Inverse treatment planning for an electronic brachytherapy system delivering anisotropic radiation therapy.

An inverse radiation treatment planning algorithm for Sensus Healthcare's Sculptura electronic brachytherapy system has been designed. The algorithm makes use of simulated annealing to optimize the conformation number (CN) of the treatment plan. The highly anisotropic dose distributions produced by the Sculptura x-ray source empower the inverse treatment planning algorithm to achieve highly conformal treatment plans for a wide range of prescribed planning target volumes.

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.

Offline impedance measurements for detection and mitigation of dangerous implant interactions: an RF safety prescreen.

Purpose: The concept of a "radiofrequency safety prescreen" is investigated, wherein dangerous interactions between radiofrequency fields used in MRI, and conductive implants in patients are detected through impedance changes in the radiofrequency coil.

Theory: The behavior of coupled oscillators is reviewed, and the resulting, observable impedance changes are discussed.

Methods: A birdcage coil is loaded with a static head phantom and a wire phantom with a wire close to its resonant length, the shape, position, and orientation of which can be changed.