Saqib Bajwa1, Attia Gul1, Shahbaz Ahmed2,1, Muhammad B Kakakhel1. 1. Department of Physics & Applied Mathematics, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan. 2. Wayne State University School of Medicine Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI 48201.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Monte Carlo (MC) commissioning of medical linear accelerator (LINAC) is a time-consuming process involving a comparison between measured and simulated cross beam/lateral profiles and percentage depth doses (PDDs) for various field sizes. An agreement between these two data sets is sought by trial and error method while varying the incident electron beam parameters, such as electron beam energy or width, etc. This study aims to improve the efficiency of MC commissioning of a LINAC by assessing the feasibility of using a limited number of simulated PDDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using EGSnrc codes, a Varian Clinac 2100 unit has been commissioned for 6 MV photon beam, and a methodology has been proposed to identify the incident electron beam parameters in a speedier fashion. Impact of voxel size in 3-dimensions and cost functions used for comparison of the measured and simulated data have been investigated along with the role of interpolation. RESULTS: A voxel size of 1 × 1×0.5 cm3 has been identified as suitable for accurate and fast commissioning of the LIANC. The optimum number of simulated PDDs (required for further interpolation) has been found to be five. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that PDDs alone at times can be insufficient for an unambiguous commissioning process and should be supported by including the lateral beam profiles in the process.
PURPOSE: Monte Carlo (MC) commissioning of medical linear accelerator (LINAC) is a time-consuming process involving a comparison between measured and simulated cross beam/lateral profiles and percentage depth doses (PDDs) for various field sizes. An agreement between these two data sets is sought by trial and error method while varying the incident electron beam parameters, such as electron beam energy or width, etc. This study aims to improve the efficiency of MC commissioning of a LINAC by assessing the feasibility of using a limited number of simulated PDDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using EGSnrc codes, a Varian Clinac 2100 unit has been commissioned for 6 MV photon beam, and a methodology has been proposed to identify the incident electron beam parameters in a speedier fashion. Impact of voxel size in 3-dimensions and cost functions used for comparison of the measured and simulated data have been investigated along with the role of interpolation. RESULTS: A voxel size of 1 × 1×0.5 cm3 has been identified as suitable for accurate and fast commissioning of the LIANC. The optimum number of simulated PDDs (required for further interpolation) has been found to be five. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that PDDs alone at times can be insufficient for an unambiguous commissioning process and should be supported by including the lateral beam profiles in the process.
Authors: Antonis Tzedakis; John E Damilakis; Michael Mazonakis; John Stratakis; Haralambos Varveris; Nicholas Gourtsoyiannis Journal: Med Phys Date: 2004-04 Impact factor: 4.071