Characterization of an x-ray source with a partitioned diamond-tungsten target for electronic brachytherapy with 3D beam directionality.

The Sculptura is a new high-dose-rate electronic brachytherapy system developed by Sensus Healthcare. By combining a steerable electron beam with a partitioned diamond-tungsten x-ray target, the x-ray source of the Sculptura is capable of producing highly anisotropic dose distributions, thus achieving true 3D beam directionality. This article reports the spectral and dosimetric characterization of the Sculptura x-ray source through a combination of measurements and Monte Carlo simulations for operating points between 50-100 kV.

Feasibility of external beam radiation therapy to deep-seated targets with kilovoltage x-rays.

Purpose: Radiation therapy to deep-seated targets is typically delivered with megavoltage x-ray beams generated by medical linear accelerators or Co sources. Here, we used computer simulations to design and optimize a lower energy kilovoltage x-ray source generating acceptable dose distributions to a deep-seated target.

Methods: The kilovoltage arc therapy (KVAT) x-ray source was designed to treat a 4-cm diameter target located at a 10-cm depth in a 40-cm diameter homogeneous cylindrical phantom.

Patient dose simulations for scanning-beam digital x-ray tomosynthesis of the lungs.

Purpose: An improved method of image guidance for lung tumor biopsies could help reduce the high rate of false negatives. The aim of this work is to optimize the geometry of the scanning-beam digital tomography system (SBDX) for providing real-time 3D tomographic reconstructions for target verification. The unique geometry of the system requires trade-offs between patient dose, imaging field of view (FOV), and tomographic angle.

The feasibility of an inverse geometry CT system with stationary source arrays.

Purpose: Inverse geometry computed tomography (IGCT) has been proposed as a new system architecture that combines a small detector with a large, distributed source. This geometry can suppress cone-beam artifacts, reduce scatter, and increase dose efficiency. However, the temporal resolution of IGCT is still limited by the gantry rotation time.

Monte Carlo model of the scanning beam digital x-ray (SBDX) source.

The scanning-beam digital x-ray (SBDX) system has been developed for fluoroscopic imaging using an inverse x-ray imaging geometry. The SBDX system consists of a large-area x-ray source with a multihole collimator and a small detector. The goal of this study was to build a Monte Carlo (MC) model of the SBDX source as a useful tool for optimization of the SBDX imaging system in terms of its hardware components and imaging parameters.