Comprehensive Image Quality Evaluation and Motion Phantom Studies of an Ultra-Fast (6-Second) Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Imaging System on a Ring Gantry Linear Accelerator.

Purpose: To evaluate the image quality of an ultrafast cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system-Varian HyperSight.

Methods And Materials: In this evaluation, 5 studies were performed to assess the image quality of HyperSight CBCT. First, a HyperSight CBCT image quality evaluation was performed and compared with Siemens simulation-CT and Varian TrueBeam CBCT.

A foundation model for clinical-grade computational pathology and rare cancers detection.

The analysis of histopathology images with artificial intelligence aims to enable clinical decision support systems and precision medicine. The success of such applications depends on the ability to model the diverse patterns observed in pathology images. To this end, we present Virchow, the largest foundation model for computational pathology to date.

Validation of Acuros for total body irradiation at extended distance.

Purpose: Standardized and accurately reported doses are essential in conventional total body irradiation (TBI), especially lung doses. This study evaluates the accuracy of the Acuros algorithm in predicting doses for extended-distance TBI.

Methods: Measurements and calculations were done with both 6 and 18 MV.

Characterization of an Onboard Transmission Detector for Efficient Linear Accelerator Output Quality Assurance.

Purpose To investigate the potential to perform linear accelerator output quality assurance (QA) with the ScandiDos Delta4 Discover (Discover) onboard transmission detector. Materials and methods Using the ScandiDos Delta4 software (version 8), a conversion factor from raw signal to output was obtained via cross-calibration with an accredited dosimetry calibration laboratory (ADCL) calibrated ionization chamber for each photon energy, including flattening-filter-free (FFF) energies. With the calibration factor for 6 MV (6x) photon energy, output measurements were taken with both the Delta4 Discover and ion chamber and compared for output as a function of gantry angle and dose-rate dependence.

Image-guided preplanning workflow for high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for gynecological malignancies.

Purpose: To demonstrate image-guided preplan workflows for high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for advanced gynecological malignancies.

Methods And Materials: Two different preplanning scenarios are presented: (1) CT- or MRI-based preplan with partial applicator in place; (2) Preplans generated from prior fractions. The first scenario can be applied to Syed-Neblett template-based implants or hybrid brachytherapy applicators, while the second scenario applies to hybrid applicators.

Dosimetric Evaluation of Organs at Risk From SAVE Protocol.

Purpose: The objective of this work was to evaluate dosimetric characteristics to organs at risk (OARs) from short-course adjuvant vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VCB) in early endometrial cancer compared with standard of care (SOC) in a multi-institutional prospective randomized trial.

Methods And Materials: SAVE (Short Course Adjuvant Vaginal Brachytherapy in Early Endometrial Cancer Compared to Standard of Care) is a prospective, phase 3, multisite randomized trial in which 108 patients requiring VCB were randomized to an experimental short-course arm (11 Gy × 2 fractions [fx] to surface) and SOC arm. Those randomized to the SOC arm were subdivided into treatment groups based on treating physician discretion as follows: 7 Gy × 3 fx to 5 mm, 5 to 5.

Clinical Validation of Artificial Intelligence-Augmented Pathology Diagnosis Demonstrates Significant Gains in Diagnostic Accuracy in Prostate Cancer Detection.

Context.—: Prostate cancer diagnosis rests on accurate assessment of tissue by a pathologist. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to digitized whole slide images (WSIs) can aid pathologists in cancer diagnosis, but robust, diverse evidence in a simulated clinical setting is lacking.

A novel approach for Venezia ovoid commissioning with a comprehensive analysis of source positions in high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Purpose: The lunar design of a Venezia ovoid makes commissioning of the applicator very challenging with traditional autoradiography. In this study, we propose a novel solution to ovoid commissioning and a quality assurance (QA) workflow to effectively assess the entire source path.

Methods And Materials: A two-step commissioning process, using electron radiation and radiochromic films, was developed to verify the most distal source position.

Impact of detector selection on commissioning of Leipzig surface applicators with improving immobilization in high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Purpose: Commission and treatment setup of Leipzig surface applicators, because of the steep dose gradient and lack of robust immobilization, is challenging. We aim to improve commissioning reliability by investigating the impact of detector choice on percentage depth dose (PDD) verifications, and to enhance accuracy and reproducibility in calibration/treatment setup through a simple and novel immobilization device.

Methods And Materials: PDD distributions were measured with radiochromic films, optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs), a diode detector, and both cylindrical and parallel plate ionization chambers.

Independent real-world application of a clinical-grade automated prostate cancer detection system.

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems applied to histopathology whole-slide images have the potential to improve patient care through mitigation of challenges posed by diagnostic variability, histopathology caseload, and shortage of pathologists. We sought to define the performance of an AI-based automated prostate cancer detection system, Paige Prostate, when applied to independent real-world data. The algorithm was employed to classify slides into two categories: benign (no further review needed) or suspicious (additional histologic and/or immunohistochemical analysis required).

Evaluation of the effects of implementing a diode transmission device into the clinical workflow.

Purpose: This work investigated effects of implementing the Delta Discover diode transmission detector into the clinical workflow.

Methods: PDD and profile scans were completed with and without the Discover for a number of photon beam energies. Transmission factors were determined for all beam energies and included in Eclipse TPS to account for the attenuation of the Discover.

FMEA occurrence values for four failure modes occurring using look-up tables for dose calculations.

Purpose: For a number of different treatment types [such as Total Body Irradiation (TBI), etc.] most institutions utilize tables from commissioned databooks to perform the dose calculations. Each time one manually looks up data from a large table and then copies the numbers for a manual calculation, there is potential for errors.

Novel artificial intelligence system increases the detection of prostate cancer in whole slide images of core needle biopsies.

Prostate cancer (PrCa) is the second most common cancer among men in the United States. The gold standard for detecting PrCa is the examination of prostate needle core biopsies. Diagnosis can be challenging, especially for small, well-differentiated cancers.

A systematic evaluation of the error detection abilities of a new diode transmission detector.

Transmission detectors meant to measure every beam delivered on a linear accelerator are now becoming available for monitoring the quality of the dose distribution delivered to the patient daily. The purpose of this work is to present results from a systematic evaluation of the error detection capabilities of one such detector, the Delta Discover. Existing patient treatment plans were modified through in-house-developed software to mimic various delivery errors that have been observed in the past.

Aluminum plasmonic nanoshielding in ultraviolet inactivation of bacteria.

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is an effective bacterial inactivation technique with broad applications in environmental disinfection. However, biomedical applications are limited due to the low selectivity, undesired inactivation of beneficial bacteria and damage of healthy tissue. New approaches are needed for the protection of biological cells from UV radiation for the development of controlled treatment and improved biosensors.

Rapid detection of drought stress in plants using femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

Drought stress disrupts the balance of macro- and micronutrients and affects the yield of agriculturally and economically significant plants. Rapid detection of stress-induced changes of relative content of elements such as sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in the field may allow farmers and crop growers to counter the effects of plant stress and to increase their crop return. Unfortunately, the analytical methods currently available are time-consuming, expensive and involve elaborate sample preparation such as acid digestion which hinders routine daily monitoring of crop health on a field scale.