• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2016

The objective of this study is to increase the accuracy of dose transmission in radiation therapy using two types of treatment tables, standard exact couch (Varian 21EX, Varian Medical Systems, Milpitas, CA) and 6D robotic couch (Novalis, BrainLAB A.G., Heimstetten, Germany)). We examined the dose attenuation based on the two types of treatment tables and studied the dose of attenuation using the phase (In/Out) for the standard exact couch. We measured the relative dose according to the incident angle of a penetrative photon beam under a treatment table. The incident angle of the photon beam was from $0^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ}$ in the increments of $5^{\circ}$. The reference angle was set to $0^{\circ}$. Furthermore, the relative dose of the 6D robotic couch was measured using 6 MV and 15 MV, and that of the standard exact couch was measured at the sliding rail position (In-Out) using 6 MV and 10 MV. In the case of the standard exact couch, the measured relative dose was 16.53% (rails at the "In position," $175^{\circ}$, 6 MV), 12.42% (rails at the "In position," $175^{\circ}$, 10 MV), 13.13% (rails at the "Out position," $175^{\circ}$, 6 MV), and 9.96% (rails at the "Out position," $175^{\circ}$, 10 MV). In the case of the 6D robotic couch, the measured relative dose was 6.82% ($130^{\circ}$, 6 MV) and 4.92% ($130^{\circ}$, 15 MV). The photon energies were surveyed at the same incident angle. The dose attenuation for an energy of 10 MV was 4~5% lower than that for 6 MV. This indicated that the higher photon energy, lesser is the attenuation. The results of this study indicated that the attenuation rate for the 6D robotic couch was confirmed to be 1% larger than that for the standard exact couch at 6 MV and $180^{\circ}$. In the case of the standard exact couch, the dose attenuation was found to change rapidly in accordance with the phase ("In position" and "Out position") of the sliding rail.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric effects of couch attenuation and air gaps using 3D phantom for prone breast radiation therapy. Materials and method: A 3D printer(Builder Extreme 1000) and computed tomography (CT) images of a breast cancer patient were used to manufacture the customized breast phantom. Eclipse External Beam Planning 13.6 (Varian Medical Systems Palo Alto, CA, USA) was used to create the treatment plan with a dose of 200 cGy per fraction with 6 MV energy. The Optically Stimulated Luminescence Detector(OSLD) was used to measure the skin dose at four points (Med 1, Med 2, Lat 1, Lat 2) on the 3D phantom and ion-chamber (FC65-G) were used to perform the in-vivo dosimetry at the two points (Anterior, Posterior). The Skin dose and in-vivo dosimetry were measured with reference air gap (3 cm) and increased air gaps (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 cm) from reference distance between the couch and 3D phantom. Results: As a result, measurement for the skin dose at lateral point showed a similar value within ${\pm}4%$ compared to the plan. While the air gap increased, skin dose at medial 1 was reduced. And it was also reduced over 7 % when the air gap was more than 3 cm compared to radiation therapy plan. At medial 2 it was reduced over 4 % as well. The changes of dose from variety of the air gap showed similar value within ${\pm}1%$ at posterior. As the air gap was increased, the dose at anterior was also increased and it was increased by 1 % from the air gap distance more than 3 cm. Conclusion: Dosimetrical measurement using 3D phantom is very useful to evaluate the dosimetric effects of couch attenuation and air gaps for prone breast radiation therapy. And it is possible to reduce the skin dose and increase the accuracy of the radiation dose delivery by appling the optimized air gap.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2003

I. Purpose Confirming an error to be able to break out in a method to move couch manually while operator sees the skin marks on patient in case of curing head who got 2 targets adjoined, so we analyze coordinates price of couch, evaluate reproducibility and precision of change movements between targets. II. Materials and Methods In radiotherapy, for confirming errors in manual movements by operators by exchanging between two targets to treat patient head, we read coordinates price(vertical, longitudinal, lateral three directions of couch) shown on a monitor of LINAC( CL 2100, Varian, USA) in order to evaluate accuracy about the length that moved in time for moving couch manually. After reading movement length of coordinates recorded in three directions of all treatment, we compared distance between targets recorded in RTP(Pinnacle, ADAC, USA) with reading coordinates price of couch, setting actually done the same patient for ten times, coordinates were recorded, treated for evaluating averages and degrees of errors and standard deviations. III. Results In method to confirm skin marks of patient by operators' view and to move couch manually, average standard deviations of movements between two targets are vertical 1.4mm, longitudinal 0.9mm, lateral 2.2mm in each direction. As for the error in straight dimension, it is about 3.6mm averages and 5.1mm maximum. The average of errors in each directions was vertical 1mm, longitudinal 0.7mm, lateral 2.7mm. The greatest error broke out in lateral direction with $25\%$ of all cases ; to exceed an error average. IV. Conclusions If operators moved manually couch for changing target points, errors about 3.6mm average degrees occur. It is important that operators confirm the errors prices of actual couch coordinates for asking a correct movement between the targets adjoined each other ; in case of treatment demanding high precision like 3D conformal therapy or IMRT. Therefore, if we apply couch coordinates confirmation to reproducibility and to precision evaluation of treatment, it's expected that we can execute high-quality radiotherapy.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.109-121
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• 2016

To verify the accuracy of the image guided radiotherapy using ExacTrac 6D couch, the error values in six directions are randomly assigned and corrected and then the corrected values were compared with CBCT image to check the accurateness of ExacTrac. The therapy coordination values in the Rando head Phantom were moved in the directions of X, Y and Z as the translation group and they were moved in the directions of pitch, roll and yaw as the rotation group. The corrected values were moved in 6 directions with the combined and mutual reactions. The Z corrected value ranges from 1mm to 23mm. In the analysis of errors between CBCT image of the phantom which is corrected with therapy coordinate and 3D/3D matching error value, the rotation group showed higher error value than the translation group. In the distribution of dose for the error value of the therapy coordinate corrected with CBCT, the restricted value of dosage for the normal organs in two groups meet the prescription dose. In terms of PHI and PCI values which are the dose homogeneity of the cancerous tissue, the rotation group showed a little higher in the low dose distribution range. This study is designed to verify the accuracy of ExacTrac 6D couch using CBCT. It showed that in terms of the error value in the simple movement, it showed the comparatively accurate correction capability but in the movement when the angle is put in the couch, it showed the inaccurate correction values. So, if the body of the patient is likely to have a lot of changes in the direction of rotation or there is a lot of errors in the pitch, roll and yaw in ExacTrac correction, it is better to conduct the CBCT guided image to correct the therapy coordinate in order to minimize any side effects.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2012

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the influence of aquaplastic mask which is used for the radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer on patient positioning by analyzing the results of 2D/2D matching with the use of Exactrac 6D couch system. Materials and Methods: 2D/2D matching-based Image guidance was performed with the use of Exactrac 6D couch system on a total of 14 patients with head and neck cancer who received radiotherapy at this hospital in a period from June 2010 to June 2011. The adjusted 6D values obtained after the image guidance were classified into values related with patients and values not related with patients as to the correlation between the results. Results: In the analysis of the relation of each adjusted value to patients, the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of longitudinal and pitch direction was 0.76, of longitudinal and yaw direction was 0.48, and of pitch and yaw direction was 0.42 although the coefficient of determination for above factors was 0.03 or less when the dependency of patients was excluded. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that intrinsic factors of aquaplastic mask had influence on the immobilization of patients by aquaplastic mask although various factors related with patients had influence on the immobilization of patients. It is believed that if these factors are adjusted, the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer can be more accurate.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare patient's body posture and its position at the time of simulation with one at the treatment room using On-board Imaging (OBI) and CT (CBCT). The detected offsets are compared with position errors of Rando Phantom that are practically applied. After that, Rando Phantom's position is selected by moving couch based on detected deviations. In addition, the errors between real measured values of Rando Phantom position and theoretical ones is compared. And we will evaluate target position's accuracy of KV X-ray imaging's 2D and CBCT's 3D one. Materials and Methods: Using the Rando Phantom (Alderson Research Laboratories Inc. Stanford. CT, USA) which simulated human body's internal structure, we will set up Rando Phantom on the treatment couch after implementing simulation and RTP according to the same ways as the real radioactive treatment. We tested Rando Phantom that are assumed to have accurate position with different 3 methods. We measured setup errors on the axis of X, Y and Z, and got mean standard deviation errors by repeating tests 10 times on each tests. Results: The difference between mean detection error and standard deviation are as follows; lateral 0.4+/-0.3 mm, longitudinal 0.6+/-0.5 mm, vertical 0.4+/-0.2 mm which all within 0~10 mm. The couch shift variable after positioning that are comparable to residual errors are 0.3+/-0.1, 0.5+/-0.1, and 0.3+/-0.1 mm. The mean detection errors by longitudinal shift between 20~40 mm are 0.4+/-0.3 in lateral, 0.6+/-0.5 in longitudinal, 0.5+/-0.3 in vertical direction. The detection errors are all within range of 0.3~0.5 mm. Residual errors are within 0.2~0.5 mm. Each values are mean values based on 3 tests. Conclusion: Phantom is based on treatment couch shift and error within the average 5mm can be gained by the diminution detected by image registration based on OBI and CBCT. Therefore, the selection of target position which depends on OBI and CBCT could be considered as useful.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.30 no.1_2
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• pp.139-151
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• 2018

Objectives : A self-made "Tomotherapy couch device" capable of correcting the Yaw direction was fabricated and evaluated for its usefulness. Materials and Methods : "Tomotherapy couch device" capable of correcting the Yaw direction is made of rigid fibreboard with a flexural strength of $200kg/cm^2$. CBCT Image from Novalis Tx and Iso-Align Phantom from MED-TEC were used to evaluate the physical accuracy. The treatment plan was designed using Accuray $Precision^{TM}$ and In House Head and Phantom. Accuray $PrecisionART^{TM}$ and $Precision^{TM}$ was used to evaluate dose. Results : Evaluation results, the self-fabricated device accurately corrected the setup error, Target dose was within 95 %~107 % of all. In order to directly evaluate the OAR dose according to the Yaw change, the absolute dose was measured. As a result, when the error in the Yaw direction was $3^{\circ}$, the specific OAR showed a maximum difference of 18.4 %. Conclusion : "Tomotherapy couch device" capable of correcting the Yaw direction can be manufactured at a lower cost compared to the effect, and it can prevent the patient's MVCT image dose for re-imaging. Accurate radiation therapy without errors can be performed.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.239-245
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to verify the accuracy of dose delivery according to the pitch and roll rotational setup error with 6D robotic couch in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for pelvic region in patients. Materials and Methods : Trilogy(Varian, USA) and 6D robotic couch(ProturaTM 1.4, CIVCO, USA) were used to measure and analyze the rotational setup error of 14 patients (157 setup cases) for pelvic region. The total 157 Images(CBCT 78, Radiography 79) were used to calculate the mean value and the incidence of pitch and roll rotational setup error with Microsoft Office Excel 2007. The measured data (3 mm, 3%) at the reference angle ($0^{\circ}$) without couch rotation of pitch and roll direction was compared to the others at different pitch and roll angles ($1^{\circ}$, $1.5^{\circ}$, $2^{\circ}$, $2.5^{\circ}$) to verify the accuracy of dose delivery by using 2D array ionization chamber (I'mRT Matrixx, IBA Dosimetry, Germany) and MultiCube Phantom(IBA Dosimetry, Germany). Result from the data, gamma index was evaluated. Results : The mean values of pitch and roll rotational setup error were $0.9^{\circ}{\pm}0.7$, $0.5^{\circ}{\pm}0.6$. The maximum values of them were $2.8^{\circ}$, $2.0^{\circ}$. All of the minimum values were zero. The mean values of gamma pass rate at four different pitch angles ($1^{\circ}$, $1.5^{\circ}$, $2^{\circ}$, $2.5^{\circ}$) were 97.75%, 96.65%, 94.38% and 90.91%. The mean values of gamma pass rate at four different roll angles ($1^{\circ}$, $1.5^{\circ}$, $2^{\circ}$, $2.5^{\circ}$) were 93.68%, 93.05%, 87.77% and 84.96%. when the same angles ($1^{\circ}$, $1.5^{\circ}$, $2^{\circ}$) of pitch and roll were applied simultaneously, The mean values of each angle were 94.90%, 92.37% and 87.88%, respectively. Conclusion : As a result of this study, it was able to recognize that the accuracy of dose delivered is lowered gradually as pitch and roll increases. In order to increase the accuracy of delivered dose, therefore, it is recommended to perform IGRT or correct patient's position in the pitch and roll direction, to improve the quality of treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.30 no.1_2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2018

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of carbon couch side rail and vacuum immobilization device in case of lung RPO irradiation. Materials and Methods : The 10, 20, 30 mm thickness of vac-lok's right side were obtained. To measure of doses, glass dosimeters were used and measured reference point is left lung center at the phantom. A, B, C, and D points are left, right, down, and up directions based on the center point. In the state of Side-Rail-Out, place the without vac-lok, with the thickness of 10, 20, and 30 mm vac-lok. After the glass dosimeters was inserted in center, A, B, C, and D points, 100 MU of 6 MV X-ray were irradiated to the referenced center point in the condition of $10{\times}10cm^2$ field size, SAD 100 cm, gantry angle 225, 300 MU/min dose rate. Five measurements were made for each point. In the state of Side-Rail-In, five measurement were made for each point under the same conditions. The average is measured on each of the five Side-Rail-Out and Side-Rail-In measurements. Results : In the presence of side rail, the dose reduction ratio was -11.8 %, -12.3 %, -4.1 %, -12.3 %, -7.3 % for each A, B, C, and D points. In the state of Side-Rail-Out, the dose reduction ratio for the using 10 mm thickness of vac-lok was -0.9 % than without vac-lok. The dose reduction ratio for the using 20 mm thickness of vac-lok was -2.0 %, for the using 30 mm thickness of the vac-lok was -3.0 % than without vac-lok. In the state of Side-Rail-In, the dose reduction ratio for the using 10 mm thickness of vac-lok was -1.0 % than without vac-lok. The dose reduction ratio for the using 20 mm vac-lok was -2.1 %, for the using 30 mm vac-lok was -3.0 % than without vac-lok. Based on the value of no vac-lok dose in the Side-Rail-In state, The dose reduction ratios for the using 10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm thickness of vac-loks In the Side-Rail-Out that the center point were -12.7 %, -13.7 %, -14.2 % and -12.8 %, -13.8 %, -14.5 % respectively at point A. The dose reduction ratios for the same conditions to the B point were -4.9 %, -6.1 %, -7.1 % and -13.4 %, -14.4 %, -15.5 % respectively at point C. The dose reduction ratios for the same conditions to the D point were -8.4 %, -9.0 %, -10.4 % respectively. Conclusion : The attenuation was caused by presence of side rails and thickness of vac-lok. Pay attention to these attenuation factors, making it a more effective radiation therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2015

Purpose : The aim of this study, evaluate the accuracy of HeaxPOD evo RT system using the non-coplanar beam. Materials and Methods : 13 treatment plans are used which applied non-coplanar beams and 10 treatment plans which coplanar beams are used. the correction value what adjust to 6D couch is determined by each patient's setup errors only rotation direction. The study executed followings. first, Applying the correction value, measure the point dose and calculate the ${\gamma}$-index(${\gamma}=3%$ / 3 mm, ${\gamma}=2%$ / 2 mm). second, acquire data as previous methods without correction by HexaPOD. Results : For comparing the two results, we find out the more precise applying HexaPOD by point dose 0.2% in coplanar and non-coplanar. in the case of ${\gamma}$-index<1(${\gamma}=3%$ / 3 mm), more precise 2.2% in coplanar and 7% in Non-coplanar. Particularly, ${\gamma}$-index<1(2% / 2 mm) show the difference 9.2% in coplanar and 15.1% non-coplanar between apply HexaPOD and dose not apply HexaPOD. Conclusion : Using the HexaPOD is more precise than without HexaPOD. It suggests that HexaPOD evo RT system is very useful for precise and high dose delivery.