• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.275-286
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• 2001

Purpose : To setup procedures of quality assurance (OA) for implementing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) clinically, report OA procedures peformed for one patient with prostate cancer. Materials and methods : $P^3IMRT$ (ADAC) and linear accelerator (Siemens) with multileaf collimator are used to implement IMRT. At first, the positional accuracy, reproducibility of MLC, and leaf transmission factor were evaluated. RTP commissioning was peformed again to consider small field effect. After RTP recommissioning, a test plan of a C-shaped PTV was made using 9 intensity modulated beams, and the calculated isocenter dose was compared with the measured one in solid water phantom. As a patient-specific IMRT QA, one patient with prostate cancer was planned using 6 beams of total 74 segmented fields. The same beams were used to recalculate dose in a solid water phantom. Dose of these beams were measured with a 0.015 cc micro-ionization chamber, a diode detector, films, and an array detector and compared with calculated one. Results : The positioning accuracy of MLC was about 1 mm, and the reproducibility was around 0.5 mm. For leaf transmission factor for 10 MV photon beams, interleaf leakage was measured $1.9\%$ and midleaf leakage $0.9\%$ relative to $10\times\;cm^2$ open filed. Penumbra measured with film, diode detector, microionization chamber, and conventional 0.125 cc chamber showed that $80\~20\%$ penumbra width measured with a 0.125 cc chamber was 2 mm larger than that of film, which means a 0.125 cc ionization chamber was unacceptable for measuring small field such like 0.5 cm beamlet. After RTP recommissioning, the discrepancy between the measured and calculated dose profile for a small field of $1\times1\;cm^2$ size was less than $2\%$. The isocenter dose of the test plan of C-shaped PTV was measured two times with micro-ionization chamber in solid phantom showed that the errors upto $12\%$ for individual beam, but total dose delivered were agreed with the calculated within $2\%$. The transverse dose distribution measured with EC-L film was agreed with the calculated one in general. The isocenter dose for the patient measured in solid phantom was agreed within $1.5\%$. On-axis dose profiles of each individual beam at the position of the central leaf measured with film and array detector were found that at out-of-the-field region, the calculated dose underestimates about $2\%$, at inside-the-field the measured one was agreed within $3\%$, except some position. Conclusion : It is necessary more tight quality control of MLC for IMRT relative to conventional large field treatment and to develop QA procedures to check intensity pattern more efficiently. At the conclusion, we did setup an appropriate QA procedures for IMRT by a series of verifications including the measurement of absolute dose at the isocenter with a micro-ionization chamber, film dosimetry for verifying intensity pattern, and another measurement with an array detector for comparing off-axis dose profile.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2016

Recently linear accelerator of radiation therapy intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiation therapy are widely used. Such radiation treatment techniques are generally difficult to exclude the small field by using the inverse treatment plan. It is necessary to dose an accurate measurement of characteristics of the small field. Thus, using different detectors to measure the volume of the effective percentage depth dose, beam profile, and the output factor of the small field was to evaluate the dose characteristics of each detector. Experimental results for the X-ray beam 6 MV energy beam quality($PDD_{20}/PDD_{10}$) is $10{\times}10cm^2$ Diode detector is as high as 2.4% compared to Pinpoint detector. All field size to lesser effective volume of Diode detector shows that it is far better than other detectors by more than 50% of small penumbra, therefore spatial resolution far excellent. In field size $2{\times}2cm^2$ Semiflex detector was measured about 2% less than the other detector. Field size $1{\times}1cm^2$ is that there is no judgment about the validity show the difference between 20%. Field size $1{\times}1cm^2$ from the measured values of the Diode detector and Pinpoint detector showed a 13% difference. Less than field size $3{\times}3cm^2$ the feed to the difference between the output factor of the effective volume of the detector to be used for the effective volume available to the detector.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2009

The 4 bank mico-MLC (mMLC; Acculeaf, Direx, Isral) has been commissioned for clinical use of linac based stereotactic radiosurgery. The geometrical parameters to control the leaves were determined and comparisons between measured and calculated by the calculation model were performed in terms of absolute dose (cGy/100 MU). As a result of evaluating calculated dose for various field sizes and depths of 5 and 10 cm in water in the geometric condition of fixed SSD (source to surface distance) and fixed SCD (source to chamber distance), most of differences were within 1% for 6 MV and 15 MV x-rays. The penumbral widths at the isocenter were approximately evaluated to 0.29~0.43 cm depending on the field size for 6 MV and 0.36~0.51 cm for 15 MV x-rays. The average transmission and leakage for 6 MV and 15 MV x-rays were 6.6% and 7.4% respectively in single level of leaves fully closed. In case of dual level of leaves fully closed the measured transmission is approximately 0.5% for both 6 MV and 15 MV x-rays. Through the commissiong procedure we could verify the dose characteristics of mMLC and approximately evaluate the error ranges for treatment planning system.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.125-129
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• 2005

The first step in the commissioning procedure of a treatment planning system is always verification of the basic beam data. In this work, we have measured POD curves and beam profiles between 1 $\times$ 1 cm$^{2}$ and 40 $\times$ 40 cm$^{2}$ . In an attempt, Pinnacle 7.4f detect discrepancies between predicted dose distribution and delivered dose distribution. The discrepancies between measurement data and caculation data was found. The delivered dose was underestimated in field but overestimated out of field. The D$_{max}$ depth of 1 $\times$ 1 cm$^{2}$ was reduced about 2 mm. For the larger field size ($\geq$4$\times$4 cm$^{2}$, the beam profile and PDD curve showed good agreement between measurement data and calculation data.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 2001

The region, near the edge of a radiation beam, where the dose changes rapidly according to the distance from the beam axis is known as the penumbra. There is a sharp dose gradient zone even in megavoltage photon beams due to source size, collimator, lead alloy block, other accessories, and internal scatter ray. We investigate dosimetric characteristics on penumbra regions of a standard collimator and compare to those of theoritical model for the optimal use of the system in radiotherapy. Peripheral dose distribution of 6 W Photon beams represents penumbral forming function as the depth. Also we have discussed that the peripheral dose distribution of clinical photon beams, differences between calculation dose use of emperical penumbral forming function and measurements in penumbral region. Predictions by emperical penumbral forming functions are compared with measurements in 3-dimensional water phantom and it is shown that the method is capable of reproduceing the measured peripheral dose values usually to within the statistical uncertainties of the data. The semiconductor detector and ion chamber were positioned at a dmax depth, 5cm depth, 10cm depth, and its specific ratio was determined using a scanning data. The effective penumbra, the distance from 80% to 20% isodose lines were analyzed as a function of the distance. The extent of penumbra will also expand with depth increase. Difference of measurement value and model functions value according to character of the detector show small error in dose distribution of the peripheral dose.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.128-138
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• 2014

In gated radiation therapy (gRT), due to residual motion, beam delivery is intended to irradiate not only the true extent of disease, but also neighboring normal tissues. It is desired that the delivery covers the true extent (i.e. clinical target volume or CTV) as a minimum, although target moves under dose delivery. The objectives of our study are to validate if the intended dose is surely delivered to the true target in gRT and to quantitatively understand the trend of dose delivery on it and neighboring normal tissues when gating window (GW), motion amplitude (MA), and CTV size changes. To fulfill the objectives, experimental and computational studies have been designed and performed. A custom-made phantom with rectangle- and pyramid-shaped targets (CTVs) on a moving platform was scanned for four-dimensional imaging. Various GWs were selected and image integration was performed to generate targets (internal target volume or ITV) for planning that included the CTVs and internal margins (IM). The planning was done conventionally for the rectangle target and IMRT optimization was done for the pyramid target. Dose evaluation was then performed on a diode array aligned perpendicularly to the gated beams through measurements and computational modeling of dose delivery under motion. This study has quantitatively demonstrated and analytically interpreted the impact of residual motion including penumbral broadening for both targets, perturbed but secured dose coverage on the CTV, and significant doses delivered in the neighboring normal tissues. Dose volume histogram analyses also demonstrated and interpreted the trend of dose coverage: for ITV, it increased as GW or MA decreased or CTV size increased; for IM, it increased as GW or MA decreased; for the neighboring normal tissue, opposite trend to that of IM was observed. This study has provided a clear understanding on the impact of the residual motion and proved that if breathing is reproducible gRT is secure despite discontinuous delivery and target motion. The procedures and computational model can be used for commissioning, routine quality assurance, and patient-specific validation of gRT. More work needs to be done for patient-specific dose reconstruction on CT images.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.216-223
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• 2011

Recently PTW developed a MicroLion liquid ionization chamber which is water_equivalent and has a small sensitive volume of $0.002cm^3$. The aim of this work is to investigate such dosimetric characteristics as dose linearity, dose rate dependency, spatial resolution, and output factors of the chamber for the external radiotherapy photon beam. The results were compared to those of Semiflex chamber, Pinpoint chamber and Diode chamber with the sensitive volumes of $0.125cm^3$, $0.03cm^3$ and $0.0025cm^3$, respectively and evaluated to be suitable for small fields. This study was performed in the 6MV photon energy from a Varian 2300 C/D linac accelerator and the MP3 water phantom (PTW, Freiburg) was used. Penumbras in the varios field sizes ranged from $0.5{\times}0.5cm^2$ to $10{\times}10cm^2$ were used to evaluate the spatial resolution. Output factors were measured in the field sizes of $0.5{\times}0.5$ to $40{\times}40cm^2$. Readings of the chamber was linearly proportional to dose. Dose rate dependency was measured from 100 MU/min to 600 MU/min, showed a maximum difference of 5.0%, and outputs decreased with dose rates. The spatial resolutions determined with comparing profiles for the field sizes of $0.5{\times}0.5cm^2$ to $10{\times}10cm^2$ agreed between every detector except the Semiflex chamber to within 2%. Outputs of detectors were compared to that of Semiflex chamber and showed good agreements within 2% for every chamber. This study shows that MicroLion chamber characterized by a high signal-to-noise ratio and water equivalence could be suitable for the small field dosimetry.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.341-348
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• 2014

Wedge filter could use to increase the dose distribution at the hot dose regions. We evaluated dose discrepancy at surface and build region in the infield and outfield that Metal Wedge (MW) and Enhance Dynamic Wedge (EDW) were interact with photon. In this paper, we used Gafchromic EBT3 film that had excellent spatial resolution, composed the water equivalent materials and changed the optical density without development. The set up conditions of linear accelerator were fixed 6 MV photon, 100 cm SSD, $10{\times}10cm^2$ field size and were irradiated 400 cGy at Dmax. The dose distribution and absorbed dose were evaluated when we compared the open field with $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ metal wedge and enhanced dynamic wedge. A $15^{\circ}$ metal wedge could increase the surface and build up region dose than using a $15^{\circ}$ enhanced dynamic wedge. A $30^{\circ}$ metal wedge could decrease the surface and build up region dose than using a $30^{\circ}$ enhanced dynamic wedge. A $45^{\circ}$ metal wedge could decrease by large deviation the surface and build up region dose than using a $15^{\circ}$ enhanced dynamic wedge. The dose of penumbra region at outfield were increased on the thick side but were decreased on the thin side. It could be decrease the surface dose and build up region dose, if the metal wedge filters were properly used to make a good dose distribution and not closed the distance of surface.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2010

Purpose: In the treatment of high-energy protons Air gap (the distance between the patient and the exit Beam) Lateral Penumbra of the changes to the increase in the radiation fields can form unnecessary and Increase the maximum dose at the site of treatment and reduced the minimum dose homogeneity of dose distributions can decline. Air gap due to this change in dose distribution compared to investigate studied. Materials and Methods: Received proton therapy at our institution Lung, Liver patients were selected and the size of six other Air gap in Field A and Field B 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 cm Proton external beam planning system by setting up a treatment plan established. Air gap according to the Lateral Penumbra area and DVH (Dose Volume Histogram) to compare the maximum dose and minimum dose of PCTV areas were compared. In addition, the dose homogeneity within PCTV Homogeneity index to know the value and compared. Results: Air gap (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 cm) at each change in field size were analyzed according to the Lateral Penumbra region Field A Change in the Air gap 2~10 cm by 1.36~1.75 cm, the average continuously increased about 28.7% and Field B Change in the Air gap 2~10 cm by 1.36~1.75 cm, the average continuously increased about 31.6%. The result of DVH analysis for relative dose of the maximum dose According to Air gap 2~10 cm is the mean average of 110.3% from 108.1% to a sustained increased by approximately 2.03% and The average relative dose of minimum dose is the mean average of 93.9% percent to 90.8 percent from the continuous decrease of about 3.31 percent. The result of Homogeneity index value to the according to Air gap 2~10 cm is the 2-fold increase from 1.09 to 2.6. Conclusion: In proton therapy case, we can see the increasing of lateral penumbra area when airgap getting increase. And increasing of Dmax and decreasing Dmin in the field are making increase homogeneity index, So we can realize there are not so good homogeneity in the PCTV. Therefore we should try to minimize air gap in proton therapy case.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.280-285
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• 2015

In radiation therapy fields, a brachytherapy is a treatment that kills lesion of cells by inserting a radioisotope that keeps emitting radiation into the body. We currently verify the consistency of radiation treatment plan and dose distribution through film/screen system (F/S system), provide therapy after checking dose. When we check dose distribution, F/S systems have radiation signal distortion because there is low resolution by penumbra depending on the condition of film developed. In this study, We fabricated a $HgI_2$ Semiconductor radiation sensor for base study in order that we verify the real dose distribution weather it's same as plans or not in brachytherapy. Also, we attempt to evaluate the feasibility of QA system by utilizing and evaluating the sensor to brachytherapy source. As shown in the result of detected signal with various source-to-detector distance (SDD), we quantitatively verified the real range of treatment which is also equivalent to treatment plans because only the low signal estimated as scatters was measured beyond the range of treatment. And the result of experiment that we access reproducibility on the same condition of ${\gamma}$-ray, we have made sure that the CV (coefficient of variation) is within 1.5 percent so we consider that the $HgI_2$ sensor is available at QA of brachytherapy based on the result.