Exradin W1 Plastic Scintillation Detector Research Articles

Quality assurance for Gamma Knife Perfexion using the Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector and Lucy phantom

The goal of this work is to validate the use of the Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector (PSD) to measure profiles and output factors from Gamma Knife Perfexion collimators in a Lucy phantom.The Exradin W1 PSD has a small-volume, near-water-equivalent, energy-independent sensitive element. Output measurements were performed for all 3 collimators (4 mm, 8 mm, and 16 mm) of the Gamma Knife Perfexion system, and these measurements were compared to measurements made with an A16 ion chamber and an EBT3 film and to the nominal values. We showed that a configuration in which the focus or ‘shot’ moves while the detector remains fixed is essentially equivalent to a configuration in which the focus is fixed while the detector moves. A Lucy phantom containing a PSD was moved in small steps to acquire profiles in all three dimensions. EBT3 film was inserted in the Lucy phantom and exposed to a single shot for each collimator.The relative values for output factors measured with the PSD were 1.000, 0.892, and 0.795, for the 16 mm, 8 mm, and 4 mm collimators, respectively. The values measured with EBT3 film were 1.000, 0.881, and 0.793, and the values measured with the A16 ion chamber were 1.000, 0.883, and 0.727. The nominal output factors for the Gamma Knife Perfexion are 1.000, 0.900, and 0.814, respectively. There was excellent agreement between all profiles measured with the PSD and EBT3 as well as with the treatment planning system data provided by the vendor.In light of our results, the Exradin W1 PSD is well suited for beam quality assurance of a Gamma Knife Perfexion irradiator.

Characterization of the exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector for small field applications in proton therapy

Accurate dosimetry in small field proton therapy is challenging, particularly for applications such as ocular therapy, and suitable detectors for this purpose are sought. The Exradin W1 plastic scintillating fibre detector is known to out-perform most other detectors for determining relative dose factors for small megavoltage photon beams used in radiotherapy but its potential in small proton beams has been relatively unexplored in the literature. The 1 mm diameter cylindrical geometry and near water equivalence of the W1 makes it an attractive alternative to other detectors. This study examines the dosimetric performance of the W1 in a 74 MeV proton therapy beam with particular focus on detector response characteristics relevant to relative dose measurement in small fields suitable for ocular therapy. Quenching of the scintillation signal is characterized and demonstrated not to impede relative dose measurements at a fixed depth. The background cable-only (Čerenkov and radio-fluorescence) signal is 4 orders of magnitude less than the scintillation signal, greatly simplifying relative dose measurements. Comparison with other detectors and Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the W1 is useful for measuring relative dose factors for field sizes down to 5 mm diameter and shallow spread out Bragg peaks down to 6 mm in depth.

Dosimetric characterization of small fields using a plastic scintillator detector: A large multicenter study

PurposeIn modern radiation therapy accurate small fields dosimetry is a challenge and its standardization is fundamental to harmonize delivered dose in different institutions. This study presents a multicenter characterization of MLC-defined small field for Elekta and Varian linear accelerators. Measurements were performed using the Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector. Materials and methodsThe project enrolled 24 Italian centers. Each center performed Tissue Phantom Ratio (TPR), in-plane and cross-plane dose profiles of 0.8×0.8cm2 field, and Output Factor (OF) measurements for square field sizes ranging from 0.8 to 10cm. Set-up conditions were 10cm depth in water phantom at SSD 90cm. Measurements were performed using two twin Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detectors (PSD) correcting for the Cerenkov effect as proposed by the manufacturer. ResultsData analysis from 12 Varian and 12 Elekta centers was performed. Measurements of 7 centers were not included due to cable problems. TPR measurements showed standard deviations (SD)<1%; SD<0.4mm for the profile penumbra was obtained, while FWHM measurements showed SD<0.5mm. OF measurements showed SD<1.5% for field size greater than 2×2cm2. Median OFs values were in agreement with the recent bibliography. ConclusionsHigh degree of consistency was registered for all the considered parameters. This work confirmed the importance of multicenter dosimetric intercomparison. W1 PSD could be considered as a good candidate for small field measurements.

SU‐F‐J‐50: Study On the Magnetic Field Effect On the Exradin W1 Plastic Scintillation Detector

Purpose:To study the response of the Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector to a 6 MV photon field in the presence of a strong magnetic field (B).Methods:An Exradin W1 scintillator detector coupled to a SuperMax two‐channel electrometer, both manufactured by Standard Imaging, Inc., was first calibrated in a Co‐60 beam. The Cerenkov Light Ratio (CLR) was obtained following the procedure recommended by the manufacturer. Subtracting signal in channel 2 multiplied by CLR from the signal in channel 1 should lead to a Cerenkov‐free signal. The W1 scintillator was placed in a plastic phantom inside a dipole electromagnet (GMW Associates) that could produce a strong B field, and irradiated using a 6 MV beam from an Elekta Versa HD LINAC. Signals from both channels of the W1 scintillator were acquired as a function of B (0 ‐ 1.5 T).Results:The signals from both channels increased as a function of the B field strength. At 1.5 T, channel 1 increased by 11% compared to the baseline (B=0 T), while channel 2 increased by 22%. Applying the recommended Cerenkov correction led to a 2% difference between dose measurement with and without a magnetic field. The values between B=0.3 T and B=1.5 T remained constant.Conclusion:Signals from the Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector increased as the B field increased. This increase mainly comes from a change in the amount of Cerenkov light coupled within the optical fiber. Removing the Cerenkov component following the procedure recommended by the manufacturer showed to be an effective way to measure dose accurately in strong magnetic fields. The cause for the residual 2% difference is currently under investigation.We acknowledge research support from Elekta AB.

SU-G-TeP2-08: Evaluation of Plastic Scintillator Detector for Small Field Stereotactic Patient-Specific Quality Assurance

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a commercial plastic scintillator detector (PSD) for small-field stereotactic patient-specific quality assurance using flattening-filter-free (FFF) beams. Methods: A total of ten spherical targets (volume range:[0.03cc–2cc]) were planned using Dynamic Conformal Arc(DCA-10 plans) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy(VMAT-10 plans) techniques in Eclipse(AAA v.11, 1mm dose calculation grid size). Additionally, 15 previously-treated cranial and spine SRS plans were evaluated (6 DCA, 9 VMAT, volume range:[0.04cc–119.02cc]). All measurements were acquired using Varian Edge equipped with HDMLC. Three detectors were used: PinPoint ion chamber (PTW;active volume 0.015cc), Exradin W1 PSD (Standard Imaging;active volume 0.002cc), and Gafchromic EBT3 film (Ashland). PinPoint and PSD were positioned perpendicular to beam axis in a Lucy phantom (Standard Imaging). Films were placed at isocenter in solid water. Calibration films were delivered for absolute dose analysis. Results: For large spherical targets(>1.5cc) with DCA, all detectors agreed within 1% of AAA calculations. As target volume decreased, PSD measured higher doses than AAA (maximum difference: 3.3% at 0.03cc target), while PinPoint chamber measured lower doses (maximum difference:-3.8% at 0.03cc target). Inter-detector differences between pinpoint and PSD increased with decreasing target size; differences>5% were observed for targets 5% higher dose than PinPoint chamber (maximum difference: 9.25% at 0.04cc target). Film demonstrated agreement of −0.19±1.47% with PSD for all spherical targets, and agreement within −0.98±2.25% for all 15 clinical targets. Unlike DCA, VMAT plans did not show improved AAA-to-detector agreements for large targets. Conclusion: For all targets, the PSD measurements agreed with film within 1.0%, on average. For small volume targets ( 5%) compared with the pin point ion chamber. The plastic scintillator detector appears to be suitable for accurate measurements of small SRS targets.

TH‐AB‐201‐11: Small‐Field Beam Quality Corrections and Their Clinical Impact for Flattened and Unflattened Fields of the TrueBeam

Purpose:To determine small‐field beam quality correction factors for several detectors used with flattened and unflattened beams of the Varian TrueBeam accelerator, and to quantify the clinical impact of these corrections through a treatment planning study.Methods:Small‐field beam quality correction factors were measured and simulated in EGSnrc for several microchambers and diodes. The Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector was used as a reference for the measured results, and its response was validated using alanine measurements traceable to a primary standard. Symmetric, jaw‐defined field sizes ranging from 6 mm to 10 cm were used. Twelve hypofractionated clinical cases were then recalculated and/or reoptimized using beam models that were modified based on the resulting output factors. Three‐dimensional dose distributions and cumulative dose‐volume‐histogram plots were compared between the models. The impact of these measurements on the flattening‐filter‐scatter‐source (FFSS) model, and its subsequent effect on treatment plans, was also investigated.Results:The diodes exhibited over‐response in small fields, whereas the microchambers tended to under‐respond as field size decreased. Field‐size‐dependent effects were less significant for the flattening‐filter‐free beams (i.e., corrections were closer to unity) than for flattened fields of the same size. Recalculated and reoptimized plans displayed varying levels of deviation from the original dose distributions, with larger discrepancies at effective jaw settings of 3×3 cm2 or smaller. Dose distributions calculated using uncorrected microchamber output factors and/or modified FFSS showed large discrepancies in the low‐dose regions, which manifested as DVH changes for the organs at risk (OAR).Conclusion:Field‐size‐dependent beam quality corrections were measured and simulated for ionization chambers and diodes typically used in small fields. Plans calculated with models based on these measured data showed dosimetric deviations mainly out of field, which affected OAR dose metrics. Accordingly, these beam quality corrections should be accounted for during commissioning to ensure greater treatment planning accuracy.

Planning and Dosimetric Study of Volumetric Modulated Arc Based Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Acoustic Schwannoma--6MV Flattening Filter Free Photon Beam.

The purpose of this study was to assess the dosimetric and clinical feasibility of volumetric modulated arc based hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (RapidArc) treatment for large acoustic schwannoma (AS>10 cc). Ten AS patients were immobilized using BrainLab mask. They were subject to multimodality imaging (magnetic resonance and computed tomography) to contour target and organs at risk (brainstem and cochlea). Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) based stereotactic plans were optimized in Eclipse (V11) treatment planning system (TPS) using progressive resolution optimizer-III and final dose calculations were performed using analytical anisotropic algorithm with 1.5 mm grid resolution. All AS presented in this study were treated with VMAT based HSRT to a total dose of 25 Gy in 5 fractions (5 fractions/ week). VMAT plan contains 2-4 non-coplanar arcs. Treatment planning was performed to achieve at least 99% of PTV volume (D99) receives 100% of prescription dose (25 Gy), while dose to OAR's were kept below the tolerance limits. Dose-volume histograms (DVH) were analyzed to assess plan quality. Treatments were delivered using upgraded 6 MV un-flattened photon beam (FFF) from Clinac-iX machine. Extensive pretreatment quality assurance measurements were carried out to report on quality of delivery. Point dosimetry was performed using three different detectors, which includes CC13 ion-chamber, Exradin A14 ion-chamber and Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector (PSD) which have measuring volume of 0.13 cm3, 0.009 cm3 and 0.002 cm3 respectively. Average PTV volume of AS was 11.3 cc (±4.8), and located in eloquent areas. VMAT plans provided complete PTV coverage with average conformity index of 1.06 (±0.05). OAR's dose were kept below tolerance limit recommend by American Association of Physicist in Medicine task group-101(brainstem V0.5 cc<23 Gy, cochlea maximum<25 Gy and Optic pathway<25 Gy). PSD resulted in superior dosimetric accuracy compared with other two detectors (p=0.021 for PSD.

SU‐E‐T‐486: In Vivo Skin Dosimetry Using the Exradin W1 Plastic Scintillation Detector for Passively Scattered Proton Beam Therapy

Purpose:To evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of plastic scintillation detectors used for skin dosimetry of patients undergoing passive scatter proton therapy.Methods:Following an IRB approved protocol, six patients undergoing passively scattered proton beam therapy for prostate cancer were selected for in vivo skin dosimetry using the Exradin W1 plastic scintillator. The detector was calibrated on a Cobalt‐60 unit, and phantom measurements in the proton beam with the W1 and a calibrated parallel plate ion chamber were used to account for the under‐response due to high LET at energies used for treatment. Measurements made in a heated water tank were used to account for temperature dependence. For in vivo measurements, the W1 is fixed to the patient's skin with medical tape in the center of each of two laterally opposed treatment fields. Measurements will be performed once per week for each patient for the duration of treatment, for a total of thirty six measurements. The measured dose will be compared to the expected dose, extracted from the Eclipse treatment planning system. The average difference over all measurements and per‐patient will be computed, as well as standard deviations.Results:The calibrated detector exhibited a 7% under‐response in 225 and 250 MeV beams, and a 4% under‐response when used at 37 °C (relative to the response at the calibration temperature of 20 °C). Patient measurements are ongoing.Conclusion:The Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector is a strong candidate for in vivo skin dosimetry in passively scattered proton beams as PSDs are water equivalent and very small (2mm in diameter), permitting accurate measurements that do not perturb the delivered dose.This project was supported in part by award number CA182450 from the National Cancer Institute.

Dosimetric characterization of the Exradin W1 plastic scintillator detector through comparison with an in-house developed scintillator system

New commercial dosimetry systems need careful characterization and can benefit from the comparison with similar, in-house developed solutions. A comparison between such two dosimetry systems, both based on fibre-coupled organic plastic scintillator detectors, is presented. One system is the Exradin W1, fully commercialized by Standard Imaging, while the other system is the non-commercial ME40 system, developed by DTU Nutech with the aim of fundamental dosimetric research. Both systems employ plastic scintillator detectors that can be considered similar in design, calibrated using the same method, but differing primarily in the signal detection hardware. The two systems were compared with respect to essential dosimetric properties, with the purpose of testing their performance under conditions less well discussed in the literature. A Farmer ionization chamber was used as the primary reference of the comparison. The study demonstrated that the Cerenkov light ratio calibration coefficient of both systems was not constant, but changed systematically with photon beam quality to a maximum difference of 1.1%. Calibration with respect to stem effect correction should therefore be performed for every investigated beam quality when using plastic scintillator detectors. Both systems were found to be dose rate independent, even for the highest instantaneous dose rate evaluated (1.5 mGy per pulse). Low-dose measurements revealed large uncertainties for both systems, although the ME40 system handled short beam deliveries under reference conditions with accuracy and precision within 0.4%. Changes in response due to field size dependence were investigated and found to be as large as 3.3% for the W1 and 5.4% for the ME40, biasing output factor measurements in large fields. Great caution is therefore advised if using either system for measurements in large fields or under circumstances where the fibre irradiation geometry is unfavourable. Measurements of reference dose to water yielded differences up to 1.5% when compared with the Farmer ionization chamber for all investigated beam qualities.

SU‐E‐T‐476: Quality Assurance for Gamma Knife Perfexion Using the Exradin W1 Plastic Scintillation Detector

Purpose:To perform dose profile and output factor measurements for the Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector (PSD) for the Gamma Knife Perfexion (GKP) collimators in a Lucy phantom and to compare these values to an Exradin A16 ion chamber, EBT3 radiochromic film and treatment planning system (TPS) data.Methods:We used the Exradin W1 PSD which has a small volume, near‐water equivalent sensitive element. It has also been shown to be energy independent. This new detector is manufactured and distributed by Standard Imaging, Inc. Measurements were performed for all three collimators (4 mm, 8 mm and 16 mm) for the GKP. The Lucy phantom with the PSD inserted was moved in small steps to acquire profiles in all three directions. EBT3 film was inserted in the Lucy phantom and exposed to a single shot for each collimator. Relative output factors were measured using the three detectors while profiles acquired with the PSD were compared to the ones measured with EBT3 radiochromic film.Results:Measured output factors relative to the largest collimator are as followsCollimator PS EBT3 A1616mm 1.000 1.000 1.0008mm 0.892 0.881 0.8834mm 0.795 0.793 0.727 The nominal (vendor) OFs for GKP are 1.000, 0.900, and 0.814, for collimators 16 mm, 8 mm and 4 mm, respectively. There is excellent agreement between all profiles measured with the PSD and EBT3 as well as with the TPS data provided by the vendor.Conclusion:Output factors measured with the W1 were consistent with the ones measured with EBT3 and A16 ion chamber. Measured profiles are in excellent agreement. The W1 detector seems well suited for beam QA for Gamma Knife due to its dosimetric characteristics.Sam Beddar would like to disclose a NIH/NCI SBIR Phase II grant (2R44CA153824‐02A1) with Standard Imaging, Title: “Water‐Equivalent Plastic Scintillation Detectors for Small Field Radiotherapy”

SU‐E‐T‐423: TrueBeam Small Field Dosimetry Using Commercial Plastic Scintillation and Other Stereotactic Detectors

Purpose:To perform dose profile and output factor (OF) measurements with the Exradin W1 plastic scintillation detector (PSD) for small fields made by the high‐definition multi‐leaf collimator (MLC) on the TrueBeam STx system and to compare them to values measured with an IBA CC01 ionization chamber and a Sun Nuclear Edge detector diode for 6 MV photon beams.Methods:The Exradin W1 is a new small volume near‐water equivalent and energy independent PSD manufactured by Standard Imaging, Inc. All measurements were performed in an IBA Blue Phantom water tank. Square MLC‐shaped fields with sides ranging from 0.5 cm to 2 cm and jawshaped fields with sides ranging from 1 cm to 40 cm were measured using an SAD setup at 10 cm depth. Dose profile and percent depth dose (PDD) measurements were also taken under the same conditions for MLC fields 0.5×0.5 and 1×1 cm2 in size with jaws at 2×2cm2. The CC01 and W1 were vertically mounted.Results:OFs measured with the W1 for jaw only square fields were consistent with the ones measured with a Farmers PTW TN33013 ion chamber (1.8% maximum deviation). OF and penumbra measurement results are presented below. PDDs measured for all detectors are within 1.5% for the 0.5×0.5 cm2 and within 1% for the 1×1 cm2 MLC fields.Output factors:MLC size W1 CC01 EDGE0.5cm 0.555 0.541 0.5851.0cm 0.716 0.702 0.7331.5cm 0.779 0.761 0.7772.0cm 0.804 0.785 0.796Penumbras (mm):MLC size W1 CC01 EDGE0.5cm 2.7 2.9 2.51.0cm 3.0 3.4 2.Conclusion:OFs measured for small MLC fields were consistent with the ones measured with the other stereotactic detectors. Measured penumbras are consistent with detector size. The Exradin W1 PSD is an excellent choice for characterizing MLC‐shaped small beam dosimetry used for stereotactic radiosurgery and body radiation therapy.Sam Beddar would like to disclose a NIH/NCI SBIR Phase II grant (2R44CA153824‐02A1) with Standard Imaging, Title: “Water‐Equivalent Plastic Scintillation Detectors for Small Field Radiotherapy”