Determination of the source dwell position of an afterloading device with a detector array

  • Ferdinand Breithuth Department of Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich
  • Johann Schiefer Department of Radiation-Oncology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen
  • Markus Arn Department of Radiation-Oncology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen
  • Samuel Peters Department of Radiation-Oncology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen
  • Wolf Seelentag Department of Radiation-Oncology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen

Abstract

It was the aim to develop and test a measurement technique for the source position of an afterloading system using an electronic two-dimensional detector array (2D array). A "GammaMed plus IX" high dose rate afterloading device (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, USA), and a Seven29 2D detector array (PTW Freiburg GmbH, Freiburg, Germany) have been used. A hollow needle has been connected to the afterloading device. Its outer diameter is 3.0 mm and its length about 220mm. A 14 mm thick Perspex slab was fixed in a reproducible position on the 2D array. Above the 14th detector row, a groove was cut in the slab which accommodates the hollow needle in a fixed position relative to the 2D array. In order to define the position of the source, the signals of the detectors in the 14th detector row have been evaluated. A theoretical curve depending on the source position and strength, has been fitted to the acquired detector signals. It has been shown that the reproducibility of the measurement technique - including the reproducibility of the source placement - was within 0.15mm. This method can not only replace film measurements, it is also more exact and less time consuming.
Published
2017-09-28
How to Cite
Breithuth, F., Schiefer, J., Arn, M., Peters, S., & Seelentag, W. (2017). Determination of the source dwell position of an afterloading device with a detector array. Journal of Radiation Oncology Informatics, 3(1), 12–24. https://doi.org/10.5166/jroi-3-2-18
Section
Articles