ABSTRACT
Procedures and techniques developed for the negative pi-meson (pion) radiotherapy program at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility, Los Alamos, NM, are reviewed and described. A particular pion patient is followed through the entire planning and treatment sequence to describe CT scanning procedures, bolus and collimator and treatment techniques developed to minimize positioning errors (less than 5 mm). Comparison of 2-D and 3-D isodose calculations developed at Los Alamos showed differences of less than 10% attributable to multiple scattering effects and the computational models used. Treatment verification methods using in vivo ion chamber dosimetry generally confirmed the prescribed dose delivery within 10% and using TLD within 18%.
Subject(s)
Elementary Particles , Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiotherapy, High-Energy/methods , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Patient Care Planning/methods , Radiotherapy Dosage , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/radiotherapyABSTRACT
A real-time display system has been designed and tested for use with a radiation field monitor. The system uses only pulse and waveform generators, a multiplexer, and an oscilloscope. The display consists of either a three-dimensional representation of the field intensity distribution or a series of simultaneous profiles.
Subject(s)
Data Display/instrumentation , Radiation Monitoring/instrumentation , Nuclear Physics/instrumentationABSTRACT
The underlying considerations necessary for selecting a CT scanner for radiation therapy treatment planning are analyzed and discussed. To obtain best value for funds expended it is desirable to compare CT scanner mechanical characteristics, data quality, and data handling capabilities. Specifications can be written to ensure prompt delivery of a unit containing all essential features without adding to the cost or complexity of the unit.