We proposed the objective ROC analysis method based on the setting of threshold value for evaluation of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image. This proposed ROC analysis method uses the quantification computational threshold value to each signal on the SPECT image. The SPECT images for this study were acquired by using Monte Carlo n-particle extended simulation code (MCNPX, Ver. 2.6.0, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA). The basic SPECT detectors and specific water phantom were realized in the simulation, and we could get the simulation results by the simulation operation. We tried to analyze the reconstructed images using threshold value application based objective ROC method. We can get the accuracy information of reconstructed region in the image. This proposed ROC technique can be helpful when we have to evaluate the weak signal for the NM image. In this study, the proposed threshold value based computational ROC analysis method can provide better objectivity than the conventional ROC analysis method.

In this work, we investigated the recently proposed phase-contrast x-ray imaging (PCXI) technique, the so-called single grid-based PCXI, which has great simplicity and minimal requirements on the setup alignment. It allows for imaging of smaller features and variations in the examined sample than conventional attenuation-based x-ray imaging with lower x-ray dose. We performed a systematic simulation using a simulation platform developed by us to investigate the image characteristics. We also performed a preliminary PCXI experiment using an established a table-top setup to demonstrate the performance of the simulation platform. The system consists of an x-ray tube (50 kV_p, 5 mAs), a focused-linear grid (200-lines/inch), and a flat-panel detector (48-μm pixel size). According to our results, the simulated contrast of phase images was much enhanced, compared to that of the absorption images. The scattering length scale estimated for a given simulation condition was about 117 nm. It was very similar, at least qualitatively, to the experimental contrast, which demonstrates the performance of the simulation platform. We also found that the level of the phase gradient of oriented structures strongly depended on the orientation of the structure relative to that of linear grids.

In respiratory-induced proton therapy, the accuracy of tracking system and beam controlling is more important than photon therapy. Therefore, a high accuracy motion tracking system that can track internal marker and external surrogate is needed. In this research, our team has installed internal and external marker tracking system at our institution’s proton therapy system, and tested the scanning with gating according to the position of marker. The results demonstrate that the developed in-house external/internal marker based gating system can be clinically used for proton therapy system for moving tumor treatment.

The purpose of the present study was to develop and evaluate patient-customized helmets with a three-dimensional (3D) printer for radiation therapy of malignant scalp tumors. Computed tomography was performed in a case an Alderson RANDO phantom without bolus (Non_Bolus), in a case with a dental wax bolus on the scalp (Wax_Bolus), and in a case with a patient-customized helmet fabricated using a 3D printer (3D Printing_Bolus); treatment plans for each of the 3 cases were compared. When wax bolus was used to fabricate a bolus, a drier was used to apply heat to the bolus to make the helmet. 3-matic^® (Materialise) was used for modeling and polyamide 12 (PA-12) was used as a material, 3D Printing bolus was fabricated using a HP JET Fusion 3D 4200. The average Hounsfield Unit (HU) for the Wax_Bolus was −100, and that of the 3D Printing_Bolus was −10. The average radiation doses to the normal brain with the Non_Bolus, Wax_Bolus, and 3D Printing_Bolus methods were 36.3%, 40.2%, and 36.9%, and the minimum radiation dose were 0.9%, 1.6%, 1.4%, respectively. The organs at risk dose were not significantly difference. However, the 95% radiation doses into the planning target volume (PTV) were 61.85%, 94.53%, and 97.82%, and the minimum doses were 0%, 77.1%, and 82.8%, respectively. The technique used to fabricate patient-customized helmets with a 3D printer for radiation therapy of malignant scalp tumors is highly useful, and is expected to accurately deliver doses by reducing the air gap between the patient and bolus.

The variable density phantom fabricated with varying the infill values of 3D printer to provide more accurate dose verification of radiation treatments. A total of 20 samples of rectangular shape were fabricated by using the Finebot^™ (AnyWorks; Korea) Z420 model (width×length×height=50 mm×50 mm×10 mm) varying the infill value from 5% to 100%. The samples were scanned with 1-mm thickness using a Philips Big Bore Brilliance CT Scanner (Philips Medical, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The average Hounsfield Unit (HU) measured by the region of interest (ROI) on the transversal CT images. The average HU and the infill values of the 3D printer measured through the 2D area profile measurement method exhibited a strong linear relationship (adjusted R-square=0.99563) in which the average HU changed from -926.8 to 36.7, while the infill values varied from 5% to 100%. This study showed the feasibility fabricating variable density phantoms using the 3D printer with FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)-type and PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) materials.

Verification of dose distribution is an essential part of ensuring the treatment planning system’s (TPS) calculated dose will achieve the desired outcome in radiation therapy. Each measurement have uncertainty associated with it. It is desirable to reduce the measurement uncertainty. A best approach is to reduce the uncertainty associated with each step of the process to keep the total uncertainty under acceptable limits. Point dose patient specific quality assurance (QA) is recommended by American Association of Medical Physicists (AAPM) and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) for all the complex radiation therapy treatment techniques. Relative and absolute point dose measurement methods are used to verify the TPS computed dose. Relative and absolute point dose measurement techniques have a number of steps to measure the point dose which includes chamber cross calibration, electrometer reading, chamber calibration coefficient, beam quality correction factor, reference conditions, influences quantities, machine stability, nominal calibration factor (for relative method) and absolute dose calibration of machine. Keeping these parameters in mind, the estimated relative percentage uncertainty associated with the absolute point dose measurement is 2.1% (k=1). On the other hand, the relative percentage uncertainty associated with the relative point dose verification method is estimated to 1.0% (k=1). To compare both point dose measurement methods, 13 head and neck (H&N) IMRT patients were selected. A point dose for each patient was measured with both methods. The average percentage difference between TPS computed dose and measured absolute relative point dose was 1.4% and 1% respectively. The results of this comparative study show that while choosing the relative or absolute point dose measurement technique, both techniques can produce similar results for H&N IMRT treatment plans. There is no statistically significant difference between both point dose verification methods based upon the t-test for comparing two means.

Eclipse Scripting Application Programming Interface (ESAPI) was devised to enhance the efficiency in such treatment related workflows as contouring, treatment planning, plan quality measure, and data-mining by communicating with the treatment planning system (TPS). It is provided in the form of C# programming based toolbox, which could be modified to fit into the clinical applications. The Scripting program, however, does not offer all potential functionalities that the users intend to develop. The shortcomings can be overcome by combining the Scripting programming with user-executable program on Windows or Linux. The executed program has greater freedom in implementation, which could strengthen the ability and availability of the Scripting on the clinical applications. This work shows the use of the Scripting programming throughout the simple modification of the given toolbox. Besides, it presents the implementation of combining both Scripting and user-executed programming based on MATLAB, applied to automated dynamic MLC wedge and FIF treatment planning procedure for promoting the planning efficiency.

The machine log files recorded by a scanning control unit in proton beam therapy system have been studied to be used as a quality assurance method of scanning beam deliveries. The accuracy of the data in the log files have been evaluated with a standard calibration beam scan pattern. The proton beam scan pattern has been delivered on a gafchromic film located at the isocenter plane of the proton beam treatment nozzle and found to agree within ±1.0 mm. The machine data accumulated for the scanning beam proton therapy of five different cases have been analyzed using a statistical method to estimate any systematic error in the data. The high-precision scanning beam log files in line scanning proton therapy system have been validated to be used for off-line scanning beam monitoring and thus as a patient-specific quality assurance method. The use of the machine log files for patient-specific quality assurance would simplify the quality assurance procedure with accurate scanning beam data.