

2007-05-21

A small animal radiation platform equipped with on-board cone-beam CT and conformal irradiation capabilities is being constructed for translational research. To achieve highly localized dose delivery, an x-ray lens is used to focus the broad beam from a 225 kVp x-ray tube down to a beam with a full width half maximum (FWHM) of approximately 1.5 mm in the energy range 40-80 keV. Here, we report on the dosimetric characteristics of the focused beam from the x-ray lens subsystem for high-resolution dose delivery. Using the metric of the average dose within a 1.5 mm diameter area, the dose rates at a source-to-surface distance (SSD) of 34 cm are 259 and 172 cGy min(-1) at 6 mm and 2 cm depths, respectively, with an estimated uncertainty of +/-5%. The per cent depth dose is approximately 56% at 2 cm depth for a beam at 34 cm SSD.

Characterization of a MOSkin detector for in vivo skin dose measurements during interventional radiology procedures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Safari, M. J.; Wong, J. H. D.; Ng, K. H., E-mail: ngkh@um.edu.my

2015-05-15

Purpose: The MOSkin is a MOSFET detector designed especially for skin dose measurements. This detector has been characterized for various factors affecting its response for megavoltage photon beams and has been used for patient dose measurements during radiotherapy procedures. However, the characteristics of this detector in kilovoltage photon beams and low dose ranges have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to characterize the MOSkin detector to determine its suitability for in vivo entrance skin dose measurements during interventional radiology procedures. Methods: The calibration and reproducibility of the MOSkin detector and its dependency on different radiation beam qualitiesmore » were carried out using RQR standard radiation qualities in free-in-air geometry. Studies of the other characterization parameters, such as the dose linearity and dependency on exposure angle, field size, frame rate, depth-dose, and source-to-surface distance (SSD), were carried out using a solid water phantom under a clinical x-ray unit. Results: The MOSkin detector showed good reproducibility (94%) and dose linearity (99%) for the dose range of 2 to 213 cGy. The sensitivity did not significantly change with the variation of SSD (±1%), field size (±1%), frame rate (±3%), or beam energy (±5%). The detector angular dependence was within ±5% over 360° and the dose recorded by the MOSkin detector in different depths of a solid water phantom was in good agreement with the Markus parallel plate ionization chamber to within ±3%. Conclusions: The MOSkin detector proved to be reliable when exposed to different field sizes, SSDs, depths in solid water, dose rates, frame rates, and radiation incident angles within a clinical x-ray beam. The MOSkin detector with water equivalent depth equal to 0.07 mm is a suitable detector for in vivo skin dosimetry during interventional radiology procedures.« less

Characterization of a MOSkin detector for in vivo skin dose measurements during interventional radiology procedures.

PubMed

Safari, M J; Wong, J H D; Ng, K H; Jong, W L; Cutajar, D L; Rosenfeld, A B

2015-05-01

The MOSkin is a MOSFET detector designed especially for skin dose measurements. This detector has been characterized for various factors affecting its response for megavoltage photon beams and has been used for patient dose measurements during radiotherapy procedures. However, the characteristics of this detector in kilovoltage photon beams and low dose ranges have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to characterize the MOSkin detector to determine its suitability for in vivo entrance skin dose measurements during interventional radiology procedures. The calibration and reproducibility of the MOSkin detector and its dependency on different radiation beam qualities were carried out using RQR standard radiation qualities in free-in-air geometry. Studies of the other characterization parameters, such as the dose linearity and dependency on exposure angle, field size, frame rate, depth-dose, and source-to-surface distance (SSD), were carried out using a solid water phantom under a clinical x-ray unit. The MOSkin detector showed good reproducibility (94%) and dose linearity (99%) for the dose range of 2 to 213 cGy. The sensitivity did not significantly change with the variation of SSD (± 1%), field size (± 1%), frame rate (± 3%), or beam energy (± 5%). The detector angular dependence was within ± 5% over 360° and the dose recorded by the MOSkin detector in different depths of a solid water phantom was in good agreement with the Markus parallel plate ionization chamber to within ± 3%. The MOSkin detector proved to be reliable when exposed to different field sizes, SSDs, depths in solid water, dose rates, frame rates, and radiation incident angles within a clinical x-ray beam. The MOSkin detector with water equivalent depth equal to 0.07 mm is a suitable detector for in vivo skin dosimetry during interventional radiology procedures.

Definition of the supraclavicular and infraclavicular nodes: implications for three-dimensional CT-based conformal radiation therapy.

PubMed

Madu, C N; Quint, D J; Normolle, D P; Marsh, R B; Wang, E Y; Pierce, L J

2001-11-01

To delineate with computed tomography (CT) the anatomic regions containing the supraclavicular (SCV) and infraclavicular (IFV) nodal groups, to define the course of the brachial plexus, to estimate the actual radiation dose received by these regions in a series of patients treated in the traditional manner, and to compare these doses to those received with an optimized dosimetric technique. Twenty patients underwent contrast material-enhanced CT for the purpose of radiation therapy planning. CT scans were used to study the location of the SCV and IFV nodal regions by using outlining of readily identifiable anatomic structures that define the nodal groups. The brachial plexus was also outlined by using similar methods. Radiation therapy doses to the SCV and IFV were then estimated by using traditional dose calculations and optimized planning. A repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to compare the SCV and IFV depths and to compare the doses achieved with the traditional and optimized methods. Coverage by the 90% isodose surface was significantly decreased with traditional planning versus conformal planning as the depth to the SCV nodes increased (P < .001). Significantly decreased coverage by using the 90% isodose surface was demonstrated for traditional planning versus conformal planning with increasing IFV depth (P = .015). A linear correlation was found between brachial plexus depth and SCV depth up to 7 cm. Conformal optimized planning provided improved dosimetric coverage compared with standard techniques.

Safety assessment of 4'-thio-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine in the beagle dog suggests a drug-induced centrally mediated effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

PubMed

Colagiovanni, Dorothy B; Drolet, Daniel W; Dihel, Larry; Meyer, Dennis J; Hart, Karen; Wolf, Julie

2006-01-01

4'-Thio-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (OSI-7836) is a nucleoside analogue with structural similarity to gemcitabine and cytarabine (ara-C). Myelosuppression, reversible transaminase elevations, and flu-like symptoms are common side effects associated with human use of gemcitabine and ara-C. Fatigue is also associated with the use of gemcitabine and OSI-7836 in humans. To better understand the toxicity of OSI-7836, subchronic studies were conducted in dogs. OSI-7836 was administered on days 1 and 8 or on days 1, 2, and 3 of a 21-day dose regimen. These schedules attempted to match clinical trial dosing regimens. Routine toxicity study end points demonstrated that OSI-7836 was primarily cytotoxic to the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, and testes; the myelotoxicity was mild and reversible. Plasma pharmacokinetics were dose-linear with an elimination half-life of 2.2 h. Follow-up single dose experiments in dogs assessed drug effects on lymphocyte subpopulations and on adrenal and thyroid function. Populations of T and B cells were equally reduced following OSI-7836 administration. There were no adverse effects on thyroid function, but there were marked reductions in circulating cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations suggesting a centrally mediated impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. These findings show a toxicological profile with OSI-7836 similar to other nucleoside analogues and suggest that the beagle is a model for studying one possible cause of OSI-7836-related fatigue, impaired function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Dosimetric properties of a proton beamline dedicated to the treatment of ocular disease

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Slopsema, R. L., E-mail: rslopsema@floridaproton.org; Mamalui, M.; Yeung, D.

2014-01-15

Purpose: A commercial proton eyeline has been developed to treat ocular disease. Radiotherapy of intraocular lesions (e.g., uveal melanoma, age-related macular degeneration) requires sharp dose gradients to avoid critical structures like the macula and optic disc. A high dose rate is needed to limit patient gazing times during delivery of large fractional dose. Dose delivery needs to be accurate and predictable, not in the least because current treatment planning algorithms have limited dose modeling capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to determine the dosimetric properties of a new proton eyeline. These properties are compared to those of existing systemsmore » and evaluated in the context of the specific clinical requirements of ocular treatments. Methods: The eyeline is part of a high-energy, cyclotron-based proton therapy system. The energy at the entrance of the eyeline is 105 MeV. A range modulator (RM) wheel generates the spread-out Bragg peak, while a variable range shifter system adjusts the range and spreads the beam laterally. The range can be adjusted from 0.5 up to 3.4 g/cm{sup 2}; the modulation width can be varied in steps of 0.3 g/cm{sup 2} or less. Maximum field diameter is 2.5 cm. All fields can be delivered with a dose rate of 30 Gy/min or more. The eyeline is calibrated according to the IAEA TRS-398 protocol using a cylindrical ionization chamber. Depth dose distributions and dose/MU are measured with a parallel-plate ionization chamber; lateral profiles with radiochromic film. The dose/MU is modeled as a function of range, modulation width, and instantaneous MU rate with fit parameters determined per option (RM wheel). Results: The distal fall-off of the spread-out Bragg peak is 0.3 g/cm{sup 2}, larger than for most existing systems. The lateral penumbra varies between 0.9 and 1.4 mm, except for fully modulated fields that have a larger penumbra at skin. The source-to-axis distance is found to be 169 cm. The dose/MU shows a strong dependence on range (up to 4%/mm). A linear increase in dose/MU as a function of instantaneous MU rate is observed. The dose/MU model describes the measurements with an accuracy of ±2%. Neutron dose is found to be 146 ± 102 μSv/Gy at the contralateral eye and 19 ± 13 μSv/Gy at the chest. Conclusions: Measurements show the proton eyeline meets the requirements to effectively treat ocular disease.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Slopsema, R. L., E-mail: rslopsema@floridaproton.org; Mamalui, M.; Yeung, D.

Purpose: A commercial proton eyeline has been developed to treat ocular disease. Radiotherapy of intraocular lesions (e.g., uveal melanoma, age-related macular degeneration) requires sharp dose gradients to avoid critical structures like the macula and optic disc. A high dose rate is needed to limit patient gazing times during delivery of large fractional dose. Dose delivery needs to be accurate and predictable, not in the least because current treatment planning algorithms have limited dose modeling capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to determine the dosimetric properties of a new proton eyeline. These properties are compared to those of existing systemsmore » and evaluated in the context of the specific clinical requirements of ocular treatments. Methods: The eyeline is part of a high-energy, cyclotron-based proton therapy system. The energy at the entrance of the eyeline is 105 MeV. A range modulator (RM) wheel generates the spread-out Bragg peak, while a variable range shifter system adjusts the range and spreads the beam laterally. The range can be adjusted from 0.5 up to 3.4 g/cm{sup 2}; the modulation width can be varied in steps of 0.3 g/cm{sup 2} or less. Maximum field diameter is 2.5 cm. All fields can be delivered with a dose rate of 30 Gy/min or more. The eyeline is calibrated according to the IAEA TRS-398 protocol using a cylindrical ionization chamber. Depth dose distributions and dose/MU are measured with a parallel-plate ionization chamber; lateral profiles with radiochromic film. The dose/MU is modeled as a function of range, modulation width, and instantaneous MU rate with fit parameters determined per option (RM wheel). Results: The distal fall-off of the spread-out Bragg peak is 0.3 g/cm{sup 2}, larger than for most existing systems. The lateral penumbra varies between 0.9 and 1.4 mm, except for fully modulated fields that have a larger penumbra at skin. The source-to-axis distance is found to be 169 cm. The dose/MU shows a strong dependence on range (up to 4%/mm). A linear increase in dose/MU as a function of instantaneous MU rate is observed. The dose/MU model describes the measurements with an accuracy of ±2%. Neutron dose is found to be 146 ± 102 μSv/Gy at the contralateral eye and 19 ± 13 μSv/Gy at the chest. Conclusions: Measurements show the proton eyeline meets the requirements to effectively treat ocular disease.« less

Dose dependency of time of onset of radiation-induced growth hormone deficiency

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Clayton, P.E.; Shalet, S.M.

1991-02-01

Growth hormone (GH) secretion during insulin-induced hypoglycemia was assessed on 133 occasions in 82 survivors of childhood malignant disease. All had received cranial irradiation with a dose range to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis of 27 to 47.5 Gy (estimated by a schedule of 16 fractions over 3 weeks) and had been tested on one or more occasions between 0.2 and 18.9 years after treatment. Results of one third of the GH tests were defined as normal (GH peak response, greater than 15 mU/L) within the first 5 years, in comparison with 16% after 5 years. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showedmore » that dose (p = 0.007) and time from irradiation (p = 0.03), but not age at therapy, had a significant influence on peak GH responses. The late incidence of GH deficiency was similar over the whole dose range (4 of 26 GH test results normal for less than 30 Gy and 4 of 25 normal for greater than or equal to 30 Gy after 5 years), but the speed of onset over the first years was dependent on dose. We conclude that the requirement for GH replacement therapy and the timing of its introduction will be influenced by the dose of irradiation received by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.« less

SU-F-T-565: Assessment of Dosimetric Accuracy for a 3D Gel-Based Dosimetry Service

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rosen, B; Lam, K; Moran, J

Purpose: To assess the 3D dosimetric accuracy when using a mail-in service for square and stereotactic fields in a clinical environment. Methods: The 3D dosimetry mail-in service (3DDaaS), offered by Modus QA (London, ON), was used to measure dose distributions from a 6 MV beam of a Varian Clinac. Plastic jars filled with radiosensitive ClearView™ gel were received, CT scanned (for registration and density information), irradiated, and then mailed back to the manufacturer for optical CT readout. Three square field irradiations (2×2, 4×4, and 10×10 cm{sup 2}) were performed with jars immobilized in a water tank, and a composite small-fieldmore » stereotactic delivery was performed using an in-air holder. Dosimetric properties of the gel were quantified within the 25–50 Gy dose range using 3D optical attenuation (OA) distributions provided by the manufacturer. OA was normalized to 100% at the position of isocenter, which received 40Gy. Percentage depth dose, profiles, and 3D gamma distributions (3%/1mm criteria) were calculated to quantify feasibility for relative dosimetry. Results: Mean CT-measured density in the central (3×3×3) cm{sup 3} gel region was 40 ± 3 HU, indicating good homogeneity and near-water-equivalence. Measured and calculated central axis doses agreed to within ±3% in the 25–50 Gy dose range. For the square field irradiations, dose profiles agreed to within 1mm. Gamma analysis of the composite irradiation yielded 99.8%, 91.4%, and 79.1% passing rates for regions receiving at least 10, 5, and 2 Gy, respectively, indicating feasibility for use in high-dose regions. Absolute response varied by up to 16% between jars, indicating limitations for absolute dosimetry under the mail-in conditions. Conclusion: 3DDaaS is a novel near-water-equivalent dosimetry system accurate to within 3% dose and 1mm 3D spatial resolution, and is straightforward to use in a clinical setting. Future investigations are warranted to improve dosimeter response in low-dose regions. The authors would like to thank ModusQA (London, ON) for providing the gels and optical readouts used this work. This work was partially funded by NIH P01CA059827.« less

Evaluation of the dosimetric properties of a diode detector for small field proton radiosurgery

PubMed Central

Teran, Anthony V.; Slater, Jerry D.; Slater, James M.; Wroe, Andrew J.

2015-01-01

The small fields and sharp gradients typically encountered in proton radiosurgery require high spatial resolution dosimetric measurements, especially below 1–2 cm diameters. Radiochromic film provides high resolution, but requires postprocessing and special handling. Promising alternatives are diode detectors with small sensitive volumes (SV) that are capable of high resolution and real‐time dose acquisition. In this study we evaluated the PTW PR60020 proton dosimetry diode using radiation fields and beam energies relevant to radiosurgery applications. Energies of 127 and 157 MeV (9.7 to 15 cm range) and initial diameters of 8, 10, 12, and 20 mm were delivered using single‐stage scattering and four modulations (0, 15, 30, and 60 mm) to a water tank in our treatment room. Depth dose and beam profile data were compared with PTW Markus N23343 ionization chamber, EBT2 Gafchromic film, and Monte Carlo simulations. Transverse dose profiles were measured using the diode in "edge‐on" orientation or EBT2 film. Diode response was linear with respect to dose, uniform with dose rate, and showed an orientation‐dependent (i.e., beam parallel to, or perpendicular to, detector axis) response of less than 1%. Diode vs. Markus depth‐dose profiles, as well as Markus relative dose ratio vs. simulated dose‐weighted average lineal energy plots, suggest that any LET‐dependent diode response is negligible from particle entrance up to the very distal portion of the SOBP for the energies tested. Finally, while not possible with the ionization chamber due to partial volume effects, accurate diode depth‐dose measurements of 8, 10, and 12 mm diameter beams were obtained compared to Monte Carlo simulations. Because of the small SV that allows measurements without partial volume effects and the capability of submillimeter resolution (in edge‐on orientation) that is crucial for small fields and high‐dose gradients (e.g., penumbra, distal edge), as well as negligible LET dependence over nearly the full the SOBP, the PTW proton diode proved to be a useful high‐resolution, real‐time metrology device for small proton field radiation measurements such as would be encountered in radiosurgery applications. PACS numbers: 87.56.‐v, 87.56.jf, 87.56.Fc PMID:26699554

SU-E-T-554: Comparison of Electron Disequilibrium Factor in External Photon Beams for Different Models of Linear Accelerators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

LIU, B; Zhu, T

Purpose: The dose in the buildup region of a photon beam is usually determined by the transport of the primary secondary electrons and the contaminating electrons from accelerator head. This can be quantified by the electron disequilibrium factor, E, defined as the ratio between total dose and equilibrium dose (proportional to total kerma), E = 1 in regions beyond buildup region. Ecan be different among accelerators of different models and/or manufactures of the same machine. This study compares E in photon beams from different machine models/ Methods: Photon beam data such as fractional depth dose curve (FDD) and phantom scattermore » factors as a function of field size and phantom depth were measured for different Linac machines. E was extrapolated from these fractional depth dose data while taking into account inverse-square law. The ranges of secondary electron were chosen as 3 and 6 cm for 6 and 15 MV photon beams, respectively. The field sizes range from 2x2 to 40x40 cm{sup 2}. Results: The comparison indicates the standard deviations of electron contamination among different machines are about 2.4 - 3.3% at 5 mm depth for 6 MV and 1.2 - 3.9% at 1 cm depth for 15 MV for the same field size. The corresponding maximum deviations are 3.0 - 4.6% and 2 - 4% for 6 and 15 MV, respectively. Both standard and maximum deviations are independent of field sizes in the buildup region for 6 MV photons, and slightly decreasing with increasing field size at depths up to 1 cm for 15 MV photons. Conclusion: The deviations of electron disequilibrium factor for all studied Linacs are less than 3% beyond the depth of 0.5 cm for the photon beams for the full range of field sizes (2-40 cm) so long as they are from the same manufacturer.« less

Absolute dosimetry on a dynamically scanned sample for synchrotron radiotherapy using graphite calorimetry and ionization chambers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lye, J. E.; Harty, P. D.; Butler, D. J.; Crosbie, J. C.; Livingstone, J.; Poole, C. M.; Ramanathan, G.; Wright, T.; Stevenson, A. W.

2016-06-01

The absolute dose delivered to a dynamically scanned sample in the Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL) on the Australian Synchrotron was measured with a graphite calorimeter anticipated to be established as a primary standard for synchrotron dosimetry. The calorimetry was compared to measurements using a free-air chamber (FAC), a PTW 31 014 Pinpoint ionization chamber, and a PTW 34 001 Roos ionization chamber. The IMBL beam height is limited to approximately 2 mm. To produce clinically useful beams of a few centimetres the beam must be scanned in the vertical direction. In practice it is the patient/detector that is scanned and the scanning velocity defines the dose that is delivered. The calorimeter, FAC, and Roos chamber measure the dose area product which is then converted to central axis dose with the scanned beam area derived from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and film measurements. The Pinpoint chamber measures the central axis dose directly and does not require beam area measurements. The calorimeter and FAC measure dose from first principles. The calorimetry requires conversion of the measured absorbed dose to graphite to absorbed dose to water using MC calculations with the EGSnrc code. Air kerma measurements from the free air chamber were converted to absorbed dose to water using the AAPM TG-61 protocol. The two ionization chambers are secondary standards requiring calibration with kilovoltage x-ray tubes. The Roos and Pinpoint chambers were calibrated against the Australian primary standard for air kerma at the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). Agreement of order 2% or better was obtained between the calorimetry and ionization chambers. The FAC measured a dose 3-5% higher than the calorimetry, within the stated uncertainties.

Thyroid axis disruption in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) exposed to the flame retardant β-tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (β-TBECH) via the diet.

PubMed

Park, Bradley J; Palace, Vince; Wautier, Kerry; Gemmill, Bonnie; Tomy, Gregg

2011-09-15

Tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (TBECH) is an additive brominated flame retardant used in domestic and industrial applications. It has been detected in wildlife, and there is early evidence that it is an endocrine disruptor. Whereas other brominated flame retardants with similar physicochemical properties have been shown to disrupt the thyroid axis, no such evaluation has been conducted for TBECH. To elucidate this, juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) were fed either a control diet or diets containing low, medium, or high doses of β-TBECH, the isomer most frequently detected in wildlife, for 56 days (uptake phase) followed by a control diet for an additional 77 days (depuration phase). Eight fish per treatment were lethally sampled on uptake days 7, 14, 21, 35, 49, and 56 and on depuration days 7, 21, 35, 49, and 77 to assess fish condition, circulating free and total triiodothyronine and thyroxine, and thyroid epithelial cell height. Although there was no effect on condition factor, there was a significant reduction in total plasma thyroxine in the high dose group and a significant increase in mean thyroid epithelial cell height in the low, medium, and high dose groups during the uptake phase, whereas there were no differences in the depuration phase. These results indicate that β-TBECH may modulate the thyroid axis in fish at environmentally relevant concentrations.

A new method for designing dual foil electron beam forming systems. II. Feasibility of practical implementation of the method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adrich, Przemysław

2016-05-01

In Part I of this work a new method for designing dual foil electron beam forming systems was introduced. In this method, an optimal configuration of the dual foil system is found by means of a systematic, automatized scan of system performance in function of its parameters. At each point of the scan, Monte Carlo method is used to calculate the off-axis dose profile in water taking into account detailed and complete geometry of the system. The new method, while being computationally intensive, minimizes the involvement of the designer. In this Part II paper, feasibility of practical implementation of the new method is demonstrated. For this, a prototype software tools were developed and applied to solve a real life design problem. It is demonstrated that system optimization can be completed within few hours time using rather moderate computing resources. It is also demonstrated that, perhaps for the first time, the designer can gain deep insight into system behavior, such that the construction can be simultaneously optimized in respect to a number of functional characteristics besides the flatness of the off-axis dose profile. In the presented example, the system is optimized in respect to both, flatness of the off-axis dose profile and the beam transmission. A number of practical issues related to application of the new method as well as its possible extensions are discussed.

Comparison of depth-dose distributions of proton therapeutic beams calculated by means of logical detectors and ionization chamber modeled in Monte Carlo codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pietrzak, Robert; Konefał, Adam; Sokół, Maria; Orlef, Andrzej

2016-08-01

The success of proton therapy depends strongly on the precision of treatment planning. Dose distribution in biological tissue may be obtained from Monte Carlo simulations using various scientific codes making it possible to perform very accurate calculations. However, there are many factors affecting the accuracy of modeling. One of them is a structure of objects called bins registering a dose. In this work the influence of bin structure on the dose distributions was examined. The MCNPX code calculations of Bragg curve for the 60 MeV proton beam were done in two ways: using simple logical detectors being the volumes determined in water, and using a precise model of ionization chamber used in clinical dosimetry. The results of the simulations were verified experimentally in the water phantom with Marcus ionization chamber. The average local dose difference between the measured relative doses in the water phantom and those calculated by means of the logical detectors was 1.4% at first 25 mm, whereas in the full depth range this difference was 1.6% for the maximum uncertainty in the calculations less than 2.4% and for the maximum measuring error of 1%. In case of the relative doses calculated with the use of the ionization chamber model this average difference was somewhat greater, being 2.3% at depths up to 25 mm and 2.4% in the full range of depths for the maximum uncertainty in the calculations of 3%. In the dose calculations the ionization chamber model does not offer any additional advantages over the logical detectors. The results provided by both models are similar and in good agreement with the measurements, however, the logical detector approach is a more time-effective method.

SU-E-I-04: Improving CT Quality for Radiation Therapy of Patients with High Body Mass Index Using Iterative Reconstruction Algorithms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Noid, G; Tai, A; Li, X

2015-06-15

Purpose: Iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms are developed to improve CT image quality (IQ) by reducing noise without diminishing spatial resolution or contrast. The CT IQ for patients with a high Body Mass Index (BMI) can suffer from increased noise due to photon starvation. The purpose of this study is to investigate and to quantify the IQ enhancement for high BMI patients through the application of IR algorithms. Methods: CT raw data collected for 6 radiotherapy (RT) patients with BMI, greater than or equal to 30 were retrospectively analyzed. All CT data were acquired using a CT scanner (Somaton Definition ASmore » Open, Siemens) installed in a linac room (CT-on-rails) using standard imaging protocols. The CT data were reconstructed using the Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction (SAFIRE) and Filtered Back Projection (FBP) methods. IQ metrics of the obtained CTs were compared and correlated with patient depth and BMI. The patient depth was defined as the largest distance from anterior to posterior along the bilateral symmetry axis. Results: IR techniques are demonstrated to preserve contrast and reduce noise in comparison to traditional FBP. Driven by the reduction in noise, the contrast to noise ratio is roughly doubled by adopting the highest SAFIRE strength. A significant correlation was observed between patient depth and IR noise reduction through Pearson’s correlation test (R = 0.9429/P = 0.0167). The mean patient depth was 30.4 cm and the average relative noise reduction for the strongest iterative reconstruction was 55%. Conclusion: The IR techniques produce a measureable enhancement to CT IQ by reducing the noise. Dramatic noise reduction is evident for the high BMI patients. The improved CT IQ enables more accurate delineation of tumors and organs at risk and more accuarte dose calculations for RT planning and delivery guidance. Supported by Siemens.« less

SU-E-T-13: Comparison of Dose Rates with and without Gold Backing of USC #9 Radioactive Eye Plaque Using MCNP5.

PubMed

Aryal, P; Molloy, J

2012-06-01

To show the effect of gold backing on dose rates for the USC #9 radioactive eye plaque. An I125 source (IsoAid model IAI-125A) and gold backing was modeled using MCNP5 Monte Carlo code. A single iodine seed was simulated with and without gold backing. Dose rates were calculated in two orthogonal planes. Dose calculation points were structured in two orthogonal planes that bisect the center of the source. A 2×2 cm matrix of spherical points of radius 0.2 mm was created in a water phantom of 10 cm radius. 0.2 billion particle histories were tracked. Dose differences with and without the gold backing were analyzed using Matlab. The gold backing produced a 3% increase in the dose rate near the source surface (<1mm) relative to that without the backing. This was presumably caused by fluorescent photons from the gold. At distances between 1 and 2 cm, the gold backing reduced the dose rate by up to 12%, which we attribute to a lack of scatter resulting from the attenuation from the gold. Dose differences were most pronounced in the radial direction near the source center but off axis. The dose decreased by 25%, 65% and 81% at 1, 2, and 3 mm off axis at a distance of 1 mm from the source surface. These effects were less pronounced in the perpendicular dimension near the source tip, where maximum dose decreases of 2% were noted. I 125 sources embedded directly into gold troughs display dose differences of 2 - 90%, relative to doses without the gold backing. This is relevant for certain types of plaques used in treatment of ocular melanoma. Large dose reductions can be observed and may have implications for scleral dose reduction. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Helium ions at the heidelberg ion beam therapy center: comparisons between FLUKA Monte Carlo code predictions and dosimetric measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tessonnier, T.; Mairani, A.; Brons, S.; Sala, P.; Cerutti, F.; Ferrari, A.; Haberer, T.; Debus, J.; Parodi, K.

2017-08-01

In the field of particle therapy helium ion beams could offer an alternative for radiotherapy treatments, owing to their interesting physical and biological properties intermediate between protons and carbon ions. We present in this work the comparisons and validations of the Monte Carlo FLUKA code against in-depth dosimetric measurements acquired at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT). Depth dose distributions in water with and without ripple filter, lateral profiles at different depths in water and a spread-out Bragg peak were investigated. After experimentally-driven tuning of the less known initial beam characteristics in vacuum (beam lateral size and momentum spread) and simulation parameters (water ionization potential), comparisons of depth dose distributions were performed between simulations and measurements, which showed overall good agreement with range differences below 0.1 mm and dose-weighted average dose-differences below 2.3% throughout the entire energy range. Comparisons of lateral dose profiles showed differences in full-width-half-maximum lower than 0.7 mm. Measurements of the spread-out Bragg peak indicated differences with simulations below 1% in the high dose regions and 3% in all other regions, with a range difference less than 0.5 mm. Despite the promising results, some discrepancies between simulations and measurements were observed, particularly at high energies. These differences were attributed to an underestimation of dose contributions from secondary particles at large angles, as seen in a triple Gaussian parametrization of the lateral profiles along the depth. However, the results allowed us to validate FLUKA simulations against measurements, confirming its suitability for 4He ion beam modeling in preparation of clinical establishment at HIT. Future activities building on this work will include treatment plan comparisons using validated biological models between proton and helium ions, either within a Monte Carlo treatment planning engine based on the same FLUKA code, or an independent analytical planning system fed with a validated database of inputs calculated with FLUKA.

Helium ions at the heidelberg ion beam therapy center: comparisons between FLUKA Monte Carlo code predictions and dosimetric measurements.

PubMed

Tessonnier, T; Mairani, A; Brons, S; Sala, P; Cerutti, F; Ferrari, A; Haberer, T; Debus, J; Parodi, K

2017-08-01

In the field of particle therapy helium ion beams could offer an alternative for radiotherapy treatments, owing to their interesting physical and biological properties intermediate between protons and carbon ions. We present in this work the comparisons and validations of the Monte Carlo FLUKA code against in-depth dosimetric measurements acquired at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT). Depth dose distributions in water with and without ripple filter, lateral profiles at different depths in water and a spread-out Bragg peak were investigated. After experimentally-driven tuning of the less known initial beam characteristics in vacuum (beam lateral size and momentum spread) and simulation parameters (water ionization potential), comparisons of depth dose distributions were performed between simulations and measurements, which showed overall good agreement with range differences below 0.1 mm and dose-weighted average dose-differences below 2.3% throughout the entire energy range. Comparisons of lateral dose profiles showed differences in full-width-half-maximum lower than 0.7 mm. Measurements of the spread-out Bragg peak indicated differences with simulations below 1% in the high dose regions and 3% in all other regions, with a range difference less than 0.5 mm. Despite the promising results, some discrepancies between simulations and measurements were observed, particularly at high energies. These differences were attributed to an underestimation of dose contributions from secondary particles at large angles, as seen in a triple Gaussian parametrization of the lateral profiles along the depth. However, the results allowed us to validate FLUKA simulations against measurements, confirming its suitability for 4 He ion beam modeling in preparation of clinical establishment at HIT. Future activities building on this work will include treatment plan comparisons using validated biological models between proton and helium ions, either within a Monte Carlo treatment planning engine based on the same FLUKA code, or an independent analytical planning system fed with a validated database of inputs calculated with FLUKA.

A 3D correction method for predicting the readings of a PinPoint chamber on the CyberKnife® M6™ machine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yongqian; Brandner, Edward; Ozhasoglu, Cihat; Lalonde, Ron; Heron, Dwight E.; Saiful Huq, M.

2018-02-01

The use of small fields in radiation therapy techniques has increased substantially in particular in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). However, as field size reduces further still, the response of the detector changes more rapidly with field size, and the effects of measurement uncertainties become increasingly significant due to the lack of lateral charged particle equilibrium, spectral changes as a function of field size, detector choice, and subsequent perturbations of the charged particle fluence. This work presents a novel 3D dose volume-to-point correction method to predict the readings of a 0.015 cc PinPoint chamber (PTW 31014) for both small static-fields and composite-field dosimetry formed by fixed cones on the CyberKnife® M6™ machine. A 3D correction matrix is introduced to link the 3D dose distribution to the response of the PinPoint chamber in water. The parameters of the correction matrix are determined by modeling its 3D dose response in circular fields created using the 12 fixed cones (5 mm-60 mm) on a CyberKnife® M6™ machine. A penalized least-square optimization problem is defined by fitting the calculated detector reading to the experimental measurement data to generate the optimal correction matrix; the simulated annealing algorithm is used to solve the inverse optimization problem. All the experimental measurements are acquired for every 2 mm chamber shift in the horizontal planes for each field size. The 3D dose distributions for the measurements are calculated using the Monte Carlo calculation with the MultiPlan® treatment planning system (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). The performance evaluation of the 3D conversion matrix is carried out by comparing the predictions of the output factors (OFs), off-axis ratios (OARs) and percentage depth dose (PDD) data to the experimental measurement data. The discrepancy of the measurement and the prediction data for composite fields is also performed for clinical SRS plans. The optimization algorithm used for generating the optimal correction factors is stable, and the resulting correction factors were smooth in the spatial domain. The measurement and prediction of OFs agree closely with percentage differences of less than 1.9% for all the 12 cones. The discrepancies between the prediction and the measurement PDD readings at 50 mm and 80 mm depth are 1.7% and 1.9%, respectively. The percentage differences of OARs between measurement and prediction data are less than 2% in the low dose gradient region, and 2%/1 mm discrepancies are observed within the high dose gradient regions. The differences between the measurement and prediction data for all the CyberKnife based SRS plans are less than 1%. These results demonstrate the existence and efficiency of the novel 3D correction method for small field dosimetry. The 3D correction matrix links the 3D dose distribution and the reading of the PinPoint chamber. The comparison between the predicted reading and the measurement data for static small fields (OFs, OARs and PDDs) yield discrepancies within 2% for low dose gradient regions and 2%/1 mm for high dose gradient regions; the discrepancies between the predicted and the measurement data are less than 1% for all the SRS plans. The 3D correction method provides an access to evaluate the clinical measurement data and can be applied to non-standard composite fields intensity modulated radiation therapy point dose verification.

Effect of patient size on radiation dose for abdominal MDCT with automatic tube current modulation: phantom study.

PubMed

Schindera, Sebastian T; Nelson, Rendon C; Toth, Thomas L; Nguyen, Giao T; Toncheva, Greta I; DeLong, David M; Yoshizumi, Terry T

2008-02-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in a phantom study the effect of patient size on radiation dose for abdominal MDCT with automatic tube current modulation. One or two 4-cm-thick circumferential layers of fat-equivalent material were added to the abdomen of an anthropomorphic phantom to simulate patients of three sizes: small (cross-sectional dimensions, 18 x 22 cm), average size (26 x 30 cm), and oversize (34 x 38 cm). Imaging was performed with a 64-MDCT scanner with combined z-axis and xy-axis tube current modulation according to two protocols: protocol A had a noise index of 12.5 H, and protocol B, 15.0 H. Radiation doses to three abdominal organs and the skin were assessed. Image noise also was measured. Despite increasing patient size, the image noise measured was similar for protocol A (range, 11.7-12.2 H) and protocol B (range, 13.9-14.8 H) (p > 0.05). With the two protocols, in comparison with the dose of the small patient, the abdominal organ doses of the average-sized patient and the oversized patient increased 161.5-190.6%and 426.9-528.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). The skin dose increased as much as 268.6% for the average-sized patient and 816.3% for the oversized patient compared with the small patient (p < 0.001). Oversized patients undergoing abdominal MDCT with tube current modulation receive significantly higher doses than do small patients. The noise index needs to be adjusted to the body habitus to ensure dose efficiency.

Real-Time Amplitude and Phase Imaging of Optically Opaque Objects by Combining Full-Field Off-Axis Terahertz Digital Holography with Angular Spectrum Reconstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamagiwa, Masatomo; Ogawa, Takayuki; Minamikawa, Takeo; Abdelsalam, Dahi Ghareab; Okabe, Kyosuke; Tsurumachi, Noriaki; Mizutani, Yasuhiro; Iwata, Testuo; Yamamoto, Hirotsugu; Yasui, Takeshi

2018-06-01

Terahertz digital holography (THz-DH) has the potential to be used for non-destructive inspection of visibly opaque soft materials due to its good immunity to optical scattering and absorption. Although previous research on full-field off-axis THz-DH has usually been performed using Fresnel diffraction reconstruction, its minimum reconstruction distance occasionally prevents a sample from being placed near a THz imager to increase the signal-to-noise ratio in the hologram. In this article, we apply the angular spectrum method (ASM) for wavefront reconstruction in full-filed off-axis THz-DH because ASM is more accurate at short reconstruction distances. We demonstrate real-time phase imaging of a visibly opaque plastic sample with a phase resolution power of λ/49 at a frame rate of 3.5 Hz in addition to real-time amplitude imaging. We also perform digital focusing of the amplitude image for the same object with a depth selectivity of 447 μm. Furthermore, 3D imaging of visibly opaque silicon objects was achieved with a depth precision of 1.7 μm. The demonstrated results indicate the high potential of the proposed method for in-line or in-process non-destructive inspection of soft materials.

Real-Time Amplitude and Phase Imaging of Optically Opaque Objects by Combining Full-Field Off-Axis Terahertz Digital Holography with Angular Spectrum Reconstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamagiwa, Masatomo; Ogawa, Takayuki; Minamikawa, Takeo; Abdelsalam, Dahi Ghareab; Okabe, Kyosuke; Tsurumachi, Noriaki; Mizutani, Yasuhiro; Iwata, Testuo; Yamamoto, Hirotsugu; Yasui, Takeshi

2018-04-01

Terahertz digital holography (THz-DH) has the potential to be used for non-destructive inspection of visibly opaque soft materials due to its good immunity to optical scattering and absorption. Although previous research on full-field off-axis THz-DH has usually been performed using Fresnel diffraction reconstruction, its minimum reconstruction distance occasionally prevents a sample from being placed near a THz imager to increase the signal-to-noise ratio in the hologram. In this article, we apply the angular spectrum method (ASM) for wavefront reconstruction in full-filed off-axis THz-DH because ASM is more accurate at short reconstruction distances. We demonstrate real-time phase imaging of a visibly opaque plastic sample with a phase resolution power of λ/49 at a frame rate of 3.5 Hz in addition to real-time amplitude imaging. We also perform digital focusing of the amplitude image for the same object with a depth selectivity of 447 μm. Furthermore, 3D imaging of visibly opaque silicon objects was achieved with a depth precision of 1.7 μm. The demonstrated results indicate the high potential of the proposed method for in-line or in-process non-destructive inspection of soft materials.

A methodology for TLD postal dosimetry audit of high-energy radiotherapy photon beams in non-reference conditions.

PubMed

Izewska, Joanna; Georg, Dietmar; Bera, Pranabes; Thwaites, David; Arib, Mehenna; Saravi, Margarita; Sergieva, Katia; Li, Kaibao; Yip, Fernando Garcia; Mahant, Ashok Kumar; Bulski, Wojciech

2007-07-01

A strategy for national TLD audit programmes has been developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It involves progression through three sequential dosimetry audit steps. The first step audits are for the beam output in reference conditions for high-energy photon beams. The second step audits are for the dose in reference and non-reference conditions on the beam axis for photon and electron beams. The third step audits involve measurements of the dose in reference, and non-reference conditions off-axis for open and wedged symmetric and asymmetric fields for photon beams. Through a co-ordinated research project the IAEA developed the methodology to extend the scope of national TLD auditing activities to more complex audit measurements for regular fields. Based on the IAEA standard TLD holder for high-energy photon beams, a TLD holder was developed with horizontal arm to enable measurements 5cm off the central axis. Basic correction factors were determined for the holder in the energy range between Co-60 and 25MV photon beams. New procedures were developed for the TLD irradiation in hospitals. The off-axis measurement methodology for photon beams was tested in a multi-national pilot study. The statistical distribution of dosimetric parameters (off-axis ratios for open and wedge beam profiles, output factors, wedge transmission factors) checked in 146 measurements was 0.999+/-0.012. The methodology of TLD audits in non-reference conditions with a modified IAEA TLD holder has been shown to be feasible.

Emotional exhaustion and overcommitment to work are differentially associated with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses to a low-dose ACTH1-24 (Synacthen) and dexamethasone-CRH test in healthy school teachers.

PubMed

Wolfram, Maren; Bellingrath, Silja; Feuerhahn, Nicolas; Kudielka, Brigitte M

2013-01-01

Evidence for a detrimental impact of chronic work stress on health has accumulated in epidemiological research. Recent studies indicate altered hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation as a possible biological pathway underlying the link between stress and disease. However, the direction of dysregulation remains unclear, with reported HPA hyper- or hyporeactivity. To disentangle potential effects on different functional levels in the HPA axis, we examined responses using two pharmacological stimulation tests in 53 healthy teachers (31 females, 22 males; mean age: 49.3 years; age range: 30-64 years): a low-dose adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH(1-24), Synacthen) test was used to assess adrenal cortex sensitivity and the combined dexamethasone-corticotropin releasing hormone (DEX-CRH) test to examine pituitary and adrenal cortex reactivity. Blood and saliva samples were collected at - 1,+15,+30,+45,+60,+90,+120 min. Emotional exhaustion (EE), the core dimension of burnout, was measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Overcommitment (OC) was assessed according to Siegrist's effort-reward-imbalance model. We found a significant association between EE and higher plasma cortisol profiles after Synacthen (p = 0.045). By contrast, OC was significantly associated with attenuated ACTH (p = 0.045), plasma cortisol (p = 0.005), and salivary cortisol (p = 0.023) concentrations following DEX-CRH. Results support the notion of altered HPA axis regulation in chronically work-stressed teachers, with differential patterns of hyper- and hyporeactivity depending on individual stress condition and the tested functional level of the HPA axis.

New Technique for Developing a Proton Range Compensator With Use of a 3-Dimensional Printer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ju, Sang Gyu, E-mail: sg.ju@samsung.com; Kim, Min Kyu; Hong, Chae-Seon

2014-02-01

Purpose: A new system for manufacturing a proton range compensator (RC) was developed by using a 3-dimensional printer (3DP). The physical accuracy and dosimetric characteristics of the new RC manufactured by 3DP (RC{sub 3}DP) were compared with those of a conventional RC (RC{sub C}MM) manufactured by a computerized milling machine (CMM). Methods and Materials: An RC for brain tumor treatment with a scattered proton beam was calculated with a treatment planning system, and the resulting data were converted into a new format for 3DP using in-house software. The RC{sub 3}DP was printed with ultraviolet curable acrylic plastic, and an RC{submore » C}MM was milled into polymethylmethacrylate using a CMM. The inner shape of both RCs was scanned by using a 3D scanner and compared with TPS data by applying composite analysis (CA; with 1-mm depth difference and 1 mm distance-to-agreement criteria) to verify their geometric accuracy. The position and distal penumbra of distal dose falloff at the central axis and field width of the dose profile at the midline depth of spread-out Bragg peak were measured for the 2 RCs to evaluate their dosimetric characteristics. Both RCs were imaged on a computed tomography scanner to evaluate uniformity of internal density. The manufacturing times for both RCs were compared to evaluate the production efficiency. Results: The pass rates for the CA test were 99.5% and 92.5% for RC{sub 3}DP and RC{sub C}MM, respectively. There was no significant difference in dosimetric characteristics and uniformity of internal density between the 2 RCs. The net fabrication times of RC{sub 3}DP and RC{sub C}MM were about 18 and 3 hours, respectively. Conclusions: The physical accuracy and dosimetric characteristics of RC{sub 3}DP were comparable with those of the conventional RC{sub C}MM, and significant system minimization was provided.« less

Evaluation of the influence of double and triple Gaussian proton kernel models on accuracy of dose calculations for spot scanning technique.

PubMed

Hirayama, Shusuke; Takayanagi, Taisuke; Fujii, Yusuke; Fujimoto, Rintaro; Fujitaka, Shinichiro; Umezawa, Masumi; Nagamine, Yoshihiko; Hosaka, Masahiro; Yasui, Keisuke; Omachi, Chihiro; Toshito, Toshiyuki

2016-03-01

The main purpose in this study was to present the results of beam modeling and how the authors systematically investigated the influence of double and triple Gaussian proton kernel models on the accuracy of dose calculations for spot scanning technique. The accuracy of calculations was important for treatment planning software (TPS) because the energy, spot position, and absolute dose had to be determined by TPS for the spot scanning technique. The dose distribution was calculated by convolving in-air fluence with the dose kernel. The dose kernel was the in-water 3D dose distribution of an infinitesimal pencil beam and consisted of an integral depth dose (IDD) and a lateral distribution. Accurate modeling of the low-dose region was important for spot scanning technique because the dose distribution was formed by cumulating hundreds or thousands of delivered beams. The authors employed a double Gaussian function as the in-air fluence model of an individual beam. Double and triple Gaussian kernel models were also prepared for comparison. The parameters of the kernel lateral model were derived by fitting a simulated in-water lateral dose profile induced by an infinitesimal proton beam, whose emittance was zero, at various depths using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. The fitted parameters were interpolated as a function of depth in water and stored as a separate look-up table. These stored parameters for each energy and depth in water were acquired from the look-up table when incorporating them into the TPS. The modeling process for the in-air fluence and IDD was based on the method proposed in the literature. These were derived using MC simulation and measured data. The authors compared the measured and calculated absolute doses at the center of the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) under various volumetric irradiation conditions to systematically investigate the influence of the two types of kernel models on the dose calculations. The authors investigated the difference between double and triple Gaussian kernel models. The authors found that the difference between the two studied kernel models appeared at mid-depths and the accuracy of predicting the double Gaussian model deteriorated at the low-dose bump that appeared at mid-depths. When the authors employed the double Gaussian kernel model, the accuracy of calculations for the absolute dose at the center of the SOBP varied with irradiation conditions and the maximum difference was 3.4%. In contrast, the results obtained from calculations with the triple Gaussian kernel model indicated good agreement with the measurements within ±1.1%, regardless of the irradiation conditions. The difference between the results obtained with the two types of studied kernel models was distinct in the high energy region. The accuracy of calculations with the double Gaussian kernel model varied with the field size and SOBP width because the accuracy of prediction with the double Gaussian model was insufficient at the low-dose bump. The evaluation was only qualitative under limited volumetric irradiation conditions. Further accumulation of measured data would be needed to quantitatively comprehend what influence the double and triple Gaussian kernel models had on the accuracy of dose calculations.

Depth distribution of absorbed dose on the external surface of Cosmos 1887 biosatellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watts, J. W., Jr.; Parnell, T. A.; Akatov, Yu. A.; Dudkin, V. E.; Kovalev, E. E.; Benton, E. V.; Frank, A. L.

1995-01-01

Significant absorbed dose levels exceeding 1.0 Gy day(exp -1) have been measured on the external surface of the Cosmos 1887 biosatellite as functions of depth in stacks of thin thermoluminescent detectors (TLD's) made in U.S.S.R. and U.S.A. The dose was found to decrease rapidly with increasing absorber thickness, thereby indicating the presence of intensive fluxes of low-energy particles. Comparison between the U.S.S.R. and U.S.A. results and calculations based on the Vette Model environment are in satisfactory agreement. The major contribution to the dose under thin shielding thickness is shown to be from electrons. The fraction of the dose due to protons and heavier charged particles increases with shielding thickness.

Depth distribution of absorbed dose on the external surface of Cosmos 1887 biosatellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dudkin, V. E.; Kovalev, E. E.; Benton, E. V.; Frank, A. L.; Watts, J. W. Jr; Parnell, T. A.

1990-01-01

Significant absorbed dose levels exceeding 1.0 Gy day-1 have been measured on the external surface of the Cosmos 1887 biosatellite as functions of depth in stacks of thin thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs) of U.S.S.R. and U.S.A. manufacture. The dose was found to decrease rapidly with increasing absorber thickness, thereby indicating the presence of intensive fluxes of low-energy particles. Comparison between the U.S.S.R. and U.S.A. results and calculations based on the Vette Model environment are in satisfactory agreement. The major contribution to the dose under thin shielding thickness is shown to be from electrons. The fraction of the dose due to protons and heavier charged particles increases with shielding thickness.

SU-F-T-279: Impact of Beam Energy Drifts On IMRT Delivery Accuracy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goddu, S; Kamal, G; Herman, A

Purpose: According to TG-40 percent-depth-dose (PDD) tolerance is ±2% but TG-142 is ±1%. Now the question is, which one is relevant in IMRT era? The primary objective of this study is to evaluate dosimetric impact of beam-energy-drifts on IMRT-delivery. Methods: Beam-energy drifts were simulated by adjusting Linac’s bending-magnet-current (BMC) followed by tuning the pulse-forming network and adjusting gun-current. PDD change of −0.6% and +1.2% were tested. Planar-dosimetry measurements were performed using an ionization-chamber-array in solid-water phantoms. Study includes 10-head-and-neck and 3-breast cancer patients. en-face beam-deliveries were also tested at 1.3cm and 5.3cm depths. Composite and single-field dose-distributions were compared againstmore » the plans to determine %Gamma pass-rates (%GPRs). For plan dose comparisons, changes in %Gamma pass-rates (cPGPRs) were computed/reported to exclude the differences between dose-computation and delivery. Dose distributions of the drifted-energies were compared against their baseline measurements to determine the% GPRs. A Gamma criteria of 3%/3mm was considered for plan-dose comparisons while 3%/1mm used for measured dose intercomparisons. Results: For composite-dose delivery, average cPGPRs were 0.41%±2.48% and −2.54%±3.65% for low-energy (LE) and high-energy (HE) drifts, respectively. For measured dose inter-comparisons, the average%GPRs were 98.4%±2.2% (LE-drift) and 95.8%±4.0 (HE-drift). The average %GPR of 92.6%±4.3% was noted for the worst-case scenario comparing LE-drift to HE-drift. All en-face beams at 5.3 cm depth have cPGPRs within ±4% of the baseline-energy measurements. However, greater variations were noted for 1.3cm depth. Average %GPRs for drifted energies were >99% at 5.3cm and >97% at 1.3cm depths. However, for the worst-case scenario (LE-drift to HE-drift) these numbers dropped to 95.2% at 5.3cm and 93.1% at 1.3cm depths. Conclusion: The dosimetric impact of beam-energy drifts was found to be within clinically acceptable tolerance. However, this study includes a single energy with limited range of PDD change. Further studies are on going and the results will be presented. Received funding from Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA.« less

Build-up and surface dose measurements on phantoms using micro-MOSFET in 6 and 10 MV x-ray beams and comparisons with Monte Carlo calculations.

PubMed

Xiang, Hong F; Song, Jun S; Chin, David W H; Cormack, Robert A; Tishler, Roy B; Makrigiorgos, G Mike; Court, Laurence E; Chin, Lee M

2007-04-01

This work is intended to investigate the application and accuracy of micro-MOSFET for superficial dose measurement under clinically used MV x-ray beams. Dose response of micro-MOSFET in the build-up region and on surface under MV x-ray beams were measured and compared to Monte Carlo calculations. First, percentage-depth-doses were measured with micro-MOSFET under 6 and 10 MV beams of normal incidence onto a flat solid water phantom. Micro-MOSFET data were compared with the measurements from a parallel plate ionization chamber and Monte Carlo dose calculation in the build-up region. Then, percentage-depth-doses were measured for oblique beams at 0 degrees-80 degrees onto the flat solid water phantom with micro-MOSFET placed at depths of 2 cm, 1 cm, and 2 mm below the surface. Measurements were compared to Monte Carlo calculations under these settings. Finally, measurements were performed with micro-MOSFET embedded in the first 1 mm layer of bolus placed on a flat phantom and a curved phantom of semi-cylindrical shape. Results were compared to superficial dose calculated from Monte Carlo for a 2 mm thin layer that extends from the surface to a depth of 2 mm. Results were (1) Comparison of measurements with MC calculation in the build-up region showed that micro-MOSFET has a water-equivalence thickness (WET) of 0.87 mm for 6 MV beam and 0.99 mm for 10 MV beam from the flat side, and a WET of 0.72 mm for 6 MV beam and 0.76 mm for 10 MV beam from the epoxy side. (2) For normal beam incidences, percentage depth dose agree within 3%-5% among micro-MOSFET measurements, parallel-plate ionization chamber measurements, and MC calculations. (3) For oblique incidence on the flat phantom with micro-MOSFET placed at depths of 2 cm, 1 cm, and 2 mm, measurements were consistent with MC calculations within a typical uncertainty of 3%-5%. (4) For oblique incidence on the flat phantom and a curved-surface phantom, measurements with micro-MOSFET placed at 1.0 mm agrees with the MC calculation within 6%, including uncertainties of micro-MOSFET measurements of 2%-3% (1 standard deviation), MOSFET angular dependence of 3.0%-3.5%, and 1%-2% systematical error due to phantom setup geometry asymmetry. Micro-MOSFET can be used for skin dose measurements in 6 and 10 MV beams with an estimated accuracy of +/- 6%.

Pharmacological properties of various anesthetic protocols in 10-day-old neonatal rats.

PubMed

Tsukamoto, Atsushi; Konishi, Yui; Kawakami, Takako; Koibuchi, Chiharu; Sato, Reiichiro; Kanai, Eiichi; Inomata, Tomo

2017-10-30

In general, the anesthesia in neonates involves high risk. Although hypothermic anesthesia is recommended in rats up to the age of 7 days, neonatal anesthesia for later periods has not been standardized. The present study investigated the pharmacological properties of conventional anesthetic protocols in 10-day-old SD rats. The rats were anesthetized with four anesthetics: a combination of ketamine and xylazine (K/X); a combination of medetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol (M/M/B); isoflurane; and sevoflurane. Anesthetic depth was scored by reflex response to noxious stimuli. Induction and recovery times were recorded. Vital signs and mortality rate were evaluated for safety assessment. All rats died after administration of K/X at a dose of 60/6 mg/kg, whereas K/X at 40/4 mg/kg resulted in insufficient anesthetic depth, indicating inappropriate for neonatal anesthesia. Although M/M/B at the adult rat dose (0.15/2/2.5 mg/kg) did not provide surgical anesthetic depth, the mouse dose (0.3/4/5 mg/kg) showed sufficient anesthetic depth with relatively stable vital signs. Isoflurane required a long induction period, and caused remarkable respiratory depression and hypothermia, resulted in a 25% mortality rate. In contrast, sevoflurane provided consistent surgical anesthetic depth with rapid induction. Although respiratory rate decrease was markedly observed, all rats survived. Among the anesthetic protocols investigated in the present study, sevoflurane and M/M/B at the mouse dose were recommended for the neonatal anesthesia. Compared with adult rats, the required dose of both anesthetics in neonates was higher, possibly associated with their lower anesthetic sensitivity.

On the use of an analytic source model for dose calculations in precision image-guided small animal radiotherapy.

PubMed

Granton, Patrick V; Verhaegen, Frank

2013-05-21

Precision image-guided small animal radiotherapy is rapidly advancing through the use of dedicated micro-irradiation devices. However, precise modeling of these devices in model-based dose-calculation algorithms such as Monte Carlo (MC) simulations continue to present challenges due to a combination of very small beams, low mechanical tolerances on beam collimation, positioning and long calculation times. The specific intent of this investigation is to introduce and demonstrate the viability of a fast analytical source model (AM) for use in either investigating improvements in collimator design or for use in faster dose calculations. MC models using BEAMnrc were developed for circular and square fields sizes from 1 to 25 mm in diameter (or side) that incorporated the intensity distribution of the focal spot modeled after an experimental pinhole image. These MC models were used to generate phase space files (PSFMC) at the exit of the collimators. An AM was developed that included the intensity distribution of the focal spot, a pre-calculated x-ray spectrum, and the collimator-specific entrance and exit apertures. The AM was used to generate photon fluence intensity distributions (ΦAM) and PSFAM containing photons radiating at angles according to the focal spot intensity distribution. MC dose calculations using DOSXYZnrc in a water and mouse phantom differing only by source used (PSFMC versus PSFAM) were found to agree within 7% and 4% for the smallest 1 and 2 mm collimator, respectively, and within 1% for all other field sizes based on depth dose profiles. PSF generation times were approximately 1200 times faster for the smallest beam and 19 times faster for the largest beam. The influence of the focal spot intensity distribution on output and on beam shape was quantified and found to play a significant role in calculated dose distributions. Beam profile differences due to collimator alignment were found in both small and large collimators sensitive to shifts of 1 mm with respect to the central axis.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lebron, S; Kahler, D; Liu, C

Purpose: To predict photon percentage depth dose (PDD) from profile due to a change in flattened (FF) and flattening-filter-free (FFF) beam quality. Methods: 6MV photon beam PDDs and profiles in a 3D water tank (3DW) and profiles in an ionization chamber array (ICP) were collected for different field sizes and depths with FF and FFF beams in a Versa HD (Elekta Ltd.). The energy was adjusted by changing the bending magnet current (BMC) ±15% from the clinical beam (6MV) in 5% increments. For baseline establishment, PDDs(depth≥3cm) were parameterized with bi-exponential functions and the PDD 20 to 10cm ratios (PDD{sub 20,10})more » were calculated. Then, the FF profile at 10cm from the central axis (Pr{sub 10}) and the slope of the FFF central linear region (SFFF) were calculated. Calibration curves were established: (1) change in Pr{sub 10} and SFFF as functions of the change in PDD{sub 20,10} and (2) change in PDD(depth=3, 15 and 30cm) as function of the change in PDD{sub 20,10}. The differences between Pr{sub 10} and SFFF from baseline were calculated and, from calibration curves, changes in PDD{sub 20,10} and PDD(depth=3, 15 and 30cm) were obtained. Then, absolute PDD(depth=3, 15 and 30cm) values were input into a least-square-optimization algorithm to calculate the bi-exponential function’s optimal coefficients and generate the PDD(depths≥3cm). Results: The change in PDD{sub 20,10} relative to baseline increased (<±4%) with BMC. Pr{sub 10} increased (±6%) and SFFF decreased (±11%) with BMC. Relative differences between measured and calculated (i.e. PDD calculation from Pr{sub 10} and SFFF) PDDs were less than 1%. Results apply to FF and FFF beams measured in 3DW and ICP. Conclusion: Pr{sub 10} and SFFF are more sensitive than PDD to changes in beam energy and PDD information can be accurately generated from them. With known 3DW and ICP profile relationship, ICP can be used to obtain PDD for current photon beam.« less

Potential for focused beam orthovoltage therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahato, Dip N.; MacDonald, C. A.

2010-08-01

Radiation therapy typically employs high energy photon beams because the low absorption coefficient at these energies minimizes skin dose with a conventional, unfocused beam. At orthovoltage energies less than 150 keV, the maximum dose for a single beam occurs very close to the skin surface. However a well-focused beam of low energy x rays can provide much higher flux at the target depth while sparing dose to the skin. The measured focal spot size for the polycapillary optic was 0.2 mm and was found to remain unchanged through 50 mm of phantom thickness. The calculated depth-dose curve was found to peak several centimeters below the surface with 25-40 keV radiation. Modeling indicates that the tumor dose would remain much higher than the skin dose even after scanning to cover a 1 cm3 tumor.

Estimation of the influence of radical effect in the proton beams using a combined approach with physical data and gel data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haneda, K.

2016-04-01

The purpose of this study was to estimate an impact on radical effect in the proton beams using a combined approach with physical data and gel data. The study used two dosimeters: ionization chambers and polymer gel dosimeters. Polymer gel dosimeters have specific advantages when compared to other dosimeters. They can measure chemical reaction and they are at the same time a phantom that can map in three dimensions continuously and easily. First, a depth-dose curve for a 210 MeV proton beam measured using an ionization chamber and a gel dosimeter. Second, the spatial distribution of the physical dose was calculated by Monte Carlo code system PHITS: To verify of the accuracy of Monte Carlo calculation, and the calculation results were compared with experimental data of the ionization chamber. Last, to evaluate of the rate of the radical effect against the physical dose. The simulation results were compared with the measured depth-dose distribution and showed good agreement. The spatial distribution of a gel dose with threshold LET value of proton beam was calculated by the same simulation code. Then, the relative distribution of the radical effect was calculated from the physical dose and gel dose. The relative distribution of the radical effect was calculated at each depth as the quotient of relative dose obtained using physical and gel dose. The agreement between the relative distributions of the gel dosimeter and Radical effect was good at the proton beams.

Evaluation of Kodak EDR2 film for dose verification of intensity modulated radiation therapy delivered by a static multileaf collimator.

PubMed

Zhu, X R; Jursinic, P A; Grimm, D F; Lopez, F; Rownd, J J; Gillin, M T

2002-08-01

A new type of radiographic film, Kodak EDR2 film, was evaluated for dose verification of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivered by a static multileaf collimator (SMLC). A sensitometric curve of EDR2 film irradiated by a 6 MV x-ray beam was compared with that of Kodak X-OMAT V (XV) film. The effects of field size, depth and dose rate on the sensitometric curve were also studied. It is found that EDR2 film is much less sensitive than XV film. In high-energy x-ray beams, the double hit process is the dominant mechanism that renders the grains on EDR2 films developable. As a result, in the dose range that is commonly used for film dosimetry for IMRT and conventional external beam therapy, the sensitometric curves of EDR2 films cannot be approximated as a linear function, OD = c * D. Within experimental uncertainty, the film sensitivity does not depend on the dose rate (50 vs 300 MU/min) or dose per pulse (from 1.0 x 10(-4) to 4.21 x 10(-4) Gy/pulse). Field sizes and depths (up to field size of 10 x 10 cm2 and depth = 10 cm) have little effect on the sensitometric curves. Percent depth doses (PDDs) for both 6 and 23 MV x rays were measured with both EDR2 and XV films and compared with ion chamber data. Film data are within 2.5% of the ion chamber results. Dose profiles measured with EDR2 film are consistent with those measured with an ion chamber. Examples of measured IMRT isodose distributions versus calculated isodoses are presented. We have used EDR2 films for verification of all IMRT patients treated by SMLC in our clinic. In most cases, with EDR2 film, actual clinical daily fraction doses can be used for verification of composite isodose distributions of SMLC-based IMRT.

Investigation of photon beam models in heterogeneous media of modern radiotherapy.

PubMed

Ding, W; Johnston, P N; Wong, T P Y; Bubb, I F

2004-06-01

This study investigates the performance of photon beam models in dose calculations involving heterogeneous media in modern radiotherapy. Three dose calculation algorithms implemented in the CMS FOCUS treatment planning system have been assessed and validated using ionization chambers, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and film. The algorithms include the multigrid superposition (MGS) algorithm, fast Fourier Transform Convolution (FFTC) algorithm and Clarkson algorithm. Heterogeneous phantoms used in the study consist of air cavities, lung analogue and an anthropomorphic phantom. Depth dose distributions along the central beam axis for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams with field sizes of 5 cm x 5 cm and 10 cm x 10 cm were measured in the air cavity phantoms and lung analogue phantom. Point dose measurements were performed in the anthropomorphic phantom. Calculated results with three dose calculation algorithms were compared with measured results. In the air cavity phantoms, the maximum dose differences between the algorithms and the measurements were found at the distal surface of the air cavity with a 10 MV photon beam and a 5 cm x 5 cm field size. The differences were 3.8%. 24.9% and 27.7% for the MGS. FFTC and Clarkson algorithms. respectively. Experimental measurements of secondary electron build-up range beyond the air cavity showed an increase with decreasing field size, increasing energy and increasing air cavity thickness. The maximum dose differences in the lung analogue with 5 cm x 5 cm field size were found to be 0.3%. 4.9% and 6.9% for the MGS. FFTC and Clarkson algorithms with a 6 MV photon beam and 0.4%. 6.3% and 9.1% with a 10 MV photon beam, respectively. In the anthropomorphic phantom, the dose differences between calculations using the MGS algorithm and measurements with TLD rods were less than +/-4.5% for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams with 10 cm x 10 cm field size and 6 MV photon beam with 5 cm x 5 cm field size, and within +/-7.5% for 10 MV with 5 cm x 5 cm field size, respectively. The FFTC and Clarkson algorithms overestimate doses at all dose points in the lung of the anthropomorphic phantom. In conclusion, the MGS is the most accurate dose calculation algorithm of investigated photon beam models. It is strongly recommended for implementation in modern radiotherapy with multiple small fields when heterogeneous media are in the treatment fields.

Reevaluation of the AAPM TG-43 brachytherapy dosimetry parameters for an 125I seed, and the influence of eye plaque design on dose distributions and dose-volume histograms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aryal, Prakash

The TG-43 dosimetry parameters of the Advantage(TM) 125I model IAI-125A brachytherapy seed were studied. An investigation using modern MCNP radiation transport code with updated cross-section libraries was performed. Twelve different simulation conditions were studied for a single seed by varying the coating thickness, mass density, photon energy spectrum and cross-section library. The dose rate was found to be 6.3% lower at 1 cm in comparison to published results. New TG-43 dosimetry parameters are proposed. The dose distribution for a brachytherapy eye plaque, model EP917, was investigated, including the effects of collimation from high-Z slots. Dose distributions for 26 slot designs were determined using Monte Carlo methods and compared between the published literature, a clinical treatment planning system, and physical measurements. The dosimetric effect of the composition and mass density of the gold backing was shown to be less than 3%. Slot depth, width, and length changed the central axis (CAX) dose distributions by < 1% per 0.1 mm in design variation. Seed shifts in the slot towards the eye and shifts of the 125I-laden silver rod within the seed had the greatest impact on the CAX dose distribution, changing it by 14%, 9%, 4.3%, and 2.7% at 1, 2, 5, and 10 mm, respectively, from the inner scleral surface. The measured, full plaque slot geometry delivered 2.4% +/- 1.1% higher dose along the plaque's CAX than the geometry provided by the manufacturer and 2.2%+/-2.3% higher than Plaque Simulator(TM) (PS) treatment planning software (version 5.7.6). The D10 for the simulated tumor, inner sclera, and outer sclera for the measured slot plaque to manufacturer provided slot design was 9%, 10%, and 19% higher, respectively. In comparison to the measured plaque design, a theoretical plaque having narrow and deep slots delivered 30%, 37%, and 62% lower D 10 doses to the tumor, inner sclera, and outer sclera, respectively. CAX doses at --1, 0, 1, and 2 mm were also lower by a factor of 2.6, 1.72, 1.50, and 1.39, respectively. The study identified substantial sensitivity of the EP917 plaque dose distributions to slot design. KEYWORDS: Monte Carlo methods, dosimetry, 125I, TG-43, eye plaque brachytherapy.

TU-AB-BRC-05: Creation of a Monte Carlo TrueBeam Model by Reproducing Varian Phase Space Data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

O’Grady, K; Davis, S; Seuntjens, J

Purpose: To create a Varian TrueBeam 6 MV FFF Monte Carlo model using BEAMnrc/EGSnrc that accurately reproduces the Varian representative dataset, followed by tuning the model’s source parameters to accurately reproduce in-house measurements. Methods: A BEAMnrc TrueBeam model for 6 MV FFF has been created by modifying a validated 6 MV Varian CL21EX model. Geometric dimensions and materials were adjusted in a trial and error approach to match the fluence and spectra of TrueBeam phase spaces output by the Varian VirtuaLinac. Once the model’s phase space matched Varian’s counterpart using the default source parameters, it was validated to match 10more » × 10 cm{sup 2} Varian representative data obtained with the IBA CC13. The source parameters were then tuned to match in-house 5 × 5 cm{sup 2} PTW microDiamond measurements. All dose to water simulations included detector models to include the effects of volume averaging and the non-water equivalence of the chamber materials, allowing for more accurate source parameter selection. Results: The Varian phase space spectra and fluence were matched with excellent agreement. The in-house model’s PDD agreement with CC13 TrueBeam representative data was within 0.9% local percent difference beyond the first 3 mm. Profile agreement at 10 cm depth was within 0.9% local percent difference and 1.3 mm distance-to-agreement in the central axis and penumbra regions, respectively. Once the source parameters were tuned, PDD agreement with microDiamond measurements was within 0.9% local percent difference beyond 2 mm. The microDiamond profile agreement at 10 cm depth was within 0.6% local percent difference and 0.4 mm distance-to-agreement in the central axis and penumbra regions, respectively. Conclusion: An accurate in-house Monte Carlo model of the Varian TrueBeam was achieved independently of the Varian phase space solution and was tuned to in-house measurements. KO acknowledges partial support by the CREATE Medical Physics Research Training Network grant of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Grant number: 432290).« less

Evaluation of dosimetric properties of 6 MV & 10 MV photon beams from a linear accelerator with no flattening filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearson, David

A linear accelerator manufactured by Elekta, equipped with a multi leaf collimation (MLC) system has been modelled using Monte Carlo simulations with the photon flattening filter removed. The purpose of this investigation was to show that more efficient and more accurate Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) treatments can be delivered from a standard linear accelerator with the flattening filter removed from the beam. A range of simulations of 6 MV and 10 MV photon were studied and compared to a model of a standard accelerator which included the flattening filter for those beams. Measurements using a scanning water phantom were also performed after the flattening filter had been removed. We show here that with the flattening filter removed, an increase to the dose on the central axis by a factor of 2.35 and 4.18 is achieved for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams respectively using a standard 10x 10cm2 field size. A comparison of the dose at points at the field edges led to the result that, removal of the flattening filter reduced the dose at these points by approximately 10% for the 6 MV beam over the clinical range of field sizes. A further consequence of removing the flattening filter was the softening of the photon energy spectrum leading to a steeper reduction in dose at depths greater than dmax. Also studied was the electron contamination brought about by the removal of the filter. To reduce this electron contamination and thus reduce the skin dose to the patient we consider the use of an electron scattering foil in the beam path. The electron scattering foil had very little effect on dmax. From simulations of a standard 6MV beam, a filter-free beam and a filter-free beam with electron scattering foil, we deduce that the proportion of electrons in the photon beam is 0.35%, 0.28% and 0.27%, consecutively. In short, higher dose rates will result in decreased treatment times and the reduced dose outside of the field is indicative of reducing the dose to the surrounding tissue. Electron contamination was found to be comparable with conventional IMRT treatments carried out with a flattening filter.

SU-E-T-260: Pediatric Total Body Irradiation Calculations and In-Vivo Dosimetry Using Diodes and OSLD's

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chungbin, S; Fatyga, M

Purpose: To verify that a photon total body irradiation (TBI) calculation method scales properly from adult to pediatric dimensions and to determine TBI in-vivo dosimetry correction factors for diodes and optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLD's). Methods: TBI technique used is 400 SAD 18 MV opposed laterals with beam spoiler. Water bags are used to supplement narrower lateral dimensions for patient treatments. To verify that dose calculations scale properly with decreasing dimensions, CAX doses were measured and compared to calculations for different rectangular phantom geometries: (L=length(cm), H=height(cm), d=depth(cm)): L(30)xH(30) (d=3-25), L(30)xH(12)(d=2–20), L(13)xH(13) (d=5–13), L(30)x(H=10–40) d=15, L(30–150) x H(10) (d=15). In infantmore » geometry, measured off axis “leg” dose (L(30)xH(2.5–10.6), d=7)) was compared to CAX (“body” L(30)xH(10)(d=7) adjacent to “leg”). Entrance and exit doses were measured with surface diodes, diodes with buildup, OSLD's, as well as ion chambers for comparison. Correction factors ((ion chamber CAX dose)/(in vivo dose)) were calculated for surface diodes, diodes with buildup, OSLD's, and ion chamber. Results: All rectangular phantom measurements agree with calculated within 2.5%. For L(30)xH(30), L(30)xH(12), L(13)xH(13), L(30)x(H=10–40) and L(30–80)xH(10) agreement was within 1%. For the infant geometry, the ratio of leg dose to CAX varies from 0.956 (h=2.5) to 0.995 (h=10.6). The range of in-vivo dosimetry entrance+exit to CAX dose correction factors varied by dosimeter (diode: 0.883–1.015, surface diode: 1.008–1.214, ion chamber: 0.924–1.084, OSLD: 0.920–1.106). Conclusion: TBI calculations scaled properly to pediatric dimensions. In-vivo dosimetry with various detectors demonstrated similar trends with different magnitudes. OSLD measurements agreed well with ion chamber measurements.« less

Assessment and validation of CT scanogram to compare per-operative and post-operative mechanical axis after navigated total knee replacement

PubMed Central

Jain, Sunil

2008-01-01

Our objective was to assess and validate low-dose computed tomography (CT) scanogram as a post-operative imaging modality to measure the mechanical axis after navigated total knee replacement. A prospective study was performed to compare intra-operative and post-operative mechanical axis after navigated total knee replacements. All consecutive patients who underwent navigated total knee replacement between May and December 2006 were included. The intra-operative final axis was recorded, and post-operatively a CT scanogram of lower limbs was performed. The mechanical axis was measured and compared against the intra-operative measurement. There were 15 patients ranging in age from 57 to 80 (average 70) years. The average final intra-operative axis was 0.56° varus (4° varus to 1.5° valgus) and post-operative CT scanogram axis was 0.52° varus (3.1° varus to 1.8° valgus). The average deviation from final axes to CT scanogram axes was 0.12° valgus with a correlation coefficient of 0.9. Our study suggests that CT scanogram is an imaging modality with reasonable accuracy for measuring mechanical axis despite significantly low radiation. It also confirms a high level of correlation between intra-operative and post-operative mechanical axis after navigated total knee replacement. PMID:18696064

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, Liyong, E-mail: linl@uphs.upenn.edu; Huang, Sheng; Kang, Minglei

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the utility of a comprehensive test pattern in validating calculation models that include the halo component (low-dose tails) of proton pencil beam scanning (PBS) spots. Such a pattern has been used previously for quality assurance purposes to assess spot shape, position, and dose. Methods: In this study, a scintillation detector was used to measure the test pattern in air at isocenter for two proton beam energies (115 and 225 MeV) of two IBA universal nozzles (UN #1 and UN #2). Planar measurements were compared with calculated dose distributions based on themore » weighted superposition of location-independent (UN #1) or location-dependent (UN #2) spot profiles, previously measured using a pair-magnification method and between two nozzles. Results: Including the halo component below 1% of the central dose is shown to improve the gamma-map comparison between calculation and measurement from 94.9% to 98.4% using 2 mm/2% criteria for the 115 MeV proton beam of UN #1. In contrast, including the halo component below 1% of the central dose does not improve the gamma agreement for the 115 MeV proton beam of UN #2, due to the cutoff of the halo component at off-axis locations. When location-dependent spot profiles are used for calculation instead of spot profiles at central axis, the gamma agreement is improved from 98.0% to 99.5% using 2 mm/2% criteria. The two nozzles clearly have different characteristics, as a direct comparison of measured data shows a passing rate of 89.7% for the 115 MeV proton beam. At 225 MeV, the corresponding gamma comparisons agree better between measurement and calculation, and between measurements in the two nozzles. Conclusions: In addition to confirming the primary component of individual PBS spot profiles, a comprehensive test pattern is useful for the validation of the halo component at off-axis locations, especially for low energy protons.« less

Extraction of depth-dependent perturbation factors for silicon diodes using a plastic scintillation detector.

PubMed

Lacroix, Frederic; Guillot, Mathieu; McEwen, Malcolm; Gingras, Luc; Beaulieu, Luc

2011-10-01

This work presents the experimental extraction of the perturbation factor in megavoltage electron beams for three models of silicon diodes (IBA Dosimetry, EFD and SFD, and the PTW 60012 unshielded) using a plastic scintillation detector (PSD). The authors used a single scanning PSD mounted on a high-precision scanning tank to measure depth-dose curves in 6-, 12-, and 18-MeV clinical electron beams. They also measured depth-dose curves using the IBA Dosimetry, EFD and SFD, and the PTW 60012 unshielded diodes. The authors used the depth-dose curves measured with the PSD as a perturbation-free reference to extract the perturbation factors of the diodes. The authors found that the perturbation factors for the diodes increased substantially with depth, especially for low-energy electron beams. The experimental results show the same trend as published Monte Carlo simulation results for the EFD diode; however, the perturbations measured experimentally were greater. They found that using an effective point of measurement (EPOM) placed slightly away from the source reduced the variation of perturbation factors with depth and that the optimal EPOM appears to be energy dependent. The manufacturer recommended EPOM appears to be incorrect at low electron energy (6 MeV). In addition, the perturbation factors for diodes may be greater than predicted by Monte Carlo simulations.

Study and Control of Scour below Pipelines under unidirectional flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kabiri, Shima; Hoseinzadeh Dalir, Ali

2016-04-01

Water and other fluids pipelines laid on sandy rivers and sea bed change flow pattern around pipelines. These changes increase the bed shear stress and the degree of confusion around the pipes and cause to create scour hole below the pipes. In this situation, the occurrence of scour below the pipelines may lead to instability, fracture and bending and even breakage where cause very severe economic and environmental harms eventually. In this research as well as studying of scour under the pipelines, the bed sill had been used as a new mechanism in order to reduce and control of scour. For this purpose, 3 pipes (smooth) with different diameters (D) were modelled in flow condition of PIC U/Uc=0.8-0.9 in the channel with 11m length, 25cm width and depth of 50 cm. Experiment has been performed in below 2 modes: 1) Scour below a smooth pipe without bed sill 2) Scour below a smooth pipe with bed sill. In the 2nd modes bed sill was located at 4 different distances (L=0,D/4,D/2,D) of downstream Of the pipe central axis. In the experiments bed sill was a barrier for spreading wake vortices and it controlled erosions of downstream. Results of this research indicated that whatever the distance of bed sill from central axis of pipe is less, there is the most influence in reducing the scour depth below pipe. In the case that bed sill had been located exactly under central axis of pipe, scour depth under pipe decreased about 100% Also in this situation with passing a long time from the beginning of examination, the pipe self-burial process occurred due to vortex creation in pipe downstream and relocation of particles toward pipe.

The structure of 0- to 0.2-m.y.-old oceanic crust at 9°N on the East Pacific Rise from expanded spread profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vera, E. E.; Mutter, J. C.; Buhl, P.; Orcutt, J. A.; Harding, A. J.; Kappus, M. E.; Detrick, R. S.; Brocher, T. M.

1990-09-01

We analyze four expanded spread profiles acquired at distances of 0, 2.1, 3.1, and 10 km (0-0.2 m.y.) from the axis of the East Pacific Rise between 9° and 10°N. Velocity-depth models for these profiles have been obtained by travel time inversion in the τ-p domain, and by x-t forward modeling using the WKBJ and the reflectivity methods. We observe refracted arrivals that allow us to determine directly the uppermost crustal velocity structure (layer 2A). At the seafloor we find very low Vp and VS/Vp values around 2.2 km/s and ≤ 0.43. In the topmost 100-200 m of the crust, Vp remains low (≤ 2.5 km/s) then rapidly increases to 5 km/s at ˜500 m below the seafloor. High attenuation values (Qp < 100) are suggested in the topmost ˜500 m of the crust. The layer 2-3 transition probably occurs within the dike unit, a few hundred meters above the dike-gabbro transition. This transition may mark the maximum depth of penetration by a cracking front and associated hydrothermal circulation in the axial region above the axial magma chamber (AMC). The on-axis profile shows arrivals that correspond to the bright AMC event seen in reflection lines within 2 km of the rise axis. The top of the AMC lies 1.6 km below the seafloor and consists of molten material where Vp ≈ 3 km/s and VS = 0. Immediately above the AMC, there is a zone of large negative velocity gradients where, on the average, Vp decreases from ˜6.3 to 3 km/s over a depth of approximately 250 m. Associated with the AMC there is a low velocity zone (LVZ) that extends to a distance no greater than 10 km away from the rise axis. At the top of the LVZ, sharp velocity contrasts are confined to within 2 km of the rise axis and are associated with molten material or material with a high percentage of melt which would be concentrated only in a thin zone at the apex of the LVZ, in the axial region where the AMC event is seen in reflection lines. Away from the axis, the transition to the LVZ is smoother, the top of the LVZ is deeper, and the LVZ is less pronounced. The bottom of the LVZ is probably located near the bottom of the crust and above the Moho. Moho arrivals are observed in the profiles at zero and at 10 km from the rise axis. Rather than a single discontinuity, these arrivals indicate an approximately 1-km-thick Moho transition zone.

Experimental investigation of the response of an amorphous silicon EPID to intensity modulated radiotherapy beams.

PubMed

Greer, Peter B; Vial, Philip; Oliver, Lyn; Baldock, Clive

2007-11-01

The aim of this work was to experimentally determine the difference in response of an amorphous silicon (a-Si) electronic portal imaging device (EPID) to the open and multileaf collimator (MLC) transmitted beam components of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) beams. EPID dose response curves were measured for open and MLC transmitted (MLCtr) 10 x 10 cm2 beams at central axis and with off axis distance using a shifting field technique. The EPID signal was obtained by replacing the flood-field correction with a pixel sensitivity variation matrix correction. This signal, which includes energy-dependent response, was then compared to ion-chamber measurements. An EPID calibration method to remove the effect of beam energy variations on EPID response was developed for IMRT beams. This method uses the component of open and MLCtr fluence to an EPID pixel calculated from the MLC delivery file and applies separate radially dependent calibration factors for each component. The calibration procedure does not correct for scatter differences between ion chamber in water measurements and EPID response; these must be accounted for separately with a kernel-based approach or similar method. The EPID response at central axis for the open beam was found to be 1.28 +/- 0.03 of the response for the MLCtr beam, with the ratio increasing to 1.39 at 12.5 cm off axis. The EPID response to MLCtr radiation did not change with off-axis distance. Filtering the beam with copper plates to reduce the beam energy difference between open and MLCtr beams was investigated; however, these were not effective at reducing EPID response differences. The change in EPID response for uniform sliding window IMRT beams with MLCtr dose components from 0.3% to 69% was predicted to within 2.3% using the separate EPID response calibration factors for each dose component. A clinical IMRT image calibrated with this method differed by nearly 30% in high MLCtr regions from an image calibrated with an open beam calibration factor only. Accounting for the difference in EPID response to open and MLCtr radiation should improve IMRT dosimetry with a-Si EPIDs.

High throughput film dosimetry in homogeneous and heterogeneous media for a small animal irradiator

PubMed Central

Wack, L.; Ngwa, W.; Tryggestad, E.; Tsiamas, P.; Berbeco, R.; Ng, S.K.; Hesser, J.

2013-01-01

Purpose We have established a high-throughput Gafchromic film dosimetry protocol for narrow kilo-voltage beams in homogeneous and heterogeneous media for small-animal radiotherapy applications. The kV beam characterization is based on extensive Gafchromic film dosimetry data acquired in homogeneous and heterogeneous media. An empirical model is used for parameterization of depth and off-axis dependence of measured data. Methods We have modified previously published methods of film dosimetry to suit the specific tasks of the study. Unlike film protocols used in previous studies, our protocol employs simultaneous multichannel scanning and analysis of up to nine Gafchromic films per scan. A scanner and background correction were implemented to improve accuracy of the measurements. Measurements were taken in homogeneous and inhomogeneous phantoms at 220 kVp and a field size of 5 × 5 mm2. The results were compared against Monte Carlo simulations. Results Dose differences caused by variations in background signal were effectively removed by the corrections applied. Measurements in homogeneous phantoms were used to empirically characterize beam data in homogeneous and heterogeneous media. Film measurements in inhomogeneous phantoms and their empirical parameterization differed by about 2%–3%. The model differed from MC by about 1% (water, lung) to 7% (bone). Good agreement was found for measured and modelled off-axis ratios. Conclusions EBT2 films are a valuable tool for characterization of narrow kV beams, though care must be taken to eliminate disturbances caused by varying background signals. The usefulness of the empirical beam model in interpretation and parameterization of film data was demonstrated. PMID:23510532

Radiation Measurements on Mars

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-12-09

Micrograys are unit of measurement for absorbed radiation dose. The vertical axis is in micrograys per day. The RAD instrument on NASA Curiosity Mars rover monitors the natural radiation environment at the surface of Mars.

Water-equivalent fiber radiation dosimeter with two scintillating materials

PubMed Central

Qin, Zhuang; Hu, Yaosheng; Ma, Yu; Lin, Wei; Luo, Xianping; Zhao, Wenhui; Sun, Weimin; Zhang, Daxin; Chen, Ziyin; Wang, Boran; Lewis, Elfed

2016-01-01

An inorganic scintillating material plastic optical fiber (POF) dosimeter for measuring ionizing radiation during radiotherapy applications is reported. It is necessary that an ideal dosimeter exhibits many desirable qualities, including water equivalence, energy independence, reproducibility, dose linearity. There has been much recent research concerning inorganic dosimeters. However, little reference has been made to date of the depth-dose characteristics of dosimeter materials. In the case of inorganic scintillating materials, they are predominantly non water-equivalent, with their effective atomic weight (Zeff) being typically much greater than that of water. This has been a barrier in preventing inorganic scintillating material dosimeter from being used in actual clinical applications. In this paper, we propose a parallel-paired fiber light guide structure to solve this problem. Two different inorganic scintillating materials are embedded separately in the parallel-paired fiber. It is shown that the information of water depth and absorbed dose at the point of measurement can be extracted by utilizing their different depth-dose properties. PMID:28018715

Poster — Thur Eve — 37: Respiratory gating with an Elekta flattening filter free photon beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Péloquin, S; Furstoss, C; Munger, P

2014-08-15

In cases where surgery is not possible for lung cancer treatment, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) may be an option. One problem when treating this type of cancer is the motion of the lungs caused by the patient's respiration. It is possible to reduce the impact of this movement with the use of respiratory gating. By combining respiratory gating with a flattening filter free (FFF) photon beam linac, the increased treatment time caused by a reduced beam-on time of respiratory gating methods can be compensated by the inherent increased dose rate of FFF beams. This project's aim is to createmore » hardware and software interfaces allowing free respiration gating on an Elekta Synergy-S linac specially modified to deliver 6 MV FFF photon beams. First, a printed circuit board was created for reading the signal from a Bellows Belt from Philips (a respiration monitor belt) and transmitting an On/Off signal to the accelerator. A software was also developed to visualize patient respiration. Secondly, a FFF model was created with the Pinnacle treatment planning system from Philips. Gamma (Γ) analysis (2%, 2 mm) was used to evaluate model. For fields going from 5.6 × 5.6 to 12 × 12 cm{sup 2}, central axis depth dose model fitting shows an average gamma value of 0.2 and 100% of gamma values remain under the Γ = 1 limit. For smaller fields (0.8 × 0.8 and 1.6 × 1.6 cm{sup 2}), Pinnacle has more trouble trying to fit the measurements, overestimating dose in penumbra and buildup regions.« less

Patient-Specific QA of Spot-Scanning Proton Beams using Radiochromic Film.

PubMed

Chan, Maria F; Chen, Chin-Cheng; Shi, Chengyu; Li, Jingdong; Tang, Xiaoli; Li, Xiang; Mah, Dennis

2017-05-01

Radiochromic film for spot-scanning QA provides high spatial resolution and efficiency gains from one-shot irradiation for multiple depths. However, calibration can be a tedious procedure which may limit widespread use. Moreover, since there may be an energy dependence, which manifests as a depth dependence, this may require additional measurements for each patient. We present a one-scan protocol to simplify the procedure. A calibration using an EBT3 film, exposed by a 6-level step-wedge plan on a Proteus ® PLUS proton system (IBA, Belgium), was performed at depths of 18, 20, 24cm using Plastic Water ® (CIRS, Norfolk, VA). The calibration doses ranged from 65-250 cGy(RBE) (relative biological effectiveness) for proton energies of 170-200 MeV. A clinical prostate+nodes plan was used for validation. The planar doses at selected depths were measured with EBT3 films and analyzed using One-scan protocol (one-scan digitization of QA film and at least one film exposed to a known dose). The gamma passing rates, dose-difference maps, and profiles of 2D planar doses measured with EBT3 film and IBA MatriXX-PT, versus the RayStation TPS calculations were analyzed and compared. The EBT3 film measurement results matched well with the TPS calculation data with an average passing rate of ~95% for 2%/2mm and slightly lower passing rates were obtained from an ion chamber array detector. We were able to demonstrate that the use of a proton step-wedge provided clinically acceptable results and minimized variations between film-scanner orientation, inter-scan, and scanning conditions. Furthermore, for relative dosimetry (calibration is not done at the time of experiment) it could be derived from no more than two films exposed to known doses (one could be zero) for rescaling the master calibration curve at each depth. The sensitivity of the calibration to depth variations has been explored. One-scan protocol results appear to be comparable to that of the ion chamber array detector. The use of a proton step-wedge for calibration of EBT3 film potentially increases efficiency in patient-specific QA of proton beams.

SU-F-T-173: One-Scan Protocol: Verifying the Delivery of Spot-Scanning Proton Beam

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chan, M; Li, J; Chen, C

Purpose: Radiochromic film for spot-scanning QA provides high spatial resolution and efficiency gains from one-shot irradiation for multiple depths. However, calibration can be a tedious procedure which may limit widespread use. Moreover, since there may be an energy dependence, which manifests as a depth dependence, this may require additional measurements for each patient. We present a one-scan protocol to simplify the procedure. Methods: We performed the calibration using an EBT3 film at depths of 18, 20, 24cm of Plastic Water exposed by a 6-level step-wedge plan on a Proteus Plus proton system (IBA, Belgium). The calibration doses ranged 65–250 cGy(RBE)more » for proton energies of 170–200MeV. A clinical prostate+nodes plan was used for validation. The planar doses at selected depths were measured with EBT3 films and analyzed using one-scan protocol (one-scan digitization of QA film and at least one film exposed to known dose). The Gamma passing rates, dose-difference maps, and profiles of 2D planar doses measured with EBT3 film, IBA MatriXX PT, versus TPS calculations were analyzed and compared. Results: The EBT3 film measurement results matched well with the TPS calculation data with an average passing rate of ∼95% for 2%/2mm and slightly lower passing rates were obtained from an ion chamber array detector. We were able to demonstrate that the use of a proton step-wedge provided clinically acceptable results and minimized variations between film-scanner orientation, inter-scan, and scanning conditions. Furthermore, it could be derived from no more than two films exposed to known doses (one could be zero) for rescaling the master calibration curve at each depth. Conclusion: The use of a proton step-wedge for calibration of EBT3 film increases efficiency. The sensitivity of the calibration to depth variations has been explored. One-scan protocol results appear to be comparable to that of the ion chamber array detector. One author has a research grant from Ashland Inc., the manufacturer of the GafChromic film.« less

SU-F-T-476: Performance of the AS1200 EPID for Periodic Photon Quality Assurance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DeMarco, J; Fraass, B; Yang, W

2016-06-15

Purpose: To assess the dosimetric performance of a new amorphous silicon flat-panel electronic portal imaging device (EPID) suitable for high-intensity, flattening-filter-free delivery mode. Methods: An EPID-based QA suite was created with automation to periodically monitor photon central-axis output and two-dimensional beam profile constancy as a function of gantry angle and dose-rate. A Varian TrueBeamTM linear accelerator installed with Developer Mode was used to customize and deliver XML script routines for the QA suite using the dosimetry mode image acquisition for an aS1200 EPID. Automatic post-processing software was developed to analyze the resulting DICOM images. Results: The EPID was used tomore » monitor photon beam output constancy (central-axis), flatness, and symmetry over a period of 10 months for four photon beam energies (6x, 15x, 6xFFF, and 10xFFF). EPID results were consistent to those measured with a standard daily QA check device. At the four cardinal gantry angles, the standard deviation of the EPID central-axis output was <0.5%. Likewise, EPID measurements were independent for the wide range of dose rates (including up to 2400 mu/min for 10xFFF) studied with a standard deviation of <0.8% relative to the nominal dose rate for each energy. Also, profile constancy and field size measurements showed good agreement with the reference acquisition of 0° gantry angle and nominal dose rate. XML script files were also tested for MU linearity and picket-fence delivery. Using Developer Mode, the test suite was delivered in <60 minutes for all 4 photon energies with 4 dose rates per energy and 5 picket-fence acquisitions. Conclusion: Dosimetry image acquisition using a new EPID was found to be accurate for standard and high-intensity photon beams over a broad range of dose rates over 10 months. Developer Mode provided an efficient platform to customize the EPID acquisitions by using custom script files which significantly reduced the time. This work was funded in part by Varian Medical Systems.« less

Probing the anisotropic vortex lattice in the Fe-based superconductor KFe2As2 using small angle neutron scattering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Debeer-Schmitt, Lisa M; Dewhurst, Charles; Kikuchi, Hiroko

Using small angle neutron scattering, the anisotropy of the magnetic vortex lattice (VL), in the heavily hole-doped pnictide superconductor, KFe2As2, was studied. Well-ordered VL scattering patterns were measured with elds applied in directions between B k c and the basal plane, rotating either towards [100] or [110]. Slightly distorted hexagonal patterns were observed when B k c. However, the scattering pattern distorted strongly as the eld was rotated away from the c- axis. At low eld, the arrangement of vortices is strongly aected by the anisotropy of penetration depth in the plane perpendicular to the eld. By tting the distortionmore » with the anisotropic London model, we obtained an estimate of 3:4 for the anisotropy factor, , between the in-plane and c-axis penetration depths at the lowest temperature studied. The results further reveal VL phase transitions as a function of eld direction. We discuss these transitions using the "Hairy Ball" theorem.« less

Three-Dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gutin, Mikhail; Wang, Xu-Ming; Gutin, Olga

2009-01-01

Three-dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an advanced method of noninvasive infrared imaging of tissues in depth. Heretofore, commercial OCT systems for 3D imaging have been designed principally for external ophthalmological examination. As explained below, such systems have been based on a one-dimensional OCT principle, and in the operation of such a system, 3D imaging is accomplished partly by means of a combination of electronic scanning along the optical (Z) axis and mechanical scanning along the two axes (X and Y) orthogonal to the optical axis. In 3D OCT, 3D imaging involves a form of electronic scanning (without mechanical scanning) along all three axes. Consequently, the need for mechanical adjustment is minimal and the mechanism used to position the OCT probe can be correspondingly more compact. A 3D OCT system also includes a probe of improved design and utilizes advanced signal- processing techniques. Improvements in performance over prior OCT systems include finer resolution, greater speed, and greater depth of field.

FM-to-AM modulations induced by a weak residual reflection stack of sine-modulated pulses in inertial confinement fusion laser systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xiaoxia; Deng, Xuewei; Zhou, Wei; Hu, Dongxia; Guo, Huaiwen; Wang, Yuancheng; Zhao, Bowang; Zhong, Wei; Deng, Wu

2018-02-01

We report on frequency to amplitude modulation (FM-to-AM) conversion induced by a weak residual reflection stack of sine-modulated pulses in a complex laser system. Theoretical and experimental investigations reveal that when weak residual reflected pulses stack on the main pulse, the spectral intensity changes in the stacked region, which then converts to obvious AM. This kind of FM-to-AM effect often occurs in the tail of the pulse and cannot be eliminated by common compensation methods, which even enhance the modulation depth. Furthermore, the actual intensity modulation frequency and depth induced by the residual reflection stack are much higher and deeper than observed on the oscilloscope, which is harmful for safe operation of the laser facility and the driving power balance during inertial confinement fusion. To eliminate this kind of FM-to-AM effect, any possible on-axis and near-axis residual reflection in laser systems must be avoided.

Behavior of a particle-laden flow in a spiral channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sungyon; Stokes, Yvonne; Bertozzi, Andrea L.

2014-04-01

Spiral gravity separators are devices used in mineral processing to separate particles based on their specific gravity or size. The spiral geometry allows for the simultaneous application of gravitational and centripetal forces on the particles, which leads to segregation of particles. However, this segregation mechanism is not fundamentally understood, and the spiral separator literature does not tell a cohesive story either experimentally or theoretically. While experimental results vary depending on the specific spiral separator used, present theoretical works neglect the significant coupling between the particle dynamics and the flow field. Using work on gravity-driven monodisperse slurries on an incline that empirically accounts for this coupling, we consider a monodisperse particle slurry of small depth flowing down a rectangular channel that is helically wound around a vertical axis. We use a thin-film approximation to derive an equilibrium profile for the particle concentration and fluid depth and find that, in the steady state limit, the particles concentrate towards the vertical axis of the helix, leaving a region of clear fluid.

Instrumentation for investigation of the depth-dose distribution by the Liulin-5 instrument of a human phantom on the Russian segment of ISS for estimation of the radiation risk during long term space flights

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Semkova, J.; Koleva, R.; Todorova, G.; Kanchev, N.; Petrov, V.; Shurshakov, V.; Tchhernykh, I.; Kireeva, S.

2004-01-01

Described is the Liulin-5 experiment and instrumentation, developed for investigation of the space radiation doses depth distribution in a human phantom on the Russian Segment of the International Space Station (ISS). Liulin-5 experiment is a part of the international project MATROSHKA-R on ISS. The experiment MATROSHKA-R is aimed to study the depth dose distribution at the sites of critical organs of the human body, using models of human body-anthropomorphic and spherical tissue-equivalent phantoms. The aim of Liulin-5 experiment is long term (4-5 years) investigation of the radiation environment dynamics inside the spherical tissue-equivalent phantom, mounted in different places of the Russian Segment of ISS. Energy deposition spectra, linear energy transfer spectra, flux and dose rates for protons and the biologically-relevant heavy ion components of the galactic cosmic radiation will be measured simultaneously with near real time resolution at different depths of the phantom by a telescope of silicon detectors. Data obtained together with data from other active and passive dosimeters will be used to estimate the radiation risk to the crewmembers, verify the models of radiation environment in low Earth orbit, validate body transport model and correlate organ level dose to skin dose. Presented are the test results of the prototype unit. The spherical phantom will be flown on the ISS in 2004 year and Liulin-5 experiment is planned for 2005 year. c2004 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An historical perspective on the pioneering experiments of John Saunders.

PubMed

Tickle, Cheryll

2017-09-15

John Saunders was a highly skilled embryologist who pioneered the study of limb development. His studies on chick embryos provided the fundamental framework for understanding how vertebrate limbs develop. This framework inspired generations of scientists and formed the bridge from experimental embryology to molecular mechanisms. Saunders investigated how feathers become organized into tracts in the skin of the chick wing and also identified regions of programmed cell death. He discovered that a region of thickened ectoderm that rims the chick wing bud - the apical ectodermal ridge - is required for outgrowth and the laying down of structures along the proximo-distal axis (long axis) of the wing, identified the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA; polarizing region) that controls development across the anteroposterior axis ("thumb to little finger "axis) and contributed to uncovering the importance of the ectoderm in development of structures along the dorso-ventral axis ( "back of hand to palm" axis). This review looks in depth at some of his original papers and traces how he made the crucial findings about how limbs develop, considering these findings both in the context of contemporary knowledge at the time and also in terms of their immediate impact on the field. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Overcoming adaptive resistance in mucoepidermoid carcinoma through inhibition of the IKK-β/IκBα/NFκB axis

PubMed Central

Wagner, Vivian P.; Martins, Marco A.T.; Martins, Manoela D.; Warner, Kristy A.; Webber, Liana P.; Squarize, Cristiane H.; Nör, Jacques E.; Castilho, Rogerio M.

2016-01-01

Patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) experience low survival rates and high morbidity following treatment, yet the intrinsic resistance of MEC cells to ionizing radiation (IR) and the mechanisms underlying acquired resistance remain unexplored. Herein, we demonstrated that low doses of IR intrinsically activated NFκB in resistant MEC cell lines. Moreover, resistance was significantly enhanced in IR-sensitive cell lines when NFκB pathway was stimulated. Pharmacological inhibition of the IKK-β/IκBα/NFκB axis, using a single dose of FDA-approved Emetine, led to a striking sensitization of MEC cells to IR and a reduction in cancer stem cells. We achieved a major step towards better understanding the basic mechanisms involved in IR-adaptive resistance in MEC cell lines and how to efficiently overcome this critical problem. PMID:27682876

The role of cortisol and psychopathy in the cycle of violence

PubMed Central

Green, Charles E.; Alcorn, Joseph L.; Swann, Alan C.; Moeller, F. Gerard; Lane, Scott D.

2016-01-01

Rationale Child abuse and neglect are universal risk factors for delinquency, violence, and aggression; this phenomenon is known as the cycle of violence. Additional factors—psychopathy, impulsiveness, and disruptions in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis—play a role in aggressive behavior but have rarely been examined in the same conceptual and experimental framework. Objectives We sought to examine the above-mentioned risk factors for aggression in a prospective study employing psychopharmacologic and psychometric techniques. Methods Sixty-seven adult participants were given an acute dose of 20 mg cortisol in a placebo-controlled, within-subject, counter-balanced dosing design. Salivary cortisol was measured at baseline and at regular intervals across a 5 h testing period. Following dosing, state-aggressive behavior was measured by a laboratory task, the Point-Subtraction Aggression Paradigm. History of child abuse/−neglect, psychopathy, impulsivity, and a trait measure of aggression were assessed through self-report questionnaires. Results Using multiple regression, a model including abuse/neglect, psychopathy, impulsivity, and baseline cortisol explained 58 % of the variance in trait aggression and 26 % of the variance in state aggression. Abuse/neglect predicted diminished HPA-axis reactivity and HPA-axis reactivity showed a trend toward predicting state and trait aggression, although it was not a significant mediating variable between abuse/neglect and aggression. Conclusions The results indicate that child maltreatment, psychopathy and HPA-axis reactivity interact to provide a confluence over aggressive behavior, and intervention efforts need to consider all these factors. PMID:23371492

Comparison of the secondary electrons produced by proton and electron beams in water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kia, Mohammad Reza; Noshad, Houshyar

2016-05-01

The secondary electrons produced in water by electron and proton beams are compared with each other. The total ionization cross section (TICS) for an electron impact in water is obtained by using the binary-encounter-Bethe model. Hence, an empirical equation based on two adjustable fitting parameters is presented to determine the TICS for proton impact in media. In order to calculate the projectile trajectory, a set of stochastic differential equations based on the inelastic collision, elastic scattering, and bremsstrahlung emission are used. In accordance with the projectile trajectory, the depth dose deposition, electron energy loss distribution in a certain depth, and secondary electrons produced in water are calculated. The obtained results for the depth dose deposition and energy loss distribution in certain depth for electron and proton beams with various incident energies in media are in excellent agreement with the reported experimental data. The difference between the profiles for the depth dose deposition and production of secondary electrons for a proton beam can be ignored approximately. But, these profiles for an electron beam are completely different due to the effect of elastic scattering on electron trajectory.

Comparison of the secondary electrons produced by proton and electron beams in water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kia, Mohammad Reza, E-mail: m-r-kia@aut.ac.ir; Noshad, Houshyar

The secondary electrons produced in water by electron and proton beams are compared with each other. The total ionization cross section (TICS) for an electron impact in water is obtained by using the binary-encounter-Bethe model. Hence, an empirical equation based on two adjustable fitting parameters is presented to determine the TICS for proton impact in media. In order to calculate the projectile trajectory, a set of stochastic differential equations based on the inelastic collision, elastic scattering, and bremsstrahlung emission are used. In accordance with the projectile trajectory, the depth dose deposition, electron energy loss distribution in a certain depth, andmore » secondary electrons produced in water are calculated. The obtained results for the depth dose deposition and energy loss distribution in certain depth for electron and proton beams with various incident energies in media are in excellent agreement with the reported experimental data. The difference between the profiles for the depth dose deposition and production of secondary electrons for a proton beam can be ignored approximately. But, these profiles for an electron beam are completely different due to the effect of elastic scattering on electron trajectory.« less

An EGSnrc Monte Carlo study of the microionization chamber for reference dosimetry of narrow irregular IMRT beamlets.

PubMed

Capote, Roberto; Sánchez-Doblado, Francisco; Leal, Antonio; Lagares, Juan Ignacio; Arráns, Rafael; Hartmann, Günther H

2004-09-01

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has evolved toward the use of many small radiation fields, or "beamlets," to increase the resolution of the intensity map. The size of smaller beamlets can be typically about 1-5 cm2. Therefore small ionization chambers (IC) with sensitive volumes < or = 0.1 cm3 are generally used for dose verification of IMRT treatment. The dosimetry of these narrow photon beams pertains to the so-called nonreference conditions for beam calibration. The use of ion chambers for such narrow beams remains questionable due to the lack of electron equilibrium in most of the field. The present contribution aims to estimate, by the Monte Carlo (MC) method, the total correction needed to convert the IBA-Wellhöfer NAC007 micro IC measured charge in such radiation field to the absolute dose to water. Detailed geometrical simulation of the microionization chamber was performed. The ion chamber was always positioned at a 10 cm depth in water, parallel to the beam axis. The delivered doses to air and water cavity were calculated using the CAVRZ EGSnrc user code. The 6 MV phase-spaces for Primus Clinac (Siemens) used as an input to the CAVRZnrc code were derived by BEAM/EGS4 modeling of the treatment head of the machine along with the multileaf collimator [Sánchez-Doblado et al., Phys. Med. Biol. 48, 2081-2099 (2003)] and contrasted with experimental measurements. Dose calculations were carried out for two irradiation geometries, namely, the reference 10x10 cm2 field and an irregular (approximately 2x2 cm2) IMRT beamlet. The dose measured by the ion chamber is estimated by MC simulation as a dose averaged over the air cavity inside the ion-chamber (Dair). The absorbed dose to water is derived as the dose deposited inside the same volume, in the same geometrical position, filled and surrounded by water (Dwater) in the absence of the ionization chamber. Therefore, the Dwater/Dair dose ratio is a MC direct estimation of the total correction factor needed to convert the absorbed dose in air to absorbed dose to water. The dose ratio was calculated for several chamber positions, starting from the penumbra region around the beamlet along the two diagonals crossing the radiation field. For this quantity from 0 up to a 3% difference is observed between the dose ratio values obtained within the small irregular IMRT beamlet in comparison with the dose ratio derived for the reference 10x10 cm2 field. Greater differences from the reference value up to 9% were obtained in the penumbra region of the small IMRT beamlet.

On the Use of Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeter for Surface Dose Measurement during Radiotherapy

PubMed Central

Yusof, Fasihah Hanum; Ung, Ngie Min; Wong, Jeannie Hsiu Ding; Jong, Wei Loong; Ath, Vannyat; Phua, Vincent Chee Ee; Heng, Siew Ping; Ng, Kwan Hoong

2015-01-01

This study was carried out to investigate the suitability of using the optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (OSLD) in measuring surface dose during radiotherapy. The water equivalent depth (WED) of the OSLD was first determined by comparing the surface dose measured using the OSLD with the percentage depth dose at the buildup region measured using a Markus ionization chamber. Surface doses were measured on a solid water phantom using the OSLD and compared against the Markus ionization chamber and Gafchromic EBT3 film measurements. The effect of incident beam angles on surface dose was also studied. The OSLD was subsequently used to measure surface dose during tangential breast radiotherapy treatments in a phantom study and in the clinical measurement of 10 patients. Surface dose to the treated breast or chest wall, and on the contralateral breast were measured. The WED of the OSLD was found to be at 0.4 mm. For surface dose measurement on a solid water phantom, the Markus ionization chamber measured 15.95% for 6 MV photon beam and 12.64% for 10 MV photon beam followed by EBT3 film (23.79% and 17.14%) and OSLD (37.77% and 25.38%). Surface dose increased with the increase of the incident beam angle. For phantom and patient breast surface dose measurement, the response of the OSLD was higher than EBT3 film. The in-vivo measurements were also compared with the treatment planning system predicted dose. The OSLD measured higher dose values compared to dose at the surface (Hp(0.0)) by a factor of 2.37 for 6 MV and 2.01 for 10 MV photon beams, respectively. The measurement of absorbed dose at the skin depth of 0.4 mm by the OSLD can still be a useful tool to assess radiation effects on the skin dermis layer. This knowledge can be used to prevent and manage potential acute skin reaction and late skin toxicity from radiotherapy treatments. PMID:26052690

Cosmic radiation exposure of biological test systems during the EXPOSE-E mission.

PubMed

Berger, Thomas; Hajek, Michael; Bilski, Pawel; Körner, Christine; Vanhavere, Filip; Reitz, Günther

2012-05-01

In the frame of the EXPOSE-E mission on the Columbus external payload facility EuTEF on board the International Space Station, passive thermoluminescence dosimeters were applied to measure the radiation exposure of biological samples. The detectors were located either as stacks next to biological specimens to determine the depth dose distribution or beneath the sample carriers to determine the dose levels for maximum shielding. The maximum mission dose measured in the upper layer of the depth dose part of the experiment amounted to 238±10 mGy, which relates to an average dose rate of 408±16 μGy/d. In these stacks of about 8 mm height, the dose decreased by 5-12% with depth. The maximum dose measured beneath the sample carriers was 215±16 mGy, which amounts to an average dose rate of 368±27 μGy/d. These values are close to those assessed for the interior of the Columbus module and demonstrate the high shielding of the biological experiments within the EXPOSE-E facility. Besides the shielding by the EXPOSE-E hardware itself, additional shielding was experienced by the external structures adjacent to EXPOSE-E, such as EuTEF and Columbus. This led to a dose gradient over the entire exposure area, from 215±16 mGy for the lowest to 121±6 mGy for maximum shielding. Hence, the doses perceived by the biological samples inside EXPOSE-E varied by 70% (from lowest to highest dose). As a consequence of the high shielding, the biological samples were predominantly exposed to galactic cosmic heavy ions, while electrons and a significant fraction of protons of the radiation belts and solar wind did not reach the samples.

Polymer gel dosimetry for measuring the dose near thin high-Z materials irradiated with high energy photon beams.

PubMed

Warmington, Leighton L; Gopishankar, N; Broadhurst, John H; Watanabe, Yoichi

2016-12-01

To investigate the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) dose measurements near thin high-Z materials placed in a water-like medium by using a polymer gel dosimeter (PGD) when the medium was irradiated with high energy photon beams. PGD is potentially a useful tool for this application because it can record the dose around a small object made of a high-Z material in a continuous 3D medium. In this study, the authors manufactured a methacrylic acid-based normoxic PGD, nMAG. Two 0.5 mm thick lead foils (1 × 1 cm) were placed in foil supports with 0.7 cm separation in a 1000 ml polystyrene container filled with nMAG. The authors used two foil configurations, i.e., orthogonal and parallel. In the orthogonal configuration, two foils were placed in the direction orthogonal to the beam axis. The parallel configuration had two foils arranged in parallel to the beam axis. The phantom was irradiated with an 18 MV photon beam of 5 × 5 cm field size. It was imaged with a three-Tesla (3 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanned using the Car-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence. The spin-spin relaxation time (R2) to-dose calibration data were obtained by using small vials filled with nMAG and exposing to known doses. The DOSXYZnrc Monte Carlo (MC) code was used to get the expected dose distributions. More than 35 × 10 6 of histories were simulated so that the average error was less than 1%. An in-house matlab-based software was used to obtain the dose distributions from the measured R2 data as well as to compare the measurements and the MC predictions. The dose change due to the presence of the foils was studied by comparing the dose distributions with and without foils (or the reference). For the orthogonal configuration, the measured dose along the beam axis showed an increase in the upstream side of the first foil, between the foils, and on the downstream side of the second foil. The range of increased dose area was 1.1 cm in the upstream of the first foil. However, in the downstream of the second foil, it was 0.2 cm, beyond which the dose fell below the reference dose by 10%. The dose profile between the foils showed a well-like shape with the minimum dose still larger than the reference dose by 1.8%. The minimum dose point was closer to the first foil than to the second foil. For the parallel configuration, the dose between foils was the largest at the center. The increased dose area opposite to the gap between foils extended outward to 1 cm. The spatial dose distributions of PGD and MC showed the same geometrical patterns except for the points inside the foils for both orthogonal and parallel foil arrangements. The authors demonstrated that the nMAG PGD with MRI could be used to measure the 3D dosimetric structures at the mm-scale in the vicinity of the foil. The current study provided more accurate 3D spatial dose distribution than the previous studies. Furthermore, the measurements were validated by the MC simulation.

Evaluation of characteristics of high-energy electron beams using N-isopropyl-acrylamide gel dosimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shih, Tian-Yu; Yen, Tsung-Hsien; Liu, Yan-Lin; Luzhbin, Dmytro; Wu, Jay

2017-11-01

The advantage of electron beam radiotherapy is that the absorbed dose rapidly decreases with the increasing depth, which can prevent damage to deeper organs and tissues. Accurately evaluating the absorbed dose in the superficial tumor is imperative. This study assessed the characteristics of electron beams by using the N-isopropyl-acrylamide (n-NIPAM) gel dosimeter. The n-NIPAM gel was composed of 6% gelatin, 5% monomer, and 2.5% cross-linker with 5 mM tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride for deoxygenation. The gel was irradiated with 6-, 9-, and 12-MeV electron beams with dose rates of 100-600 MU/min, respectively. The energy dependence and dose rate dependence were assessed. The beam profiles and percentage depth doses were measured and compared with the results of the Gafchromic film and ionization chamber. The linearity of the n-NIPAM gel under 6-, 9-, and 12-MeV electrons was larger than 0.990 with 2% variation in sensitivity. The sensitivity of the gel under 100-600 MU/min showed 5% variations. The energy and dose rate dependence can be negligible. The beam profiles and percentage depth doses measured by the n-NIPAM gel matched well with the results of the ionization chamber and film. This study reveals the possibility of using the n-NIPAM gel dosimeter for electron beam measurements in clinical radiotherapy.

Proton depth dose distribution: 3-D calculation of dose distributions from solar flare irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leavitt, Dennis D.

1990-11-01

Relative depth dose distribution to the head from 3 typical solar flare proton events were calculated for 3 different exposure geometries: (1) single directional radiation incident upon a fixed head; (2) single directional radiation incident upon head rotating axially (2-D rotation); and (3) omnidirectional radiation incident upon head (3-D rotation). Isodose distributions in the transverse plane intersecting isocenter are presented for each of the 3 solar flare events in all 3 exposure geometries. In all 3 calculation configurations the maximum predicted dose occurred on the surface of the head. The dose at the isocenter of the head relative to the surface dose for the 2-D and 3-D rotation geometries ranged from 2 to 19 percent, increasing with increasing energy of the event. The calculations suggest the superficially located organs (lens of the eye and skin) are at greatest risk for the proton events studied here.

SU-E-T-635: Quantitative Study On Beam Flatness Variation with Beam Energy Change

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, J S; Eldib, A; Ma, C

2014-06-15

Purpose: Beam flatness check has been proposed for beam energy check for photon beams with flattering filters. In this work, beam flatness change with beam energy was investigated quantitatively using the Monte Carlo method and its significance was compared with depth dose curve change. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations for a linear accelerator with flattering filter were performed with different initial electron energies for photon beams of 6MV and 10MV. Dose calculations in a water phantom were then perform with the phase space files obtained from the simulations. The beam flatness was calculated based on the dose profile at 10 cmmore » depth for all the beams with different initial electron energies. The percentage depth dose (PDD) curves were also analyzed. The dose at 10cm depth (D10) and the ratio of the dose at 10cm and 20cm depth (D10/D20) and their change with the beam energy were calculated and compared with the beam flatness variation. Results: It was found that the beam flatness variation with beam energy change was more significant than the change of D10 and the ratio between D10 and D20 for both 6MV and 10MV beams. Half MeV difference on the initial electron beam energy brought in at least 20% variation on the beam flatness but only half percent change on the ratio of D10 and D20. The change of D10 or D20 alone is even less significant. Conclusion: The beam energy impact on PDD is less significant than that on the beam flatness. If the PDD is used for checking the beam energy, uncertainties of the measurement could possibly disguise its change. Beam flatness changes more significantly with beam energy and therefore it can be used for monitoring the energy change for photon beams with flattering filters. However, other factors which may affect the beam flatness should be watched as well.« less

The use of normoxic polymer gel for measuring dose distributions of 1, 4 and 30 mm cones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, C. C.; Wu, J. F.; Chang, K. P.; Chu, C. H.; Wey, S. P.; Liu, H. L.; Tung, C. J.; Wu, S. W.; Chao, T. C.

2014-11-01

This study demonstrates the use of normoxic polymer gel for measuring dose distributions of small fields that lack lateral electronic equilibrium. Two different types of normoxic polymer gel, MAGAT and PAGAT, are studied in a larger field (10 cm×10 cm) and 1, 4 and 30 mm cones to obtain cone factors, dose profiles and percentage depth doses. These results were then compared to KODAK XV film measurements and BEAMnrc Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that the sensitivity of PAGAT gel is 0.090±0.074 s-1 Gy-1, which may not be suitable for small-field dosimetry with a 0.3 mm resolution scanned using a 3 T MR imager in a dose range lower than 2.5 Gy. There are good agreements between cone factors estimated using KODAK XV film and MAGAT gel. In a dose profile comparison, good dose agreement among MAGAT gel, XV film and MC simulation can be seen in the central area for a 30 mm cone. In penumbra, the distance to agreement is at most 1.2 mm (4 pixel), and less than 0.3 mm (1 pixel) for 4 and 1 mm cones. In a percentage depth dose comparison, there were good agreements between MAGAT and MC up to a depth of 8 cm. Possible factors for gel uncertainty such as MRI magnetic field inhomogeneity and temperature were also investigated.

Spatial distribution of soil contamination by 137Cs and 239,240Pu in the village of Dolon near the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site: new information on traces of the radioactive plume from the 29 August 1949 nuclear test.

PubMed

Yamamoto, M; Tomita, J; Sakaguchi, A; Imanaka, T; Fukutani, S; Endo, S; Tanaka, K; Hoshi, M; Gusev, B I; Apsalikov, A N

2008-04-01

The village of Dolon located about 60 km northeast from the border of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Kazakhstan is one of the most affected inhabited settlements as a result of nuclear tests by the former USSR. Radioactive contamination in Dolon was mainly caused by the first USSR nuclear test on 29 August 1949. As part of the efforts to reconstruct the radiation dose in Dolon, Cs and Pu in soil samples collected from 26 locations in the vicinity of and within the village were measured to determine the width and position of the center-axis of the radioactive plume that passed over the village from the 29 August 1949 nuclear test. Measured soil inventories of Cs and Pu were plotted as a function of the distance from the supposed center-axis of the plume. A clear shape similar to a Gaussian function was observed in their spatial distributions with each maximum around a center-axis. It was suggested that the plume width that contaminated Dolon was at most 10 km and the real center-axis of the radioactive plume passed 0.7-0.9 km north of the supposed centerline. A peak-like shape with the maximum near the center-axis was also observed in the spatial distribution of the Pu/Cs activity ratio, which may reflect the fractionation effect between Pu and Cs during the deposition process. These results support the recently reported results. The data obtained here will provide useful information on the efforts to estimate radiation dose in Dolon as reliably as possible. Health Phys. 94(4):328-337; 2008.

S3D depth-axis interaction for video games: performance and engagement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zerebecki, Chris; Stanfield, Brodie; Hogue, Andrew; Kapralos, Bill; Collins, Karen

2013-03-01

Game developers have yet to embrace and explore the interactive stereoscopic 3D medium. They typically view stereoscopy as a separate mode that can be disabled throughout the design process and rarely develop game mechanics that take advantage of the stereoscopic 3D medium. What if we designed games to be S3D-specific and viewed traditional 2D viewing as a separate mode that can be disabled? The design choices made throughout such a process may yield interesting and compelling results. Furthermore, we believe that interaction within a stereoscopic 3D environment is more important than the visual experience itself and therefore, further exploration is needed to take into account the interactive affordances presented by stereoscopic 3D displays. Stereoscopic 3D displays allow players to perceive objects at different depths, thus we hypothesize that designing a core mechanic to take advantage of this viewing paradigm will create compelling content. In this paper, we describe Z-Fighter a game that we have developed that requires the player to interact directly along the stereoscopic 3D depth axis. We also outline an experiment conducted to investigate the performance, perception, and enjoyment of this game in stereoscopic 3D vs. traditional 2D viewing.

Experimental verification of enhanced sound transmission from water to air at low frequencies.

PubMed

Calvo, David C; Nicholas, Michael; Orris, Gregory J

2013-11-01

Laboratory measurements of enhanced sound transmission from water to air at low frequencies are presented. The pressure at a monitoring hydrophone is found to decrease for shallow source depths in agreement with the classical theory of a monopole source in proximity to a pressure release interface. On the other hand, for source depths below 1/10 of an acoustic wavelength in water, the radiation pattern in the air measured by two microphones becomes progressively omnidirectional in contrast to the classical geometrical acoustics picture in which sound is contained within a cone of 13.4° half angle. The measured directivities agree with wavenumber integration results for a point source over a range of frequencies and source depths. The wider radiation pattern owes itself to the conversion of evanescent waves in the water into propagating waves in the air that fill the angular space outside the cone. A ratio of pressure measurements made using an on-axis microphone and a near-axis hydrophone are also reported and compared with theory. Collectively, these pressure measurements are consistent with the theory of anomalous transparency of the water-air interface in which a large fraction of acoustic power emitted by a shallow source is radiated into the air.

SU-D-207-07: Implementation of Full/half Bowtie Filter Model in a Commercial Treatment Planning System for Kilovoltage X-Ray Imaging Dose Estimation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, S; Alaei, P

2015-06-15

Purpose: To implement full/half bowtie filter models in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) to calculate kilovoltage (kV) x-ray imaging dose of Varian On-Board Imager (OBI) cone beam CT (CBCT) system. Methods: Full/half bowtie filters of Varian OBI were created as compensator models in Pinnacle TPS (version 9.6) using Matlab software (version 2011a). The profiles of both bowtie filters were acquired from the manufacturer, imported into the Matlab system and hard coded in binary file format. A Pinnacle script was written to import each bowtie filter data into a Pinnacle treatment plan as a compensator. A kV x-ray beam modelmore » without including the compensator model was commissioned per each bowtie filter setting based on percent depth dose and lateral profile data acquired from Monte Carlo simulations. To validate the bowtie filter models, a rectangular water phantom was generated in the planning system and an anterior/posterior beam with each bowtie filter was created. Using the Pinnacle script, each bowtie filter compensator was added to the treatment plan. Lateral profile at the depth of 3cm and percent depth dose were measured using an ion chamber and compared with the data extracted from the treatment plans. Results: The kV x-ray beams for both full and half bowtie filter have been modeled in a commercial TPS. The difference of lateral and depth dose profiles between dose calculations and ion chamber measurements were within 6%. Conclusion: Both full/half bowtie filter models provide reasonable results in kV x-ray dose calculations in the water phantom. This study demonstrates the possibility of using a model-based treatment planning system to calculate the kV imaging dose for both full and half bowtie filter modes. Further study is to be performed to evaluate the models in clinical situations.« less

SU-F-P-61: Does It Matter Not to Use Optimization Points at the Apex for Vaginal Cylinder HDR Brachytherapy Planning?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Y

2016-06-15

Purpose: To test the impact of the use of apex optimization points for new vaginal cylinder (VC) applicators. Methods: New “ClickFit” single channel VC applicators (Varian) that have a different top thicknesses but the same diameters as the old VC applicators (2.3 cm diameter, 2.6 cm, 3.0 cm, and 3.5 cm) were compared using phantom studies. Old VC applicator plans without apex optimization points were also compared to the plans with the optimization points. The apex doses were monitored at 5 mm depth doses (8 points) where a prescription dose (Rx) of 6Gy was prescribed. VC surface doses (8 points)more » were also analyzed. Results: The new VC applicator plans without apex optimization points presented significantly lower 5mm depth doses than Rx (on average −31 ± 7%, p <0.00001) due to their thicker VC tops (3.4 ± 1.1 mm thicker with the range of 1.2 to 4.4 mm) than the old VC applicators. Old VC applicator plans also showed a statistically significant reduction (p <0.00001) due to Ir-192 source anisotropic effect at the apex region but the % reduction over Rx was only −7 ± 9%. However, by adding apex optimization points to the new VC applicator plans, the plans improved 5 mm depth doses (−7 ± 9% over Rx) that were not statistically different from old VC plans (p = 0.923), along with apex VC surface doses (−22 ± 10% over old VC versus −46 ± 7% without using apex optimization points). Conclusion: The use of apex optimization points are important in order to avoid significant additional cold doses (−24 ± 2%) at the prescription depth (5 mm) of apex, especially for the new VC applicators that have thicker tops.« less

Treatment with Synthetic Glucocorticoids and the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

PubMed Central

Paragliola, Rosa Maria; Papi, Giampaolo; Pontecorvi, Alfredo; Corsello, Salvatore Maria

2017-01-01

Chronic glucocorticoid (GC) treatment represents a widely-prescribed therapy for several diseases in consideration of both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity but, if used at high doses for prolonged periods, it can determine the systemic effects characteristic of Cushing’s syndrome. In addition to signs and symptoms of hypercortisolism, patients on chronic GC therapy are at risk to develop tertiary adrenal insufficiency after the reduction or the withdrawal of corticosteroids or during acute stress. This effect is mediated by the negative feedback loop on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which mainly involves corticotropin-release hormone (CRH), which represents the most important driver of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release. In fact, after withdrawal of chronic GC treatment, reactivation of CRH secretion is a necessary prerequisite for the recovery of the HPA axis. In addition to the well-known factors which regulate the degree of inhibition of the HPA during synthetic GC therapy (type of compound, method of administration, cumulative dose, duration of the treatment, concomitant drugs which can increase the bioavailability of GCs), there is a considerable variation in individual physiology, probably related to different genetic profiles which regulate GC receptor activity. This may represent an interesting basis for possible future research fields. PMID:29053578

Geant4 beam model for boron neutron capture therapy: investigation of neutron dose components.

PubMed

Moghaddasi, Leyla; Bezak, Eva

2018-03-01

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a biochemically-targeted type of radiotherapy, selectively delivering localized dose to tumour cells diffused in normal tissue, while minimizing normal tissue toxicity. BNCT is based on thermal neutron capture by stable [Formula: see text]B nuclei resulting in emission of short-ranged alpha particles and recoil [Formula: see text]Li nuclei. The purpose of the current work was to develop and validate a Monte Carlo BNCT beam model and to investigate contribution of individual dose components resulting of neutron interactions. A neutron beam model was developed in Geant4 and validated against published data. The neutron beam spectrum, obtained from literature for a cyclotron-produced beam, was irradiated to a water phantom with boron concentrations of 100 μg/g. The calculated percentage depth dose curves (PDDs) in the phantom were compared with published data to validate the beam model in terms of total and boron depth dose deposition. Subsequently, two sensitivity studies were conducted to quantify the impact of: (1) neutron beam spectrum, and (2) various boron concentrations on the boron dose component. Good agreement was achieved between the calculated and measured neutron beam PDDs (within 1%). The resulting boron depth dose deposition was also in agreement with measured data. The sensitivity study of several boron concentrations showed that the calculated boron dose gradually converged beyond 100 μg/g boron concentration. This results suggest that 100μg/g tumour boron concentration may be optimal and above this value limited increase in boron dose is expected for a given neutron flux.

Silicon diodes as an alternative to diamond detectors for depth dose curves and profile measurements of photon and electron radiation.

PubMed

Scherf, Christian; Peter, Christiane; Moog, Jussi; Licher, Jörg; Kara, Eugen; Zink, Klemens; Rödel, Claus; Ramm, Ulla

2009-08-01

Depth dose curves and lateral dose profiles should correspond to relative dose to water in any measured point, what can be more or less satisfied with different detectors. Diamond as detector material has similar dosimetric properties like water. Silicon diodes and ionization chambers are also commonly used to acquire dose profiles. The authors compared dose profiles measured in an MP3 water phantom with a diamond detector 60003, unshielded and shielded silicon diodes 60008 and 60012 and a 0.125-cm(3) thimble chamber 233642 (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) for 6- and 25-MV photons. Electron beams of 6, 12 and 18 MeV were investigated with the diamond detector, the unshielded diode and a Markus chamber 23343. The unshielded diode revealed relative dose differences at the water surface below +10% for 6-MV and +4% for 25-MV photons compared to the diamond data. These values decreased to less than 1% within the first millimeters of water depth. The shielded diode was only required to obtain correct data of the fall-off zones for photon beams larger than 10 x 10 cm(2) because of important contributions of low-energy scattered photons. For electron radiation the largest relative dose difference of -2% was observed with the unshielded silicon diode for 6 MeV within the build-up zone. Spatial resolutions were always best with the small voluminous silicon diodes. Relative dose profiles obtained with the two silicon diodes have the same degree of accuracy as with the diamond detector.

Style of Plate Spreading Derived from the 2008-2014 Velocity Field Across the Northern Volcanic Zone of Iceland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drouin, V.; Sigmundsson, F.; Hreinsdottir, S.; Ofeigsson, B.; Sturkell, E.; Einarsson, P.

2015-12-01

The Northern Volcanic Zone (NVZ) of Iceland is a subaerial part of the divergent boundary between the North-American and Eurasian Plates. At this latitude, the full spreading between the plates is accommodated by the NVZ. We derived the plate boundary velocity field from GPS campaign and continuous measurements between 2008 and 2014, a time period free of any magma intrusion. Average velocities were estimated in the ITRF08 reference frame. The overall extension is consistent with 18 mm/yr in the 104°N direction spreading, in accordance with the MORVEL2010 plate motion model. We find that a 40km-wide band along the plate boundary accommodates about 75% of the full plate velocities. Within this zone, the average strain rate is approximately 0.35 μstrain/yr. The deformation field and the strain rate are, however, much affected by other sources of deformations in the NVZ. These include magmatic sources at the most active volcanic centers, glacial rebound near the ice-caps and geothermal power-plant water extraction. Magmatic sources include a shallow magma chamber deflation under Askja caldera, as well as under Þeistareykir and eventual deep magma inflation north of Krafla volcano. Vatnajökull ice cap melting causes large uplift and outward displacements in the southern part of the NVZ. The two geothermal power-plants near Krafla are inducing local deflations. Our GPS velocities show a 35° change in the direction of the plate boundary axis north of Askja volcano that we infer to be linked to the geometric arrangement of volcanic systems within the NVZ.We use a simple arctangent model to describe the plate spreading to provide constraints on the location and the locking depth of the spreading axis. For that purpose we divided the area in short overlapping segments having the same amount of GPS points along the plate spreading direction and inverted for the location of the center of the spreading axis and locking depth. With this simple model we can account for most of the plate spreading related deformation in the NVZ. It appears that the locking depth is not uniform all along the length of the plate boundary, with a deeper locking depth in the low activity volcanic systems and a shallower locking depth in the more active volcanic systems of Krafla and Askja.

Sheet-scanned dual-axis confocal microscopy using Richardson-Lucy deconvolution.

PubMed

Wang, D; Meza, D; Wang, Y; Gao, L; Liu, J T C

2014-09-15

We have previously developed a line-scanned dual-axis confocal (LS-DAC) microscope with subcellular resolution suitable for high-frame-rate diagnostic imaging at shallow depths. Due to the loss of confocality along one dimension, the contrast (signal-to-background ratio) of a LS-DAC microscope is deteriorated compared to a point-scanned DAC microscope. However, by using a sCMOS camera for detection, a short oblique light-sheet is imaged at each scanned position. Therefore, by scanning the light sheet in only one dimension, a thin 3D volume is imaged. Both sequential two-dimensional deconvolution and three-dimensional deconvolution are performed on the thin image volume to improve the resolution and contrast of one en face confocal image section at the center of the volume, a technique we call sheet-scanned dual-axis confocal (SS-DAC) microscopy.

Dose response of alanine detectors irradiated with carbon ion beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herrmann, Rochus; Jaekel, Oliver; Palmans, Hugo

Purpose: The dose response of the alanine detector shows a dependence on particle energy and type when irradiated with ion beams. The purpose of this study is to investigate the response behavior of the alanine detector in clinical carbon ion beams and compare the results to model predictions. Methods: Alanine detectors have been irradiated with carbon ions with an energy range of 89-400 MeV/u. The relative effectiveness of alanine has been measured in this regime. Pristine and spread out Bragg peak depth-dose curves have been measured with alanine dosimeters. The track structure based alanine response model developed by Hansen andmore » Olsen has been implemented in the Monte Carlo code FLUKA and calculations were compared to experimental results. Results: Calculations of the relative effectiveness deviate less than 5% from the measured values for monoenergetic beams. Measured depth-dose curves deviate from predictions in the peak region, most pronounced at the distal edge of the peak. Conclusions: The used model and its implementation show a good overall agreement for quasimonoenergetic measurements. Deviations in depth-dose measurements are mainly attributed to uncertainties of the detector geometry implemented in the Monte Carlo simulations.« less

Major off-axis hydrothermal activity on the northern Gorda Ridge

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rona, Peter A.; Denlinger, Roger P.; Fisk, M. R.; Howard, K. J.; Taghon, G. L.; Klitgord, Kim D.; McClain, James S.; McMurray, G. R.; Wiltshire, J. C.

1990-01-01

The first hydrothermal field on the northern Gorda Ridge, the Sea Cliff hydrothermal field, was discovered and geologic controls of hydrothermal activity in the rift valley were investigated on a dive series using the DSV Sea Cliff. The Sea Cliff hydrothermal field was discovered where predicted at the intersection of axis-oblique and axis-parallel faults at the south end of a linear ridge at mid-depth (2700 m) on the east wall. Preliminary mapping and sampling of the field reveal: a setting nested on nearly sediment-free fault blocks 300 m above the rift valley floor 2.6 km from the axis; a spectrum of venting types from seeps to black smokers; high conductive heat flow estimated to be equivalent to the convective flux of multiple black smokers through areas of the sea floor sealed by a caprock of elastic breccia primarily derived from basalt with siliceous cement and barite pore fillings; and a vent biota with Juan de Fuca Ridge affinites. These findings demonstrate the importance of off-axis hydrothermal activity and the role of the intersection of tectonic lineations in controlling hydrothermal sites at sea-floor spreading centers.