A combined dose calculation and verification method for a small animal precision irradiator based on onboard imaging

作者:Granton Patrick V; Podesta Mark; Landry Guillaume; Nijsten Sebastiaan; Bootsma Gregory; Verhaegen Frank*
来源:Medical Physics, 2012, 39(7): 4155-4166.
DOI:10.1118/1.4725710

摘要

Purpose: Novel small animal precision microirradiators (micro-IR) are becoming available for preclinical use and are often equipped with onboard imaging (OBI) devices. We investigated the use of OBI as a means to infer the accuracy of the delivered treatment plan. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: Monte Carlo modeling of the micro-IR including an elliptical Gaussian electron beam incident on the x-ray tube was used to score dose and to continue photon transport to the plane of the OBI device. A model of the OBI detector response was used to generate simulated onboard images. Experimental OBI was performed at 225 kVp, gain/offset and scatter-glare were corrected. Simulated and experimentally obtained onboard images of phantoms and a mouse specimen were compared for a range of photon beam sizes from 2.5 cm down to 0.1 cm. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: Simulated OBI can be used in small animal radiotherapy to determine if a treatment plan was delivered according to the prescription within an uncertainty of 5% for beams as small as 4 mm in diameter. For collimated beams smaller than 4 mm, beam profile differences remain primarily in the penumbra region of the smallest beams, which may be tolerable for specific preclinical micro-IR investigations. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions: Comparing simulated to acquired OBI during small animal treatment radiotherapy represents a useful treatment delivery tool.

  • 出版日期2012-7