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At least 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Impulse response measurements of fast scintillator-based current mode detectors

In this study, experimental measurements were performed to characterize the impulse response of seven different gamma ray detector prototypes being considered to be fielded as a current mode diagnostic for neutron-diagnosed subcritical experiments at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). For such experiments, the impulse response of the fielded detector is required to have a full-width half-maximum (FWHM) of approximately 5 ns or less and a low amplitude tail. Each of the detector prototypes evaluated in this work were selected based on the potential to meet this performance requirement. An impulse of bremsstrahlung x-rays created from 2 MeV electrons from the NNSS’s Transformational Diagnostics and Imaging, Los Alamos, linear accelerator was measured with each detector. The measured impulse response was evaluated for each detector configuration. A comparison of these impulse responses revealed a relationship between fast timing performance and scintillator material, geometry, surface reflectivity conditions, and photomultiplier tube (PMT) selection. The detector configuration yielding an impulse response with the shortest FWHM of 3.82 ± 0.11 ns and possessing a low amplitude tail was a 5-inch (12.7-cm) diameter, 5-inch (12.7-cm) height cylindrical EJ-399-17-VI liquid scintillator in a black-painted housing coupled to an Adit D798B 5-inch (12.7-cm) PMT by means of a 0.079-inch (0.2-cm) EJ-560 optical coupling pad.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2012

Low-Dose Radiation Treatment in Pulmonary Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma: A Plausible Approach? A Single-Institution Experience in 10 Patients

Purpose: To propose an alternative approach for treatment of pulmonary marginal zone lymphoma, using a very small radiation dose (2 Multiplication-Sign 2 Gy) delivered exclusively to tumor sites. Methods and Materials: Patients had localized pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma according to the World Health Organization classification. The 6-MV radiation treatments were delivered using tumor-limited fields, except in cases of diffuse bilateral involvement. Two daily fractions of 2 Gy were delivered to tumor-limited fields using a 6-MV linear accelerator. Results: Ten patients with pulmonary MALT lymphoma entered the study. All but 1 had localized tumor masses. The median follow-up was 56 months (range, 2-103 months). Complete remission or an unconfirmed complete remission was obtained in 60% of patients within the first 2 months, and two additional partial responses were converted into a long-term unconfirmed complete remission. All patients are well and alive, no local progression was observed, and the 5-year progression-free survival rate was 87.5% (95% confidence interval 49%-97%). Conclusions: Our results suggest that extremely low radiation doses delivered exclusively to tumor sites might be a treatment option in pulmonary MALT lymphoma.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Acceleration of heavy ions in inverse free electron laser

In conventional linear accelerators, the beam is accelerated with a synchronous harmonic of the radio frequency field where the electric field component is collinear with the beam direction. This approach requires the design of complex accelerating structures, especially for low-energy heavy ions. If the beam motion were sustainably coupled to transverse electromagnetic fields, this could significantly simplify the accelerating structure design, and even allow acceleration with free-space waves. However, despite the long history of the proposed concept for accelerating low-velocity ion beams, it has not found practical application, partially because of the complexity of the technical design. In this paper, we present a practical design approach for this undulator-based accelerator for low-energy heavy-ions, reminiscent of the inverse free electron laser operating principle, but in a different parameter space.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA NTRS1990

Reach performance while wearing the Space Shuttle launch and entry suit during exposure to launch accelerations

A crew of four veteran astronaut/pilots were subjected to sustained linear accelerations of up to 3G(x) in order to quantify crew reach performance while wearing the currently used Launch and Entry Suit (LES). Photogrammetric techniques were used to quantify magnitudes of reach in any direction while subjects rode a centrifuge. Subjects exhibited small changes of reach capability in the +x (forward) direction which ranged from an improvement of 2.04 cm to a decrease of 14.4 cm while reach performance in the +z (overhead) direction was improved in three of four subjects, indicating that any task which could be accomplished under exposure to 1G(x) could definitely be done at 3G(x). The data from this experiment demonstrated that Shuttle crews in training can expect to maintain all of the overhead reach capability evident in good simulator runs and suffer only moderate degradation in the forward reach performance during the launch phase of an actual Shuttle mission.

Bagian, James P.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Superconducting Accelerators for High-Power X-ray production

To date, linear accelerators (linacs) as electron sources used to produce ionizing radiation for industrial purposes have been limited to less than 100 kW. When the electron beam is used directly, this is sufficient for most potential applications. However, when the electron beam is used for the production of photons (x-rays) which are then to be used in an application, this is not sufficient to compete with other sources of photons (gamma rays from cobalt-60). This paper will discuss acompact superconducting RF (CSRF) accelerator system that relies on emerging technologies that will be able to produce electron beam powers into the 100s of kW with efficiencies much better than present linacs. The focus is to produce x-ray beams for medical device sterilization to provide alternatives for the present use of cobalt-60 for this purpose.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

JRC-IRMM/ORNL Collaboration on Nuclear Data for Nuclear Criticality Safety - 14486

Concerns about using cross sections recommended in the main evaluated data libraries (i.e. ENDF/B, JEFF and JENDL) for nuclear criticality calculations have been a prime motivator for new cross section measurements. The measurements and evaluations discussed in this work are part of a collaboration between the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Institute for Reference Material and Measurements of the Joint Research Center (JRC-IRMM) of the European Commission (EC). They are performed in response to the US Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) data needs. In particular, the NCSP five-year plan encompasses a listing of elements that have been identified for measurements and evaluations to address issues on criticality safety applications. This listing is based on data deficiency concerns in practical applications that are conveyed by criticality safety practitioners. In general these deficiencies are obtained through the analysis of benchmark calculations. A wealth of evaluations in the main libraries were derived from results of measurements made with poor time-of-flight resolution, and also the description of some data in the neutron energy range above several tens of keV is crude. This impacts both the resolved and unresolved resonance region, and leads to bias effects when resonance structures play an important role. As a consequence only average corrections can be applied in calculations for nuclear criticality calculations where self-shielding, multiple scattering, or Doppler broadening are important. This can lead to erroneous results. Furthermore, many evaluations for nuclides having small neutron-capture cross sections show erroneously high cross sections because the influence of the neutron sensitivity of the old measurement systems was underestimated. Although their neutron capture cross sections are small, these nuclides, if occurring in large amounts, can be important absorbers in criticality calculations, so an accurate determination of these cross sections is required. Over the last seven years the JRC-IRMM/ORNL collaboration has produced many neutron induced cross section data using the Geel Electron Linear Accelerator (GELINA) neutron time-of-flight facility. This facility is ideally suited to measure total, fission and capture cross sections in the energy range from 1 eV to ∼600 keV, which is important for nuclear criticality calculations. In this paper the facility and experimental set-ups at GELINA will be described together with the data reduction and analysis procedures which result in experimental observables including their full covariance information. The importance of combining transmission and partial cross section data will be emphasized. We will give a list of the measured nuclides and discuss the impact of the resulting data and evaluations. (authors)

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-P-24: Simplified EDW Profile Measurements Using Two Commonly Available Detector Arrays

Purpose: Enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW) profiles are needed as part of the commissioning of a treatment planning system. This work compares the acquisition of EDW profiles using a linear diode array (LDA) with two commonly used detector arrays available in the clinics, with the goal of identifying the simplest approach for these measurements. Methods: The measurements of EDW profiles were performed on a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator for 6, 10, and 18 MV photon beams for all seven wedge angles at four depths. The measurements were done using the LDA 99 in Blue Phantom2 (IBA Dosimetry), and IC Profiler and MapCHECK2 (Sun Nuclear) in solid water phantoms. The water phantom was set up at 100 cm SSD, whereas the two other devices were set up at 75 cm due to the size limitations of the devices. The largest possible field size was used. The average and maximum percentage differences were examined within the central 90% of the field and in the penumbra. Results: Dose profiles measured with IC Profiler were in a good agreement with LDA 99 data. The average percentage difference within the field did not exceed 0.5% for all energies. MapCHECK2 measurements matched well with LDA 99 for 10 and 18 MV (within 0.3%) with discrepancies of up to 1.4% observed for the 6 MV beam. The maximum percentage differences for both devices in the penumbra exhibited larger variations than LDA 99 results due to differences in detector spacing and high dose gradient, as expected. Conclusion: Common linac QA devices such as IC Profiler or MapCHECK2 provide EDW beam profile data of reasonable accuracy as compared to measurements performed using a linear diode array in a water phantom, saving the expense and time involved in acquiring and setting up a LDA.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-D-19A-03: Monte Carlo Investigation of the Mobetron to Perform Modulated Electron Beam Therapy

Purpose: Modulated electron radiotherapy (MERT) has been proposed as a mean of delivering conformal dose to shallow tumors while sparing distal structures and surrounding tissues. In intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) utilizing Mobetron, an applicator is placed as closely as possible to the suspected cancerous tissues to be treated. In this study we investigate the characteristics of Mobetron electron beams collimated by an in-house prospective electron multileaf collimator (eMLC) and its feasibility for MERT. Methods: IntraOp Mobetron™ dedicated to perform radiotherapy during surgery was used in the study. It provides several energies (6, 9 and 12 MeV). Dosimetry measurements were performed to obtain percentage depth dose curves (PDD) and profiles for a 10-cm diameter applicator using the PTW MP3/XS 3D-scanning system and the semiflex ion chamber. MCBEAM/MCSIM Monte Carlo codes were used for the treatment head simulation and phantom dose calculation. The design of an electron beam collimation by an eMLC attached to the Mobetron head was also investigated using Monte Carlo simulations. Isodose distributions resulting from eMLC collimated beams were compared to that collimated using cutouts. The design for our Mobetron eMLC is based on our previous experiences with eMLCs designed for clinical linear accelerators. For Mobetron the eMLC is attached to the end of a spacer-mounted rectangular applicator at 50 cm SSD. Steel will be used as the leaf material because other materials would be toxic and will not be suitable for intraoperative applications. Results: Good agreement (within 2%) was achieved between measured and calculated PDD curves and profiles for all available energies. Dose distributiosn provided by the eMLC showed reasonable agreement (∼3%/1mm) with those obtained by conventional cutouts. Conclusion: Monte Carlo simulations are capable of modeling Mobetron electron beams with a reliable accuracy. An eMLC attached to the Mobteron treatment head will allow better treatment options with those machines.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Intensity-Modulated Arc Therapy for Pediatric Posterior Fossa Tumors

Purpose: To compare intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMAT) to noncoplanar intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the treatment of pediatric posterior fossa tumors. Methods and Materials: Nine pediatric patients with posterior fossa tumors, mean age 9 years (range, 6-15 years), treated using IMRT were chosen for this comparative planning study because of their tumor location. Each patient's treatment was replanned to receive 54 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV) using five different methods: eight-field noncoplanar IMRT, single coplanar IMAT, double coplanar IMAT, single noncoplanar IMAT, and double noncoplanar IMAT. For each method, the dose to 95% of the PTV was held constant, and the doses to surrounding critical structures were minimized. The different plans were compared based on conformity, total linear accelerator dose monitor units, and dose to surrounding normal tissues, including the entire body, whole brain, temporal lobes, brainstem, and cochleae. Results: The doses to the target and critical structures for the various IMAT methods were not statistically different in comparison with the noncoplanar IMRT plan, with the following exceptions: the cochlear doses were higher and whole brain dose was lower for coplanar IMAT plans; the cochleae and temporal lobe doses were lower and conformity increased for noncoplanar IMAT plans. The advantage of the noncoplanar IMAT plan was enhanced by doubling the treatment arc. Conclusion: Noncoplanar IMAT results in superior treatment plans when compared to noncoplanar IMRT for the treatment of posterior fossa tumors. IMAT should be considered alongside IMRT when treatment of this site is indicated.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2016

TU-H-BRA-08: The Design and Characteristics of a Novel Compact Linac-Based MRI Guided Radiation Therapy (MR-IGRT) System

Purpose: To describe the design and characteristics of a novel linac-based MRI guided radiation therapy system that addresses RF and magnetic field interference and that can be housed in conventional radiotherapy vaults. Methods: The MR-IGRT system will provide simultaneous MR imaging combined with both simple (3D) and complex (IMRT, SBRT, SRS) techniques. The system is a combination of a) double-donut split solenoidal superconducting 0.345T MRI; and b) a 90 cm isocenter ring-gantry mounted 6MV, flattening filter-free linac coupled with a stacked doubly-focused multileaf collimator with 4 mm resolution. A novel RF shielding and absorption technology was developed to isolate the beam generating RF emissions from the MR, while a novel magnetic shielding sleeve system was developed to place the magnetic field-sensitive components in low-magnetic field regions. The system design produces high spatial resolution radiation beams with state-of-the art radiation dose characteristics and simultaneous MR imaging. Results: Prototype testing with a spectrum analyzer has demonstrated complete elimination of linac RF inside the treatment room. The magnetic field inside of the magnetic shielding was well below the specification, allowing the linear accelerator to operate normally. A novel on-gantry shimming system maintained < 25 ppm magnetic field homogeneity over a 45 cm spherical field of view for all gantry angles. Conclusion: The system design demonstrates the feasibility coupling a state-of-the art linac system with a 0.345T MRI, enabling highly conformal radiation therapy with simultaneous MR image guidance. S. Mutic’s employer (Washington University) has grant with ViewRay; D. Low is former ViewRay scientific advisory board member (ended October 2015); T. Chmielewski, G. Fought, M. Hernandez, I. Kawrakow, A. Sharma, S. Shvartsman, J. Dempsey are employees of ViewRay with stock options (Dempsey has leadership role and Dempsey/Kawrakow have stock).

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electron Weibel instability induced magnetic fields in optical-field ionized plasmas

Generation and amplification of magnetic fields in plasmas is a long-standing topic that is of great interest to both plasma and space physics. The electron Weibel instability is a well-known mechanism responsible for self-generating magnetic fields in plasmas with temperature anisotropy and has been extensively investigated in both theory and simulations, yet experimental verification of this instability has been challenging. Recently, we demonstrated a new experimental platform that enables controlled initialization of highly nonthermal and/or anisotropic plasma electron velocity distributions via optical-field ionization. Using an external electron probe bunch from a linear accelerator, the onset, saturation, and decay of the self-generated magnetic fields due to electron Weibel instability were measured for the first time to our knowledge. In this paper, we will first present experimental results on time-resolved measurements of the Weibel magnetic fields in non-relativistic plasmas produced by Ti:Sapphire laser pulses (0.8 μm) and then discuss the feasibility of extending the study to a quasi-relativistic regime by using intense CO 2 (e.g., 9.2 μm) lasers to produce much hotter plasmas.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

TU-G-BRA-08: BEST IN PHYSICS (JOINT IMAGING-THERAPY): Hybrid PET-MRI Imaging of Acute Radiation Induced Cardiac Toxicity

Purpose: To identify the presence of low-dose radiation induced cardiac toxicity in a canine model using hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Research ethics board approval was obtained for a longitudinal imaging study of 5 canines after cardiac irradiation. Animals were imaged at baseline, 1 week post cardiac irradiation, and 1 month post cardiac irradiation using a hybrid PET- MRI system (Biograph mMR, Siemens Healthcare). The imaging protocol was designed to assess acute changes in myocardial perfusion and inflammation. Myocardial perfusion imaging was performed using N13-ammonia tracer followed by a dynamic PET acquisition scan. A compartmental tracer kinetic model was used for absolute perfusion quantification. Myocardial inflammation imaging was performed using F18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) tracer. The standard uptake value (SUV) over a region encompassing the whole heart was used to compare FDG scans. All animals received a simulation CT scan (GE Medical Systems) for radiation treatment planning. Radiation treatment plans were created using the Pinncale3 treatment planning system (Philips Radiation Oncology Systems) and designed to resemble the typical cardiac exposure during left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy. Cardiac irradiations were performed in a single fraction using a TrueBeam linear accelerator (Varian Medical Systems). Results: The delivered dose (mean ± standard deviation) to heart was 1.8±0.2 Gy. Reductions in myocardial stress perfusion relative to baseline were observed in 2 of the 5 animals 1 month post radiation. A global inflammatory response 1 month post radiation was observed in 4 of the 5 animals. The calculated SUV at 1 month post radiation was significantly higher (p=0.05) than the baseline SUV. Conclusion: Low doses of cardiac irradiation (< 2 Gy) may lead to myocardial perfusion defects and a global inflammatory response that can be detectable as early as 1 month post irradiation using hybrid PET-MRI imaging techniques.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-P-28: A Method of Maximize the Noncoplanar Beam Orientations and Assure the Beam Delivery Clearance for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Purpose: Develop a method to maximize the noncoplanar beam orientations and assure the beam delivery clearance for SBRT, therefore, optimize the dose conformality to the target, increase the dose sparing to the critical normal organs and reduce the hot spots in the body. Methods: A SBRT body frame (Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden) was used for patient immobilization and target localization. The SBRT body frame has CT fiducials on its side frames. After patient’s CT scan, the radiation treatment isocenter was defined and its coordinators referring to the body frame was calculated in the radiation treatment planning process. Meanwhile, initial beam orientations were designed based on the patient target and critical organ anatomy. The body frame was put on the linear accelerator couch and positioned to the calculated isocenter. Initially designed beam orientations were manually measured by tuning the body frame position on the couch, the gantry and couch angles. The finalized beam orientations were put into the treatment planning for dosimetric calculations. Results: Without patient presence, an optimal set of beam orientations were designed and validated. The radiation treatment plan was optimized and guaranteed for delivery clearance. Conclusion: The developed method is beneficial and effective in SBRT treatment planning for individual patient. It first allows maximizing the achievable noncoplanar beam orientation space, therefore, optimize the treatment plan for specific patient. It eliminates the risk that a plan needs to be modified due to the gantry and couch collision during patient setup.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Sci—Fri AM: Mountain — 01: Validation of a new formulism and the related correction factors on output factor determination for small photon fields

Small field dosimetry measurements including output factors are difficult due to lack of charged-particle equilibrium, occlusion of the radiation source, the finite size of detectors, and non-water equivalence of detector components. With available detectors significant variations could be measured that will lead to incorrect delivered dose to patients. IAEA/AAPM have provided a framework and formulation to correct the detector response in small photon fields. Monte Carlo derived correction factors for some commonly used small field detectors are now available, however validation has not been performed prior to this study. An Exradin A16 chamber, EDGE detector and SFD detector were used to perform the output factor measurement for a series of conical fields (5–30mm) on a Varian iX linear accelerator. Discrepancies up to 20%, 10% and 6% were observed for 5, 7.5 and 10 mm cones between the initial output factors measured by the EDGE detector and the A16 ion chamber, while the discrepancies for the conical fields larger than 10 mm were less than 4%. After the application of the correction, the output factors agree well with each other to within 1%. Caution is needed when determining the output factors for small photon fields, especially for fields 10 mm in diameter or smaller. More than one type of detector should be used, each with proper corrections applied to the measurement results. It is concluded that with the application of correction factors to appropriately chosen detectors, output can be measured accurately for small fields.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-P-07: Evaluation of Productivity Systems for Radiation Therapy

Purpose: Health systems throughout the United States are under increased financial pressure to reduce operating cost. As a result, productivity models developed by third-party consultants are being used to optimize staff to treatment volumes. The purpose of this study was to critically evaluate productivity systems for radiation oncology. Methods: Staffing efficiency was evaluated using multiple productivity models. The first model evaluated staffing levels using equal weighting of procedure codes and hours worked. A second productivity model was developed using hours worked by job class and relative value units for each procedure code. A third model was developed using the measured procedure times extracted from the electronic medical record, which tracks the wait and treatment times for each patient for each treatment fraction. A MatLab program was developed to query and analyze the daily treatment data. A model was then created to determine any theoretical gains in treatment productivity. Results: Productivity was evaluated for six radiation therapy departments operating nine linear accelerators delivering over 40,000 treatment fractions per year. Third party productivity models that do not take into consideration the unique nature of radiation therapy can be counterproductive. For example, other outpatient departments can compress their daily schedule to decrease the worked hours. This approach was tested using the treatment schedule evaluation tool developed as part of this study. It was determined that the maximum possible savings for treatment schedule compression was $32,000 per year per linac. All annual cost savings would be lost if only two patients per year choose to be treated elsewhere because of limited or restricted appointment times. Conclusion: The use of productivity models in radiation therapy can easily result in a loss of treatment revenue that is greater than any potential cost savings in reduced hours worked by staff.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Dispersion calibration for the National Ignition Facility electron–positron–proton spectrometers for intense laser matter interactions

Electron–positron pairs, produced in intense laser–solid interactions, are diagnosed using magnetic spectrometers with image plates, such as the National Ignition Facility Electron–Positron–Proton Spectrometers (EPPSs). Although modeling can help infer the quantitative value, the accuracy of the models needs to be verified to ensure measurement quality. The dispersion of low-energy electrons and positrons may be affected by fringe magnetic fields near the entrance of the EPPS. We have calibrated the EPPS with six electron beams from a Siemens Oncor linear accelerator (linac) ranging in energy from 2.7 MeV to 15.2 MeV as they enter the spectrometer. A Geant4 Tool for Particle Simulation Monte Carlo simulation was set up to match depth dose curves and lateral profiles measured in water at 100 cm source–surface distance. An accurate relationship was established between the bending magnet current setting and the energy of the electron beam at the exit window. The simulations and measurements were used to determine the energy distributions of the six electron beams at the EPPS slit. Furthermore, analysis of the scanned image plates together with the determined energy distribution arriving in the spectrometer provides improved dispersion curves for the EPPS.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2016

MO-FG-CAMPUS-JeP3-03: Detection of Unpredictable Patient Movement During SBRT Using a Single KV Projection of An On-Board CBCT System: Simulation Study

Purpose: An unpredictable movement of a patient can occur during SBRT even when immobilization devices are applied. In the SBRT treatments using a conventional linear accelerator detection of such movements relies heavily on human interaction and monitoring. This study aims to detect such positional abnormalities in real-time by assessing intra-fractional gantry mounted kV projection images of a patient’s spine. Methods: We propose a self-CBCT image based spine tracking method consisting of the following steps: (1)Acquire a pre-treatment CBCT image; (2)Transform the CBCT volume according to the couch correction; (3)Acquire kV projections during treatment beam delivery; (4)Simultaneously with each acquisition generate a DRR from the CBCT volume based-on the current projection geometry; (5)Perform an intensity gradient-based 2D registration between spine ROI images of the projection and the DRR images; (6)Report an alarm if the detected 2D displacement is beyond a threshold value. To demonstrate the feasibility, retrospective simulations were performed on 1,896 projections from nine CBCT sessions of three patients who received lung SBRT. The unpredictable movements were simulated by applying random rotations and translations to the reference CBCT prior to each DRR generation. As the ground truth, the 3D translations and/or rotations causing >3 mm displacement of the midpoint of the thoracic spine were regarded as abnormal. In the measurements, different threshold values of 2D displacement were tested to investigate sensitivity and specificity of the proposed method. Results: A linear relationship between the ground truth 3D displacement and the detected 2D displacement was observed (R{sup 2} = 0.44). When the 2D displacement threshold was set to 3.6 mm the overall sensitivity and specificity were 77.7±5.7% and 77.9±3.5% respectively. Conclusion: In this simulation study, it was demonstrated that intrafractional kV projections from an on-board CBCT system have a potential to detect unpredictable patient movement during SBRT. This research is funded by Interfractional Imaging Research Grant from Elekta.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-419: Fabricating Cerrobend Grids with 3D Printing for Spatially Modulated Radiation Therapy: A Feasibility Study

Purpose: Grid therapy has promising applications in the radiation treatment of bulky and large tumors. However, research and applications of grid therapy is limited by the accessibility of the specialized blocks that produce the grid of pencil-like radiation beams. In this study, a Cerrobend grid block was fabricated using a 3D printing technique. Methods: A grid block mold was designed with divergent tubes following beam central rays. The mold was printed using a resin with the working temperature below 230 °C. The melted Cerrobend liquid at 120°oC was cast into the resin mold to yield a block with a thickness of 7.4 cm. The grid had a hexagonal pattern, with each pencil beam diameter of 1.4 cm at the iso-center plane; the distance between the beam centers was 2 cm. The dosimetric properties of the grid block were studied using radiographic film and small field dosimeters. Results: the grid block was fabricated to be mounted at the third accessory mount of a Siemens Oncor linear accelerator. Fabricating a grid block using 3D printing is similar to making cutouts for traditional radiotherapy photon blocks, with the difference being that the mold was created by a 3D printer rather than foam. In this study, the valley-to-peak ratio for a 6MV photon grid beam was 20% at dmax, and 30% at 10 cm depth, respectively. Conclusion: We have demonstrated a novel process for implementing grid radiotherapy using 3D printing techniques. Compared to existing approaches, our technique combines reduced cost, accessibility, and flexibility in customization with efficient delivery. This lays the groundwork for future studies to improve our understanding of the efficacy of grid therapy and apply it to improve cancer treatment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗