研究目的
To verify that the linear accelerator (linac) beam shape could be quantitatively measured at the irradiation surface for Quality Audit (QA) using a remote imaging system tracking Cherenkov emission.
研究成果
The proposed Cherenkov image acquisition system provides a valid way to remotely confirm radiation field sizes and provides similar information to that obtained from the linac light field or GaF film estimates of the beam size. The major benefit of this approach is that with a fixed installation of the camera, testing could be done completely under software control with automated image analysis, potentially simplifying conventional QA procedures with appropriate calibration of boundary definitions, and the natural extension to capturing dynamic treatment beamlets at SSD could have future value, such as verification of beam plans with complex beam shapes, like IMRT or “star-shot” QA for the isocenter.
研究不足
The boundaries of optical images on an ABS phantom and on a solid water phantom are more blurred than those of the radiation field as reported by the film. The blurring effect likely comes from the scattering of the beige plastic board. The measurement of Cherenkov width with FWHM estimation were not within tolerance using the standard FWHM definition, suggesting that the optical scattering of the edge was likely widening the estimated edge more than would be desired.
1:Experimental Design and Method Selection:
The Cherenkov camera recorded 2D dose images delivered on a solid acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic phantom surface for a range of square beam sizes, and 6 MV photons. Imaging was done at source to surface distance (SSD) of 100cm and compared to GaF film images and linac light fields of the same beam sizes, ranging over 5×5cm2 up to 20×20cm
2:Line profiles of each field were compared in both X and Y jaw directions. Sample Selection and Data Sources:
Measurements were conducted in two treatment rooms with two different medical linear accelerators (Varian 2100CD, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA).
3:List of Experimental Equipment and Materials:
Two different camera systems produced by DoseOptics LLC as early prototypes of time-gated intensified CMOS cameras (C-Dose?, DoseOptics, LLC, Lebanon, NH), fixed focal length lens (50mm f/
4:8, Nikon Inc., Belmont, CA), custom LED panel for continuous bright non-saturating signal (Thorlabs, Newton, NJ), square beige Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic slab (40cm×40cm×1cm), GaF films (Ashland Advanced Materials, Bridgewater, NJ), film scanner (Epson, Long Beach, CA). Experimental Procedures and Operational Workflow:
The Cherenkov camera recorded images/video frames of Cherenkov emission and light field of square beams. The measurements were repeated on 2 different Clinac2100 machines. An inter-reader comparison of the beam width interpretation was completed.
5:Data Analysis Methods:
The raw video frames were post-processed with frame averaging, flat-field/dark-field correction and background subtraction. The boundaries of Cherenkov signal or light field images were determined using the full width at half maximum (FWHM) and maximum slope profile estimate.
独家科研数据包,助您复现前沿成果,加速创新突破
获取完整内容