• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2003.09a
• /
• pp.82-82
• /
• 2003

Introduction: With the development of dose calculation algorithms for electron beams, 3D RTP systerns are available for electron beam dose distribution commercially. However, no studies evaluated the accuracy of dose calculation with ADAC Pinnacle system for electron beams. So, the accuracy of the ADAC system is investigated by comparing electron dose distributions from ADAC system against the BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc. Methods: A total of 33 breast cancer patients treated with 6, 9, and 12MeV electrons in our institution was selected for this study. The first part of this study is to compare the dose distributions of measurement, TPS and the BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc code in flat water phantom at gantry zero position and for a 10 ${\times}$ 10 $\textrm{cm}^2$ field. The second part is to evaluate the monitor unit obtained from measurement and TPS. Adding actual breast patient's irregular blocks to the first part, monitor units to deliver 100 cGy to the dose maximum (dmax) were calculated from measurement and 3D RTP system. In addition, the dose distributions using blocks were compared between TPS and the BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc code. Finally, the effects of tissue inhomogeneities were studied by comparing dose distributions from Pinnacle and Monte Carlo method on CT data sets. Results: The dose distributions calculated using water phantom by the TPS and the BEAMnrc/ DOSXYZnrc code agreed well with measured data within 2% of the maximum dose. The maximum differences of monitor unit between measured and Pinnacle TPS in flat water phantom at gantry zero position were 4% for 6 MeV and 2% for 9 and 12 MeV electrons. In real-patient cases, comparison of depth doses and lateral dose profiles calculated by the Pinnacle TPS, with BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc code has generally shown good agreement with relative difference less than +/-3%. Discussion: For comparisons of real-patient cases, the maximum differences between the TPS and BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc on CT data were 10%. These discrepancies were due in part to the inaccurate dose calculation of the TPS, so that it needs to be improved properly. Conclusions: On the basis of the results presented in this study, we can conclude that the ADAC Pinnacle system for electron beams is capable of giving results absolutely comparable to those of a Monte Carlo calculation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2023

This study compared the dose calculated using the electron Monte Carlo (eMC) dose calculation algorithm employing the old version (eMC V13.7) of the Varian Eclipse treatment-planning system (TPS) and its newer version (eMC V16.1). The eMC V16.1 was configured using the same beam data as the eMC V13.7. Beam data measured using the VitalBeam linear accelerator were implemented. A box-shaped water phantom (30×30×30 cm³) was generated in the TPS. Consequently, the TPS with eMC V13.7 and eMC V16.1 calculated the dose to the water phantom delivered by electron beams of various energies with a field size of 10×10 cm². The calculations were repeated while changing the dose-smoothing levels and normalization method. Subsequently, the percentage depth dose and lateral profile of the dose distributions acquired by eMC V13.7 and eMC V16.1 were analyzed. In addition, the dose-volume histogram (DVH) differences between the two versions for the heterogeneous phantom with bone and lung inserted were compared. The doses calculated using eMC V16.1 were similar to those calculated using eMC V13.7 for the homogenous phantoms. However, a DVH difference was observed in the heterogeneous phantom, particularly in the bone material. The dose distribution calculated using eMC V16.1 was comparable to that of eMC V13.7 in the case of homogenous phantoms. The version changes resulted in a different DVH for the heterogeneous phantoms. However, further investigations to assess the DVH differences in patients and experimental validations for eMC V16.1, particularly for heterogeneous geometry, are required.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.785-794
• /
• 2016

The Argonne National Laboratory of the United States and the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology of the Ukraine have been collaborating on the design, development and construction of a neutron source facility at Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology utilizing an electron-accelerator-driven subcritical assembly. The electron beam power is 100 kW using 100-MeV electrons. The facility was designed to perform basic and applied nuclear research, produce medical isotopes, and train nuclear specialists. The biological shield of the accelerator building was designed to reduce the biological dose to less than 5.0e-03 mSv/h during operation. The main source of the biological dose for the accelerator building is the photons and neutrons generated from different interactions of leaked electrons from the electron gun and the accelerator sections with the surrounding components and materials. The Monte Carlo N-particle extended code (MCNPX) was used for the shielding calculations because of its capability to perform electron-, photon-, and neutron-coupled transport simulations. The photon dose was tallied using the MCNPX calculation, starting with the leaked electrons. However, it is difficult to accurately tally the neutron dose directly from the leaked electrons. The neutron yield per electron from the interactions with the surrounding components is very small, ~0.01 neutron for 100-MeV electron and even smaller for lower-energy electrons. This causes difficulties for the Monte Carlo analyses and consumes tremendous computation resources for tallying the neutron dose outside the shield boundary with an acceptable accuracy. To avoid these difficulties, the SOURCE and TALLYX user subroutines of MCNPX were utilized for this study. The generated neutrons were banked, together with all related parameters, for a subsequent MCNPX calculation to obtain the neutron dose. The weight windows variance reduction technique was also utilized for both neutron and photon dose calculations. Two shielding materials, heavy concrete and ordinary concrete, were considered for the shield design. The main goal is to maintain the total dose outside the shield boundary less than 5.0e-03 mSv/h during operation. The shield configuration and parameters of the accelerator building were determined and are presented in this paper.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2014

The accuracy and uniformity of CT numbers are the main causes of radiation dose calculation error. Especially, for the dose calculation based on kV-Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) image, the scatter affecting the CT number is known to be quite different by the object sizes, densities, exposure conditions, and so on. In this study, the scatter impact on the CBCT based dose calculation was evaluated to provide the optimal condition minimizing the error. The CBCT images was acquired under three scatter conditions ("Under-scatter", "Over-scatter", and "Full-scatter") by adjusting amount of scatter materials around a electron density phantom (CIRS062, Tissue Simulation Technology, Norfolk, VA, USA). The CT number uniformities of CBCT images for water-equivalent materials of the phantom were assessed, and the location dependency, either "inner" or "outer" parts of the phantom, was also evaluated. The electron density correction curves were derived from CBCT images of the electron density phantom in each scatter condition. The electron density correction curves were applied to calculate the CBCT based doses, which were compared with the dose based on Fan Beam Computed Tomography (FBCT). Also, 5 prostate IMRT cases were enrolled to assess the accuracy of dose based on CBCT images using gamma index analysis and relative dose differences. As the CT number histogram of phantom CBCT images for water equivalent materials was fitted with a gaussian function, the FHWM (146 HU) for "Full-scatter" condition was the smallest among the FHWM for the three conditions (685 HU for "under scatter" and 264 HU for "over scatter"). Also, the variance of CT numbers was the smallest for the same ingredients located in the center and periphery of the phantom in the "Full-scatter" condition. The dose distributions calculated with FBCT and CBCT images compared in a gamma index evaluation of 1%/3 mm criteria and in the dose difference. With the electron density correction acquired in the same scatter condition, the CBCT based dose calculations tended to be the most accurate. In 5 prostate cases in which the mean equivalent diameter was 27.2 cm, the averaged gamma pass rate was 98% and the dose difference confirmed to be less than 2% (average 0.2%, ranged from -1.3% to 1.6%) with the electron density correction of the "Full-scatter" condition. The accuracy of CBCT based dose calculation could be confirmed that closely related to the CT number uniformity and to the similarity of the scatter conditions for the electron density correction curve and CBCT image. In pelvic cases, the most accurate dose calculation was achievable in the application of the electron density curves of the "Full-scatter" condition.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.9-19
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study aims to develop a multi-purpose electron beam irradiation device for preclinical research and material testing using the research electron linear accelerator installed at the Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences. Methods: The fabricated irradiation device comprises a dual scattering foil and collimator. The correct scattering foil thickness, in terms of the energy loss and beam profile uniformity, was determined using Monte Carlo calculations. The ion-chamber and radiochromic films were used to determine the reference dose-rate (Gy/s) and beam profiles as functions of the source to surface distance (SSD) and pulse frequency. Results: The dose-rates for the electron beams were evaluated for the range from 59.16 Gy/s to 5.22 cGy/s at SSDs of 40-120 cm, by controlling the pulse frequency. Furthermore, uniform dose distributions in the electron fields were achieved up to approximately 10 cm in diameter. An empirical formula for the systematic dose-rate calculation for the irradiation system was established using the measured data. Conclusions: A wide dose-rate range electron beam irradiation device was successfully developed in this study. The pre-clinical studies relating to FLASH radiotherapy to the conventional level were made available. Additionally, material studies were made available using a quantified irradiation system. Future studies are required to improve the energy, dose-rate, and field uniformity of the irradiation system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2003.09a
• /
• pp.71-71
• /
• 2003

The study on magnetic field combined radiation therapy, as a new technique to modify the dose distributions using external magnetic field, has been investigated. The goal of the study is to develop the techniques for dose localization, as a particle beam, from the strong magnetic fields. In this study, in order to study the principle of dose deposition in external fields, as a basic approach, we have calculated approximately the paths of traveling electrons in water under external magnetic fields with numerical methods. The calculations are performed for a primary particle by cumulating the steps which are defined as small path lengths which energy loss can be ignored. In this calculation, the energy loss and direction change for a step was calculated by using total stopping power and Lorentz force equation respectively. We have examined the deflected paths of the electron through water as a function of external magnetic field and incident electron s energy. Since we did not take account of the multiple scattering effects for electrons through water, there are errors in this calculation. However, from the results we can explain the principle of dose variation and dose focusing for electron beams under strong magnetic fields in water.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.163-171
• /
• 2020

Purpose: In this study, the accuracies of electron Monte Carlo (eMC) calculation algorithms were evaluated to determine whether electron beams were modeled by optional air profiles (APs) designed for each applicator size. Methods: Electron beams with the energies of 6, 9, 12, and 16 MeV for VitalBeam (Varian Medical System, Palo Alto, CA, USA) and 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV for Clinac iX (Varian Medical System) were used. Optional APs were measured at the source-to-detector distance of 95 cm with jaw openings appropriate for each machine, electron beam energy, and applicator size. The measured optional APs were postprocessed and converted into the w2CAD format. Then, the electron beams were modeled and calculated with and without optional APs. Measured profiles, percentage depth doses, penumbras with respect to each machine, and energy were compared to calculated dose distributions. Results: For VitalBeam, the profile differences between the measurement and calculation were reduced by 0.35%, 0.15%, 0.14%, and 0.38% at 6, 9, 12, and 16 MeV, respectively, when the beams were modeled with APs. For Clinac iX, the differences were decreased by 0.16%, -0.31%, 0.94%, 0.42%, and 0.74%, at 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV, respectively, with the insertion of APs. Of note, no significant improvements in penumbra and percentage depth dose were observed, although the beam models were configured with APs. Conclusions: The accuracy of the eMC calculation can be improved in profiles when electron beams are modeled with optional APs.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 1999

In this paper, as a preliminary study for developing a full 3D electron dose calculation algorithm, We developed 2.5D electron dose calculation algorithm by extending 2D pencil-beam model to consider three dimensional geometry such as air-gap and obliquity appropriately. The dose calculation algorithm was implemented using the IDL5.2(Research Systems Inc., USA), For calculation of the Hogstrom's pencil-beam algorithm, the measured data of the central-axis depth-dose for 12 MeV(Siemens M6740) and the linear stopping power and the linear scattering power of water and air from ICRU report 35 was used. To evaluate the accuracy of the implemented program, we compared the calculated dose distribution with the film measurements in the three situations; the normal incident beam, the 45$^{\circ}$ oblique incident beam, and the beam incident on the pit-shaped phantom. As results, about 120 seconds had been required on the PC (Pentium III 450MHz) to calculate dose distribution of a single beam. It needs some optimizing methods to speed up the dose calculation. For the accuracy of dose calculation, in the case of the normal incident beam of the regular and irregular shaped field, at the rapid dose gradient region of penumbra, the errors were within $\pm$3 mm and the dose profiles were agreed within 5%. However, the discrepancy between the calculation and the measurement were about 10% for the oblique incident beam and the beam incident on the pit-shaped phantom. In conclusions, we expended 2D pencil-beam algorithm to take into account the three dimensional geometry of the patient. And also, as well as the dose calculation of irregular field, the irregular shaped body contour and the air-gap could be considered appropriately in the implemented program. In the near future, the more accurate algorithm will be implemented considering inhomogeneity correction using CT, and at that time, the program can be used as a tool for educational and research purpose. This study was supported by a grant (＃HMP-98-G-1-016) of the HAN(Highly Advanced National) Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, R.O.K.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.53-56
• /
• 1999

A Gaussian distribution was parametrized for the initial distribution of the electron beam emitted from a 6MeV medical linear accelerator. A percent depth dose was measured in a water phantom and the corresponding Monte Carlo calculations were performed starting from a Gaussian distribution for a range of standard deviations, ${\sigma}=0.1$, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, and 0.3 with being the mean value for the Incident beam energy. When measurement and calculation were compared, the calculation with the Gaussian distribution for ${\sigma}=0.25$ turned out to agree best with the measurement. The results from the present work can be utilized as input energy data in planning an electron beam therapy with a Monte Carlo calculation.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.175-186
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study is directly measure and evaluate about absorbed dose change according to nominal energy and electron cone or medical accelerator on isodose curve, percentage depth dose, contaminated X-ray, inhomogeneous tissue, oblique surface and irradiation on intracavitary that electron beam with high energy distributed in tissue, and it settled standard data of hish energy electron beam treatment, and offer to exactly data for new dote distribution modeling study based on experimental resuls and theory. Electron beam with hish energy of $6{\sim}20$ MeV is used that generated from medical linear accelerator (Clinac 2100C/D, Varian) for the experiment, andwater phantom and Farmer chamber md Markus chamber und for absorbe d dose measurement of electron beam, and standard absorbed dose is calculated by standard measurements of International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) TRS 277. Dose analyzer (700i dose distribution analyzer, Wellhofer), film (X-OmatV, Kodak), external cone, intracavitary cone, cork, animal compact bone and air were used for don distribution measurement. As the results of absorbed dose ratio increased while irradiation field was increased, it appeared maximum at some irradiation field size and decreased though irradiation field size was more increased, and it decreased greatly while energy of electron beam was increased, and scattered dose on wall of electron cone was the cause. In percentage depth dose curve of electron beam, Effective depth dose(R80) for nominal energy of 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV are 1.85, 2.93, 4.07, 5.37 and 6.53 cm respectively, which seems to be one third of electron beam energy (MeV). Contaminated X-ray was generated from interaction between electron beam with high energy and material, and it was about $0.3{\sim}2.3\%$ of maximum dose and increased with increasing energy. Change of depth dose ratio of electron beam was compared with theory by Monte Carlo simulation, and calculation and measured value by Pencil beam model reciprocally, and percentage depth dose and measured value by Pencil beam were agreed almost, however, there were a little lack on build up area and error increased in pendulum and multi treatment since there was no contaminated X-ray part. Percentage depth dose calculated by Monte Carlo simulation appeared to be less from all part except maximum dose area from the curve. The change of percentage depth dose by inhomogeneous tissue, maximum range after penetration the 1 cm bone was moved 1 cm toward to surface then polystyrene phantom. In case of 1 cm and 2 cm cork, it was moved 0.5 cm and 1 cm toward to depth, respectively. In case of air, practical range was extended toward depth without energy loss. Irradiation on intracavitary is using straight and beveled type cones of 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 $cm{\phi}$, and maximum and effective $80\%$ dose depth increases while electron beam energy and size of electron cone increase. In case of contaminated X-ray, as the energy increase, straight type cones were more highly appeared then beveled type. The output factor of intracavitary small field electron cone was $15{\sim}86\%$ of standard external electron cone($15{\times}15cm^2$) and straight type was slightly higher then beveled type.