• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Purpose: Although ionization chambers are widely used to measure beam commissioning data, point-by-point measurements of all the profiles with various field size and depths are time-consuming tasks. As an alternative, we investigated the feasibility of a linear diode array for commissioning a treatment planning system. Methods: The beam data of a Varian TrueBeam^® radiotherapy system at 6 and 10 MV with/without a flattening filter were measured for commissioning of an Eclipse Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA) ver.15.6. All of the necessary beam data were measured using an IBA CC13 ionization chamber and validated against Varian "Golden Beam" data. After validation, the measured CC13 profiles were used for commissioning the Eclipse AAA (AAA_CC13). In addition, an IBA LDA-99SC linear diode array detector was used to measure all of the beam profiles and for commissioning a separate model (AAA_LDA99). Finally, the AAA_CC13 and AAA_LDA99 dose calculations for each of the 10 clinical plans were compared. Results: The agreement of the CC13 profiles with the Varian Golden Beam data was confirmed within 1% except in the penumbral region, where ≤2% of a discrepancy related to machine-specific jaw calibration was observed. Since the volume was larger for the CC13 chamber than for the LDA-99SC chamber, the penumbra widths were larger in the CC13 profiles, resulting in ≤5% differences. However, after beam modeling, the penumbral widths agreed within 0.1 mm. Finally the AAA_LDA99 and AAA_CC13 dose distributions agreed within 1% for all voxels inside the body for the 10 clinical plans. Conclusions: In conclusion, the LDA-99SC diode array detector was found to be accurate and efficient for measuring photon beam profiles to commission treatment planning systems.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2001

We was investigate the dosimetric characteristics of the virtual wedge and it compared to the conventional fixed wedge. Also we was evaluate the quality factor of the experimental multi-channel dosimetry system for virtual wedge. Recently virtual wedge technique and wedge fraction methods are available through the computer controlled asymmetric collimator or the independent jaw in medical linear accelerator for radiation therapy. The dosimetric characteristics are interpreted by radiation field analyzer RFA-7 system and PTW-UNIDOS system. Experimental multi-channel dosimetry system for virtual wedge was consists of the electrometer, the solid detector and array phantom. The solid detectors were constructed using commercially diodes for the assessment of quality assurance in radiotherapy. And it was used for the point dose measuring and field size scanning. The semiconductor detector and ion chamber were positioned at a dmax, 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm depth and its specific ratio was determined using a scanning data. Wedge angles in fixed and virtual type are compared with measurements in water phantom and it is shown that the wedge angle 15$^{\circ}$, 30$^{\circ}$, 45$^{\circ}$were agree within 1$^{\circ}$ degree in 6, 10 MV photon beams. In PDD and beam flatness, experimental multi-channel disimetry system was capable of reproduceing the measured values usually to within $\pm$2.1% the statistical uncertainties of the data. It was used to describe dosimetric characteristics of virtual wedge in clinical photon beams. Also we was evaluate optimal use of the virtual wedge and improve the quality factor of the experimental multi-channel dosimetry system for virtual wedge.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.188-198
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• 2012

This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of the collapsed cone convolution (CCC) algorithm for dose calculation in a treatment planning system (TPS), CorePLAN$^{TM}$. We implemented beam models for various setup conditions in TPS and calculated radiation dose using CCC algorithm for 6 MV and 15 MV photon beam in $50{\times}50{\times}50cm^3$ water phantom. Field sizes were $4{\times}4cm^2$, $6{\times}6cm^2$, $10{\times}10cm^2$, $20{\times}20cm^2$, $30{\times}30cm^2$ and $40{\times}40cm^2$ and each case was classified as open beam cases and wedged beam cases, respectively. Generated beam models were evaluated by comparing calculated data and measured data of percent depth dose (PDD) and lateral profile. As a result, PDD showed good agreement within approximately 2% in open beam cases and 3% in wedged beam cases except for build-up region and lateral profile also correspond within approximately 1% in field and 4% in penumbra region. On the other hand, the discrepancies were found approximately 4% in wedged beam cases. This study has demonstrated the accuracy of beam model-based CCC algorithm in CorePLAN$^{TM}$ and the most of results from this study were acceptable according to international standards. Although, the area with large dose difference shown in this study was not significant region in clinical field, the result of our study would open the possibility to apply CorePLAN$^{TM}$ into clinical field.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 1991

We have studied the effective point of measurement for cylindrical ion chamber in water phantom for medical electron beams. Markus parallel plate chamber water phantom are used for the measurement of depth dose to determine the depth of the effective point of measurement for various energies(for electron 6MeV, 9MeV, 12MeV, 16MeV, and 20MeV; Co-60; for photon 6MV, 15MV). Cylindrical ion chambes(PTW233643 with r=2.75mm, PR-05P with r=2mm, and PM30 wiht r=15mm are used for the measurement of depth dose by same mtethod and the values of d$\_$50/ and R$\_$p/ obtained by three cylindrical chambers were compared with those of a flat chamber. From this we could evaluate the effective measuring points of cylindrical ion chamber. The effective point of measurement was estimated as 0.4～0.6r shifted toward surface from the center of the chamber for electron beam, 0.3～0.7r for $\^$60/Co X-ray.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2014

A Varian Portal Dosimetry system was compared to an isocentrically mounted MapCHECK 2 diode array for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) QA. A Varian TrueBeam STx with an aS-1000 digital imaging panel was used to acquire VMAT QA images for 13 plans using four photon energies (6, 8, 10 and 15 MV). The EPID-based QA images were compared to the Portal Dose Image Prediction calculated in the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS). An isocentrically mounted Sun Nuclear MapCHECK 2 diode array with 5 cm water-equivalent buildup was also used for the VMAT QAs and the measurements were compared to a composite dose plane from the Eclipse TPS. A ${\gamma}$ test was implemented in the Sun Nuclear Patient software with 10% threshold and absolute comparison at 1%/1 mm (dose difference/distance-to-agreement), 2%/2 mm, and 3%/3 mm criteria for both QA methods. The two-tailed paired Student's t-test was employed to analyze the statistical significance at 95% confidence level. The average ${\gamma}$ passing rates were greater than 95% at 3%/3 mm using both methods for all four energies. The differences in the average passing rates between the two methods were within 1.7% and 1.6% of each other when analyzed at 2%/2 mm and 3%/3 mm, respectively. The EPID passing rates were somewhat better than the MapCHECK 2 when analyzed at 1%/1 mm; the difference was lower for 8 MV and 10 MV. However, the differences were not statistically significant for all criteria and energies (p-values >0.05). The EPID-based QA showed large off-axis over-response and dependence of ${\gamma}$ passing rate on energy, while the MapCHECK 2 was susceptible to the MLC tongue-and-groove effect. The two fluence-based QA techniques can be an alternative tool of VMAT QA to each other, if the limitations of each QA method (mechanical sag, detector response, and detector alignment) are carefully considered.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.186-191
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• 2004

The periodic Quality Assurance (QA) of each radiation treatment related equipments is important one, but quality assurance of the radiation treatment planning system (RTPS) is still not sufficient rather than other related equipments in clinics. Therefore, this study will present and test the periodic QA program to compare, evaluation the efficiency of the treatment planning systems. This QA program is divided to terms for the input, output devices and dosimetric data and categorized to the weekly, monthly, yearly and non-periodically with respect to the job time, frequency of error, priority of importance. CT images of the water equivalent solid phantom with a heterogeneity condition are input into the RTPS to proceed the test. The actual measurement data are obtained by using the ion chamber for the 6 MV, 10 MV photon beam, then compared a calculation data with a measurement data to evaluate the accuracy of the RTPS. Most of results for the accuracy of geometry and beam data are agreed within the error criteria which is recommended from the various advanced country and related societies. This result can be applied to the periodic QA program to improve the treatment outcome as a proper model in Korea and used to evaluate the accuracy of the RTPS.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2018

A radiation dosimeter is important to assess quality assurance (QA) of radiation therapy devices and to estimate the radiation dose in vivo dosimetry. Recently, optically stimulated luminescence detector (OSLD) is widely used in clinical filed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate dose, energy, and angular dependence of OSLD and EBT3 film. The absorbed dose in clinical linear accelerator (Linac) beam is calibrated for dose per monitor unit (MU). Dose, energy, and angular dependence of OSLD and EBT3 film are estimated after the calibration procedure. The absorbed dose is measured at 50, 100, 150, and 200 cGy in an 6 MV X-ray beam for dose dependence. A dose of 150 cGy is delivered to OSLD and EBT3 film with 6 and 10 MV photon energies for energy dependence. For measurements of angular dependence, angular positions of gantry are $0^{\circ}{\pm}80^{\circ}$ with 6 MV at 150 cGy. The results of dose dependence is linear for OSLD and EBT3 film. For the results of energy dependence, errors were 0.39% and 0.03% for OSLD and EBT3 film, respectively. The results of dose for angular is decreased from $0^{\circ}$ to ${\pm}80^{\circ}$ for both OSLD and EBT3 film. When angle of $0^{\circ}$ is normalized to 1, and the dose is decreased to 60 and 66% at $80^{\circ}$ for OSLD and EBT3 film, respectively. Dose and energy dependence of OSLD and EBT3 film are measured within the recommendation of manufacturer. Angular dependence is increased from $0^{\circ}$ to ${\pm}80^{\circ}$ for OSLD and EBT3 film. The characteristics of OSLD and EBT3 film are similar and expected to useful for clinical field.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.197-200
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• 2016

Background: Wedge filters are commonly used in radiation oncology for eliminating hot spots and creating a uniform dose distribution in optimizing isodose curves in the target volume for clinical aspects. These are some limited standard physical wedges ($15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$),or creating an arbitrary wedge angle, like motorized wedge or dynamic wedge,${\ldots}$ The new formulation is presented by the combination of wedge fields for determining an arbitrary effective wedge angles. The isodose curves also are derived for these wedges. Materials and Methods: we performed the dosimetry of Varian Clinac 2100C/D with Scanditronix Wellhofer water blue phantom, CU500E, OmniPro - Accept software and 0.13cc ionization chamber for 6Mv photon beam in depth of 10cm (reference depth) for universal physical wedges ($15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, and $60^{\circ}$) and reference field $10.10cm^2$. By combining the isodose curve standard wedge fields with compatible weighting dose for each field, the effective isodose curve is calculated for any wedge angle. Results: The relation between a given effective wedge angle and the weighting of each combining wedge fields was derived. A good agreement was found between the measured and calculated wedge angles and the maximum deviation did not exceed $3^{\circ}$. The difference between the measured and calculated data decreased when the combined wedge angles were closer. The results are in agreement with the motorized single wedge appliance in the literature. Conclusions: This technique showed that the effective wedge angle that is obtained from this method is adequate for clinical applications and the motorized wedge formalism is a special case of this consideration.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 1995

Purpose : To evaluate the effect on surface dose due to Aquaplast used for immobilizing the patients with head and neck cancers in photon beam radiotherapy Materials and Methods: To assess surface and buildup region dose for 6MV X-ray from linear accelerator(Siemens Mevatron 6740), we measured percent ionization value with the Markus chamber model 30-329 manufactured by PTW Frieburg and Capintec electrometer, model WK92. For measurement of surface ionization value, the chamber was embedded in $25{\times}25{\times}3cm^3$ acrylic phantom and set on $25{\times}25{\times}5cm^3$ polystyrene phantom to allow adequate scattering. The measurements of percent depth ionization were made by placing the polystyrene layers of appropriate thickness over the chamber. The measurements were taken at 100cm SSD for $5{\times}5cm^2$, $10{\times}10cm^2$ and $15{\times}15cm^2$ field sizes, respectively. Placing the layer of Aquaplast over the chamber, the same procedures were repeated. We evaluated two types of Aquaplast: 1.6mm layer of original Aquaplast(manufactured by WFR Aquaplast Corp.) and transformed Aquaplast similar to moulded one for immobilizing the patients practically. We also measured surface ionization values with blocking tray in presence or absence of transformed Aquaplast. In calculating percent depth dose, we used the formula suggested by Gerbi and Khan to correct overresponse of the Markus chamber. Results : The surface doses for open fields of $5{\times}5cm^2$, $10{\times}10cm^2$, and $15{\times}15cm^2$ were $79\%$, $13.6\%$, and $18.7\%$, respectively. The original Aquaplast increased the surface doses upto $38.4\%$, $43.6\%$, and $47.4\%$, respectively. For transformed Aquaplast, they were $31.2\%$, $36.1\%$, and $40.5\%$, respectively. There were little differences in percent depth dose values beyond the depth of Dmax. Increasing field size, the blocking tray caused increase of the surface dose by $0.2\%$, $1.7\%$, $3.0\%$ without Aquaplast, $0.2\%$, $1.9\%$, $3.7\%$ with transformed Aquaplast, respectively. Conclusion: The original and transformed Aquaplast increased the surface dose moderately. The percent depth doses beyond Dmax, however, were not affected by Aquaplast. In conclusion, although the use of Aquaplast in practice may cause some increase of skin and buildup region dose, reductioin of skin-sparing effect will not be so significant clinically.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.230-235
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• 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the contralateral breast dose using a virtual wedge compared with that using a Physical wedge and an open beam in a Siemens linear accelerator. Materials and Methods: The contralateral breast dose was measured using diodes placed on a humanoid phantom. Diodes were placed at 5.5 cm (position 1), 9.5 cm (position 2), and 14 cm (position 3) along the medial-lateral line from the medial edge of the treatment field. A 6-MV photon beam was used with tangential irradiation technique at 50 and 230 degrees of gantry angle. Asymmetrically collimated $17{\times}10cm$ field was used. for the first set of experiment, four treatment set-ups were used, which were an open medial beam with a 30-degree wedged lateral beam (physical and virtual wedges, respectively) and a 15-degree wedged medial beam with a 15-degree wedged lateral beam (physical and virtual wedges, respectively). The second set of experiment consists of setting with medial beam without wedge, a 15-degree wedge, and a 50-degree wedge (physical and virtual wedges, respectively). Identical monitor units were delivered. Each set of experiment was repeated for three times. Results: In the first set of experiment, the contralateral breast dose was the highest at the position 1 and decreased in order of the position 2 and 3. The contralateral breast dose was reduced with open beam on the medial side ($2.70{\pm}1.46%$) compared to medial beam with a wedge (both physical and virtual) ($3.25{\pm}1.59%$). The differences were larger with a physical wedge ($0.99{\pm}0.18%$) than a virtual wedge ($0.10{\pm}0.01%$) at all positions. The use of a virtual wedge reduced the contralateral breast dose by 0.12% to 1.20% of the proscribed dose compared to a physical wedge with same technique. In the second experiment, the contralateral breast dose decreased in order of the open beam, the virtual wedge, and the physical wedge at the position 1, and it decreased in order of a physical wedge, an open beam, and a virtual wedge at the position 2 and 3. Conclusion: The virtual wedge equipped in a Siemens linear accelerator was found to be useful in reducing dose to the contralateral breast. Our additional finding was that the surface dose distribution from the Siemens accelerator was different from a Varian accelerator.