• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 1999.11a
• /
• pp.91-92
• /
• 1999

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2003

The spinal cord dose is the one of the limiting factor for the radiation treatment of the head ＆ neck or the thorax region. It is not an easy task to maintain the spinal cord dose below tolerance and to keep the clinically acceptable dose to the PTV in this region. To overcome this problem, the spinal cord partial block technique (PBT) with the dynamic Multi-Leaf Collimator (dMLC) has been developed. This technique is an extension of the conventional treatment planning. In the beginning the beam directions are selected as same as the conventional treatment planning to encompass the PTV, then the partial block are designed to shield the spinal cord. The plan comparisons between the conventional therapy plan and the PTB plan were performed to evaluate the validity of this technique. The mean dose and the dose volume histogram (DVH) were used as the plan comparison indices. A series of quality assurance (QA) was performed to guarantee the reliable treatment. The QA consisted of the film dosimetry for the verification of the dose distribution and the point measurements. The PBT plan generated better results than the conventional treatment plan and it was proved to be useful for the H＆N region.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.151-160
• /
• 2003

The application of more complex radiotherapy techniques using multileaf collimation (MLC), such as 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), has increased the significance of verifying leaf position and motion. Due to thier reliability and empirical robustness, quality assurance (QA) of MLC. However easy use and the ability to provide digital data of electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) have attracted attention to portal films as an alternatives to films for routine qualify assurance, despite concerns about their clinical feasibility, efficacy, and the cost to benefit ratio. In this study, we developed method for daily QA of MLC using electronic portal images (EPIs). EPID availability for routine QA was verified by comparing of the portal films, which were simultaneously obtained when radiation was delivered and known prescription input to MLC controller. Specially designed two-test patterns of dynamic MLC were applied for image acquisition. Quantitative off-line analysis using an edge detection algorithm enhanced the verification procedure as well as on-line qualitative visual assessment. In conclusion, the availability of EPI was enough for daily QA of MLC leaf position with the accuracy of portal films.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.122-128
• /
• 2017

Eclipse Scripting Application Programming Interface (ESAPI) was devised to enhance the efficiency in such treatment related workflows as contouring, treatment planning, plan quality measure, and data-mining by communicating with the treatment planning system (TPS). It is provided in the form of C# programming based toolbox, which could be modified to fit into the clinical applications. The Scripting program, however, does not offer all potential functionalities that the users intend to develop. The shortcomings can be overcome by combining the Scripting programming with user-executable program on Windows or Linux. The executed program has greater freedom in implementation, which could strengthen the ability and availability of the Scripting on the clinical applications. This work shows the use of the Scripting programming throughout the simple modification of the given toolbox. Besides, it presents the implementation of combining both Scripting and user-executed programming based on MATLAB, applied to automated dynamic MLC wedge and FIF treatment planning procedure for promoting the planning efficiency.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.114-122
• /
• 2006

The two commonly used methods in delivering intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan are the dynamic (sliding window) and static (stop and shoot) mode. In this study, the two IMRI delivery techniques are compared by measuring point dose and dose distributions. Using treatment planning system, clinical target volume (CTV) was created as a sphere with various diameter (3 cm, 7 cm, 12 cm). Two IMRT plans were peformed to deliver 200 cGy to the CTV in dynamic and static mode. The two plans were delivered on a phantom and central point dose and dose distributions were measured. The central point dose differences between static and dynamic IMRT delivery were 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.4% when the diameter of CTV was 3 cm, 7 cm, and 12 cm, respectively. The differences In volume receiving 90% of the proscribed dose were 2.7%, 2.2%, and 2.9% for the diameter of CTV was 3 cm, 7 cm, and 12 cm, respectively. For lung cancer patients, the differences in central point dose were 0.2%, 0.2%, and 0.4% when the volume of CTV was 35.5 cc, 296.8 cc, and 903.5 cc, respectively. The differences in volume receiving 90% of the prescribed dose were 2.7%, 4.8%, and 9.1% when the volume of CTV was 35.5 cc, 296.8 cc, and 903.5 cc, respectively. In conclusion, it was possible to deliver IMRT plans using dynamic mode of MLC operation although the loaves are In motion during radiation delivery.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2002.09a
• /
• pp.129-132
• /
• 2002

The practical virtual compensator, which uses a dynamic multi-leaf collimator (dMLC) and three-dimensional radiation therapy planning (3D RTP) system, was designed. And the feasibility study of the virtual compensator was done to verify that the virtual compensator acts a role as the replacement of the physical compensator. Design procedure consists of three steps. The first step is to generate the isodose distributions from the 3D RTP system (Render Plan, Elekta). Then isodose line pattern was used as the compensator pattern. Pre-determined compensating ratio was applied to generate the fluence map for the compensator design. The second step is to generate the leaf sequence file with Ma's algorithm in the respect of optimum MU-efficiency. All the procedure was done with home-made software. The last step is the QA procedure which performs the comparison of the dose distributions which are produced from the irradiation with the virtual compensator and from the calculation by 3D RTP. In this study, a phantom was fabricated for the verification of properness of the designed compensator. It is consisted of the styrofoam part which mimics irregular shaped contour or the missing tissues and the mini water phantom. Inhomogeneous dose distribution due to the styrofoam missing tissue could be calculated with the RTP system. The film dosimetry in the phantom with and without the compensator showed significant improvement of the dose distributions. The virtual compensator designed in this study was proved to be a replacement of the physical compensator in the practical point of view.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.41-52
• /
• 2003

I. Purpose The dose distribution in normal tissues and target lesions is very important in the treatment planning. To make the uniform dose distribution in target lesions, many methods has been used. Especially in the head and neck, the dose inhomogeneity at the skin surface should be corrected. Conventional methods have a limitation in delivering the enough doses to the planning target volume (PTV) with minimized dose to the parotid gland and spinal cord. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and the practical QA methods of the forward IMRT. II. Material and Methods The treatment plan of the forward IMRT with the partial block technique using the dynamic multi-leaf collimator (dMLC) for the patients with the nasopharyngeal cancer was verified using the dose volume histogram (DVH). The films and pinpoint chamber were used for the accurate dose verification. III. Results As a result of verifying the DVH for the 2-D treatment plan with the forward IMRT, the dose to the both parotid gland and spinal cord were reduced. So the forward IMRT could save the normal tissues and optimize the treatment. Forward IMRT can use the 3-D treatment planning system and easily assure the quality, so it is easily accessible comparing with inverse IMRT IV. Conclusion The forward IMRT could make the uniform dose in the PTV while maintaining under the tolerance dose in the normal tissues comparing with the 2-D treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2006.08a
• /
• pp.60-60
• /
• 2006

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.168-177
• /
• 2015

For evaluating the treatment planning accurately, the quality assurance for treatment planning is recommended when patients were treated with IMRT which is complex and delicate. To realize this purpose, treatment plan quality assurance software can be used to verify the delivered dose accurately before and after of treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of treatment plan quality assurance software for each IMRT plan according to MLC DLG (dosimetric leaf gap). Novalis Tx with a built-in HD120 MLC was used in this study to acquire the MLC dynalog file be imported in MobiusFx. To establish IMRT plan, Eclipse RTP system was used and target and organ structures (multi-target, mock prostate, mock head/neck, C-shape case) were contoured in I'mRT phantom. To verify the difference of dose distribution according to DLG, MLC dynalog files were imported to MobiusFx software and changed the DLG (0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.3, 1.6 mm) values in MobiusFx. For evaluation dose, dose distribution was evaluated by using 3D gamma index for the gamma criteria 3% and distance to agreement 3 mm, and the point dose was acquired by using the CC13 ionization chamber in isocenter of I'mRT phantom. In the result for point dose, the mock head/neck and multi-target had difference about 4% and 3% in DLG 0.5 and 0.7 mm respectively, and the other DLGs had difference less than 3%. The gamma index passing-rate of mock head/neck were below 81% for PTV and cord, and multi-target were below 30% for center and superior target in DLGs 0.5, 0.7 mm, however, inferior target of multi-target case and parotid of mock head/neck case had 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. The point dose of mock prostate showed difference below 3.0% in all DLGs, however, the passing rate of PTV were below 95% in 0.5, 0.7 mm DLGs, and the other DLGs were above 98%. The rectum and bladder had 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. As the difference of point dose in C-shape were 3~9% except for 1.3 mm DLG, the passing rate of PTV in 1.0 1.3 mm were 96.7, 93.0% respectively. However, passing rate of the other DLGs were below 86% and core was 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. In this study, we verified that the accuracy of treatment planning QA system can be affected by DLG values. For precise quality assurance for treatment technique using the MLC motion like IMRT and VMAT, we should use appropriate DLG value in linear accelerator and RTP system.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.233-238
• /
• 2014

Purpose : The Varian's Eclipse radiation treatment planning system is able to correct radiation treatment thought leaf gap which is limitation MLC movement for collision with both MLC. In this study, I'm try to analyze dosimetric effect about the leaf gap in treatment planning system. And then apply to clinical implement. Materials and Methods : The Elclipse version is 10.0. In general, the leaf gap set to 0.05~0.3 mm and must measurement each leaf gap. The leaf gap measured by each LINACs and photons. We applied to measured each leaf gap in IMRT and VMAT. Changing the leaf gap, we evaluated treatment plans by Dmax, CI, etc. Results : When the same plan was evaluated with changing the leaf gap, an increase of 2-5% over the value Dmax, CI increases mm to 0.0~0.50 mm leaf gap. Volumetric modulated and intensity modulated radiation therapy plans all showed the same trend was not found significant between each radiation treatment planning. Conclusion : Generally, the leaf gap setting has a unique measure of the Multileaf collimator. However, the aging of the Multileaf collimator, calibration, and can be changed, after inspection and repair of the lip gap should eventually because these values affect the treatment plan must be applied to the treatment after confirmation. In some cases, may be to maintain the initial setting value of the lip gap, which is undesirable because it can override the influence on the treatment plan.