Source-detector Distance Research Articles

Characterization of commercial MOSFET detectors and their feasibility for in-vivo HDR brachytherapy

AimThe present study was to investigate the use of MOSFET as an vivo dosimeter for the application of Ir-192 HDR brachytherapy treatments. Material and methodsMOSFET was characterized for dose linearity in the range of 50–1000 cGy, depth dose dependence from 2 to 7 cm, angular dependence. Signal fading was checked for two weeks. Result and discussionDose linearity was found to be within 2% in the dose range (50–1000 cGy). The response varied within 8.07% for detector-source distance of 2–7 cm. The response of MOSFET with the epoxy side facing the source (0 degree) is the highest and the lowest response was observed at 90 and 270 degrees. Signal was stable during the study period. ConclusionThe detector showed high dose linearity and insignificant fading. But due to angular and depth dependence, care should be taken and corrections must be applied for clinical dosimetry.

Analysis of Light Transport Features in Stone Fruits Using Monte Carlo Simulation

The propagation of light in stone fruit tissue was modeled using the Monte Carlo (MC) method. Peaches were used as the representative model of stone fruits. The effects of the fruit core and the skin on light transport features in the peaches were assessed. It is suggested that the skin, flesh and core should be separately considered with different parameters to accurately simulate light propagation in intact stone fruit. The detection efficiency was evaluated by the percentage of effective photons and the detection sensitivity of the flesh tissue. The fruit skin decreases the detection efficiency, especially in the region close to the incident point. The choices of the source-detector distance, detection angle and source intensity were discussed. Accurate MC simulations may result in better insight into light propagation in stone fruit and aid in achieving the optimal fruit quality inspection without extensive experimental measurements.

On the geometry dependence of differential pathlength factor for near-infrared spectroscopy. I. Steady-state with homogeneous medium.

This work analytically examines some dependences of the differential pathlength factor (DPF) for steady-state photon diffusion in a homogeneous medium on the shape, dimension, and absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of the medium. The medium geometries considered include a semi-infinite geometry, an infinite-length cylinder evaluated along the azimuthal direction, and a sphere. Steady-state photon fluence rate in the cylinder and sphere geometries is represented by a form involving the physical source, its image with respect to the associated extrapolated half-plane, and a radius-dependent term, leading to simplified formula for estimating the DPFs. With the source-detector distance and medium optical properties held fixed across all three geometries, and equal radii for the cylinder and sphere, the DPF is the greatest in the semi-infinite and the smallest in the sphere geometry. When compared to the results from finite-element method, the DPFs analytically estimated for 10 to 25 mm source–detector separations on a sphere of 50 mm radius with μa=0.01 mm(−1) and μ′s=1.0 mm(−1) are on average less than 5% different. The approximation for sphere, generally valid for a diameter≥20 times of the effective attenuation pathlength, may be useful for rapid estimation of DPFs in near-infrared spectroscopy of an infant head and for short source–detector separation.

Simulation based investigation of source-detector configurations for non-invasive fetal pulse oximetry

Abstract Transabdominal fetal pulse oximetry is a method to monitor the oxygen supply of the unborn child non-invasively. Due to the measurement setup, the received signal of the detector is composed of photons coding purely maternal and photons coding mixed fetal-maternal information. To analyze the wellbeing of the fetus, the fetal signal is extracted from the mixed component. In this paper we assess source-detector configurations, such that the mixed fetal-maternal components of the acquired signals are maximized. Monte-Carlo method is used to simulate light propagation and photon distribution in tissue. We use a plane layer and a spherical layer geometry to model the abdomen of a pregnant woman. From the simulations we extracted the fluence at the detector side for several source-detector distances and analyzed the ratio of the mixed fluence component to total fluence. Our simulations showed that the power of the mixed component depends on the source-detector distance as expected. Further we were able to visualize hot spot areas in the spherical layer model where the mixed fluence ratio reaches the highest level. The results are of high importance for sensor design considering signal composition and quality for non-invasive fetal pulse oximetry.

Numerical simulation of photon density waves in a biophantom with foreign objects

Based on the expression obtained for the scattering intensity in terms of the Bethe–Salpeter equation, the simulation of diffuse photon density wave (DPDW) is implemented in the context of the Monte Carlo method in random media imitating biological tissues in the presence of foreign objects. The DPDW amplitude and phase are calculated as a function of the source–detector distance with explicit allowance for internal reflection effects; the allowance for the Fresnel reflection is necessary for quantitative agreement with measurements. DPDW parameters are calculated for the first time for a biomodel with foreign objects, and optical parameters of the biomodel, as well as spatial parameters of the problem, are estimated for values at which one can visualize an foreign object embedded into the medium.

Real-time patient transit dose verification of volumetric modulated arc therapy by a 2D ionization chamber array

Objective To study the real-time dose verification with 2D array ion chamber array in volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)with a 2D array ion chamber array. Methods The 2D ion chamber array was fixed on the panel of electronic portal imaging device(EPID). Source-detector distance(SDD)was 140 cm. 8 mm RW3 solid water was added to the 2D array to improve the signal noise ratio. Patient plans for esophageal, prostate and liver cancers were selected to be delivered on the cylindrical Cheese phantom 5 times in order to validate the reproducibility of doses. Real-time patient transit dose measurements were performed at each fraction. Dose distributions were evaluated using gamma index criteria of 3 mm DTA and 3% dose difference referred to the first time result. Results The gamma index pass rate in the Cheese phantom were about 98% ; the gamma index pass rate for esophageal, prostate and liver cancer patient were about 92%, 92% and 94%, respectively. Gamma pass rate for all single fraction were more than 90%. Conclusions The 2D array is capable of monitoring the real time transit doses during VMAT delivery. It is helpful to improve the treatment accuracy. Key words: Volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy; 2D ion chamber array; Dosimetry

Experimental and theoretical study of long counters on the departure of “point” assumption and scattering background influence

A new long counter has been constructed and calibrated with the inherent efficiency of 11.5 cm2 in the 2.5 MeV neutron field, and a relative flat energy response of 20% disparity within 0.5 MeV–15 MeV. Using this detector and another commercial DePangher counter, the departure of “point” assumption at near distance and the scattering background influence are investigated by performing three groups of experiments in low, middle and high scattering room. Simulation studies are also performed to supplement the experimental data.Two conclusions are deduced. First, the direct efficiency η is very sensitive when the source is very near, and the departure of point assumption is very evident at this situation. So, a revising method is tried to put forward, employing the on-site calibration with a known neutron source and theoretical calculated coefficient D=(η/ε)/(ηcf252/εcf252). And second, scattering backing counts are found mainly from the nearest wall or scatterers. However, the relatively uniform isotropic scattered neutrons contribute insensitive to the source-detector distance, which means the background tally can be eliminated by some simple ways.

Influence of the size and skin thickness of apple varieties on the retrieval of internal optical properties using Vis/NIR spectroscopy: A Monte Carlo-based study

Visible/near-infrared spectroscopy is a well-established method to measure optical properties of tissues, assuming that a light propagation model can be used to recover absorption and reduced scattering coefficients from non-invasive probing. Spectroscopic measurements have achieved success in non-destructive assessment of apple optical properties and quality attributes. However, the spectroscopy of apples must consider the size of the fruit and the presence of the thin skin layer that surrounds the flesh, to correctly read the signals acquired on the boundary. In this research, the fruit was modelled as a two layer spherical structure with various radii and finite thickness of the upper skin layer. Monte Carlo computations were performed to generate time-resolved reflectance and spatially-resolved reflectance measurements. Simulated data were then fitted using a procedure based on Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm with specific semi-infinite models. The errors in the retrieved optical properties of the flesh (absorption coefficient μa, and reduced scattering coefficient μ′s) were studied as functions of apple radius, skin thickness, and source–detector distance, for given optical parameter sets assigned to the flesh and the skin. The results suggest that the time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy may probe optical properties of the flesh regardless of the skin layer, when a sufficient source–detector distance (15mm) is used for the measurements. Similar results were found in case of using the spatially resolved spectroscopy, because measurements extend up to 15–29mm by steps of 1mm or 2mm. The computations also show that the curvature of the boundary has noticeable effect on the errors in the retrieved optical coefficients of the flesh. However, results from time-resolved spectroscopy are more influenced by the size of apples, compared with the spatially-resolved spectroscopy.

Two dimensional x-ray phase imaging using single grating interferometer with embedded x-ray targets.

Using multidot metal targets embedded in a diamond substrate, we created a single-grating Talbot-Lau interferometer and used it to capture two dimensional (2D) x-ray phase images. The ensemble of these targets constitutes a tiny virtual array of x-ray source and enables x-ray phase-contrast imaging with no source or absorption grating within a 1 m source-detector distance for 8 keV x-rays. We directly resolved a dot-pattern self-image of the phase grating with 6 µm pitch by using an x-ray image detector with 24 µm pixels and obtained 2D differential-phase and dark-field images from a single-exposure. Using the 2D differential-phase images, we also obtained a phase image with no streak artifacts.

SU‐E‐P‐35: Real‐Time Patient Transit Dose Verification of Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiotherapy by a 2D Ionization Chamber Array

Purpose:To explore the real‐time dose verification method in volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) with a 2D array ion chamber array.Methods:The 2D ion chamber array was fixed on the panel of electronic portal imaging device (EPID). Source‐detector distance (SDD)was 140cm. 8mm RW3 solid water was added to the detector panel to achieve maximum readings.The patient plans for esophageal, prostate and liver cancers were selected to deliver on the cylindrical Cheese phantom 5 times in order to validate the reproducibility of doses. Real‐time patient transit dose measurements were performed at each fraction. Dose distributions wereevaluated using gamma index criteria of 3mm DTA and 3% dose difference referred to the firsttime Result.Results:The gamma index pass rate in the Cheese phantom were about 98%; The gamma index pass rate for esophageal, liver and prostate cancer patient were about 92%,94%, and 92%, respectively; Gamma pass rate for all single fraction were more than 90%.Conclusion:The 2D array is capable of monitoring the real time transit doses during VMAT delivery. It is helpful to improve the treatment accuracy.

Near-infrared spectroscopy determined cerebral oxygenation with eliminated skin blood flow in young males

We estimated cerebral oxygenation during handgrip exercise and a cognitive task using an algorithm that eliminates the influence of skin blood flow (SkBF) on the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) signal. The algorithm involves a subtraction method to develop a correction factor for each subject. For twelve male volunteers (age 21 ± 1 yrs) +80 mmHg pressure was applied over the left temporal artery for 30 s by a custom-made headband cuff to calculate an individual correction factor. From the NIRS-determined ipsilateral cerebral oxyhemoglobin concentration (O2Hb) at two source-detector distances (15 and 30 mm) with the algorithm using the individual correction factor, we expressed cerebral oxygenation without influence from scalp and scull blood flow. Validity of the estimated cerebral oxygenation was verified during cerebral neural activation (handgrip exercise and cognitive task). With the use of both source-detector distances, handgrip exercise and a cognitive task increased O2Hb (P < 0.01) but O2Hb was reduced when SkBF became eliminated by pressure on the temporal artery for 5 s. However, when the estimation of cerebral oxygenation was based on the algorithm developed when pressure was applied to the temporal artery, estimated O2Hb was not affected by elimination of SkBF during handgrip exercise (P = 0.666) or the cognitive task (P = 0.105). These findings suggest that the algorithm with the individual correction factor allows for evaluation of changes in an accurate cerebral oxygenation without influence of extracranial blood flow by NIRS applied to the forehead.

How short is short? Optimum source-detector distance for short-separation channels in functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) channels with short separations to explicitly sample extra-cerebral tissues can provide a significant improvement in the accuracy and reliability of fNIRS measurements. The aim of these short-separation channels is to measure the same superficial hemodynamics observed by standard fNIRS channels while also being insensitive to the brain. We use Monte Carlo simulations of photon transport in anatomically informed multilayer models to determine the optimum source-detector distance for short-separation channels in adult and newborn populations. We present a look-up plot that provides (for an acceptable value of short-separation channel brain sensitivity relative to standard channel brain sensitivity) the optimum short-separation distance. Though values vary across the scalp, when the acceptable ratio of the short-separation channel brain sensitivity to standard channel brain sensitivity is set at 5%, the optimum short-separation distance is 8.4mm in the typical adult and 2.15mm in the term-age infant.

Characterization of neutron fields from bare and heavy water moderated 252Cf spontaneous fission source using Bonner Sphere Spectrometer

In this work a calibrated Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS), together with ISO shadow cones, was used to quantify the total and scattered components of bare and heavy water moderated 252Cf neutron fields. All measurements were performed with a BSS that was calibrated at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Teddington, UK, which is a global primary standard laboratory and world-leading facility for neutron metrology and neutron instruments calibration. The fields were characterized for source-spectrometer distances of 80, 100, 150 and 200cm; and at heights of 103 and 200cm from the facility floor. As expected, the scattered contribution was greatest at the farthest distance from the source and closer to the floor. Hence, at a distance of 200cm and a height of 103cm, the scatter added to the direct field up to 162% of the total neutron fluence and up to 61% of the ambient dose equivalent, while at the same distance and height of 200cm above the floor, these values were up to 146% and 52%, respectively. In the case of heavy water moderated 252Cf neutron fields, a shadow cone subtraction technique could not be implemented, however Monte Carlo simulations were utilized in order to differentiate between the direct and scatter components of the neutron fields. In this case, at a source–detector distance of 200cm and a height of 103cm, the scatter added to the direct field up to 148% of the total neutron fluence and up to 45% of the ambient dose equivalent, while at the same distance and a height of 200cm above the floor, these values were up to 134% and 42%, respectively.

3D–2D registration in mobile radiographs: algorithm development and preliminary clinical evaluation

An image-based 3D–2D registration method is presented using radiographs acquired in the uncalibrated, unconstrained geometry of mobile radiography. The approach extends a previous method for six degree-of-freedom (DOF) registration in C-arm fluoroscopy (namely ‘LevelCheck’) to solve the 9-DOF estimate of geometry in which the position of the source and detector are unconstrained. The method was implemented using a gradient correlation similarity metric and stochastic derivative-free optimization on a GPU. Development and evaluation were conducted in three steps. First, simulation studies were performed that involved a CT scan of an anthropomorphic body phantom and 1000 randomly generated digitally reconstructed radiographs in posterior–anterior and lateral views. A median projection distance error (PDE) of 0.007 mm was achieved with 9-DOF registration compared to 0.767 mm for 6-DOF. Second, cadaver studies were conducted using mobile radiographs acquired in three anatomical regions (thorax, abdomen and pelvis) and three levels of source-detector distance (~800, ~1000 and ~1200 mm). The 9-DOF method achieved a median PDE of 0.49 mm (compared to 2.53 mm for the 6-DOF method) and demonstrated robustness in the unconstrained imaging geometry. Finally, a retrospective clinical study was conducted with intraoperative radiographs of the spine exhibiting real anatomical deformation and image content mismatch (e.g. interventional devices in the radiograph that were not in the CT), demonstrating a PDE = 1.1 mm for the 9-DOF approach. Average computation time was 48.5 s, involving 687 701 function evaluations on average, compared to 18.2 s for the 6-DOF method. Despite the greater computational load, the 9-DOF method may offer a valuable tool for target localization (e.g. decision support in level counting) as well as safety and quality assurance checks at the conclusion of a procedure (e.g. overlay of planning data on the radiograph for verification of the surgical product) in a manner consistent with natural surgical workflow.

Effects of time-gated detection in diffuse optical imaging at short source-detector separation

The adoption of a short source-detector distance, combined with a time-resolved acquisition, can be advantageous in diffuse optical imaging due to the stricter spatial localization of the probing photons, provided that the strong burst of early photons is suppressed using a time-gated detection scheme. We propose a model for predicting the effect of the time-gated measurement system using a time-variant operator built on the system response acquired at different gate delays. The discrete representation of the system operator, termed Spread Matrix, can be analyzed to identify the bottlenecks of the detection system with respect to the physical problem under study. Measurements performed on tissue phantoms, using a time-gated single-photon avalanche diode and an interfiber distance of 2 mm, demonstrate that inhomogeneities down to 3 cm can be detected only if the decay constant of the detector is lower than 100 ps, while the transient opening of the gate has a less critical impact.

A New Expression for the Full Energy Photo-Peak Efficiency of a High Pure Germanium Detector as a Function of Distance and Energy

A new expression for the full energy photo-peak efficiency in terms of gamma ray energy and the sourcedetector distance has been obtained for a high pure germanium detector (HPGe) using different standard sources. Comparison of the calculated efficiencies and the experimentally measured values for the energy range from 59.5– 1332.2 KeV and a source-detector distances 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 cm. This shows a good agreement between the theory and the experiment.

Comparison of RPL GD-301 and TLD-100 detectors responses by Monte Carlo simulation

(LiF:Mg,Ti) Thermo Luminescent Detectors are widely used for monitoring patient dose in radiotherapy treatments whereas Radio-Photoluminescent Dosimeters (RPL) are increasingly devoted to radiological protection purposes. A study, aiming at extending the use of RPL glasses to clinical applications, is conducted by comparing the dosimetric characteristics of a RPL glass dosimeter, commercially known as GD-301 to those of a TLD -100 detector. In this paper, preliminary Monte Carlo simulation results describing these dosimeters responses in terms of absorbed dose, source-detector distance and characteristics of the incident gamma field are presented.

Algorithm for removing scalp signals from functional near-infrared spectroscopy signals in real time using multidistance optodes.

A real-time algorithm for removing scalp-blood signals from functional near-infrared spectroscopy signals is proposed. Scalp and deep signals have different dependencies on the source-detector distance. These signals were separated using this characteristic. The algorithm was validated through an experiment using a dynamic phantom in which shallow and deep absorptions were independently changed. The algorithm for measurement of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobins using two wavelengths was explicitly obtained. This algorithm is potentially useful for real-time systems, e.g., brain-computer interfaces and neuro-feedback systems.

Probing neutrino oscillation parameters using high power superbeam from ESS

A high-power neutrino superbeam experiment at the ESS facility has been proposed such that the source-detector distance falls at the second oscillation maximum, giving very good sensitivity towards establishing CP violation. In this work, we explore the comparative physics reach of the experiment in terms of leptonic CP-violation, precision on atmospheric parameters, non-maximal theta23, and its octant for a variety of choices for the baselines. We also vary the neutrino vs. the anti-neutrino running time for the beam, and study its impact on the physics goals of the experiment. We find that for the determination of CP violation, 540 km baseline with 7 years of neutrino and 3 years of anti-neutrino (7nu+3nubar) run-plan performs the best and one expects a 5sigma sensitivity to CP violation for 48% of true values of deltaCP. The projected reach for the 200 km baseline with 7nu+3nubar run-plan is somewhat worse with 5sigma sensitivity for 34% of true values of deltaCP. On the other hand, for the discovery of a non-maximal theta23 and its octant, the 200 km baseline option with 7nu+3nubar run-plan performs significantly better than the other baselines. A 5sigma determination of a non-maximal theta23 can be made if the true value of sin^2theta23 lesssim 0.45 or sin^2theta23 gtrsim 0.57. The octant of theta23 could be resolved at 5sigma if the true value of sin^2theta23 lesssim 0.43 or gtrsim 0.59, irrespective of deltaCP.

Photon diffusion in a homogeneous medium bounded externally or internally by an infinitely long circular cylindrical applicator. VI. Time-domain analysis.

Part VI analytically examines time-domain (TD) photon diffusion in a homogeneous medium enclosed by a "concave" circular cylindrical applicator or enclosing a "convex" circular cylindrical applicator, both geometries being infinite in the longitudinal dimension. The aim is to assess characteristics of TD photon diffusion, in response to a spatially and temporally impulsive source, versus the line-of-sight source-detector distance along the azimuthal or longitudinal direction on the concave or convex medium-applicator interface. By comparing to their counterparts evaluated along a straight line on a semi-infinite medium-applicator interface versus the same source-detector distance, the following patterns are indicated: (1)the peak photon fluence rate is always reached sooner in concave and later in convex geometry; (2)the peak photon fluence rate decreases slower along the azimuthal and faster along the longitudinal direction on the concave interface, and conversely on the convex interface; (3)the total photon fluence decreases slower along the azimuthal and faster along the longitudinal direction on the concave interface, and conversely on the convex interface; (4)the ratio between the peak photon fluence rate and the total fluence is always greater in concave geometry and smaller in convex geometry. The total fluence is equivalent to the steady-state photon fluence analyzed in Part I [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A27, 648 (2010)10.1364/JOSAA.27.000648JOAOD61084-7529]. The patterns of peak fluence rate, time to reaching peak fluence rate, and the ratio of these two, correspond to those of AC amplitude, phase, and modulation depth of frequency-domain results demonstrated in Part IV [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A29, 1445 (2012)10.1364/JOSAA.29.001445JOAOD61084-7529].