• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 1995

The purpose of this research is to develop stereotactic localization and radiation measurement system for the efficient and precise radiosurgery. The algorithm to obtain a 3-D stereotactic coordinates of the target has been developed using a Fisher CT or angio localization. The procedure of stereotactic localization was programmed with PC computer, and consists of three steps: (1) transferring patient images into PC; (2) marking the position of target and reference points of the localizer from the patient image; (3) computing the stereotactic 3-D coordinates of target associated with position information of localizer. Coordinate transformation was quickly done on a real time base. The difference of coordinates computed from between Angio and CT localization method was within 2 mm, which could be generally accepted for the reliability of the localization system developed. We measured dose distribution in small fields of NEC 6 MVX linear accelerator using various detector; ion chamber, film, diode. Specific quantities measured include output factor, percent depth dose (PDD), tissue maximum ratio (TMR), off-axis ratio (OAR). There was small variation of measured data according to the different kinds of detectors used. The overall trends of measured beam data were similar enough to rely on our measurement. The measurement was performed with the use of hand-made spherical water phantom and film for standard arc set-up. We obtained the dose distribution as we expected. In conclusion, PC-based 3-D stereotactic localization system was developed to determine the stereotactic coordinate of the target. A convenient technique for the small field measurement was demonstrated. Those methods will be much helpful for the stereotactic radiosurgery.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 1993

The purpose of this paper is to develop a simple system to measure dose distribution in small fields of NEC LINAC 6 MVX using film and solid water instead of ion chamber and water phantom. Specific quantities measured include percent depth dose (PDD), off-axis ratio (OAR). We produced square fields of 1 to 3cm in perimeter in 1cm steps measured at SAD of 80cm. The PDD and OAR measured by film was compared with measurement made with ion chamber. We calculated the TMR from the basic PDD data using the conversion formula. The trends of our measured beam data and philips LINAC are similar each other. The measurement for the small field using film and solid water was simple. Hand-made film phantom was especially useful to measure OARs for the stereotactic radiosurgery.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.57-68
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• 1994

Purpose : The purposes are to discuss the reason to measure dose distributions of circular small fields for stereotactic radiosurgery based on medical linear accelerator, finding of beam axis, and considering points on dosimetry using home-made small water phantom, and to report dosimetric results of 10MV X-ray of Clinac-18, like as TMR, OAR and field size factor required for treatment planning. Method and material : Dose-response linearity and dose-rate dependence of a p-type silicon (Si) diode, of which size and sensitivity are proper for small field dosimetry, are determined by means of measurement. Two water tanks being same in shape and size, with internal dimension, 30${\times}$30${\times}$30cm$^3$ were home-made with acrylic plates and connected by a hose. One of them a used as a water phantom and the other as a device to control depth of the Si detector in the phantom. Two orthogonal dose profiles at a specified depth were used to determine beam axis. TMR's of 4 circular cones, 10, 20, 30 and 40mm at 100cm SAD were measured, and OAR's of them were measured at 4 depths, d$\sub$max/, 6, 10, 15cm at 100cm SCD. Field size factor (FSF) defined by the ratio of D$\sub$max/ of a given cone at SAD to MU were also measured. Result : The dose-response linearity of the Si detector was almost perfect. Its sensitivity decreased with increasing dose rate but stable for high dose rate like as 100MU/min and higher even though dose out of field could be a little bit overestimated because of low dose rate. Method determining beam axis by two orthogonal profiles was simple and gave 0.05mm accuracy. Adjustment of depth of the detector in a water phantom by insertion and remove of some acryl pates under an auxiliary water tank was also simple and accurate. TMR, OAR and FSF measured by Si detector were sufficiently accurate for application to treatment planning of linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery. OAR in field was nearly independent of depth. Conclusion : The Si detector was appropriate for dosimetry of small circular fields for linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery. The beam axis could be determined by two orthogonal dose profiles. The adjustment of depth of the detector in water was possible by addition or removal of some acryl plates under the auxiliary water tank and simple. TMR, OAR and FSF were accurate enough to apply to stereotactic radiosurgery planning. OAR data at one depth are sufficient for radiosurgery planning.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 1992

We have desingned multi channel dosimetry system with Intel single-chip microprocessor. We considered that this system is very useful for patient dose measurement, measurement of sealed source dose distribution and calibration of small field for stereotatic radiosurgery system We have designed that this system use commercially available semicondutor detector and personal computer can control this system and process data through RS-232C serial port.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.260-268
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• 2009

In this study, we estimated inhomogeneity correction factor in small field. And, we evaluated accuracy of treatment planning and measurement data which applied inhomogeneity correction factor or not. We developed the Inhomogeneity Correction Phantom (ICP) for insertion of inhomogeneity materials. The inhomogeneity materials were 12 types in each different electron density. This phantom is able to adapt the EBT film and 0.125 cc ion chamber for measurement of dose distribution and point dose. We evaluated comparison of planning and measurement data using ICP. When we applied to inhomogeneity correction factor or not, the average difference was 1.63% and 10.05% in each plan and film measurement data. And, the average difference of dose distribution was 10.09% in each measurement film. And the average difference of point dose was 0.43% and 2.09% in each plan and measurement data. In conclusion, if we did not apply the inhomogeneity correction factor in small field, it shows more great difference in measurement data. The planning system using this study shows good result for correction of inhomogeneity materials. In radiosurgery using small field, we should be correct the inhomogeneity correction factor, more exactly.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 2012

Aquisition of accurate beam data is very important to calculate a reliable dose distribution of the treatment planning system for small radiation fields in intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS). For the measurement of small fields, the choice of a suitable detector is important due to the shape gradient in profile penumbra, the lack of lateral electronic equilibrium, and the effect of effective detector volume. Therefore, this study was to analyze the dosimetric characteristics of various detectors in measurement of beam data for small fields of linear accelerator. 0.01cc and 0.13cc ion chambers (CC01 and CC13) and a stereotactic diode detector(SFD) were used for measurement of small fields. The beam data, including the percent depth dose, output factor, and beam profile were acquired under 6 MV and 15 MV photon beams. Measurements were performed with the field size ranging from $2{\times}2cm^2$ to $5{\times}5cm^2$. For $2{\times}2cm^2$ field size, the differences of the ratios of $PDD_{20}$ and $PDD_{10}$ measured by CC01 and SFD detectors were 1.02% and 0.12% for 6 MV and 15 MV photon beams, respectively. For field sizes larger than $3{\times}3cm^2$, the differences of values of $PDD_{20}/PDD_{10}$ obtained from each detector were 1.15% and 0.71% for 6 MV and 15 MV photon beams, respectively. The output factors obtained from CC01 and SFD for $2{\times}2cm^2$ field size were within 0.5% and 1.5% for 6 MV and 15 MV, respectively. The differences in output factor of three detectors for $3{\times}3cm^2$ to $5{\times}5cm^2$ field sizes were within 0.5%. Profile penumbras measured by the SFD, CC01, and CC13 detectors at three depths were average 2.7 mm and 3.5 mm, 3.4 mm and 4.3 mm, and 5.2 mm and 6.1 mm for 6 MV and 15 MV photon beams, respectively. In conclusion, it could be possible to use of the CC01 and SFD detectors for the measurement of percent depth dose and output factor for $2{\times}2cm^2$ field size, and to use of three detectors for $3{\times}3cm^2$ to $5{\times}5cm^2$ field sizes. CC01 and SFD detectors, consider ably smaller than the radiation field, should be used in order to accurately measure the profile penumbra for small field sizes.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2007

Dose evaluation for small field such as stereotactic radiosurgery was performed using $Gafchromic^{(R)}$ EBT film. Every film which irradiated 6MV photon beam was scanned and obtained the optical density(OD) by flat bed scanner after 24 hours of irradiation. This study compared dose from diode in water and Gafchromic $EBT^{(R)}$ film in acrylic phantom to verify the reliability of the film, and to evaluate the SRS in clinical dose distributions from calculation and measurement in the region of virtual target in humanoid and cylindrical phantoms were compared. The Gafchromic $EBT^{(R)}$ film was found to be linear up to 9Gy. The $D_{max}$ for 6 MV was measured at 1.5 cm from the surface by both of diode and the film. As the depth is deeper, the error was measured within $2{\sim}3%$ at $10{\sim}20\;cm$ depth. Comparing between distribution from calculation and measurement, we found that there is 5% error at 90% isodose line. We found that given dose could be measured accurately by using the phantoms. It was feasible to use the Gafchromic $EBT^{(R)}$ film in quality assurance of SRS.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.47-51
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• 2008

Objective: This study analyzed errors due to rotation or tilt of the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging indicator during image acquisition for a stereotactic radiosurgery. The error correction procedure of a commercially available stereotactic neurosurgery treatment planning program has been verified. Materials and Methods: Software virtual phantoms were built with stereotactic images generated by a commercial programming language, Interactive Data Language (version 5.5). The thickness of an image slice was 0.5 mm, pixel size was $0.5{\times}0.5mm$, field of view was 256 mm, and image resolution was $512{\times}512$. The images were generated under the DICOM 3.0 standard in order to be used with Leksell GammaPlan$^{(R)}$. For the verification of the rotation error correction function of Leksell GammaPlan$^{(R)}$, 45 measurement points were arranged in five axial planes. On each axial plane, there were nine measurement points along a square of length 100 mm. The center of the square was located on the z-axis and a measurement point was on the z-axis, too. Five axial planes were placed at z=-50.0, -30.0, 0.0, 30.0, 50.0 mm, respectively. The virtual phantom was rotated by $3^{\circ}$ around one of x, y, and z-axis. It was also rotated by $3^{\circ}$ around two axes of x, y, and z-axis, and rotated by $3^{\circ}$ along all three axes. The errors in the position of rotated measurement points were measured with Leksell GammaPlan$^{(R)}$ and the correction function was verified. Results: The image registration errors of the virtual phantom images was $0.1{\pm}0.1mm$ and it was within the requirement of stereotactic images. The maximum theoretical errors in position of measurement points were 2.6 mm for a rotation around one axis, 3.7 mm for a rotation around two axes, and 4.5 mm for a rotation around three axes. The measured errors in position was $0.1{\pm}0.1mm$ for a rotation around single axis, $0.2{\pm}0.2mm$ for double and triple axes. These small errors verified that the rotation error correction function of Leksell GammaPlan$^{(R)}$ is working fine. Conclusion: A virtual phantom was built to verify software functions of stereotactic neurosurgery treatment planning program. The error correction function of a commercial treatment planning program worked within nominal error range. The virtual phantom of this study can be applied in many other fields to verify various functions of treatment planning programs.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 1998

Purpose : In order to obtain basic data for treatment plan in radiosurgery, we measured small fields of 6 MV X-rays and compared the measured data with our Monte Carlo simulations for the small fields. Materials and Methods : The small fields of 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 cm in diameter were used in this study. Percentage depth dose (PDD) and beam Profiles of those fields were measured and calculated. A small semiconductor detector, water phantoms, and a remote control system were used for the measurement Monte Carlo simulations were Performed using the EGS4 code with the input data prepared for the energy distribution of 6 MV X-rays, beam divergence, circular fields and the geometry of the water phantoms. Results : In the case of PDD values, the calculated values were lower than the measured values for all fields and depths, with the differences being 0.3 to 5.7% at the depths of 20 to 20.0 cm and 0.0 to 8.9% at the surface regions. As a result of the analysis of beam profiles for all field sizes at a depth of loom in water phantom, the measured 90% dose widths were in good agreement with the calculated values, however, the calculated Penumbra radii were 0.1 cm shorter than measured values. Conclusion : The measured PDDs and beam profiles agreement with the Monte Carlo calculations approximately. However, it is different when it comes to calculations in the area of phantom surface and penumbra because the Monte Carlo calculations were performed under the simplified geometries. Therefore, we have to study how to include the actual geometries and more precise data for the field area in Monte Carlo calculations. The Monte Carlo calculations will be used as a useful tool for the very complicated conditions in measurement and verification.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2010

Cyberknife with small field size is more difficult and complex for dosimetry compared with conventional radiotherapy due to electronic disequilibrium, steep dose gradients and spectrum change of photons and electrons. The purpose of this study demonstrate the usefulness of Geant4 as verification tool of measurement dose for delivering accurate dose by comparing measurement data using the diode detector with results by Geant4 simulation. The development of Monte Carlo Model for Cyberknife was done through the two-step process. In the first step, the treatment head was simulated and Bremsstrahlung spectrum was calculated. Secondly, percent depth dose (PDD) was calculated for six cones with different size, i.e., 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 50 mm and 60 mm in the model of water phantom. The relative output factor was calculated about 12 fields from 5 mm to 60 mm and then it compared with measurement data by the diode detector. The beam profiles and depth profiles were calculated about different six cones and about each depth of 1.5 cm, 10 cm and 20 cm, respectively. The results about PDD were shown the error the less than 2% which means acceptable in clinical setting. For comparison of relative output factors, the difference was less than 3% in the cones lager than 7.5 mm. However, there was the difference of 6.91% in the 5 mm cone. Although beam profiles were shown the difference less than 2% in the cones larger than 20 mm, there was the error less than 3.5% in the cones smaller than 20 mm. From results, we could demonstrate the usefulness of Geant4 as dose verification tool.