Dosimetry in magnetic fields with dedicated MR-compatible ionization chambers

MR-integrated radiotherapy requires suitable dosimetry detectors to be used in magnetic fields. This study investigates the feasibility of using dedicated MR-compatible ionization chambers at MR-integrated radiotherapy devices. MR-compatible ionization chambers (Exradin A19MR, A1SLMR, A26MR, A28MR) were precisely modeled and their relative response in a 6MV treatment beam in the presence of a magnetic field was simulated using EGSnrc. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out with the magnetic field in three orientations: the magnetic field aligned perpendicular to the chamber and beam axis (transverse orientation), the magnetic field parallel to the chamber as well as parallel to the beam axis. Monte Carlo simulation results were validated with measurements using an electromagnet with magnetic field strength upto 1.1 T with the chambers in transverse orientation. The measurements and simulation results were in good agreement, except for the A26MR ionization chamber in transverse orientation. The maximum increase in response of the ionization chambers observed was 8.6% for the transverse orientation. No appreciable change in chamber response due to the magnetic field was observed for the magnetic field parallel to the ionization chamber and parallel to the photon beam.Polarity and recombination correction factor were experimentally investigated in the transverse orientation. The polarity effect and recombination effect were not altered by a magnetic field.This study further investigates the response of the ionization chambers as a function of the chambers’ rotation around their longitudinal axis. A variation in response was observed when the chamber was not rotationally symmetric, which was independent of the magnetic field.     

Polarity and ion recombination corrections in continuous and pulsed beams for ionization chambers with high Z chamber walls

In this work, the response of Farmer-type ionization chambers fitted with high atomic number (Z) walls is studied, and results of the effects of such walls on polarity and ion recombination correction factors in both continuous and pulsed beams are presented.Measurements were made in a continuous Co-60 beam and a pulsed 6 MV linac beam using an Exradin-A12 ionization chamber fitted with the manufacturer’s C-552 plastic wall, as well as geometrically identical walls made from aluminum, copper and molybdenum. The bias voltage was changed between 10 values (range: +50 to +560 V). Ion recombination was determined from Jaffé plots and by using the “two-voltage technique”. The saturation charge measured with each chamber wall was extrapolated from Jaffé plots. Additionally, the effect of different wall materials on chamber response was studied using MCNP simulations.Results showed that the polarity correction factor is not significantly affected by changes in chamber wall material (within 0.1%). Furthermore, although the saturation charges greatly vary with each chamber wall material, and charge multiplication increases for higher atomic number wall materials, the standard methods of calculating ion recombination yielded results that differed by only 0.2%. Therefore, polarity and ion recombination correction factors are not greatly affected by the chamber wall material. The experimental saturation charges for all the different wall materials agreed well within the uncertainty with MCNP simulations. The breakdown of the linear relationship in Jaffé plots that was previously reported to exist for conventional chamber walls was also observed with the different wall materials.     

Dosimetric impact of failing to apply correction factors to ion recombination in percentage depth dose measurements and the volume-averaging effect in flattening filter-free beams

PurposeTo examine whether it is essential to apply correction factors for ion recombination (k_S) to percentage depth dose (PDD) measurements and to the volume-averaging effect (k_vol) to ensure accurate absolute dose calibration for flattening filter-free (FFF) beams for the most commonly used ionization chambers.MethodsWe surveyed medical physicists worldwide (n = 159) to identify the five most common ionization chamber combinations used for absolute and relative reference dosimetry of FFF beams. We then assessed the overall absolute dose calibration error for FFF beams of the Artiste Siemens and TrueBeam Varian linear accelerators resulting from failing to apply correction factors k_S in the PDD(10) and the volume-averaging effect (k_vol) to such chamber combinations.ResultsAll the chamber combinations examined—the Farmer PTW 30013 ionization chamber used for absolute dosimetry, and the PTW 31010, PTW 30013, IBA CC04, IBA CC13, and PTW 31021 ionization chambers used for PDD curves measurements—showed non-negligible errors (≥0.5%). The largest error (1.6%) was found for the combination of the Farmer PTW 30013 chamber with the IBA CC13 chamber, which was the most widely used chamber combination in our survey.ConclusionsBased on our findings, we strongly recommend assessing the impact of failing to apply correction factors k_S in the PDD(10) and k_vol prior to using any chamber type for FFF beam reference dosimetry purposes.     

Phantom development for daily checks in electron intraoperative radiotherapy with a mobile linac

PurposeIORT with mobile linear accelerators is a well-established modality where the dose rate and, therefore, the dose per pulse are very high. The constancy of the dosimetric parameters of the accelerator has to be checked daily. The aim of this work is to develop a phantom with embedded detectors to improve both accuracy and efficiency in the daily test of an IORT linac at the surgery room.MethodsThe developed phantom is manufactured with transparent polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), allocating 6 parallel-plate chambers: a central one to evaluate the on-axis beam output, another on-axis one placed at a fixed depth under the previous one to evaluate the energy constancy and four off-axis chambers to evaluate the flatness and symmetry. To analyse the readings a specific application has been developed.ResultsFor all chambers and energies, the mean saturation and polarization corrections were smaller than 0.7%. The beam is monitored at different levels of the clinical beam. Output, energy constancy and flatness correlate very well with the correspondent values with the complete applicator. During the first six months of clinical use the beam dosimetric parameters showed excellent stability.ConclusionsA phantom has been developed with embedded parallel plate chambers attached to the upper applicator part of an IORT linac. The phantom allows a very efficient setup reducing the time to check the parameters. It provides complete dosimetric information (output, energy and flatness) with just one shot and using ionization chambers with minimum saturation effect, as this highly pulsed beam requires.     

A comparison of symmetry and flatness measurements in small electron fields by different dosimeters in electron beam radiotherapy

BackgroundSymmetry and flatness are two quantities which should be evaluated in the commissioning and quality control of an electron beam in electron beam radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to compare symmetry and flatness obtained using three different dosimeters for various small and large fields in electron beam radiotherapy with linac.Materials and methodsBeam profile measurements were performed in a PTW water phantom for 10, 15 and 18 MeV electron beams of an Elekta Precise linac for small and large beams (1.5 × 1.5 cm² to 20 × 20 cm² field sizes). A Diode E detector and Semiflex-3D and Advanced Markus ionization chambers were used for dosimetry.ResultsBased on the obtained results, there are minor differences between the responses from different dosimeters (Diode E detector and Semiflex-3D and Advanced Markus ionization chambers) in measurement of symmetry and flatness for the electron beams. The symmetry and flatness values increase with increasing field size and electron beam energy for small and large field sizes, while the increases are minor in some cases.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the differences between the symmetry and flatness values obtained from the three dosimeter types are not practically important.     

Prevention of Transfusion-Associated Graft-versus-Host Disease by Irradiation: Technical Aspect of a New Ferrous Sulphate Dosimetric System

Irradiation of whole blood and blood components before transfusion is currently the only accepted method to prevent Transfusion-Associated Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (TA-GVHD). However, choosing the appropriate technique to determine the dosimetric parameters associated with blood irradiation remains an issue. We propose a dosimetric system based on the standard Fricke Xylenol Gel (FXG) dosimeter and an appropriate phantom. The modified dosimeter was previously calibrated using a ⁶⁰Co teletherapy unit and its validation was accomplished with a ¹³⁷Cs blood irradiator. An ionization chamber, standard FXG, radiochromic film and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used as reference dosimeters to determine the dose response and dose rate of the ⁶⁰Co unit. The dose distributions in a blood irradiator were determined with the modified FXG, the radiochromic film, and measurements by TLD dosimeters. A linear response for absorbed doses up to 54 Gy was obtained with our system. Additionally, the dose rate uncertainties carried out with gel dosimetry were lower than 5% and differences lower than 4% were noted when the absorbed dose responses were compared with ionization chamber, film and TLDs.     

Simplified method for determining dose to a non-water phantom through the use of ND,w and IAEA TRS 483 for the GammaPod

PurposeGammaPod, a breast stereotactic radiosurgery device, utilizes 25 rotating Co-60 sources to deliver highly conformal dose distributions. The GammaPod system requires that reference dosimetry be performed in a specific vendor-supplied poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) phantom. The nonstandard nature of GammaPod dosimetry, in both the phantom material and machine-specific reference (msr), prohibits use of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 51 (TG-51) protocol. This study proposes a practical method using TRS 483 to make the reference dosimetry procedure simpler and to reduce overall uncertainties.MethodsThe dose to PMMA (D_PMMA) is determined under msr conditions using TRS 483 with an Exradin A1SL chamber placed in a PMMA phantom. The conversion factor, which converts from the dose-to-water (D_w) in broad-beam Co-60 reference geometry to D_PMMA in the msr small field Co-60 (Q_msr) geometry, is derived using the Monte Carlo simulations and procedure described in TRS 483.ResultsThe new conversion factor value for an Exradin A1SL chamber is 0.974. When combined with N_D,w, D_PMMA differs by 0.5% from the TG-21/N_x method and 0.2% from the IROC values. Uncertainty decreased from 2.2% to 1.6%.ConclusionWe successfully implemented TRS 483 reference dosimetry protocols utilizing N_D,w for the GammaPod in the PMMA phantom. These results show not only agreement between measurements performed with the previously published method and independent thermoluminescent dosimetry measurements but also reductions in uncertainty. This also provides readers with a pathway to develop their own IAEA TRS 483 factor for any new small field machine that may be developed.     

Measurement of the restricted dose mean LET outside the primary beam of a 60Co radiotherapy unit

A recently developed method for the direct measurement of the restricted dose mean LET (cutoff energy = 500 eV) of an unspecified photon or electron radiation field with the high-pressure ionization chamber has been utilized to investigate the variation of this radiobiologically important parameter outside the primary beam of a clinical 60Co unit. A small high-pressure tissue-equivalent ionization chamber was used, and its characteristics and experimental considerations for the present investigation are reported. Measurement of the restricted dose mean LET at the examined points outside the primary 60Co beam showed an increase of 50% with respect to the restricted dose mean LET of the uncollimated 60Co beam. No significant variation was noted with off-central axis distance, field size, wedge filter, or depth below Perspex slabs. Dose rates at the points of measurement outside the primary 60Co beam were 1-5% of the dose rate in the primary beam.     

Towards breast cancer rotational radiotherapy with synchrotron radiation

PurposeWe performed the first investigations, via measurements and Monte Carlo simulations on phantoms, of the feasibility of a new technique for synchrotron radiation rotational radiotherapy for breast cancer (SR³T).MethodsA Monte Carlo (MC) code based on Geant4 toolkit was developed in order to simulate the irradiation with the SR³T technique and to evaluate the skin sparing effect in terms of centre-to-periphery dose ratio at different energies in the range 60–175 keV. Preliminary measurements were performed at the Australian Synchrotron facility. Radial dose profiles in a 14-cm diameter polyethylene phantom were measured with a 100-mm pencil ionization chamber for different beam sizes and compared with the results of MC simulations. Finally, the dose painting feasibility was demonstrated with measurements with EBT3 radiochromic films in a phantom and collimating the SR beam at 1.5 cm in the horizontal direction.ResultsMC simulations showed that the SR³T technique assures a tumour-to-skin absorbed dose ratio from about 7:1 (at 60 keV photon energy) to about 10:1 (at 175 keV), sufficient for skin sparing during radiotherapy. The comparison between the results of MC simulations and measurements showed an agreement within 5%. Two off-centre foci were irradiated shifting the rotation centre in the horizontal direction.ConclusionsThe SR³T technique permits to obtain different dose distributions in the target with multiple rotations and can be guided via synchrotron radiation breast computed tomography imaging, in propagation based phase-contrast conditions. Use of contrast agents like iodinated solutions or gold nanoparticles for dose enhancement (DE-SR³T) is foreseen and will be investigated in future work.     

Characterization of a microDiamond detector in high-dose-per-pulse electron beams for intra operative radiation therapy

PurposeTo characterize a synthetic diamond dosimeter (PTW Freiburg microDiamond 60019) in high dose-per-pulse electron beams produced by an Intra Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) dedicated accelerator.MethodsThe dosimetric properties of the microDiamond were assessed under 6, 8 and 9 MeV electron beams by a NOVAC11 mobile accelerator (Sordina IORT Technologies S.p.A.).The characterization was carried out with dose-per-pulse ranging from 26 to 105 mGy per pulse. The microDiamond performance was compared with an Advanced Markus ionization chamber and a PTW silicon diode E in terms of dose linearity, percentage depth dose (PDD) curves, beam profiles and output factors.ResultsA good linearity of the microDiamond response was verified in the dose range from 0.2 Gy to 28 Gy. A sensitivity of 1.29 nC/Gy was measured under IORT electron beams, resulting within 1% with respect to the one obtained in reference condition under ⁶⁰Co gamma irradiation. PDD measurements were found in agreement with the ones by the reference dosimeters, with differences in R₅₀ values below 0.3 mm. Profile measurements evidenced a high spatial resolution of the microDiamond, slightly worse than the one of the silicon diode. The penumbra widths measured by the microDiamond resulted approximately 0.5 mm larger than the ones by the Silicon diode. Output factors measured by the microDiamond were found within 2% with those obtained by the Advanced Markus down to 3 cm diameter field sizes.ConclusionsThe microDiamond dosimeter was demonstrated to be suitable for precise dosimetry in IORT applications under high dose-per-pulse conditions.     

Assessment of ionization chamber correction factors in photon beams using a time saving strategy with PENELOPE code

The purpose of this study was to investigate Monte Carlo-based perturbation and beam quality correction factors for ionization chambers in photon beams using a saving time strategy with PENELOPE code. Simulations for calculating absorbed doses to water using full spectra of photon beams impinging the whole water phantom and those using a phase-space file previously stored around the point of interest were performed and compared. The widely used NE2571 ionization chamber was modeled with PENELOPE using data from the literature in order to calculate absorbed doses to the air cavity of the chamber. Absorbed doses to water at reference depth were also calculated for providing the perturbation and beam quality correction factors for that chamber in high energy photon beams. Results obtained in this study show that simulations with phase-space files appropriately stored can be up to ten times shorter than using a full spectrum of photon beams in the input-file. Values of k_Q and its components for the NE2571 ionization chamber showed good agreement with published values in the literature and are provided with typical statistical uncertainties of 0.2%. Comparisons to k_Q values published in current dosimetry protocols such as the AAPM TG-51 and IAEA TRS-398 showed maximum percentage differences of 0.1% and 0.6% respectively. The proposed strategy presented a significant efficiency gain and can be applied for a variety of ionization chambers and clinical photon beams.     

Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co γ-rays and <Superscript>90</Superscript>Sr/<Superscript>90</Superscript>Y β-rays on Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1)

Among various types of ionizing radiation, the beta emitter radionuclides are involved in many sectors of human activity, such as nuclear medicine, nuclear industries and biomedicine, with a consequently increased risk of accidental, occupational or therapeutic exposure. Despite their recognized importance, there is little information about the effect of beta particles at the cellular level when compared to other types of ionizing radiation. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y—a pure, highly energetic beta source—on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and to compare them with data obtained with ⁶⁰Co. CHO cells irradiated with different doses of ⁶⁰Co (0.34 Gy min^–1) and ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y (0.23 Gy min^–1) were processed for analysis of clonogenic death, induction of micronuclei (MN) and interphase death. The survival curves obtained for both types of radiation were fitted by the exponential quadratic model and were found to be similar. Also, the cytogenetic results showed similar frequencies of radio-induced MN between gamma and beta radiations and the MN distribution pattern among cells did not follow the expected Poisson probability pattern. The relative variance values were significantly higher in cells irradiated with ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y than with ⁶⁰Co in all exposure doses. The irradiated cells showed more necrotic cells 72 h and 96 h after exposure to beta than to gamma radiation. In general, the ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y -radiation was more damaging than ⁶⁰Co -rays. The data obtained also demonstrated the need to use several parameters for a better estimate of cellular sensitivity to the action of genotoxic agents, which would be important in terms of radiobiology, oncology and therapeutics.     

Comparison of peripheral dose measurements using Ionization chamber and MOSFET detector

BackgroundIn radiation therapy, the peripheral dose (PD) – the dose outside the geometric boundaries of the radiation field – is of clinical importance. A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) detector is used to estimate the peripheral dose.AimThe aim of this study is to investigate the ability of a MOSFET dosimetry system to accurately measure doses in peripheral regions of high energy X-ray beams.Materials & MethodsThe accuracy of the MOSFET system is evaluated by comparing peripheral region dose measurement with the results of standard ionization chamber measurements. Furthermore, the measurement of PD using a MOSFET detector helps us to keep the tolerance dose of any critical organ closer to the treatment field within the acceptable limits. The measurements were carried out using a 0.6 cc Farmer type ionization chamber and MOSFET 20 dosimetry system for field sizes ranging from 5 × 5 cm² to 20 × 20 cm² at three depths of 1.5 cm, 5 cm and 10 cm in a blue water phantom. PD were measured at distances varying from 1 cm to 30 cm from the field edges along the x axis for the open fields, with collimator rotation and with beam modifiers like 15 degree, 30 degree and 45 degree wedges.ResultsThe results show a good agreement of measured dose by both methods for various field sizes, collimator rotation and wedges.ConclusionThe MOSFET detector has a compact construction, provides instant readout, is of minimal weight and can be used on any surface.     

Estimating Total Effective Dose Equivalents from Terrorist Use of Radiological Dispersion Devices

Radiological dispersion devices (RDDs), commonly called “dirty bombs,” utilize a conventional explosive to deliberately disperse non-fissile material as an aerosol. This analysis models total effective dose equivalent (Sv) at various locations down-wind from the detonation site subsequent to terrorists detonating a ²⁴¹Am, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, ¹⁹²Ir, or⁹⁰Sr RDD. A source term for each isotope equaling 3.7 × 10¹³ Bq with an instantaneous release by either high explosives or low explosives at street level is assumed in order to evaluate total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) under various meteorological scenarios for intentional releases of non-fissile materials by terrorists. The inhalation pathway on average contributes most to TEDE. The inhalation pathway accounts for 96% (0.22 Sv) of the mean exposure estimate of 0.2321 Sv and occurs over an extremely short time frame (i.e., a few minutes). Ground shine, on average, contributes the second most to TEDE estimates accounting for approximately 4% (0.009 Sv) of the estimate. A cautionary note with regard to ground shine is warranted, however, because Hotspot estimates for this pathway are based on the assumption that a person is exposed for 4 days (96 hours). The TEDE for submersion (i.e., passing through the plume without inhaling particles) is negligible for the scenarios evaluated contributing less than 1% (5.2 × 10^?6 Sv) to the TEDE estimate averaged across all 140 model runs (5 nuclides × 2 rainfall scenarios × 2 explosive scenarios × 7 wind and atmospheric stability scenarios). The TEDE value for ²⁴¹Am from inhalation is much greater, on average, than the inhalation TEDE value for ⁶⁰Co, ¹³⁷Cs, ¹⁹²Ir, or ⁹⁰Sr. This underscores the potentially high risk to human health posed by exposure to ²⁴¹Am. Ground shine is the primary exposure pathway for ⁶⁰Co and ¹³⁷Cs due to the energetic and penetrating gamma rays those radionuclides emit. ¹⁹²Ir and ⁹⁰Sr have relatively low mean TEDE values for all of the pathways examined.     

IEC 61331-1: A new setup for testing lead free X-ray protective clothing

PurposeLead free protective clothing can create a higher part of secondary radiation (SR) than products that are based on lead. Hence, the attenuation properties may be downgraded. The international measuring standard IEC 61331-1:2014 declares the “inverse broad beam geometry” (IBG) as standard method, which has recently been modified to IBG¹ by the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). Because of the unspecific partial irradiation of the ionization chamber problems in the evaluation of lead equivalence values (LEVs) can occur. An alternative method proposed in this paper overcomes these problems.Materials and methodsThe alternative setup “modified broad beam geometry” (BBG¹) was tested and compared to the IBG¹ method by performing Monte Carlo simulations and radiation measurements including several lead-composite and lead-free protective materials.ResultsSimulations show a reduced collection efficiency of SR under IBG¹ whereas BBG¹ features a high degree of SR collection. Material samples with a high amount of SR can feature up to 8% higher LEVs compared to IBG¹. For most of the currently salable materials the differences of BBG¹ vs IBG¹ amount to <3% (0.25 mm LEV) and <1% (0.50 mm LEV). In special cases the currently practiced method can lead to heavier protective clothings.ConclusionsThe proposed BBG¹ setup meets the specifications of the IEC standard with respect to energy response and SR collection. The method should be implemented in the IEC standard.     

Real-time estimation of surface dose based on incident air kerma in diagnostic radiology

PurposeTo estimate the surface dose in diagnostic radiology in real time based on the relationship between the incident air kerma and the surface dose.MethodsThe air kerma for 20 X-ray beams with tube voltages of 50–140 kV and a half-value layer (HVL) of 2.27–9.65 mm Al was measured using an ionization chamber. The beam quality was classified based on the quality indexes (QIs) of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6, which are defined as the ratio of the effective energy to the maximum energy corresponding to the tube potential. The surface dose for 20 X-ray beams was evaluated based on the measured air kerma, backscatter factor, and ratio of the mass–energy absorption coefficients of water to air, which were calculated using the Monte Carlo method. Finally, the relationship between the air kerma and the surface dose was investigated for X-ray beams with the specific QI values.ResultsThe surface dose at a water phantom was represented by a linear approximation of R² > 0.98, with the air kerma, regardless of the X-ray beam quality. The surface dose estimated based on a linear approximation with the air kerma indicated an agreement within 8% with that evaluated by the chamber measurements at HVL > 3.4 mm Al.ConclusionIt is possible to estimate the surface dose in real time using the linear relationship between the incident air kerma and the surface dose regardless of the X-ray beam quality by accepting ±10% uncertainty in the surface dose estimation.     

Accumulation of zirconium phosphate by a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia</Emphasis> sp.: a benign system for the removal of radionuclides from aqueous flows

Metal phosphate deposited enzymatically on Serratia sp. has been used successfully for the removal of radionuclides from aqueous flows. Previous studies using biogenic hydrogen uranyl phosphate (HUP) on Serratia sp. biofilm showed removal of 100% of ⁹⁰Sr, ¹³⁷Cs, and ⁶⁰Co via their intercalation into biogenic HUP crystals. Zirconium phosphates (ZrP) offer a potential non-toxic and non-radioactive alternative to HUP for water decontamination. A method was developed for biomanufacturing ZrP. Biogenic ZrP removed ca. 100% of Sr²⁺ and Co²⁺ (0.5 mM) from solutions to a molar ratio at saturation of ca. 1:0.6 for both Zr:Sr and Zr:Co. The potential for drinking water decontamination via bio-ZrP is discussed with respect to bio-HUP and also other commercially available materials.     

Characterization of irregular electron beam for boost dose after whole breast irradiation

Irradiating a tumor bed with boost dose after whole breast irradiation helps reducing the probability of local recurrence. However, the success of electron beam treatment with a small area aiming to cover a superficial lesion is a dual challenge as it requires an adequate dosimetry beside a double check for dose coverage with an estimation of various combined uncertainty of tumor location and losing lateral electron equilibrium within small field dimensions.Aim of workthis work aims to measure the electron beam fluence within different field dimensions and the deviation from measurement performed in standard square electron applicator beam flatness and symmetry, then to calculate the average range of the correction factor required to overcome the loss of lateral electron equilibrium.Material and methodthe electron beam used in this work generated from the linear accelerator model ELEKTA Precise and dosimetry system used were a pair of PTW Pin Point ion chambers for electron beam dosimetry at standard conditions and assessment of beam quality at a reference depth of measurement, with an automatic water phantom, then a Roos ion chamber was used for absolute dose measurement, and PTW 2Darray to investigate the beam fluence of four applicators 6, 10, 14 and 20 cm² and 4 rectangular cutouts 6 × 14, 8 × 14, 6 × 17 and 8 × 17 cm², the second part was clinical application which was performed in a precise treatment planning system and examined boost dose after whole breast irradiation.Resultsrevealed that lower energy (6MeV and 8MeV) showed the loss of lateral electron equilibrium and deviation from measurements of a standard applicator more than the high energy (15 MeV) which indicated that the treatment of superficial dose with 6MeV required higher monitor unit to allow for the loss of lateral electron equilibrium and higher margin as well.     

Analysis of the long-term stability of the output of electron beams generated by the Novac11™ IORT accelerator

Aim

The aim of the study was to analyze the long-term stability of electron beams generated by the Novac11? IORT accelerator.

Calibration of MTT assay in proton beams using radiochromic films

PurposeThis study provides methodology of calibrating as well as controlling the output for an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay irradiated in a low energy proton beam using EBT3-model GAFCHROMIC^TM film, without correcting for quenching effect.MethodsA calibrated Markus ionization chamber was used to measure the depth dose and beam output for 26.5 MeV protons produced by a CS30 cyclotron. A time-controlled aluminum cylinder was added in front of the horizontal beam-exit serving as a radiation shutter. Following the TRS-398 reference dosimetry protocol for proton beams, the output was calibrated in water at a reference depth of 3 mm. EBT3 film was calibrated for doses up to 8 Gy at the same depth. To verify the dose distribution for each 96-well MTT assay plate, EBT3 film was placed at the reference depth during irradiation and cell doses were scaled by measured percent depth dose (PDD) data.ResultsThe radiochromic film dosimetry system in this study provides dose measurements with an uncertainty better than 3.3% for doses higher than 1 Gy. From a single exposure and utilizing the Gaussian shape of the beam, multiple dose points can be obtained within different wells of the same plate ranging from 6.9 Gy (sigma ∼4%) in the central well, and 2 Gy (sigma ∼8%) for wells positioned closer to the periphery.ConclusionsWe described a methodology for radiochromic film-based dose monitoring system, using low-energy protons, which can be used for the MTT assay in any proton beam, except within Bragg peak region.