• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.1619-1626
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• 2017

Electronic components that are used in high-level radiation environment require a semiconductor device having a radiation-hardened characteristic. In this paper, we proposed a radiation-hardened I-gate n-MOSFET (n-type Metal Oxide Semiconductors Field Effect Transistors) using a layout modification technique only. The proposed I-gate n-MOSFET structure is modified as an I-shaped gate poly in order to mitigate a radiation-induced leakage current in the standard n-MOSFET structure. For verification of its radiation-hardened characteristic, the M&S (Modeling and Simulation) of the 3D (3-Dimension) structure is performed by TCAD (Technology Computer Aided Design) tool. In addition, we carried out an evaluation test using a $Co^{60}$ gamma-ray source of 10kGy(Si)/h. As a result, we have confirmed the radiation-hardened level up to a total ionizing dose of 20kGy(Si).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.138-140
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• 2002

The spinal cord dose is the one of the limiting factor for the radiation treatment of the head & neck (H&N) or the thorax region. Due to the fact that the cord is the elongated shaped structure, it is not an easy task to maintain the cord dose within the clinically acceptable dose range. To overcome this problem, the spinal cord partial block technique (PBT) with the dynamic Multi-Leaf Collimator (dMLC) has been developed. Three dimension (3D) conformal beam directions, which minimize the coverage of the normal organs such as the lung and the parotid gland, were chosen. The PBT field shape for each field was designed to shield the spinal cord with the dMLC. The transmission factors were determined by the forward calculation method. The plan comparisons between the conventional 3D conformal therapy plan and the PTB plan were performed to evaluate the validity of this technique. The conformity index (CI) and the dose volume histogram (DVH) were used as the plan comparison indices. A series of quality assurance (QA) was performed to guarantee the reliable treatment. The QA consisted of the film dosimetry for the verification of the dose distribution and the point measurements. The PBT plan always generated better results than the conventional 3D conformal plan. The PBT was proved to be useful for the H&N and thorax region.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.66-72
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• 2018

The proper position of a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) is essential for the quality of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) dose delivery. Task Group (TG) 142 provides a quality assurance (QA) procedure for MLC position. Our study investigated the QA validation of the mechanical leaf gap measurement and the maintenance procedure. Two $VitalBeam^{TM}$ systems were evaluated to validate the acceptance of an MLC position. The dosimetric leaf gaps (DLGs) were measured for 6 MV, 6 MVFFF, 10 MV, and 15 MV photon beams. A solid water phantom was irradiated using $10{\times}10cm^2$ field size at source-to-surface distance (SSD) of 90 cm and depth of 10 cm. The portal dose image prediction (PDIP) calculation was implemented on a treatment planning system (TPS) called $Eclipse^{TM}$. A total of 20 VMAT plans were used to confirm the accuracy of dose distribution measured by an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and those predicted by VMAT plans. The measured leaf gaps were 0.30 mm and 0.35 mm for VitalBeam 1 and 2, respectively. The DLG values decreased by an average of 6.9% and 5.9% after mechanical MLC adjustment. Although the passing rates increased slightly, by 1.5% (relative) and 1.2% (absolute) in arc 1, the average passing rates were still within the good dose delivery level (>95%). Our study shows the existence of a mechanical leaf gap error caused by a degenerated MLC motor. This can be recovered by reinitialization of MLC position on the machine control panel. Consequently, the QA procedure should be performed regularly to protect the MLC system.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2019

Background: The main goal of experiments is to compare various operational and technical characteristics of D-Shuttle semiconductor personal dosimeters of the Japanese company "Chiyoda Technol Corporation" and Harshaw thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) manufactured by "Thermo Fisher Scientific" and DTL-02 of the Russian Research and Production Enterprise (RPE) "Doza" by their occupational and calibration exposure at various dose equivalents from 0.5 to 20 mSv of gamma-radiation. Materials and Methods: Besides dosimeters DTL-02, D-Shuttle and Harshaw TLD, there were also used: (1) the primary reference radionuclide source Hopewell Designs IAEA: G10-1-12 with $^{137}Cs$ isotope (an error is not more than 6% and activity is 20 Ci), and (2) the verification device UPGD-2M of RPE "Doza" and installed in the National Center for Expertise and Certification of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kapchagai, the National Center for Expertise and Certification). Results and Discussion: The main results of researches are the following: (1) TLDs for Harshaw 6600 and DVG-02TM have an approximately equal measurement accuracy of the individual dose equivalents in the range from 0.5 to 20 mSv of gamma-radiation. (2) Advantages of dosimeters for Harshaw 6600 are due to the high measurement productivity and opportunity to indicate the dose on the skin $H_p$(0.07). Advantages of DVG-02TM consist of operation simplicity and lower cost than of Harshaw 6600. (3) D-Shuttles are convenient for use in the current and the operational monitoring of ionizing radiation. Measurement accuracy and 10% linearity of measurements are ensured when D-Shuttle is irradiated with dose equivalents below 1 mSv at the equivalent dose rate not higher than $3mSv{\cdot}hr^{-1}$. This allows using D-Shuttle at a routine technological activity. Conclusion: The obtained results of experiments demonstrate advantages and disadvantages of D-Shuttle semiconductor dosimeters in comparison with two TLD systems of DVG-02TM and Harshaw 6600.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2021

Purpose: Kilovoltage computed tomography (kV-CT) is essential for radiation treatment planning. However, kV-CT images are significantly distorted by artifacts when a metallic prosthesis is present in the patient's body. Thus, the accuracies of target delineation and treatment dose calculation are inevitably lowered. We evaluated the accuracy of the calculated doses using an image restoration method with hybrid CT, which was introduced in our previous study. Methods: A cylindrical phantom containing four metals, namely, silver, copper, tin, and tungsten, was scanned using kV-CT and megavoltage CT to produce hybrid CT images. We created six verification plans for three head and neck patients on kV-CT and hybrid CT images of the phantom and calculated their doses. The actual doses were measured with film patches during beam delivery using tomotherapy. We used the gamma evaluation method to compare dose distribution between kV-CT and hybrid CT with three gamma criteria, namely, 3%/3 mm, 2%/2 mm, and 1%/1 mm. Results: The gamma pass rates decreased as the gamma criteria were strengthened, and the pass rate of hybrid CT was higher than that of kV-CT in all cases. When the 1%/1 mm criterion was used, the difference in gamma pass rates between them was up to 13%p. Conclusions: According to our findings, we expect that the use of hybrid CT can be a suitable approach to avoid the effect of severe metal artifacts on the accuracy of dose calculation and contouring.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.213-219
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• 2016

The position verification of the radiation source utilized in brachytherapy forms a critical factor in determining the therapeutic efficiency. Currently, films are used to verify the source position; however, this method is encumbered by the lengthy time interval required from film scanning to analysis, which makes real-time position verification difficult. In general, the source position accuracy is usually tested in a monthly quality assurance check. In this context, this study investigates the feasibility of the real-time position verification of the radiation source in high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy with the use of scintillating fibers. To this end, we construct a system consisting of scintillating fibers and a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), optimize the dosimetric software setup and radiation system characteristics to obtain maximum measurement accuracy, and determine the relative ratio of the measured signals dependent upon the position of the scintillating fiber. According to the dosimetric results based on a treatment plan, in which the dwell time is set at 30 and 60 s at two dwell positions, the number of signals is 31.5 and 83, respectively. In other words, the signal rate roughly doubles in proportion to the dwell time. The source position can also be confirmed at the same time. With further improvements in the spatial resolution and scintillating fiber array, the source position can be verified in real-time in clinical settings with the use of a scintillating fiber-based system.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.113-119
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• 2010

Software for GafChromic EBT2 film dosimetry was developed in this study. The software provides film calibration functions based on color channels, which are categorized depending on the colors red, green, blue, and gray. Evaluations of the correction effects for light scattering of a flat-bed scanner and thickness differences of the active layer are available. Dosimetric results from EBT2 films can be compared with those from the treatment planning system ECLIPSE or the two-dimensional ionization chamber array MatriXX. Dose verification using EBT2 films is implemented by carrying out the following procedures: file import, noise filtering, background correction and active layer correction, dose calculation, and evaluation. The relative and absolute background corrections are selectively applied. The calibration results and fitting equation for the sensitometric curve are exported to files. After two different types of dose matrixes are aligned through the interpolation of spatial pixel spacing, interactive translation, and rotation, profiles and isodose curves are compared. In addition, the gamma index and gamma histogram are analyzed according to the determined criteria of distance-to-agreement and dose difference. The performance evaluations were achieved by dose verification in the $60^{\circ}$-enhanced dynamic wedged field and intensity-modulated (IM) beams for prostate cancer. All pass ratios for the two types of tests showed more than 99% in the evaluation, and a gamma histogram with 3 mm and 3% criteria was used. The software was developed for use in routine periodic quality assurance and complex IM beam verification. It can also be used as a dedicated radiochromic film software tool for analyzing dose distribution.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

Patient dose verification is one of the most Important responsibilities of the physician in the treatment delivery of radiation therapy. For the task, it is necessary to use an accurate dosimeter that can verify the patient dose profile, and it is also necessary to determine the physical characteristics of beams used in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) The Beam Intensity Scanner (BInS) System is presented for the dosimetric verification of the two dimensional photon beam. The BInS has a scintillator, made of phosphor Terbium-doped Gadolinium Oxysulphide (Gd$_2$O$_2$S:Tb), to produce fluorescence from the irradiation of photon and electron beams. These fluoroscopic signals are collected and digitized by a digital video camera (DVC) and then processed by custom made software to express the relative dose profile in a 3 dimensional (3D) plot. As an application of the BInS, measurements related to IWRT are made and presented in this work. Using a static multileaf collimator (SMLC) technique, the intensity modulated beam (IMB) is delivered via a sequence of static portals made by controlled leaves. Thus, when static subfields are generated by a sequence of abutting portals, the penumbras and scattered photons of the delivered beams overlap in abutting field regions and this results in the creation of “hot spots”. Using the BInS, inter-step “hot spots” inherent in SMLC are measured and an empirical method to remove them is proposed. Another major MLC technique in IMRT, the dynamic multileaf collimator (DMLC) technique, has different characteristics from SMLC due to a different leaf operation mechanism during the irradiation of photon and electron beams. By using the BInS, the actual delivered doses by SMLC and DMLC techniques are measured and compared. Even if the planned dose to a target volume is equal in our experimental setting, the actual delivered dose by DMLC technique is measured to be larger by 14.8% than that by SMLC, and this is due to scattered photons and contaminant electrons at d$_{max}$.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2014

In stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), the accurate location of treatment sites should be guaranteed from the respiratory motions of patients. Lots of studies on this topic have been conducted. In this letter, a new verification method simulating the real respiratory motion of heterogenous treatment regions was proposed to investigate the accuracy of lung SBRT for Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy. Based on the CT images of lung cancer patients, lung phantoms were fabricated to equip in $QUASAR^{TM}$ respiratory moving phantom using 3D printer. The phantom was bisected in order to measure 2D dose distributions by the insertion of EBT3 film. To ensure the dose calculation accuracy in heterogeneous condition, The homogeneous plastic phantom were also utilized. Two dose algorithms; Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA) and AcurosXB (AXB) were applied in plan dose calculation processes. In order to evaluate the accuracy of treatments under respiratory motion, we analyzed the gamma index between the plan dose and film dose measured under various moving conditions; static and moving target with or without gating. The CT number of GTV region was 78 HU for real patient and 92 HU for the homemade lung phantom. The gamma pass rates with 3%/3 mm criteria between the plan dose calculated by AAA algorithm and the film doses measured in heterogeneous lung phantom under gated and no gated beam delivery with respiratory motion were 88% and 78%. In static case, 95% of gamma pass rate was presented. In the all cases of homogeneous phantom, the gamma pass rates were more than 99%. Applied AcurosXB algorithm, for heterogeneous phantom, more than 98% and for homogeneous phantom, more than 99% of gamma pass rates were achieved. Since the respiratory amplitude was relatively small and the breath pattern had the longer exhale phase than inhale, the gamma pass rates in 3%/3 mm criteria didn't make any significant difference for various motion conditions. In this study, the new phantom model of 4D dose distribution verification using patient-specific lung phantoms moving in real breathing patterns was successfully implemented. It was also evaluated that the model provides the capability to verify dose distributions delivered in the more realistic condition and also the accuracy of dose calculation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2006

In Vivo dosimetry is a method to evaluate the radiotherapy; it is used to find the dosimetric and mechanical errors of radiotherapy unit. In this study, on-line In Vivo dosimetry was enabled by measuring the skin dose with MOSFET detectors attached to patient's skin during treatment. MOSFET dosimeters were found to be reproducible and independent on beam directions. MOSFET detectors were positioned on patient's skin underneath of the dose build-up material which was used to minimize dosimetric error. Delivered dose calculated by the plan verification function embedded in the radiotherapy treatment planning system (RTPs), was compared with measured data point by point. The dependency of MOSFET detector used in this study for energy and dose rate agrees with the specification provided by manufacturer within 2% error. Comparing the measured and the calculated point doses of each patient, discrepancy was within 5%. It was enabled to verify the IMRT by using MOSFET detector. However, skin dosimetry using conventional ion chamber and diode detector is limited to the simple radiotherapy.