• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2007

Purpose: We have performed SRS (stereotactic radiosurgery) for avm (arterry vein malformation) and brain cancer. In order to verify dose and localization of SRS, dose distributions from TPS ($X-Knife^{(R)}$ 3.0, Radionics, USA) and GafChromic $EBT^{(R)}$ film in a head phantom were compared. Materials and Methods: In this study, head and neck region of conventional humanoid phantom was modified by substituting one of 2.5 cm slap with five 0.5 cm acrylic plates to stack the GafChromic $EBT^{(R)}$ film slice by slice with 5 mm intervals. Four films and five acrylic plates were cut along the contour of head phantom in axial plane. The head phantom was fixed with SRS head ring and adapted SRS localizer as same as real SRS procedure. CT images of the head phantom were acquired in 5 mm slice intervals as film interval. Five arc 6 MV photon beams using the SRS cone with 2 cm diameter were delivered 300 cGy to the target in the phantom. Ten small pieces of the film were exposed to 0, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 cGy, respectively to calibrate the GafChromic $EBT^{(R)}$ film. The films in the phantom were digitized after 24 hours and its linearity was calibrated. The pixel values of the film were converted to the dose and compared with the dose distribution from the TPS calculation. Results: Calibration curve for the GafChromic $EBT^{(R)}$ film was linear up to 900 cGy. The R2 value was better than 0.992. Discrepancy between calculated from $X-Knife^{(R)}$ 3.0 and measured dose distributions with the film was less than 5% through all slices. Conclusion: It was possible to evaluate every slice of humanoid phantom by stacking the GafChromic EBT film which is suitable for 2 dimensional dosimetry, It was found that film dosimetry using the GafChromic $EBT^{(R)}$ film is feasible for routine dosimetric QA of stereotactic radiosurgery.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of a commercial ion chamber array for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA) was performed IMRT patient-specific QA Materials and Methods: A use of IMRT patient-specific QA was examined for nasopharyngeal patient by using 6MV photon beams. The MatriXX (Wellhofer Dosimetrie, Germany) was used for IMRT QA. The case of nasopharyngeal cancer was performed inverse treatment planning. A hybrid dose distribution made on the CT data of MatriXX and solid phantom all of the same gantry angle (0$^\circ$). The measurement was acquired with geometrical condition that equal to hybrid treatment planning. The $\gamma$-index (dose difference 3%, DTA 3 mm) histogram was used for quantitative analysis of dose discrepancies. An absolute dose was compared at the high dose low gradient region. Results: The dose distribution was shown a good agreement by gamma evaluation. A proportion of acceptance criteria was 95.8%, 97.52%, 96.28%, 98.20%, 97.78%, 96.64% and 92.70% for gantry angles were 0$^\circ$, 55$^\circ$, 110$^\circ$, 140$^\circ$, 220$^\circ$, 250$^\circ$ and 305$^\circ$, respectively. The absolute dose in high dose low gradient region was shown reasonable agreement with the RTP calculation within $\pm$3%. Conclusion: The MatriXX offers the dosimetric characteristics required for performing both relative and absolute measurements. If MatriXX use in the clinic, it could be simplified and reduced the IMRT patient-specific QA workload. Therefore, the MatriXX is evaluated as a reliable and convenient dosimeter for IMRT patient-specific QA.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.149-158
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• 1996

Purpose : To get an accute steepness of dose gradients at outside the target volume in intracranial lesion and a less limitation of beam selection avoiding the high dose at normal brain tissue, this Photon Knife Radiosurgery System was developed in order to provide the three-dimensional dose distribution through the reconstruction of CT scan and the combined stereotactic trans-multiarc beam mode based on linear accelerator photon beam. Materials and methods : This stereotactic radiosurgery, Photon Knife based on linear accelerator photon beam was provided the non-coplanar multiarc and trans-multiarc irradiations. The stereotactic trans-multiarc beam mode can be obtained from the patient position in decubitus. This study has provided the 3-dimensional isodose curve and anatomical structures with the surface rendering technique. The dose distribution from the combined two trans-multiarcs (2M 2TM) was compared to that of four non-coplanar multiarcs (4M) with same collimator size of 25 mm in a diameter and total gantry movements. Results : In this study, it shows that the dose distributions of stereotactic beam mode are significantly depended on the selected couch and gantry angle in same collimator size. Practical dose distribution of combined stereotactic trans-multiarc beam has shown a more small rim thickness than that of the non-coplanar multiarc beam mode in axial, sagittal and coronal plane in our study. 3-Dimensional dose line displayed with surface rendering of irregular target shape is helpful to determine the target dose and to predict the prognosis in follow-up radiosurgery. Conclusions : 3-Dimensional dose line displayed with surface rendering of irregular target shape is essential in stereotactic radiosurgery. This combined stereotactic trans-multiarc beam has shown a less limitation of the selection couch and gantry beam angles for the target surrounding critical organs. It has shown that the dose distribution of combined trans-multiarc beam greatly depended on the couch and gantry angles. In our experiments, the absorbed dose has been decreased to $27%$ / mm in maximum at the interval of $50\%$ to $80\%$ of isodose line.

• 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.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.322-329
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• 2003

Purpose: It is difficult to exactly determine the surface dose and the dose distribution In buildup region of high energy X-rays by using the conventional ion chamber. The aim of this study Is to evaluate the accuracy of widely used dosimetry systems to measure the surface dose and the depth of maximum dose (d$_{max}$). Materials and Methods: We measured the percent depth dose (PDD) from the surface to the d$_{max}$ in either a water phantom or in a solid water phantom using TLD-100 chips, thimble type ion chamber, diode detector, diamond detector and Markus parallel plate ion chamber for 6 MV and 15 MV X-rays, 10$\times$10 cm$^{2}$, at SSD=100cm. We analysed the surface dose and the d$_{max}$. In order to verify the accuracy of the TLD data, we executed the Monte Carlo simulation for 5 MV X-ray beams. Results: The surface doses In 6 MV and IS MV X-rays were 29.31% and 23.36% ior Markus parallel plate ion chamber, 37.17$\%$ and 24.01$\%$ for TLD, 34.87$\%$ and 24.06$\%$ for diamond detector, 38.13$\%$ and 27.8$\%$ for diode detector, and 47.92$\%$ and 35.01$\%$ for thimble type ion chamber, respectively. in Monte Carlo simulation for 6 MV X-rays, the surface dose was 36.22$\%$, which Is similar to the 37.17$\%$ of the TLD measurement data. The d$_{max}$ In 6 WV and 15 MV X-rays was 14$\~$16 mm and 27$\~$29 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference in the d$_{max}$ among the detectors. Conclusion: There was a remarkable difference in the surface dose among the detectors. The Markus parallel plate chamber showed the most accurate result. The surface dose of the thimble ion chamber was 10$\%$ higher than that of other detectors. We suggest that the correction should be made when the surface dose of the thimble ion chamber Is used for the treatment planning ion the supeficial tumors. All the detectors used In our study showed no difference in the d$_{max}$.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1995

This study is to compare A point doses in human pelvic phantom by film dosimetry, computer planning and manual calculation by using of along-away table. We developed tissue equivalent human pelvic phantom composed of four pieces of cylindrical acryl tubes with water, to simulate intracavitary radiation (ICR) in patients with cervix cancer. When the phantom assembled from 4 pieces, it has a small space for inserting Fletcher-Suit-Delclos applicator like a human vagina. Fletcher-Suit-Delclos applicator inserted into the space was packed tightly with furacin gauzes, and three $^{137}Cs$ sources with radioactivity of $15.7mg\;Ra-eq$ were inserted into the tandem. For the film dosimetry, two pieces of X-OMAT V film (Kodak Co.) of which planes include point A, were arranged orthogonally in the slits between phantoms. A point dose and iso-dose curves were measured by means of optical densitometer. A point doses by film dosimetry, RTP system and manual calculation by using of along-away table were compared, and iso-dose curves by film dosimetry and computer planning were also compared. The dose of A point was 51.2cGy/hr by film dosimetry, 46.7cGy/hr by RTP system and 47.9 cGy/hr by along-away table. A point dose by computer planning was similar to the dose by calculation using of along-away table with acceptable accuracy $({\pm}3%)$, however, the dose by film dosimetry was different from two others with about 10% error. Since most clinical beams contains a scatter component of low energy photons, the correlation between optical density and dose becomes tenuous. In addition, film suffers from several potential errors such as changes in processing conditions, interfilm emulsion differences, and artifacts caused by air pockets adjacent to the film. For these reasons, absolute dosimetry with film is impractical, however, it is very useful for checking qualitative patterns of a radiation distribution. In future, solid state dosimeter such as TLD must be used for the dosimetry of ionizing radiation. When considerable care is used, precision of approximately 3% may be obtained using TLD.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 1998

In order to establish a testing system for personnel dosimetry performance, the radiation fields from photons, beta particles and neutrons are required, in recent, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety(KINS) established the reference radation fields except neutrons and tested a variety of their properties. As a result of the test, the reference beams were shown to meet satisfactorily not only the standards of the International Organization for Standardization(ISO), but also the standard levels of the developed countries which are intercomparable with the international traceability. This paper describes the reference beam of gamma radiation. The self-designed and established reference radiation fields were investigated and analyzed by ISO and other international standards. The secondary photon contribution and the beam uniformity of the gamma radiation field were measured and evaluated to fulfill those requirements suggested by the ISO-4037. The measured air kerma rate for the $^{137}$Cs and $^{60}$Co gamma fields was 0.1891 $\sim$ 23.4967 $\mu$Gy/s sand 0.5844 $\sim$ 15.9954 $\mu$Gy/s respectively. The uncertainty with 95 % confidence level of the measured air kerma rate was determined to be less than 2.5 % which is comparable to the international reference gamma radiation fields. It was found that the evaluated air kerma calibration factors of Exradin ionization chamber were in good agreement within 0.9 % and 0.03 % with those given by PTB and NIST, respectively. The gamma radiation fields installed at KINS can maintain traceability systems in Korea, Germany and United State.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.16 no.1 s.79
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• pp.43-53
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• 2004

The current Korean Concrete Design Code(KCI Code) requires the minimum and maximum content of shear s in order to prevent brittle and noneconomic design. However, the required content of the steel reinforcement In KCI Code is quite different to those of the other design codes such as fib-code, Canadian Code, and Japanese Code. Furthermore, since the evaluation equations of the minimum and maximum shear reinforcement for the current KCI Code were based on the experimental results, the equations can not be used for the RC members beyond the experimental application limits. The concrete tensile strength, shear stress, crack inclination, strain perpendicular to the crack, and shear span ratio are strongly related to the lower and upper limits of shear reinforcement. In this research, an evaluation equation for the minimum content of shear reinforcement is theoretical proposed from the Wavier's three principals of the mechanics of materials.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.250-257
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• 2015

Multi-leaf collimator (MLC) systems are frequently used to deliver photon-based radiation, and allow conformal shaping of treatment beams. Many proton beam centers currently make use of aperture and snout systems, which involve use of a snout to shape and focus the proton beam, a brass aperture to modify field shape, and an acrylic compensator to modulate depth. However, it needs a lot of time and cost of preparing treatment, therefore, we developed the manual MLC for solving this problem. This study was carried out with the intent of designing an MLC system as an alternative to an aperture block system. Radio-activation and dose due to primary proton beam leakage and the presence of secondary neutrons were taken into account during these iterations. Analytical calculations were used to study the effects of leaf material on activation. We have fabricated tray model for adoption with a wobbling snout ($30{\times}40cm^2$) system which used uniform scanning beam. We designed the manual MLC and tray and can reduce the cost and time for treatment. After leakage test of new tray, we upgrade the tray with brass and made the safety tool. First, we have tested the radio-activation with usually brass and new brass for new manual MLC. It shows similar behavior and decay trend. In addition, we have measured the leakage test of a gantry with new tray and MLC tray, while we exposed the high energy with full modulation process on film dosimetry. The radiation leakage is less than 1%. From these results, we have developed the design of the tray and upgrade for safety. Through the radio-activation behavior, we figure out the proton beam leakage level of safety, where there detects the secondary particle, including neutron. After developing new design of the tray, it will be able to reduce the time and cost of proton treatment. Finally, we have applied in clinic test with original brass aperture and manual MLC and calculated the gamma index, 99.74% between them.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2008

TomoTherapy has a merit to treat cancer with Intensity modulated radiation and combines precise 3-D imaging from computerized tomography (CT scanning) with highly targeted radiation beams and rotating beamlets. In this paper, we comparing the dose distribution between TomoTherapy and linear accelerator based intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for 10 Head & Neck patients using TomoTherapy which is newly installed and operated at National Cancer Center since Sept. 2006. Furthermore, we estimate how the homogeneity and Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) are changed by motion of target. Inverse planning was carried out using CadPlan planning system (CadPlan R.6.4.7, Varian Medical System Inc. 3100 Hansen Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1129, USA). For each patient, an inverse IMRT plan was also made using TomoTherapy Hi-Art System (Hi-Art2_2_4 2.2.4.15, TomoTherapy Incorporated, 1240 Deming Way, Madson, WI 53717-1954, USA) and using the same targets and optimization goals. All TomoTherapy plans compared favorably with the IMRT plans regarding sparing of the organs at risk and keeping an equivalent target dose homogeneity. Our results suggest that TomoTherapy is able to reduce the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) further, keeping a similar target dose homogeneity.