• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.41-41
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• 2003

Purpose: Even if the wedge filter is widely used for the radiation therapy to modify the photon beam intensity, the wedged photon beam dose calculation is not so easy. Radiation therapy planning systems (RTPS) have been used the empirical or semi-analytical methods such as attenuation method using wedge filter parameters or wedge filter factor obtained from measurement. However, these methods can cause serious error in penumbra region as well as in edge region. In this study, we propose the dose calculation algorithm for wedged field to minimize the error especially in the outer beam region. Materials and Method: Modified intensity by wedge filter was calculated using tissue-maximum ratio (TMR) and scatter-maximum ratio (SMR) of wedged field. Profiles of wedged and non-wedged direction was also used. The result of new dose calculation was compared with measurement and the result from attenuation method. Results: Proposed algorithm showed the good agreement with measurement in the high dose-gradient region as well as in the inner beam region. The error was decreased comparing to attenuation method. Conclusion: Although necessary beam data for the RTPS commissioning was increased, new algorithm would guarantee the improved dose calculation accuracy for wedged field. In future, this algorithm could be adopted in RTPS.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2000

For wedged photon beams, the variation of the wedge factor with field size was reported by several authors. However, until now such variation with field size had not been explained quantitatively. Therefore, the variation of the wedge factor was investigated by measuring outputs with field sizes increasing from 4 cm $\times$ 4 cm to 25 cm $\times$ 25 cm for open and wedged 6 and 10MV X-ray beams. The relative outputs for wedged fields to 10 cm $\times$ 10 cm have been obtained. The results show the Increase of the wedge factor caused by the change in fluence of high energy Photon beam with field size, up to 8.0% for KD77-6MV X-ray beam. This increase could be explained as a linear function of the irradiated wedge volume except small field size up to about 10 cm. In the cases of the narrow rectangular beam parallel to the wedge direction, the wedge factor decreases slightly with increasing field size up to about 10-15 cm due to a relatively reduced photon fluence from the change of the wedge thickness. We could explain the causes of a wedge factor variation with field size as the fluences of primary photon passed throughout the wedge, contributing to the dose at the central beam axis and that the fluences were affected by the gradient of the wedge with the change of field size. For clinical use, the formula developed to describe the wedge factor variation with field size has been corrected.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 1995

Dynamic wedge system has been introduced to modify the beam profile and to make homogeneous isodose curves in the mass of irregular shape. Before the clinical use of dynamic wedge, several factors such as wedge transmission factor, dose profile, percent depth dose, and wedge angle have to be measured quantitatively. Film dosimetry is used to evaluate these factors in this study. A comparison of the result of the dynamic wedge to physical wedge system is made. A positive result for the application of the dynamic wedge to clinic is derived even though there is a limitation in accuracy of the dosimetry system used. To measure all factors quantitatively, more accurate dosimetry systems are required.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.3-17
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• 1997

Because a wedged beam consists of attenuated primary photons and scattered radiations from wedge, the spectrum of the wedged beam does not coincide with that of an open beam with same geometry. The aims of current report are to get exact information about whether effects of 15-60$^{\circ}$ wedge for 4 -10 MV photon beams should be considered for dose calculation or not, and to suggest a reference condition for measurement of wedge transmission factor. Percent depth dose of both open and wedged fields with angles of 15, 30, 45, 60$^{\circ}$ for beams of 4 MV(Clinac 4/100, Varian), two 6 MV(Clinac 6/100 and Clinac 2100C, Varian), 10 MV(Clinac 2100C, Varian) X-rays were measured to 30cm deep in water using ionization chambers. Hardening factors of photon beams were calculated with measured PDDs. Both field size factors and transmission factors of wedge filters were measured at d$_{max}$ in water. Beam hardening factors of wedged fields of 4 and 6 MV X-ray were larger than 1 for all wedge angles, field sizes and depths deeper than d$_{max}$ Beam hardening factors for wedge angles 15, 30, 45, 60$^{\circ}$ for 10$\times$10cm were respectively 1.010, 1.014, 1.023 and 1.034 for 4MV X-ray, 1.005, 1.008, 1.019, and 1.024 for 6MV X-ray of Clinac 6/100, 1.011, 1.021, 1.032, 1.036 for 6MV X-ray of Clinac 2100C, and 1.008, 1.012, 1.012 and 1.012 for 10MV X-ray. Beam hardening factors of 10MV X-ray were 1 within 1.2％ difference for all wedge angles, depths and field sizes. It was made clear that for 6MV X-rays, the beam hardening factor depends on treatment machine. The relationship of the factor and depth was linear. Field size factor at d$_{max}$ was independent of wedge angle except for the field of 15$\times$15cm. and maximum difference of the field size factors for the field size was 1.4％ for 4MV X-ray. When the wedge factor is determined, dependence of the factor on field size is negligible at d$_{max}$ but should be considered at deeper depth. Calculating dose distribution or MU, the beam hardening factor should be applied for 4~6MV X-ray beams, but might not be considered for 10MV beam. When wedge transmission factor was determined at d$_{max}$ or in air, field size factors for open field are also applicable to wedged fields, but otherwise, field size factor for each wedge or wedge factor depending on field size should be applied.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.407-413
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• 2008

Measurements of the peripheral dose were performed using a 2D array ion chamber and solid water phantom for a $10{\times}10cm$, source-surface distance (SSD) 90cm, 6 and 15MV photon beam at depths of 0.5cm, 5cm through $d_{max}$. Measurements of peripheral dose at 0.5cm and 5cm depths were performed from 1cm to 5cm outside of fields for the dynamic wedge and physical wedge $15^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$. For 6MV photon beam, the average peripheral dose of dynamic wedge were lower by 1.4% and 0.1% than that of physical wedge For 15MV photon beam, the peripheral dose of dynamic wedge were lower by maximum 1.6% that of physical wedge. The results showed that dynamic wedge can reduce scattered dose of clinical organ close to the field edge. The wedge systems produce different peripheral dose that should be considered in properly choosing a wedge system for clinical use.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2007

Purpose: This study investigates peripheral dose from physical wedge and dynamic wedge system on a multileaf collimator (MLC) equipment linear accelerator. Materials and Methods: Measurments were performed using a 2D array ion chamber and solid water phantom for a 10$\times$10 cm, source-surface distance (SSD) 90 cm, 6 and 15 MV photon beam at depths of 0.5 cm, 5 cm through dmax. Measurments of peripheral dose at 0.5 cm and 5 cm depths were performed from 1 cm to 5 cm outside of fields for the dynamic wedge and physical wedge 15$^\circ$, 45$^\circ$. Dose profiles normalized to dose at the maximum depth. Results: At 6 MV photon beam, the average peripheral dose of dynamic wedge were lower by 1.4% and 0.1%. At 15 MV photon beam, the peripheral dose of dynamic wedge were lower by maximum 1.6%. Conclusion: This study showed that dynamic wedge can reduce scattered dose of clinical organ close to the field edge and reduced treatment time. The wedge systems produce significantly different peripheral dose that should be considered in properly choosing a wedge system for clinical use.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.655-661
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• 2007

A new steel connection method using wedges known as Self-Locking Connector has been developed. In this study, experimental investigation was conducted to verify the seismic performance of steel beam-to-column joints with Self-Locking Connectors. Cyclic-loading tests were performed on two beam-to-column joints with Self-Locking Connectors. The two beam-to-column joint specimens were of the cantilever-type and had the same details. Test results showed that beam-to-column joints with Self-Locking Connectors were able to developa total rotation capacity of 0.06 radian, which is greater than the 0.04 radian required for Special Moment Frames. Moreover, their energy absorption capacity was much greater than that of conventional joints.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.323-332
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• 1996

Purpose : The wedge filter is the most commonly used beam modifying device during radiation therapy Recently dynamic wedge technique is available through the computer controlled asymmetric collimator, independent jaw. But dosimetric characteristics of dynamic wedge technique is not well known. Therefore we evaluate dosimetric characteristics of dynamic wedge compared to conventional fixed wedge. Materials and Methods : We evaluated dosimetric characteristics of dynamic wedge and fixed wedge by ion chamber, film dosimetry and TLD in phantoms such as water, polystyrene and average breast phantom. Six MV x-ray was used in $15{\times}15cm$ field with 15,30 and 45 degree wedge of dynamic/liked wedge system, Dosimeric characteristics are interpreted by Wellhofer Dosimetrie system WP700/WP700i and contralateral breast dose (CBD) with tangential technique was confirmed by TLD. Results : 1) Percent depth dose through the dynamic wedge technique in tissue equivalent phantom was similar to open field irradiation and there was no beam hardening effect compared to fixed wedge technique. 2) Isodose line composing wedge angle of dynamic wedge is more straight than hard wedge. And dynamic wedge technique was able to make any wedge angle on any depth and field size. 3) The contralateral breast dose in primary breast irradiation was reduced by dynamic wedge technique compared to fixed wedge. When the dynamic wedge technique was applied, the scatter dose was similar to that of open field irradiation. Conclusion : The dynamic wedge technique was superior to fixed wedge technique in dosimetric characteristics and may be more useful in the future.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.13-22
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• 1992

Traditionally. the wedge factor of universal wedge is regarded as constant for small depth. Recently. some investigators have reported the beam hardening effect from wedged beam even in small depth. suggesting that the wedge factors are depth dependent values. Here authors performed the study to determine the proper depth of measurement for wedge factor. In this study. we have measured the wedge factors (nominal wedge angles 15, 30, 45, and 60) not only for depth maximum. but also for each depth, for several energies (4MV, 6MV, 10MV, and 15MV) of various machines (Varian, Siemens, Mitsubishi). And we have analysed the treatment depth of 614 patients who had been treated with wedged field at our hospitals to determine of the proper depth of the measurement point for wedge factor. More than 60% of the patients are treated at the depth of 8cm$\pm$2.5cm with the wedged field for various machines. energies, and wedge angles. The results of the wedge factor measurements show that the systemic error of average 2% (maximum 4%) might be inherently originated for the patients who had been treated with wedged field if we adapt the depth maximum as the wedge factor determination depth due to beam hardening effect. But we could achieve average error less than 0.5% (maximum within 1.7%) if we use 8cm for wedge factor measurement point We conclude that the measurement depth point for wedge factor should be 8cm in order to deliver more accurate dose to target for Korean patients. instead of depth maximum.