A Monte Carlo based analytic model of the in-room neutron ambient dose equivalent for a Mevion gantry-mounted passively scattered proton system

Abstract

The goal of this study was to develop a Monte Carlo (MC)-based analytical model that can predict the in-room ambient dose equivalent from a Mevion gantry-mounted passively scattered proton system. The Mevion S250 and treatment vault were simulated using the MCNPX MC code. The results of the in-room neutron dose measurements, using an FHT 762 WENDI-II detector, were employed to benchmark the MC-derived values. After tuning the MCNPX MC code, for the same beam delivery parameters, the code was used to calculate the neutron spectra and ambient dose equivalent in the vault and at varying angles from the isocenter. Then, based on the calculations, an analytical model was reconstructed and data were fitted to derive the model parameters at 95% confidence intervals (CI). The MCNPX codes were tuned to within about 19% of the measured values for most of the measurements in the vault. For the maze, up to 0.08 mSv Gy−1 discrepancies were found between the experimental measurements and MCNPX calculated results. The analytical model showed up to 18% discrepancy for distances between 100 and 600 cm from the isocenter compared to the MC calculations. The model may underestimate the neutron ambient dose equivalent up to 21% for distances less than 100 cm from the isocenter. The proposed analytical model can be used to estimate the contribution of the secondary neutron dose from the Mevion S250 for the design of local shielding inside the proton therapy treatment vault.