Diameter Collimator Research Articles

Use of Gamma Ray Back Scattering Method for Corrosion Assessment in Insulated Pipes

Corrosion of insulated pipes is a major problem in nuclear,petrochemical and other industries.This type of corrosion is difficult to measure by the available techniques of ultrasound and transmission gamma or x-ray radiography due to the presence of insulating material and limited accessibility to both sides. Gamma-ray backscattering technique is a non-contactmethod and is highly suitable for buried insulated pipes where access is limited to one side only.In the present work, MCNP5 code was used to simulate a case where pipe corrosion (i.e., wall thinning) was measured by gamma backscattered technique. A steel pipe is bombarded by collimated gamma ray beam of 1 cm diameter from an 8 mCi137Cs source. The pipehad different wall thicknesses and was wrapped with a commercially available insulator. Upon interaction with the pipe wall, a 2x2 cm NaI (Tl) scintillation detector was used to measure the scattered radiation due to Compton scattering. The codewas used to evaluate the sensitivity of the device to predict pipe wall thinning as an indication for pipe corrosion. Then, parametric analysis was done to investigate the effects of pipe diameter, insulator thickness, source collimator diameter, source shield thickness as well as the thickness of the shied between the source and the detector on the device response. Effect of empty vs. water-filled pipes on the device response was also investigated. Results indicate that Gamma-ray backscattering technique can be used successfully as a non-destructive test for measuring wall thinning of insulated pipes as an indication of their corrosion.

An improved method for liquid density measurement using NaI(Tl) detector and low-strength source

The current work focuses on using low-strength radiation source and NaI(Tl) detector in liquid density measurement. To do this, the detector collimator is enlarged, which has resulted in the increased multiple scattered events. The scattering spectrum analysis method was applied successfully in removing the multiple scattered component. The obtained single scattering component corresponding to different liquid densities was used to build the linear standard curve which shows the linear dependence between of them with the R2 values of 0.968 and 0.982 for the collimator diameters of 3.0 and 9.5 cm, respectively. Besides, the Monte Carlo method was used in the current work which the obtained results also support for experimental ones.

Intensity modulated operating mode of the rotating gamma system.

The purpose of this work was to explore two novel operation modalities of the rotating gamma systems (RGS) that could expand its clinical application to lesions in close proximity to critical organs at risk (OAR). The approach taken in this study consists of two components. First, a Geant4-based Monte Carlo (MC) simulation toolkit is used to model the dosimetric properties of the RGS Vertex 360™ for the normal, intensity modulated radiosurgery (IMRS), and speed modulated radiosurgery (SMRS) operation modalities. Second, the RGS Vertex 360™ at the Rotating Gamma Institute in Debrecen, Hungary is used to collect experimental data for the normal and IMRS operation modes. An ion chamber is used to record measurements of the absolute dose. The dose profiles are measured using Gafchromic EBT3 films positioned within a spherical water equivalent phantom. A strong dosimetric agreement between the measured and simulated dose profiles and penumbra was found for both the normal and IMRS operation modes for all collimator sizes (4, 8, 14, and 18 mm diameter). The simulated falloff and maximum dose regions agree better with the experimental results for the 4 and 8 mm diameter collimators. Although the falloff regions align well in the 14 and 18 mm collimators, the maximum dose regions have a larger difference. For the IMRS operation mode, the simulated and experimental dose distributions are ellipsoidal, where the short axis aligns with the blocked angles. Similarly, the simulated dose distributions for the SMRS operation mode also adopt an ellipsoidal shape, where the short axis aligns with the angles where the orbital speed is highest. For both modalities, the dose distribution is highly constrained with a sharper penumbra along the short axes. Dose modulation of the RGS can be achieved with the IMRS and SMRS modes. By providing a highly constrained dose distribution with a sharp penumbra, both modes could be clinically applicable for the treatment of lesions in close proximity to critical OARs.

Dosimetric characterization of a silicon diode detector in cyclotron-based passively scattered and synchrotron-based scanning clinical proton beams

A PR60020 silicon diode detector (PTW-Freiburg, Germany) was tested at INFN-LNS cyclotron on the scattered proton beamline (62 MeV) dedicated to ocular treatments. For the first time, the detector was also characterized in scanning proton beams accelerated by the CNAO synchrotron (63–229 MeV).The characteristics of the diode detector for proton beam dosimetry were investigated in terms of response stability, linearity with dose and dependence on dose rate and beam quality. Depth–ionization curves were measured for unmodulated, unmodulated range-shifted beams and spread-out Bragg peaks (SOBP); results were compared with reference ones obtained with an ionization chamber. Output Factors of narrow beams used in ocular proton-therapy were measured and compared to those achieved using EBT3 films. The PR60020 diode showed a reproducible response as for short-term precision (0.5%) and medium-term stability (1.5%). Dose and dose rate dependence measurements showed deviations from linearity within ±1%. The calibration factor (Gy/nC) was constant within ±1% over the range of proton beam qualities of ocular proton-therapy, while 1.4% maximum variation of diode sensitivity among CNAO energies was found. Output factors agreed with reference ones within 2% down to 5 mm collimator diameter. Bragg peak curves closely matched those acquired with ionization chamber, relative differences being lower than 3% in peak-to-plateau ratios. Very good results were also found for SOBP dose measurements as in scattered and scanned proton beams. In conclusion, diode detector appeared suitable for relative dosimetry and absorbed dose determination in passively scattered and scanning clinical proton beams, particularly for very small fields used for ocular treatments.

DOSIMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF COLLIMATORS FOR SPATIALLY FRACTIONATED PROTON THERAPY OF THE EYE.

The aim of these studies was to investigate depth dose distribution of a 60 MeV proton beam formed by a set of dedicated mesh-formed collimators. The set of mini-beams formed by the mesh is scattered in the tissue and lead to uniform energy deposition in the target volume. The rationale is to protect the eyelid skin from complications after hypofractionated radiation therapy. The experimental verification of the depth dose distribution for collimators of 1-3 mm mesh size was performed in solid state and water phantoms on 60 MeV proton beam from the AIC-144 cyclotron. The measurements were accompanied by Monte Carlo calculations of proton transport using the FLUKA code. The result demonstrate that the smallest mesh diameter of 1 mm leads to fast broadening of the resulting mini-beams due to multiple proton scattering in the collimator. The effect is diminishing with growing collimator diameter.

Small composite field correction factors for the CyberKnife radiosurgery system: clinical and PCSR plans

A formalism has been proposed for small and non-standard photon fields in which correction factors are used to correct dosimeter response in small fields (indiviual or composite) relative to that in a larger machine-specific reference (MSR) field. For clinical plans consisting of several fields, a plan-class specific reference (PCSR) plan can also be defined, serving as an intermediate calibration field between the MSR and clinical plans within a certain plan-class. In this work, the formalism was applied in the calculation of for 21 clinical plans delivered by the radiosurgery system, each plan employing one or two of the smallest diameter collimators: 5 mm, 7.5 mm, and 10 mm. Three detectors were considered: the Exradin A16 and A26 micro chambers, and the W1 plastic scintillator. The clinical plans were grouped into 7 plan-classes according to commonly shared characteristics. The suitability of using a PCSR plan to represent the detector response of each plan within the plan-class was investigated. Total and intermediate correction factors were calculated using the Monte Carlo user code. The corrections for the micro chambers were large, primarily due to the presence of the low-density air cavity and the volume averaging effect. The correction for the scintillator was found to be close to unity for most plans, indicating that this detector may be used to measure small clinical plan correction factors in any plan except for those using the 5 mm collimator. The PCSR plan was shown to be applicable to plan-classes comprising isocentric plans only, with plan-classes divided according to collimator size. For non-isocentric plans, the variation of as a function of the point of measurement within a single plan, as well as the high inter-plan-class variability of the correction factor, precludes the use of a PCSR plan.

The effect of the diameter of the detector collimator on saturation thickness in gamma scattering measurement

The effect of the diameter of the detector collimator on the saturation thickness in gamma-scattering measurements is studied using the spectrum of singly scattering. Geometric arrangement of gamma-scattering measurement includes: a gamma-ray collimated beam with the energy of 662 keV emitted from 137Cs source is irradiated on a rectangular aluminium target with incident angle of 90o, and detector NaI(Tl) 5.1cmx5.1cm with collimator is used to record the scatterd gamma rays at scattered angle of 120°. The experimental measurements are carried out to obtain scattered spectra with various target thickness and diameter of detector collimator. The profile of the singly scattering and multiply scattering in the scattered spectra are determined by a spectrum processing technique based on the least squares fitting. The experimental results showed that the saturation thickness of the counts of singly scattering increases with increasing the window diameter of the detector collimator. These results will support for the non-destructive testing research of application of gamma-scattering method to determine the thickness or the defect of the sample.

312 An Evaluation of the Clinical and Histological Effects of High Dose Radiosurgery on the Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion

Abstract INTRODUCTION Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a safe and effective technique to create lesions of the brain and trigeminal nerve (TGN) in order to achieve neuromodulation. The lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) contains the body of the sensory neurons responsible for pain sensitivity and can be targeted to treat chronic and debilitating pain in the extremities. Neuromodulation of the DRG might therefore improve chronic peripheral pain. This study was performed to determine the feasibility as well as clinical and histological effects of delivering high dose SRS targeted to the lumbar DRG in a rat model. METHODS Four Sprague Dawley male rats underwent 80 Gy maximum dose single-fraction SRS to the left L5 and L6 DRG using the Leksell Gamma Knife Icon (Elekta, Atlanta, GA) with onboard cone-beam CT imaging using 4 mm diameter collimators. The right L5 and L6 DRGs served as the controls. The animals were evaluated for motor and sensory deficits every two weeks. Two animals were sacrificed at 3 and two at 6 months after SRS. The lumbar spines were harvested and decalcified. Common histological techniques (Masson trichrome, Prussian blue) were used to assess for fibrosis and demyelination. RESULTS >No detectable motor or sensory deficits were seen in any animal. Histological changes including fibrosis and loss of myelin were noted to the left L5 and L6 DRGs, but not the right side control DRGs. Fibrotic changes within the vertebral body were also evident on the treated sides of the vertebral bodies. CONCLUSION We were able to detect a demyelinating histopathological response from SRS delivered to the DRG in rats. Since such changes mimic those seen after trigeminal SRS in experimental animals, we hypothesize that radiosurgery may be a potential option in chronic spinal radicular pain amenable to neuromodulation.

The influence of respiratory motion on dose delivery in a mouse lung tumour irradiation using the 4D MOBY phantom.

During precision irradiation of a preclinical lung tumour model, the tumour is subject to breathing motion and it can partially move out of the irradiation field. This work aimed to perform a quantitative analysis of the impact of respiratory motion on a mouse lung tumour irradiation with small fields. A four-dimensional digital mouse whole body phantom (MOBY) with a virtual 4-mm spherical lung tumour at different locations in both lungs is used to simulate a breathing anaesthetized mouse in different breathing phases representing a full breathing cycle. The breathing curve is determined by fluoroscopic imaging of an anaesthetized mouse. Each MOBY time frame is loaded in a dedicated treatment planning system (small animal radiotherapy-Plan) and is irradiated by a full arc with a 5-mm circular collimator. Mean and time-dependent organ doses are calculated for the tumour, heart and spinal cord. Depending on the location of the lung tumour, an overestimation of the mean tumour dose up to 11% is found. The mean heart dose could be both overestimated or underestimated because the heart moves in or out of the irradiation field depending on the beam target location. The respiratory motion does not affect the mean spinal cord dose. A dose gradient is visible in the time-dependent tumour dose distribution. In the future, new methods need to be developed to track the lung tumour motion before preclinical irradiation to adjust the irradiation plan. Margins, collimator diameter and target dose could be changed easily, but they all have their drawbacks. State-of-the-art clinical techniques such as respiratory gating or motion tracking may offer a solution for the cold spots in the time-dependent tumour dose. Advances in knowledge: A suitable method is found to quantify changes in organ dose due to respiratory motion in mouse lung tumour image-guided precision irradiation.

Determination of effective atomic numbers, effective electrons numbers, total atomic cross-sections and buildup factor of some compounds for different radiation sources

The photon interaction parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number, effective electron density, buildup factor have been measured for Fe(NO3)3, V4O2, NaCO3·H2O, C6H5FeO7·H2O and CuCI compounds using 137Ba, 157Gd and 241Am γ-rays sources in stable geometry. The mass attenuation coefficients have been determined experimentally via Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (EDXRF) system and theoretically by using WinXCom computer program. Then, effective atomic numbers, Zeff, and electron densities, Neff, have been calculated by using the mass attenuation coefficients. The obtained values of effective atomic numbers have been compared with the ones calculated according to a different approach proposed by Hine and the calculated ones from theory. Also, photon buildup factors were obtained by changing collimator diameters in the different photon energies. We observed that the buildup factor increased as the collimator diameter increased for all sources used.

Sci‐Sat AM: Radiation Dosimetry and Practical Therapy Solutions ‐ 12: Suitability of plan class specific reference fields for estimating dosimeter correction factors for small clinical CyberKnife fields

Purpose:The purpose of this work is to investigate the utility of plan class specific reference (PCSR) fields for predicting dosimeter response within isocentric and non‐isocentric composite clinical fields using the smallest fields employed by the CyberKnife radiosurgery system.Methods:Monte Carlo dosimeter response correction factors (CFs) were calculated for a plastic scintillator and microchamber dosimeter in 21 clinical fields and 9 candidate plan‐class PCSR fields which employ the 5, 7.5 and 10 mm diameter collimators. Measurements were performed in 5 PCSR fields to confirm the predicted relative response of detectors in the same field.Results:Ratios of corrected measured dose in the PCSR fields agree to within 1% of unity. Calculated CFs for isocentric fields agree within 1.5% of those for PCSR fields. Large and variable microchamber CFs are required for non‐isocentric fields, with differences as high as 5% between different clinical fields in the same plan class and 4% within the same field depending on the point of measurement. Non‐isocentric PCSR fields constructed to have relatively homogenous dose over a region larger than the detector have very different ion chamber CFs from clinical fields. The plastic scintillator detector has much more consistent response within each plan class but still require 3–4% corrections in some fields.Conclusions:While the PCSR field concept is useful for small isocentric fields, this approach may not be appropriate for non‐isocentric clinical fields which exhibit large and variable ion chamber CFs which differ significantly from CFs for homogenous field PCSRs.

TH-CD-201-02: A Monte Carlo Investigation of a Novel Detector Arrangement for the Energy Spectrum Measurement of a 6MV Linear Accelerator

Purpose: Direct measurement of the energy spectrum of a 6MV linear accelerator has not been successful due to the high fluence rate, high energy nature of these photon beams. Previous work used a Compton Scattering (CS) spectrometry setup with a shielded spectrometer for spectrum measurements. Despite substantial lead shielding, excessive pulse pile-up was seen. MCNP6 transport code was used to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of performing measurements using a novel detector setup. Methods: Simulations were performed with a shielded high-purity germanium (HPGe) semiconductor detector placed in the accelerator vault's maze, with a 2 cm diameter collimator through a 92 cm thick concrete wall. The detector was positioned 660 cm from a scattering rod (placed at isocenter) at an angle of 45° relative to the central axis. This setup was compared with the shielded detector positioned in the room, 200 cm from the scattering rod at the same CS angle. Simulations were used to determine fluence contributions from three sources: (1) CS photons traveling through the collimator aperture, the intended signal, (2) CS scatter photons penetrating the detector shield, and (3) room-scattered photons penetrating the detector shield. Variance reduction techniques including weight windows, DXTRAN spheres, forced collisions, and energy cutoffs were used. Results: Simulations showed that the number of pulses per starting particle from an F8 detector tally for the intended signal decreased by a factor of 102 when moving the detector out of the vault. This reduction in signal was amplified for the unwanted scatter signal which decreased by up to a factor of 109. Conclusion: This work used MCNP6 to show that using a vault wall to shield unwanted scatter and increasing isocenter-to-detector distance reduces unwanted fluence to the detector. This study aimed to provide motivation for future experimental work using the proposed setup.

SU-F-T-611: Critical Analysis and Efficacy of Linac Based (Beam Modulator) and Cyberknife Treatment Plans for Acoustic Neuroma/schwannoma

Purpose: To study the critical analysis and efficacy of Linac and Cyberknife (CK) treatment plans for acoustic neuroma/schwannoma. Methods: Twelve of acoustic neuroma/schwannoma patients were taken for these study that. Treatment plans were generated in Multiplan treatment planning system (TPS) for CK using 5,7.5 and 10mm diameter collimators. Target volumes were in the range of 0.280 cc to 9.256 cc. Prescription dose (Rx) ranges from 1150cGy to 1950cGy delivered over 1 to 3 Fractions. For same patients stereotactic Volumetric modulated arc plans were generated using Elekta Linac with MLC thickness of 4mm in Monaco TPS. Appropriate calculation algorithms and grid size were used with same Rx and organ at risk (OAR) constrains for both Linac and CK plans. Treatment plans were developed to achieve at least 95% of the target volume to receive the Rx. The dosimetric indices such as conformity index (CI), coverage, OAR dose and volume receiving 50% of Rx (V50%) were used to evaluate the plans. Results: Target volumes ranges from 0.280 cc to 3.5cc shows the CI of 1.16±0.109 and 1.53±0.360 for cyberknife and Linac plans respectively. For small volume targets, the OARs were well spared in CK plans. There are no significant differences in CI and OAR doses were observed between CK and Linac plans that have the target volume >3.5 cc. Perhaps the V50% were lesser in CK plans, and found to be 12.8± 8.4 and 22.8 ± 15.0 for CK and Linac respectively. Conclusion: The analysis shows the importance of collimator size for small volume targets. The target volumes >3.5 cc can be treated in Linac as comparable with CK. For targets <3.5cc CK plans showed superior plan quality with better CI and OAR sparing than the Linac based plans. Further studies may require evaluating the clinical advantage of CK robotic system.

EPR/alanine dosimetry for two therapeutic proton beams

In this work the analysis of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) response of alanine pellets exposed to two different clinical proton beams employed for radiotherapy is performed. One beam is characterized by a passive delivery technique and is dedicated to the eyes treatment (OPTIS2 beam line). Alanine pellets were irradiated with a 70MeV proton beam corresponding to 35mm range in eye tissue. We investigated how collimators with different sizes and shape used to conform the dose to the planned target volume influence the delivered dose. For this purpose we performed measurements with varying the collimator size (Output Factor) and the results were compared with those obtained with other dosimetric techniques (such as Markus chamber and diode detector). This analysis showed that the dosimeter response is independent of collimator diameter if this is larger than or equal to 10mm. The other beam is characterized by an active spot-scanning technique, the Gantry1 beam line (maximum energy 230MeV), and is used to treat deep-seated tumors. The dose linearity of alanine response in the clinical dose range was tested and the alanine dose response at selected locations in depth was measured and compared with the TPS planned dose in a quasi-clinical scenario. The alanine response was found to be linear in the dose in the clinical explored range (from 10 to 70Gy). Furthermore, a depth dose profile in a quasi-clinical scenario was measured and compared to the dose computed by the Treatment Planning System PSIPLAN. The comparison of calibrated proton alanine measurements and TPS dose shows a difference under 1% in the SOBP and a “quenching” effect up to 4% in the distal part of SOBP. The positive dosimetric characteristics of the alanine pellets confirm the feasibility to use these detectors for “in vivo” dosimetry in clinical proton beams.

Time, Dose, and Volume Responses in a Mouse Pulmonary Injury Model Following Ablative Irradiation

We aimed to determine the time, dose, and volume responses in a mouse pulmonary injury model following ablative dose focal irradiation (ADFIR) in order to better understand normal lung injury. ADFIR was administered to the left lung of mice using a small animal micro-irradiator. Histopathological evaluation and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analyses were performed at 1, 2, 6, and 12 weeks after irradiation. Dose responses were tested at doses of 0-90 Gy in C57BL/6 and C3H/HeJCr mice at 6 weeks after irradiation. The volume effect was evaluated with 1-, 3-, and 5-mm diameter collimators at 1-4 weeks after 90-Gy irradiation. ADFIR caused gross local lung injury of the inflated lung in just 1 week, with extensive hyaline material visible in the irradiated area. The fibrosing process was initiated as early as 2 weeks after irradiation. C3H and C57 mice did not show significant differences in dose response. Six weeks after irradiation, the radiation dose-response curve had a sigmoidal shape, where the lag, log, and stationary phases occurred at <40, 50-70, and >80 Gy, respectively. ADFIR induced substantial volume-dependent structural and functional damage to the lungs, and the volume changes of lung consolidation on micro-CT correlated inversely with lung fibrosis over time. We determined the time, dose, and volume responses in our established small animal model, and found that lung injury was substantially accelerated and phenotypically different from that of prior studies using non-ablative hemi-thorax and complete thorax irradiation schemes.

Collision prediction software for radiotherapy treatments.

This work presents a method of collision predictions for external beam radiotherapy using surface imaging. The present methodology focuses on collision prediction during treatment simulation to evaluate the clearance of a patient's treatment position and allow for its modification if necessary. A Kinect camera (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) is used to scan the patient and immobilization devices in the treatment position at the simulator. The surface is reconstructed using the skanect software (Occipital, Inc., San Francisco, CA). The treatment isocenter is marked using simulated orthogonal lasers projected on the surface scan. The point cloud of this surface is then shifted to isocenter and converted from Cartesian to cylindrical coordinates. A slab models the treatment couch. A cylinder with a radius equal to the normal distance from isocenter to the collimator plate, and a height defined by the collimator diameter is used to estimate collisions. Points within the cylinder clear through a full gantry rotation with the treatment couch at 0°, while points outside of it collide. The angles of collision are reported. This methodology was experimentally verified using a mannequin positioned in an alpha cradle with both arms up. A planning CT scan of the mannequin was performed, two isocenters were marked in pinnacle, and this information was exported to AlignRT (VisionRT, London, UK)--a surface imaging system for patient positioning. This was used to ensure accurate positioning of the mannequin in the treatment room, when available. Collision calculations were performed for the two treatment isocenters and the results compared to the collisions detected the room. The accuracy of the Kinect-Skanect surface was evaluated by comparing it to the external surface of the planning CT scan. Experimental verification results showed that the predicted angles of collision matched those recorded in the room within 0.5°, in most cases (largest deviation -1.2°). The accuracy study for the Kinect-Skanect surface showed an average discrepancy between the CT external contour and the surface scan of 2.2 mm. This methodology provides fast and reliable collision predictions using surface imaging. The use of the Kinect-Skanect system allows for a comprehensive modeling of the patient topography including all the relevant anatomy and immobilization devices that may lead to collisions. The use of this tool at the treatment simulation stage may allow therapists to evaluate the clearance of a patient's treatment position and optimize it before the planning CT scan is performed. This can allow for safer treatments for the patients due to better collision predictions and improved clinical workflow by minimizing replanning and resimulations due to unforeseen clearance issues.

SU‐C‐304‐06: Determination of Intermediate Correction Factors for Three Dosimeters in Small Composite Photon Fields Used in Robotic Radiosurgery

Purpose:To calculate using Monte‐Carlo the intermediate and total correction factors (CFs) for two microchambers and a plastic scintillator for composite fields delivered by the CyberKnife system.Methods:A linac model was created in BEAMnrc by matching percentage depth dose (PDD) curves and output factors (OFs) measured using an A16 microchamber with Monte Carlo calculations performed in egs_chamber to explicitly model detector response. Intermediate CFs were determined for the A16 and A26 microchambers and the W1 plastic scintillator in fourteen different composite fields inside a solid water phantom. Seven of these fields used a 5 mm diameter collimator; the remaining fields employed a 7.5 mm collimator but were otherwise identical to the first seven. Intermediate CFs are reported relative to the respective CF for a 60 mm collimator (800 mm source to detector distance and 100 mm depth in water).Results:For microchambers in composite fields, the intermediate CFs that account for detector density and volume were the largest contributors to total CFs. The total CFs for the A26 were larger than those for the A16, especially for the 5 mm cone (1.227±0.003 to 1.144±0.004 versus 1.142±0.003 to 1.099±0.004), due to the A26's larger active volume (0.015 cc) relative to the A16 (0.007 cc), despite the A26 using similar wall and electrode material. The W1 total and intermediate CFs are closer to unity, due to its smaller active volume and near water‐equivalent composition, however, 3–4% detector volume corrections are required for 5 mm collimator fields. In fields using the 7.5 mm collimator, the correction is nearly eliminated for the W1 except for a non‐isocentric field.Conclusion:Large and variable CFs are required for microchambers in small composite fields primarily due to density and volume effects. Corrections are reduced but not eliminated for a plastic scintillator in the same fields.

Gamma Knife irradiation method based on dosimetric controls to target small areas in rat brains.

Targeted and whole-brain irradiation in humans can result in significant side effects causing decreased patient quality of life. To adequately investigate structural and functional alterations after stereotactic radiosurgery, preclinical studies are needed. The purpose of this work is to establish a robust standardized method of targeted irradiation on small regions of the rat brain. Euthanized male Fischer rats were imaged in a stereotactic bed, by computed tomography (CT), to estimate positioning variations relative to the bregma skull reference point. Using a rat brain atlas and the stereotactic bregma coordinates obtained from CT images, different regions of the brain were delimited and a treatment plan was generated. A single isocenter treatment plan delivering ≥ 100 Gy in 100% of the target volume was produced by Leksell GammaPlan using the 4 mm diameter collimator of sectors 4, 5, 7, and 8 of the Gamma Knife unit. Impact of positioning deviations of the rat brain on dose deposition was simulated by GammaPlan and validated with dosimetric measurements. The authors' results showed that 90% of the target volume received 100 ± 8 Gy and the maximum of deposited dose was 125 ± 0.7 Gy, which corresponds to an excellent relative standard deviation of 0.6%. This dose deposition calculated with GammaPlan was validated with dosimetric films resulting in a dose-profile agreement within 5%, both in X- and Z-axes. The authors' results demonstrate the feasibility of standardizing the irradiation procedure of a small volume in the rat brain using a Gamma Knife.

Use of novel fibre-coupled radioluminescence and RADPOS dosimetry systems for total scatter factor measurements in small fields

A dosimetry system based on Al2O3:C radioluminescence (RL), and RADPOS, a novel 4D dosimetry system using microMOSFETs, were used to measure total scatter factors, for the CyberKnife robotic radiosugery system. New Monte Carlo calculated correction factors are presented and applied for the RL detector response for the 5, 7.5 and 10 mm collimators in order to correct for the detector geometry and increased photoelectric cross section of Al2O3:C relative to water. For comparison, measurements were also carried out using a micro MOSFET, PTW60012 diode and GAFCHROMIC® film (EBT and EBT2). Uncorrected were obtained by taking the ratio of the detector response for each collimator to that for the 60 mm diameter reference field. Published Monte Carlo calculated correction factors were applied to the RADPOS, microMOSFET and diode detector measurements to yield corrected field factors, following the terminology of a recent formalism introduced for small and composite field relative dosimetry. With corrections, the RL measured were 0.656 ± 0.002, 0.815 ± 0.002 and 0.865 ± 0.003 for the 5, 7.5 and 10 mm collimators, respectively. This was in good agreement with RADPOS corrected field factors of 0.650 ± 0.010, 0.816 ± 0.024 and 0.867 ± 0.010 for the 5, 7.5 and 10 mm collimators, respectively. Both RL and RADPOS total scatter factors agreed within approximately two standard deviations of the GAFCHROMIC film values (average of EBT and EBT2) of 0.640 ± 0.006, 0.806 ± 0.007 and 0.859 ± 0.09. Corrected total scatter factors for all dosimetry systems agreed within one standard deviation for collimator sizes 10–60 mm. Our study suggests that the microMOSFET/RADPOS and optical fibre-coupled RL dosimetry system are well suited for total scatter factor measurements over the entire range of field sizes, provided that appropriate correction factors are applied for the collimator diameters smaller than 10 mm.

Dosimetric characterization of a synthetic single crystal diamond detector in a clinical 62 MeV ocular therapy proton beam

A synthetic single crystal diamond based Schottky photodiode was tested at INFN-LNS on the proton beam line (62MeV) dedicated to the radiation treatment of ocular disease. The diamond detector response was studied in terms of pre-irradiation dose, linearity with dose and dose rate, and angular dependence. Depth dose curves were measured for the 62MeV pristine proton beam and for three unmodulated range-shifted proton beams; furthermore, the spread-out Bragg peak was measured for a modulated therapeutic proton beam. Beam parameters, recommended by the ICRU report 78, were evaluated to analyze depth-dose curves from diamond detector. Measured dose distributions were compared with the corresponding dose distributions acquired with reference plane-parallel ionization chambers. Field size dependence of the output factor (dose per monitor unit) in a therapeutic modulated proton beam was measured with the diamond detector over the range of ocular proton therapy collimator diameters (5–30mm). Output factors measured with the diamond detector were compared to the ones by a Markus ionization chamber, a Scanditronix Hi-p Si stereotactic diode and a radiochromic EBT2 film. Signal stability within 0.5% was demonstrated for the diamond detector with no need of any pre-irradiation dose. Dose and dose rate dependence of the diamond response was measured: deviations from linearity resulted to be within ±0.5% over the investigated ranges of 0.5–40.0Gy and 0.3–30.0Gy/min respectively. Output factors from diamond detector measured with the smallest collimator (5mm in diameter) showed a maximum deviation of about 3% with respect to the high resolution radiochromic EBT2 film. Depth-dose curves measured by diamond for unmodulated and modulated beams were in good agreement with those from the reference plane-parallel Markus chamber, with relative differences lower than ±1% in peak-to-plateau ratios, well within experimental uncertainties. A 2.5% variation in diamond detector response was observed in angular dependence measurements carried-out by varying the proton beam incidence angle in the polar direction. The dosimetric characterization of the tested synthetic single crystal diamond detector clearly indicates its suitability for relative dosimetry in ocular therapy proton beams, with no need of any correction factors accounting for dose rate and linear energy transfer dependence.