SU‐E‐CAMPUS‐T‐06: Radiochromic Film Analysis Based On Principal Components

Abstract

Purpose:An algorithm to convert the color image of scanned EBT2 radiochromic film [Ashland, Covington KY] into a dose map was developed based upon a principal component analysis. The sensitive layer of the EBT2 film is colored so that the background streaks arising from variations in thickness and scanning imperfections may be distinguished by color from the dose in the exposed film.Methods:Doses of 0, 0.94, 1.9, 3.8, 7.8, 16, 32 and 64 Gy were delivered to radiochromic films by contact with a calibrated Sr‐90/Y‐90 source. They were digitized by a transparency scanner. Optical density images were calculated and analyzed by the method of principal components. The eigenimages of the 0.94 Gy film contained predominantly noise, predominantly background streaking, and background streaking plus the source, respectively, in order from the smallest to the largest eigenvalue. Weighting the second and third eigenimages by −0.574 and 0.819 respectively and summing them plus the constant 0.012 yielded a processed optical density image with negligible background streaking. This same weighted sum was transformed to the red, green and blue space of the scanned images and applied to all of the doses. The curve of processed density in the middle of the source versus applied dose was fit by a twophase association curve. A film was sandwiched between two polystyrene blocks and exposed edge‐on to a different Y‐90 source. This measurement was modeled with the GATE simulation toolkit [Version 6.2, OpenGATE Collaboration], and the on‐axis depth‐dose curves were compared.Results:The transformation defined using the principal component analysis of the 0.94 Gy film minimized streaking in the backgrounds of all of the films. The depth‐dose curves from the film measurement and simulation are indistinguishable.Conclusion:This algorithm accurately converts EBT2 film images to dose images while reducing noise and minimizing background streaking.Supported by a sponsored research agreement from IsoTherapeutics Group, LLC.