• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.345-354
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• 2014

Purpose : We evaluated the usefulness of $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system and s-thermoplastic mask by analyzing setup error when stereotactic radiousurgery (SRS) was treated for brain metastasis. Materials and Methods : 6 patients who received definite diagnosis as brain metastasis between May 2014 and October 2014 were selected. 3 patients were immobilized s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece (group1), while $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system was used for the other 3 patients (group2). Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) scan was acquired to register planning CT scan. The registration offset was compared for each group. We compared and reported the errors using maximum, minimum, mean, and standard deviation of registration offsets. Furthermore, We used the same method as patient specific quality assurance to verify absorbed dose of PTV. Results : The setup error which is registration offset was reduced 83% in x, 40% in y, and 92% in z-direction when $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system was used compared to the case of using s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece. In addition, using $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system showed improved results in rotational components, pitch (rotation along x-axis), roll (y), and yaw (z) which were reduced 64, 88, and 87% respectively compared to the case of using s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece. In dosimetry results, when s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece used, absorbed dose was reduce 83% compared to before and after registration. However, using $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system showed only 1.9%. All percentage were calculated with respect to average value. Conclusion : Using $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system including mouthpiece, Fraxion frame, frontpiece, and thermoplastic mask, showed better repeatability and precision compared to using s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece, which is consequently considered as more improved immobilization system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2021

This study is a prior research to manufacture a thermoplastic mask, which is a fixture used in radiation therapy, by 3D printing. It proceeded to analyze the filament material that can replace the thermoplastic. Among the commercially available filament materials, a material having similar characteristics to that of a thermoplastic mask was selected and the radiation dose was compared and analyzed. The experiment used Monte Carlo simulation. The shape in which the mask fixed the head was simulated for the ICRU sphere. The photon fluence was calculated at the skin Hp (0.07), the lens Hp (3), and the whole body Hp (10) by applying a thermoplastic plastic material and a filament material. As a result, when looking at the relative dose based on the thermoplastic plastic material, the difference was approximated within 4%. The material showing the most similar dose was PA-nylon. In selecting an appropriate filament material, it should be selected by comprehensively considering various conditions such as economical efficiency and radiation effects. It is thought that the results of this study can be used as basic data.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.355-362
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• 2014

Purpose : When head&neck cancer radiation therapy, thermoplastic mask is applied for patients with fixed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate usefulness of thermoplastic mask for SRS in tomotherapy by conparison with the conventional mask. Materials and Methods : Typical mask(conventional mask, C-mask) and mask for SRS are used to fix body phantom(rando phantom) on the same iso centerline, then simulation is performed. Tomotherapy plan for orbit and salivary glands is made by treatment planning system(TPS). A thick portion and a thin portion located near the treatment target relative to the mask S-mask are defined as region of interest for surface dose dosimetry. Surface dose variation depending on the type of mask was analyzed by measuring the TPS and EBT film. Results : Surface dose variation due to the type of mask from the TPS is showed in orbit and salivary glands 0.65~2.53 Gy, 0.85~1.84 Gy, respectively. In case of EBT film, -0.2~3.46 Gy, 1.04~3.02 Gy. When applied to the S-mask, in TPS and Gafchromic EBT3 film, substrantially 4.26%, 5.82% showed maximum changing trend, respectively. Conclusion : To apply S-mask for tomotherapy, surface dose is changed, but the amount is insignificant and be useful when treatment target is close critical organs because decrease inter and intra fractional variation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.29-34
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• 2020

Purpose: The interaction of various substances inserted into the human body and radiation can confirm the radiation enhancement effect. A Leksell frame inserted into the human body for gamma knife treatment will cause not only pain and inconvenience to the patient, but also additional exposure to the patient's normal tissues. In this study, we attempt to confirm the additional exposure caused by the interaction of the Leksell frame and thermoplastic mask, and ⁶⁰Co used for gamma knife treatment. Methods: A ⁶⁰Co energy of 1.17, 1.33 MeV is applied using Monte Carlo simulation, and fixation screws and thermoplastic mask are fabricated using aluminum and titanium alloy, and Carbon compounds. Results: Results show a dose enhancement of up to 396.27% higher compared with that without a Leksell frame and up to 391.25% in thermoplastic mask. Conclusions: Hence, appropriate treatment methods and materials must be used to reduce additional exposure to normal tissues.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2023

In head and neck radiation therapy, the thermoplastic immobilization mask used for fixing the patient's posture and reproducibility causes scattered rays by being in close contact with the skin. To investigate the increase in skin dose due to the scattered rays generated from the immobilization mask, we evaluated dose reduction by decreasing contact between face skin and immobilization mask in computerized radiotherapy planning system with CT scanned images. In addition, to confirm the reproducibility problem of the setup due to the decrease in the cover area of immobilizing, the difference of each setup was confirmed using DRR and CT images. As the mask area covered for immobilizing was reduced, the dose on the skin surface significantly decreased, and it was confirmed that there was no significant difference in reproducibility even if the entire face was not covered and fixed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was compare to the patient setup deviation of two different type thermoplastic immobilization masks for glottis cancer in the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). A total of 16 glottis cancer cases were divided into two groups based on applied mask type: standard or alternative group. The mean error (M), three-dimensional setup displacement error (3D-error), systematic error (${\Sigma}$), random error (${\sigma}$) were calculated for each group, and also analyzed setup margin (mm). The 3D-errors were $5.2{\pm}1.3mm$ and $5.9{\pm}0.7mm$ for the standard and alternative groups, respectively; the alternative group was 13.6% higher than the standard group. The systematic errors in the roll angle and the x, y, z directions were $0.8^{\circ}$, 1.7 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm in the alternative group and $0.8^{\circ}$, 1.1 mm, 1.8 mm, and 2.0 mm in the alternative group. The random errors in the x, y, z directions were 10.9%, 1.7%, and 23.1% lower in the alternative group than in the standard group. However, absolute rotational angle (i.e., roll) in the alternative group was 12.4% higher than in the standard group. For calculated setup margin, the alternative group in x direction was 31.8% lower than in standard group. In contrast, the y and z direction were 52.6% and 21.6% higher than in the standard group. Although using a modified thermoplastic immobilization mask could be affect patient setup deviation in terms of numerical results, various point of view for an immobilization masks has need to research in terms of clinic issue.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate positional uncertainty and its correlation with clinical parameters in spine stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using thermoplastic mask (TM) immobilization. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 patients who underwent spine SBRT for cervical or upper thoracic spinal lesions were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with image guidance using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 4 degrees-of-freedom (DoF) positional correction. Initial, pre-treatment, and post-treatment CBCTs were analyzed. Setup error (SE), pre-treatment residual error (preRE), post-treatment residual error (postRE), intrafraction motion before treatment (IM1), and intrafraction motion during treatment (IM2) were determined from 6 DoF manual rigid registration. Results: The three-dimensional (3D) magnitudes of translational uncertainties (mean ${\pm}$ 2 standard deviation) were $3.7{\pm}3.5mm$ (SE), $0.9{\pm}0.9mm$ (preRE), $1.2{\pm}1.5mm$ (postRE), $1.4{\pm}2.4mm$ (IM1), and $0.9{\pm}1.0mm$ (IM2), and average angular differences were $1.1^{\circ}{\pm}1.2^{\circ}$ (SE), $0.9^{\circ}{\pm}1.1^{\circ}$ (preRE), $0.9^{\circ}{\pm}1.1^{\circ}$ (postRE), $0.6^{\circ}{\pm}0.9^{\circ}$ (IM1), and $0.5^{\circ}{\pm}0.5^{\circ}$ (IM2). The 3D magnitude of SE, preRE, postRE, IM1, and IM2 exceeded 2 mm in 18, 0, 3, 3, and 1 patients, respectively. No association were found between all positional uncertainties and body mass index, pain score, and treatment location (p > 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). There was a tendency of intrafraction motion to increase with overall treatment time; however, the correlation was not statistically significant (p > 0.05, Spearman rank correlation test). Conclusion: In spine SBRT using TM immobilization, CBCT and 4 DoF alignment correction, a minimum residual translational uncertainty was 2 mm. Shortening overall treatment time and 6 DoF positional correction may further reduce positional uncertainties.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.135-138
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• 2002

Fractionated stereotactic radiosurguy (FSRS) requires precise and reproducible patient set up. For these reasons non-invasive mask fixation methods have been used in Linac based FSRS. In this study, we measured and assessed the isocenter reproducibility using a commercial head mask fixation system based on thermoplastic materials. For the verification and the measurement of isocenter deviation a special acrylic brain phantom was designed. The designed phantom has 22 vertical rods and each rod has different lengths. At the end of the 8 rods, the monochromic film is attached and irradiated due to planned target position. Deviations of isocenter were measured separately for each direction. The mean deviation showed 0.4 mm in longitudinal direction, 0.1 mm in the lateral direction, 0.1 mm in the anterior-posterior direction of the treatment couch. The data demonstrates the high accuracy and reproducibility. This study reinforces previous literature published.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.539-544
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• 1998

Thermoformed appliance, which has been recently introduced for dental usage, is an appliance made of thermoformed sheets and formed with positive or negative pressure under heat. Thermoplastic material is a kind of plastics and can be repeatedly softened by heat. It is classified into hard elastic foil, hard/soft compound foil and soft elastic foil, including BIOPLAST, BIOCRYL, IMPRELON, etc. It has been developed in 1969 and is available in various thickness, shape and color. There are two types of Vacuum former for thermoplastic materials; the pressure type and suction type. The former is much better than the latter for fabrication of various appliances due to its higher pressure. The authors have applied these appliances to some cases - chin cap, active retainer, individual Fluoride tray, mouth protector, bracket transfer mask, bruxism splint(night guard), Essix appliance - by pressure type Vacuum former($Biostar^{(R)}$). The thermoplastic appliances have numerous advantages such as simple procedure, short working time, clean and transparent product, less objectionable taste. But its outstanding advantage would be its excellent biocompatibility bacause it has no monomer and hence no tissue irritation. Although there is some limitations in its usage, it can be used widely for various purposes especaily for pediatric dentistry.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2012

Purpose: This study evaluated the usefulness of Helmet bolus device using Bolx-II, paraffin wax, solid thermoplastic material in total scalp irradiation. Materials and Methods: Using Rando phantom, we applied Bolx-II (Action Products, USA), paraffin wax (Densply, USA), solid thermoplastic material (Med-Tec, USA) on the whole scalp to make helmet bolus device. Computed tomography (GE, Ultra Light Speed16) images were acquired at 5 mm thickness. Then, we set up the optimum treatment plan and analyzed the variation in density of each bolus (Philips, Pinnacle). To evaluate the dose distribution, Dose-homogeneity index (DHI, $D_{90}/D_{10}$) and Conformity index (CI, $V_{95}/TV$) of Clinical Target Volume (CTV) using Dose-Volume Histogram (DVH) and $V_{20}$, $V_{30}$ of normal brain tissues. we assessed the efficiency of production process by measuring total time taken to produce. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used to verify the accuracy. Results: Density variation value of Bolx-II, paraffin wax, solid thermoplastic material turned out to be $0.952{\pm}0.13g/cm^3$, $0.842{\pm}0.17g/cm^3$, $0.908{\pm}0.24g/cm^3$, respectively. The DHI and CI of each helmet bolus device which used Bolx-II, paraffin wax, solid thermoplastic material were 0.89, 0.85, 0.77 and 0.86, 0.78, 0.74, respectively. The result of Bolx-II was the best. $V_{20}$ and $V_{30}$ of brain tissues were 11.50%, 10.80%, 10.07% and 7.62%, 7.40%, 7.31%, respectively. It took 30, 120, 90 minutes to produce. The measured TLD results were within ${\pm}7%$ of the planned values. Conclusion: The application of helmet bolus which used Bolx-II during total scalp irradiation not only improves homogeneity and conformity of Clinical Target Volume but also takes short time and the production method is simple. Thus, the helmet bolus which used Bolx-II is considered to be useful for the clinical trials.