• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2008

Purpose: For head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy, proper immobilization of intra-oral structures is crucial in reproducing treatment positions and optimizing dose distribution. We produced a man-made tongue immobilization device for each patient subjected to this study. Reproducibility of treatment positions and dose distributions at air-and-tissue interface were compared using man-made tongue immobilization devices and conventional tongue-bites. Materials and Methods: Dental alginate and putty were used in producing man-made tongue immobilization devices. In order to evaluate reproducibility of treatment positions, all patients were CT-simulated, and linac-gram was repeated 5 times with each patient in the treatment position. An acrylic phantom was devised in order to evaluate safety of man-made tongue immobilization devices. Air, water, alginate and putty were placed in the phantom and dose distributions at air-and-tissue interface were calculated using Pinnacle (version 7.6c, Phillips, USA) and measured with EBT film. Two different field sizes (3$\times$3 cm and 5$\times$5 cm) were used for comparison. Results: Evaluation of linac grams showed reproducibility of a treatment position was 4 times more accurate with man-made tongue immobilization devices compared with conventional tongue bites. Patients felt more comfortable using customized tongue immobilization devices during radiation treatment. Air-and-tissue interface dose distributions calculated using Pinnacle were 7.78% and 0.56% for 3$\times$3 cm field and 5$\times$5 cm field respectively. Dose distributions measured with EBT (international specialty products, USA) film were 36.5% and 11.8% for 3$\times$3 cm field and 5$\times$5 cm field respectively. Values from EBT film were higher. Conclusion: Using man-made tongue immobilization devices made of dental alginate and putty in treatment of head and neck cancer patients showed higher reproducibility of treatment position compared with using conventional mouth pieces. Man-made immobilization devices can help optimizing air-and-tissue interface dose distributions and compensating limited accuracy of radiotherapy planning systems in calculating air-tissue interface dose distributions.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.250-257
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study was to compare the patient setup errors of two different immobilization devices (Feet Fix: FF and Leg Fix: LF) for pelvic region radiotherapy in Tomotherapy. Thirty six-patients previously treated with IMRT technique were selected, and divided into two groups based on applied immobilization devices (FF versus LF). We performed a retrospective clinical analysis including the mean, systematic, random variation, 3D-error, and calculated the planning target volume (PTV) margin. In addition, a rotational error (angles, $^{\circ}$) for each patient was analyzed using the automatic image registration. The 3D-errors for the FF and the LF groups were 3.70 mm and 4.26 mm, respectively; the LF group value was 15.1% higher than in the FF group. The treatment margin in the ML, SI, and AP directions were 5.23 mm (6.08 mm), 4.64 mm (6.29 mm), 5.83 mm (8.69 mm) in the FF group (and the LF group), respectively, that the FF group was lower than in the LF group. The percentage in treatment fractions for the FF group (ant the LF group) in greater than 5 mm at ML, SI, and AP direction was 1.7% (3.6%), 3.3% (10.7%), and 5.0% (16.1%), respectively. Two different immobilization devices were affected the patient setup errors due to different fixed location in low extremity. The radiotherapy for the pelvic region by Tomotherapy should be considering variation for the rotational angles including Yaw and Pitch direction that incorrect setup error during the treatment. In addition the choice of an appropriate immobilization device is important because an unalterable rotation angle affects the setup error.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.360-363
• /
• 2010

This study evaluated surface dose of treatment immobilization devices such as Themo-plastic, Vac-lock, Cotton and Plaster according to their electron energy. Using a linear accelerater, a plane parallel chamber was set up on 6Mev, 9Mev, 12Mev and 15Mev. A distance between a source and a surface was 100cm and a field size was 10cm*10cm. An incident angle was 0 degree and a radiation dose was 100MU. To decrease an error, the measurement repeated 3 times. The analysis reveals that the surface dose of Vac-lock was the highest and Themo-plastic, Plaster and Cotton were high in order.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.90-98
• /
• 2003

Purpose : A new virtual simulation technique for craniospinal irradiation (CSI) that uses a CT-simulator was developed to improve the accuracy of field and shielding placement as well as patient positioning. Materials and Methods : A CT simulator (CT-SIM) and a 3-D conformal radiation treatment planning system (3D-CRT) were used to develop CSI. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask while the rest of the body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetric image was then obtained with the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and body. Virtual fluoroscopy was performed with the removal of visual obstacles, such as the treatment table or immobilization devices. After virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and on the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment fields was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR) and digitally composited radiography (DCR) images from virtual simulation. Port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for geometric verification. Results : We successfully performed virtual simulations on 11 CSI patients by CT-SIM. It took less than 20 minutes to affix the immobilization devices and to obtain the volumetric images of the entire body. In the absence of the patient, virtual simulation of all fields took 20 min. The DRRs were in agreement with simulation films to within 5 mm. This not only reducee inconveniences to the patients, but also eliminated position-shift variables attendant during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyes and the spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. Differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 m in the vertebral contour. Conclusion : Our analysis showed that CT simulation of craniospinal fields was accurate. In addition, CT simulation reduced the duration of the patient's immobility. During the planning process. This technique can improve accuracy in field placement and shielding by using three-dimensional CT-aided localization of critical and target structures. Overall, it has improved staff efficiency and resource utilization by standard protocol for craniospinal irradiation.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.107-110
• /
• 2009

The research was about the relation between the dorsal side dose measured by using the phantom body (Alderson Rando Phantom) and factors like contacted material of the patients, the size of the field, angle of incidence. Compared with mylar (tennis racket), the dose on $10{\times}10\;cm^2$ field size of cotton was increased by 2% and by 8% in the case of breast board. In the case of $15{\times}15\;cm^2$ field size, the dose was increased by 6% compared with $10{\times}10\;cm^2$ size. The field size of $20{\times}20\;cm^2$ resulted in 10% increase of dose, while $5{\times}5\;cm^2$ produced 13% decrease. Compared with incident angle $0^{\circ}$, the cases for the incident angle $5^{\circ}$ had 0.4% less dose for breast board, 0.5% for tennis racket, 1.1% for cotton. The cases for the incident angle $10^{\circ}$ had 1.5% less dose for breast board, 1.9% for tennis racket, 2.6% for cotton. For the incident angle $15^{\circ}$, breast board, tennis racket, cotton caused decrease of dose by 3.9%, 2.6%, 3.86% respectively. Resultantly carbon material can cause more skin dose in treatment field. By the results of this study, we recommend that one should avoid the contact between the carbon material and skin.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.165-171
• /
• 2002

Purpose : In order to perform craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in the supine position on patients who are unable to lie in the prone position, a new simulation technique using a CT simulator was developed and its availability was evaluated. Materials and Method : A CT simulator and a 3-D conformal treatment planning system were used to develop CSI in the supine position. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask in the supine position and the entire body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetrie image was then obtained using the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the patients' setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and the body. Virtual fluoroscopy was peformed with the removal of visual obstacles such as the treatment table or the immobilization devices. After the virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment field was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR)/digitally composite radiography (DCR) images from the virtual simulation. The port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for a geometrical verification. Results : CSI in the supine position was successfully peformed in 9 patients. It required less than 20 minutes to construct the immobilization device and to obtain the whole body volumetric images. This made it possible to not only reduce the patients' inconvenience, but also to eliminate the position change variables during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining the CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyeballs and spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. The differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 mm in the vertebral contour. Conclusion : CSI in the supine position is feasible in patients who cannot lie on prone position, such as pediatric patienta under the age of 4 years, patients with a poor general condition, or patients with a tracheostomy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to measure curvature contour skin dose using radiochromic film and TLD for a conventional open field. We also attempted to quantify the degradation of skin sparing associated with use of immobilization devices for high energy photon beams and to calculate the skin dose with a help of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. To simulate head-and-neck and shoulder treatment, a cylindrical solid water phantom 11 cm in diameter was irradiated with 6 MV x-rays using $40{\times}40\;cm^2$ field at 100 cm source axis distance (SAD) to the center of the phantom. Aquaplastic mesh mask was placed on the surface of the cylindrical phantom that mimicked relevant clinical situations. The skin dose profile was obtained by taking measurements from $0^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ}$ around the circumference of the cylindrical phantom. The skin doses obtained from radiochromic film were found to be 47% of the maximum dose of $D_{max}$ at the $0^{\circ}$ beam entry position and 61% at the $90^{\circ}$ oblique beam position without the mask. Using the mask (1.5 mm), the skin dose received was 59% at $0^{\circ}$ incidence and 78% at $80^{\circ}$ incidence. Skin dose results were also gathered using thin thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). With the mask, the skin dose was 66% at $0^{\circ}$ incidence and 80% at $80^{\circ}$ incidence. This method with the mask revealed the similar pattern as film measurement. For the treatments of the head-and-neck and shoulder regions in which immobilization mask was used, skin doses at around tangential angle were nearly the same as the prescription dose. When a sloping skin contour is encountered, skin doses may be abated using thinner and more perforated immoblization devices which should still maintain immoblization.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.218-223
• /
• 2002

Stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial lesion is well established since the Lars Leksell first introduced radiosurgery concept in 1951 Its use in the treatment of spinal lesion has been limited by the availability of effective immobilization devices. The first clinical experience of the spinal stereotactic radiosurgery technique was reported by Hamilton AJ. in 1995. Recently, Optic-guided patient positioning technique for extracranial stereotactic radiosurgery was developed and reported. This study is for assess the target positioning accuracy of the optic guided patient positioning system Exactrac (BrainLab., Inc, Germany). We have designed phantom for assess the accuracy of spinal stereotactic radiosurgery The infrared reflective body markers attached to the relatively immobile part of the body and a series of 2 mm CT images was taken. The image sets were transferred to the planning computer. During the radiosurgery treatment, we measure the real-time display showing the positioning values from Exactrac computer. And we compare the isocenter deviation from irradiated center point of the film which was mounted on the lesion site of the phantom and pin hole site of that film. The accuracy of the ExacTrac system in positioning a target point shows enough for the clinical applications.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.281-285
• /
• 2013

In the present work, ZnO nanofibers were applied to electrode materials for the detection of cholesterol. ZnO nanofibers were synthesized using the electrospinning technique with zinc acetate as a precursor. Electrospinning-synthesized ZnO nanofibers were uniformly distributed by properly controlling the electrospinning parameters. After the calcination treatment, nanofibers of pure ZnO phase were synthesized. Then, these fibers were successfully placed on Au-coated glass substrates by dispersion of ZnO nanofibers in ethanol, dropping, and drying, in sequence. Cholesterol oxidase was then immobilized onto the surface of the ZnO nanofibers. To enhance the immobilization, Nafion was additionally applied. The sensing performances of the fabricated ZnO nanofibers-based sensors were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry in terms of cholesterol concentration ranging from 100 to 400 mg/dl. In the I-V curves, measured by cyclic voltammetry, the ZnO nanofiber-based sensor showed a proportional current behavior with cholesterol concentrations in phosphate buffered saline solution. The sensitivity was measured and found to be $30.7nA/mM{\cdot}cm^2$, which is comparable to the values reported in the literature. After not only optimizing the shape of the ZnO nanofibers but also improving the adhesion nature between the ZnO nanofibers and the Au conducting layer, these fibers can be a good candidate for electrode materials in devices used to detect low concentrations of cholesterol in blood.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.95-103
• /
• 2005

Purpose : In the radiosurgery, to obtain CT image to find more accurate tumor position during respiration, and using them, to increase the accuracy of radiation treatment by applying image guided. Materials and Methods : Using the self-made vacuum cushion for the body SRS, CT images were obtained three for each patient during respiration (shallow, inhalation, exhalation). They were transformed to the RTP computer and then were fused. Global GTVs were delineated on the fused images and more appropriated treatment planning was established. Results : We can find the tumor position is moving toward cranio-caudal with max 10 mm margin and volume is transformed. As a result from the comparision of DVH (pre & post radio surgery), we observed about 100% dose to tumor. Conclusion : BSRS was skeptical due to the tumor movement during respiration. More accurate by the combination of the development of immobilization devices and BSRS based on Image Guide, it will be applied to more cases for BSRS.