• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.275-286
• /
• 2001

Purpose : To setup procedures of quality assurance (OA) for implementing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) clinically, report OA procedures peformed for one patient with prostate cancer. Materials and methods : $P^3IMRT$ (ADAC) and linear accelerator (Siemens) with multileaf collimator are used to implement IMRT. At first, the positional accuracy, reproducibility of MLC, and leaf transmission factor were evaluated. RTP commissioning was peformed again to consider small field effect. After RTP recommissioning, a test plan of a C-shaped PTV was made using 9 intensity modulated beams, and the calculated isocenter dose was compared with the measured one in solid water phantom. As a patient-specific IMRT QA, one patient with prostate cancer was planned using 6 beams of total 74 segmented fields. The same beams were used to recalculate dose in a solid water phantom. Dose of these beams were measured with a 0.015 cc micro-ionization chamber, a diode detector, films, and an array detector and compared with calculated one. Results : The positioning accuracy of MLC was about 1 mm, and the reproducibility was around 0.5 mm. For leaf transmission factor for 10 MV photon beams, interleaf leakage was measured $1.9\%$ and midleaf leakage $0.9\%$ relative to $10\times\;cm^2$ open filed. Penumbra measured with film, diode detector, microionization chamber, and conventional 0.125 cc chamber showed that $80\~20\%$ penumbra width measured with a 0.125 cc chamber was 2 mm larger than that of film, which means a 0.125 cc ionization chamber was unacceptable for measuring small field such like 0.5 cm beamlet. After RTP recommissioning, the discrepancy between the measured and calculated dose profile for a small field of $1\times1\;cm^2$ size was less than $2\%$. The isocenter dose of the test plan of C-shaped PTV was measured two times with micro-ionization chamber in solid phantom showed that the errors upto $12\%$ for individual beam, but total dose delivered were agreed with the calculated within $2\%$. The transverse dose distribution measured with EC-L film was agreed with the calculated one in general. The isocenter dose for the patient measured in solid phantom was agreed within $1.5\%$. On-axis dose profiles of each individual beam at the position of the central leaf measured with film and array detector were found that at out-of-the-field region, the calculated dose underestimates about $2\%$, at inside-the-field the measured one was agreed within $3\%$, except some position. Conclusion : It is necessary more tight quality control of MLC for IMRT relative to conventional large field treatment and to develop QA procedures to check intensity pattern more efficiently. At the conclusion, we did setup an appropriate QA procedures for IMRT by a series of verifications including the measurement of absolute dose at the isocenter with a micro-ionization chamber, film dosimetry for verifying intensity pattern, and another measurement with an array detector for comparing off-axis dose profile.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.31-36
• /
• 1992

Grids can improve the diagnostic quality of chest radiography by trapping the greater part of scattered radiation thus providing more detailed. chest radiographic images. It is most effective mathod of reduce the scatter ratio but must increase the expour factor. The benefit of use of grid is improve the contrast and the loss is increase of patient dose. In chest radiography especially hard quality high voltage radiography it will have to be considered to select the optimum grid with view point of benefit and loss. In this experiment, author got some result of characteristics about 4 different grids with film method. 1. There was no difference the scatter ratio in case of no grid and the scatter ratio was about 60%. 2. 16 : 1 grid was excellent of scatter reduction factor in high voltage chest radiography, next was 10 : 1, CROSS, MICRO FINE grid have low scatter reduction rate compare to 16:1, 10:1 grid. 3. The bucky factor of CROSS grid in accordance of kVp was find out the highest in 4 grids, on the contraly 10 : 1 grid was profitable to the exposure does. 4. With careful consideration in the point of scatter reducion rate and bucky factor, author suggest the 10 : 1 linear grid on the use of chest radiography in $80{\sim}120\;kVp$, 16 : 1 grid in $120{\sim}140\;kVp$.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2012

There are AEC mode and fix mode to exposure when the whole spine antero-posterior radiography is done by using DR equipment. This study compared the utility of fix mode to AEC mode, by evaluating organ dose and effective dose and by examining the quality of radiographic image. GE DEFINIUM 8000 and ART-200X Rando Phantom manufactured by Flukebiometical were used for this study. The Rando phantom was set in front of wall detector of X-rays equipment. AEC mode was set at 80kVp and Fix mode was set at 80kVp, 25mAs, 32mAs, 40mAs, and 50mAs. Whole spine AP image were aquired by combining C, T-L and L-S spine images obtained through 3 exposures. When obtaining C, T-L and L-S spine images, were checked for Air kerma (mGy) value calculated by UNFORS Xi meter attached at the phantom surface of center of radiation field. The effective and organ doses were compared by PCXMC program (PC-Based Monte Carlo Program). The quality of obtained radiographic image was evaluated visually by 3 radiologists using resolution chart. When the effective doses was calculated based on tissue weighting factor of ICRP-103, 1.278mSv was measured by AEC mode, and Fix mode measured 0.405mSv at 25mAs, 0.518mSv at 32mAs, 0.649mSv at 40mAs, and 0.810mSv at 50mAS. In addition, the organ dose measured with esposure at 25mAs by Fix mode was almost equivalent to the organ dose by AEC mode, at the esophagus, thyroid, oral mucosa, salivaly glands located at the cervical spine part, while the organ dose by Fix mode was in general lower than the organ dose by AEC mode at the other organs. When Fix mode at 32mAs, 40mAs, and 50mAs was compared to AEC mode for organ dose in 26 organs, AEC mode had higher measurement in 21 organs but not for than brain, trachea, thyroid, oral mucosa, and salivaly glands which are located at the cervical spine part. The image quality evaluated by resolution test chart was much higher with AEC mode than the quality with Fix mode at all exposure conditions. However, while the image quality of cervical spine exposured at 50mAs by Fix mode was lower than the quality of AEC mode, thoraco-lumbar spine and lumbo-sacral spine were calculated and the quality was similar to AEC mode. Scoliosis occurs mainly at thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral spine, not at cervical spine. Compared to AEC mode, Using the appropriate protocol (80kVp, 50mAs) of fix mode for whole spine AP radiography was thought to be useful because the image quality of the thoraco-lumar and lumbo-sacral spine was similar on AEC mode, Also organ and effective doses can be decreased with Fix mode. Therefore, It is considered that fix mode can be used properly with AEC mode for whole spine AP radiography when considering patient's body posture.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.271-280
• /
• 1984

The peripheral dose, defined as the dose outside therapeutic photon fields, which is responsible for the functional damage of the critical organs, fetus, and radiation. induced carcinogenesis, has been investigated for $^{60}Co\;\gamma$ ray and 10 MV Xray. It was measured by silicon diode controlled by semiautomated water phantom without any shielding or with lead plate of HVL thickness put horizontally or vertically to shield stray radiations. Authors could obtain following results. 1. The peripheral dose was larger than $0.7\%$ of central axis maximum dose even at 20cm distance from field margin. That is clinically significant, so it should be reduced. 2. Even for square fields of 10 MV Xray, radial peripheral dose distribution did not coincide with transverse distribution, because of the position of collimator jaws. 3. Between surface and $d_m$, the peripheral dose distributions show a pattern of the dose distribution of electron beams and the maximum doss was approximately proportional to the length of a side of square field. 4. The peripheral doses depended on radiation quality, field size, distance from field margin and depth in water. Distance from field margin was the most important factor. 5. Except for near surface, the peripheral dose from phantom was approximately equal to that from therapy unit. 6. To reduce the surface dose outside fields, therapist should shield stray radiations from therapy unit by lead plate of at least one HVL for 10 MV X-ray and by bolus equivalent to tissue of 0.5cm thickness for $^{60}Co$. 7. To reduce the dose at depth deeper than $d_m$, it is desirable to shield stray radiations from therapy unit by lead.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.52-58
• /
• 1998

We can and must improve the diagnostic images using available knowledge and technology. At the same time we must strive to reduce the patient's integral and entrance radiation dose. Reducing the integral dose to the patient during the radiologic procedure is a primary concern of the patient, especially the pediatric patient, the radiologist and the technologist. A 100cm focal film distance generally is used for most over-table radiography. The early x-ray tubes and screen film combinations required long exposures, which often resulted in motion artifacts. But nowaday, we have the generators and x-ray tubes that can deliver the energy necessary in a very short time and the receptors that can record the information just as rapidly. And, we performed this studies to evaluate the patient exposure dose and the image quality by increasing focal film distance in diagnostic radiography. There are many factors which affected to exposure factor, but we studied to verify of FFD increase, only. Effect of increasing the focal film distance to a 140 cm distance was tested as follows; 1. The focal film distances were set at 100, 120, and 140cm. 2. A 18cm acryl(tissue equivalent) phantom was placed on the table top. 3. An Capintec 192 electrometer with PM 05 ion chamber was placed at the entrance surface of the phantom, and exposure were made at each focal film distances. 4. The procedure was repeated in the same manner as above except the ion chamber was placed beneath the phantom at the film plane. 5. Exit exposure were normalize to 8mR for each portions of the experiment. Based on the success of the empirical measurements, a detailed mathematical analysis of the dose reduction was performed using the percent depth dose data. The results of this study can be summerized as followings ; 1) Increasing FFD from 100 cm to 140 cm, we would create a situation that would have a significant effect on the overall quality of radiograph and achive the 17.42% reduction of entrance dose and the 18.95% reduction of integral dose that the patient receives. 2) Thickness of Al step wedge for equal film density increased with the long distance. 3) Increasing FFD, Magnification of image was lowered. 4) Resolution of image also increased with the FFD. As the results described above, we strongly recommend using the long FFD to provide better information for our patients and profession in abdomen radiographic studies.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2012

Purpose : We aim at presenting the optimum radiologic factor through the evaluation of dose variation and of image quality through the use of a grid in Humerus examination and the change of dose because of the change of radiologic factor. Materials and Methods : We divided it in 3 cases: when using a grid or not and when using IP(Image Plate) in a digital system. Also, as fixing kVp to 70kVp it changed mAs, and fixing mAs to 10 it changed kVp, we put up resolution chart and Burger rose phantom on the acrylic phantom of 7cm (the same level of Humerus) to evaluate the dose and image. We used Image J program to evaluate the quantitative resolution of the obtained image, and made the qualitative evaluation and statistical analysis of the image saved in PACS for 20 radiologic technologist with more than 10 years of experience in order of evaluate its contrast. We used SPSS10(SPSS Inc. Chicago, Illinois) for statistical analysis. Results : We observed the analytic result of resolution by the change of kVp that it was $4.539dGycm^2$ in 60kVp and $757.472dGycm^2$ in 75kVp, which increased about 64.6% of dose, while for the resolution it had the pixel value 30.7% better with 851 in 60kVp than 651 in 75kVp. Also, we analyzed the result of resolution by the change of mAs that it was $3.106dGycm^2$ in 5mAs, and $12.470dGycm^2$ in 20mAs, which increased about 400% of dose, while for the resolution DR had 678 in 5mAs, and 724 in 20mAs that increased about 6.8% of resolution. We made the qualitative evaluation of contrast by the change of kVp that DR showed the higher quality than CR, but the contrast by the change of kVp had no special different at the moment of visual evaluation, nor statistically significant difference(P>0.05). We observed the qualitative evaluation of contraste by the change of mAs that the contrast increased as DR increased mAs, and had statistically significant difference(P<0.05). On the other hand, CR had no significant difference for more than 10mAs nor statistically significant difference(P>0.05). Conclusion : In case of some patients with radiographic exposure by the repeated examination such as emergent patient or Follow up patient, they are considered to try to limit the use of a grid, to set kVp under 65kVp in fixed mode, to select less than 10mAs and to reduce the possibility of patient being bombed.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.179-186
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Photon beam data of linear accelerators in Korea are collected, analyzed, and a simple method for checking and verifying the dose calculations in a TPS are suggested. Materials and Methods: Photon beam data such as output calibration condition, output factor, wedge factor, percent depth dose, beam profile, and beam quality were collected from 26 institutions in Korea. In order to verify the accuracy of dose calculation, ten sample planning tests were peformed. These Include square, elongated, and blocked fields, wedge fields, off-axis dose calculation, SSD variation. The planned data were compared to that of manual calculations. Results: The average and standard deviation of photon beam quality for 6, 10, and 15 MV were $0.576{\pm}0.005,\;0.632{\pm}0.004,\;and\;0.647{\pm}0.006$, respectively. The output factors of 6 MV photon beam measured at depth of dose maximum for $5{\times}5cm,\;15{\times}15cm,\;20{\times}20cm\;were\;0.944{\pm}0.006,\;1.031{\pm}0.006,\;and\;1.055{\pm}0.007$. For 10 MV photon beam, the values were $0.935{\pm}0.006,\;1.031{\pm}0.007,\;1.054{\pm}0.0005$. The collected data were not enough to calculate average, the output factors for 15MV photon beam with field size of $5{\times}5cm,\;15{\times}15cm,\;20{\times}20cm\;were\;0.941{\pm}0.008,\;1.032{\pm}0.004,\;1.049{\pm}0.014$. There was seven institutions $e{\times}ceeding$ tolerance when monitor unit values calculated from treatment planning system and manually were compared. The measured average MU values for the machines calibrated at SAD setup were 3 MU and 5 MU higher than the machines calibrated at SSD for 6 MV and 10 MV, respectively except the wedge case. When the wedges were inserted, the MU values to deliver 100 cGy to 5 cm depends on manufactures. When the same wedge angle was used, Siemens machine requires more MUs then Varian machine. Conclusion: In this study, photon beam data are collected and analyzed to provide a baseline value for chocking beam data and the accuracy of dose calculation for a treatment planning system.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.381-390
• /
• 2002

Purpose : To develop a dose calibration program for the IAEA TRS-277 and AAPM TG-21, based on the air kerma calibration factor (or the cavity-gas calibration factor), as well as for the IAEA TRS-398 and the AAPM TG-51, based on the absorbed dose to water calibration factor, so as to avoid the unwanted error associated with these calculation procedures. Materials and Methods : Currently, the most widely used dosimetry Protocols of high energy photon beams are the air kerma calibration factor based on the IAEA TRS-277 and the AAPM TG-21. However, this has somewhat complex formalism and limitations for the improvement of the accuracy due to uncertainties of the physical quantities. Recently, the IAEA and the AAPM published the absorbed dose to water calibration factor based, on the IAEA TRS-398 and the AAPM TG-51. The formalism and physical parameters were strictly applied to these four dose calibration programs. The tables and graphs of physical data and the information for ion chambers were numericalized for their incorporation into a database. These programs were developed user to be friendly, with the Visual $C^{++}$ language for their ease of use in a Windows environment according to the recommendation of each protocols. Results : The dose calibration programs for the high energy photon beams, developed for the four protocols, allow the input of informations about a dosimetry system, the characteristics of the beam quality, the measurement conditions and dosimetry results, to enable the minimization of any inter-user variations and errors, during the calculation procedure. Also, it was possible to compare the absorbed dose to water data of the four different protocols at a single reference points. Conclusion : Since this program expressed information in numerical and data-based forms for the physical parameter tables, graphs and of the ion chambers, the error associated with the procedures and different user could be solved. It was possible to analyze and compare the major difference for each dosimetry protocol, since the program was designed to be user friendly and to accurately calculate the correction factors and absorbed dose. It is expected that accurate dose calculations in high energy photon beams can be made by the users for selecting and performing the appropriate dosimetry protocol.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.177-184
• /
• 2016

Recently linear accelerator of radiation therapy intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiation therapy are widely used. Such radiation treatment techniques are generally difficult to exclude the small field by using the inverse treatment plan. It is necessary to dose an accurate measurement of characteristics of the small field. Thus, using different detectors to measure the volume of the effective percentage depth dose, beam profile, and the output factor of the small field was to evaluate the dose characteristics of each detector. Experimental results for the X-ray beam 6 MV energy beam quality($PDD_{20}/PDD_{10}$) is $10{\times}10cm^2$ Diode detector is as high as 2.4% compared to Pinpoint detector. All field size to lesser effective volume of Diode detector shows that it is far better than other detectors by more than 50% of small penumbra, therefore spatial resolution far excellent. In field size $2{\times}2cm^2$ Semiflex detector was measured about 2% less than the other detector. Field size $1{\times}1cm^2$ is that there is no judgment about the validity show the difference between 20%. Field size $1{\times}1cm^2$ from the measured values of the Diode detector and Pinpoint detector showed a 13% difference. Less than field size $3{\times}3cm^2$ the feed to the difference between the output factor of the effective volume of the detector to be used for the effective volume available to the detector.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
• /
• v.21 no.12
• /
• pp.1199-1205
• /
• 2011

In the present work, a seat suspension system adopting semi-active damper is evaluated for driver's ride quality. A cylindrical type of ER(electrorheological) damper is designed and manufactured for the seat suspension of heavy vehicles. The governing equation is derived under consideration of human vibration. A sliding mode controller is then synthesized and experimentally realized on the manufactured ER seat suspension while a driver is sitting on the controlled seat. Ride quality is evaluated by fatigue decreased proficiency boundary, vibration dose value and crest factor utilizing weighted-acceleration according to ISO2631.