• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.29-34
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• 1995

The wedge factor is defined as a ratio of the absorbed dose in a phantom at a depth of reference point on the central axis with the wedge in the place to the absorbed dose at the same point with the wedge removed. We attempted to show the wedge factors dependence on the field sizes. The wedge factors were measured at various field sizes on 6MV and 15MV x-ray of Varian Clinac 1800 and 5MV x-ray of Philips SL75/5. The single wedge factor measured for a reference field size(10cmx10cm) may not be valid for all field sizes. For the thick wedge, especially an autowedge on Philips SL75/5 for maximum field size width 30cm. the error can be significant(6.6％). Therefore, in the presence of a wedge filter in the beam, a field size dependent wedge factor may be necessary in the treatment dose calculations.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2005

For clinical implementation of Enhanced Dynamic Wedge (EDW), it is necessary to adequately analyze and commission its dosimetric properties in comparison to common physical metal wedge (MTW). This study was implemented with the essential measurements of parameters for clinical application, such as percentage depth dose, peripheral dose, surface dose, effective wedge factor, and wedge profile. In addition, through the comparison study of EDW with open and MTW, the analysis was performed to characterize the EDW. We also compared EDW dose profiles of measured values using chamber array 24 (CA24) with calculated values using radiation treatment planning system. PDDs of EDW showed good agreements between $0.2\~0.5\%$ of open beam, but $2\%$ differences with MTW. In the result of the measurements of peripheral dose, it was shown that MTW was about $1\%$ higher than open field and EDW. The surface doses of $60^{\circ}$ MTW showed 10% lower than the others. We found that effective wedge factor of EDW had linear relationships according to Y jaw sizes and was independent of X jaw sizes and was independent of X jaw sizes and asymmetric Y jaw opening. In comparison with measured values and calculate values from Golden-STT based radiation treatment planning system (RTP system), it showed very good agreement within difference of $1\%$. It could be concluded that EDW is a very reliable and useful tool as a beam modification substitute for conventional MTW.

• 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.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.78-83
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• 1999

Purpose : We have compared the characteristics of Siemens virtual wedge device with physical wedges for clinical application. Materials and Methods : We investigated the characteristics of virtual and physical wedges for various wedge angles (15, 30, 45, and 60$^{\circ}$) using 6- and 15MV photon beams. Wedge factors were measured in water using an ion chamber for various field sizes and depths. In case of virtual wedge device, as upper jaw moves during irradiation, wedge angles were estimated by accumulated doses. These measurements were performed at off-axis points perpendicular to the beam central axis in water for a 15cm${\times}$20cm radiation field size at the depth of loom. Surface doses without and with virtual or physical wedges were measured using a parallel plate ion chamber at surface. Field size was 15cm H20cm and a polystyrene phantom was used. Results : For various field sizes, virtual and physical wedge factors were changed by maximum 2.1% and 3.9%) , respectively. For various depths, virtual and physical wedge factors were changed by maximum 1.9% and 2.9%, respectively. No major difference was found between the virtual and physical wedge angles and the difference was within 0.5$^{\circ}$ . Suface dose with physical wedge was reduced by maximum 20% (x-ray beam :6 MV, wedge angle:45$^{\circ}$, 550: 80 cm) relative to one with virtual wedge or without wedge. Conclusions : Comparison of the characteristics of Siemens virtual wedge device with physical wedges was performed. Depth dependence of virtual wedge factor was smaller than that of physical wedge factor. Virtual and physical wedge factors were nearly independent of field sizes. The accuracy of virtual and physical wedge angles was excellent. Surface dose was found to be reduced using physical wedge.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2004

A simplistic quality assurance (QA) method was designed for a Linac built-in enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW), which can be utilized to make wedged beam distributions. For the purpose of implementing the EDW symmetry QA, a film dosimetry system, low speedy dosimetry film, film densitometer and 3D RTP system were used, and the films irradiated by means of a 60$^{\circ}$ Reversed wedge pair (REWP) method. The profiles were then analyzed in terms of their symmetries, including partial treatment, which is the case of stopping it abruptly during EDW irradiation, and the measured and calculated values compared using the Cad Plan Golden Segmented Treatment Table (Golden STT). The result of this experiment was in good agreement, within 1 %, of the 'reversed wedge pair counterbalance effect'. For the QA of the effective wedge factor (EWF), the authors measured EWFs in relation to the 10$^{\circ}$, 15$^{\circ}$, 20$^{\circ}$, 25$^{\circ}$, 30$^{\circ}$, 45$^{\circ}$ and 60$^{\circ}$ EDW, which were compared with the calculated values using the correction factor derived from the Golden STT and the log files produced automatically during the process of EDW irradiation. By means of this method it was capable of check up the safety of effective wedge factor without any other dosimetry system. The EDW QA was able to be completed within 1 hour from irradiation to analysis as a consequence of the simplified QA procedure, with maximized effectiveness. Unlike the metal wedge system, the EDW system was heavily dependent on the dose rates and jaw movements; therefore, its features could potentially cause inaccuracy. The frequent simplistic QA for the EDW is essential, and could secure against the flaw of dynamic treatment that uses the EDW.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2010

The evaluation of Varian enhanced dynamic wedges (EDW) were performed in terms of quality assurance in external radiotherapy. The seven (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60 deg.) EDW angles were evaluated for 6 and 15 MV x-rays in Varian Linac. The STT (segmented treatment table) for a field were calculated and compared with actual movement of the jaw using Dynalog files in order to evaluate mechanical operation. Two dimensional array detector and an ionization chamber were used to measure dose distributions in phantom from Linac. The mechanical movement of jaw was agreed with its expectation and two dimensional dose distributions including beam profiles were in agreement with RTP data approximately. In comparison with RTP calculations the percentage difference of output dose values for 100 MU irradiation was less than 2.9% and measured wedge factor was less than 2.6%. These results are shown that there is no problem in clinical applications of EDW equipped on this linac.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.77-88
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• 1998

Wedge shaped isodoses are desired in a number of clinical situations. Hard wedge filters have provided nominal angled isodoses with dosimetric consequences of beam hardening, increased peripheral dosing, nonidealized gradients at deep depths along with the practical consequendes of filter handling and placement problems. Dynamic wedging uses a combination of a moving collimator and changing monitor dose to achieve angled isodoses. The segmented treatment tables(STT) that monitor unit setting by every distance of moving collimator, was induced by numerical formular. The characteristics of dynamic wedge by STT compared with real dosimetry. Methods and Materials : The accelerator CLINAC 2100C/D at Yonsei Cancer Center has two photon energies (6MV and 10MV), currently with dynamic wedge angles of 15$^{\circ}$, 30$^{\circ}$, 45$^{\circ}$ and 60$^{\circ}$. The segmented treatment tables(STT) that drive the collimator in concert with a changing monitor unit are unique for field sizes ranging from 4.0cm to 20.0cm in 0.5cm steps. Transmission wedge factors were measured for each STT with an standard ion chamber. Isodose profiles, isodose curves, percentage depth dose for dynamic wedge filters were measured with film dosimetry. Dynamic wedge angle by STT was well coincident with film dosimetry. Percent depth doses were found to be closer to open field but more shallow than hard wedge filter. The wedge transmission factor were decreased by increased the wedge angle and more higher than hard wedge filters. Dynamic wedging probided more consistent gradients across the field compared with hard wedge filters. Dynamic wedging has practical and dosimetric advantages over hard filters for rapid setup and keeping from table collisions. Dynamic wedge filters are positive replacement for hard filters and introduction of dynamic conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulation radiotherapy in a future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2004

Supersonic jets impinging on $60^{\cire}$ wedge were investigated to obtain fundamental design data for jet deflector It was of interest to study flow phenomena such as shock interaction and separation induced by shear layer. Experiments using supersonic cold flow system were conducted for Schlieren flow visualization and measurement of surface pressure. Numerical results were compared with the experimental results. The major parameters are underexpansion ratio, distance from nozzle to apex and design Mach number. Flow conditions were obtained for the wedge shock to attach on or detach from the wedge. The dominant feature of flow-field is shock pattern induced by the Interaction between the wedge shock and the barrel shock.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2006.06b
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• pp.355-360
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• 2006

The damping force of a jaw pad is determined by the displacements of main part when two lockers are locked, after the damping angle of a locker was set up in the wedge type rail damp for a container crane. In this time, of the resistance of wedge frame generates due to several factors, the damping angle of a locker to display the initial clamping force will be changed because of the reduction of displacement of extension bar. This resistance is determined by the eccentric distance between the roller and the wedge, and by the gap between the wedge frame and outer frame. In this study we measured the tensile force of both extension bar through the performance test of the prototype rail damp in order to evaluate the effect of the resistance of wedge frame on the damping force of the wedge type rail clamp.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2001

We was investigate the dosimetric characteristics of the virtual wedge and it compared to the conventional fixed wedge. Also we was evaluate the quality factor of the experimental multi-channel dosimetry system for virtual wedge. Recently virtual wedge technique and wedge fraction methods are available through the computer controlled asymmetric collimator or the independent jaw in medical linear accelerator for radiation therapy. The dosimetric characteristics are interpreted by radiation field analyzer RFA-7 system and PTW-UNIDOS system. Experimental multi-channel dosimetry system for virtual wedge was consists of the electrometer, the solid detector and array phantom. The solid detectors were constructed using commercially diodes for the assessment of quality assurance in radiotherapy. And it was used for the point dose measuring and field size scanning. The semiconductor detector and ion chamber were positioned at a dmax, 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm depth and its specific ratio was determined using a scanning data. Wedge angles in fixed and virtual type are compared with measurements in water phantom and it is shown that the wedge angle 15$^{\circ}$, 30$^{\circ}$, 45$^{\circ}$were agree within 1$^{\circ}$ degree in 6, 10 MV photon beams. In PDD and beam flatness, experimental multi-channel disimetry system was capable of reproduceing the measured values usually to within $\pm$2.1% the statistical uncertainties of the data. It was used to describe dosimetric characteristics of virtual wedge in clinical photon beams. Also we was evaluate optimal use of the virtual wedge and improve the quality factor of the experimental multi-channel dosimetry system for virtual wedge.