Voxel-wise dose rate calculation in clinical pencil beam scanning proton therapy.

. Clinical outcomes after proton therapy have shown some variability that is not fully understood. Different approaches have been suggested to explain the biological outcome, but none has yet provided a comprehensive and satisfactory rationale for observed toxicities.

Increased flexibility and efficiency of a double-scattering FLASH proton beamline configuration forSOBP radiotherapy treatments.

. To commission a proton, double-scattering FLASH beamline by maximizing efficiency and field size, enabling higher-linear energy transfer FLASH radiotherapy to cells and small animals using a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) treatment configuration. We further aim to provide a configuration guide for the design of future FLASH proton double-scattering (DS) beamlines.

Remote dose imaging from Cherenkov light using spatially resolved CT calibration in breast radiotherapy.

Purpose: Imaging Cherenkov light during radiotherapy allows the visualization and recording of frame-by-frame relative maps of the dose being delivered to the tissue at each control point used throughout treatment, providing one of the most complete real-time means of treatment quality assurance. In non-turbid media, the intensity of Cherenkov light is linear with surface dose deposited, however the emission from patient tissue is well-known to be reduced by absorbing tissue components such as hemoglobin, fat, water, and melanin, and diffused by the scattering components of tissue. Earlier studies have shown that bulk correction could be achieved by using the patient planning computed tomography (CT) scan for attenuation correction.

Optimization of in vivo Cherenkov imaging dosimetry via spectral choices for ambient background lights and filtering.

Significance: The Cherenkov emission spectrum overlaps with that of ambient room light sources. Choice of room lighting devices dramatically affects the efficient detection of Cherenkov emission during patient treatment.

Aim: To determine optimal room light sources allowing Cherenkov emission imaging in normally lit radiotherapy treatment delivery rooms.

Estimation of diffuse Cherenkov optical emission from external beam radiation build-up in tissue.

Significance: Optical imaging of Cherenkov emission during radiation therapy could be used to verify dose delivery in real-time if a more comprehensive quantitative understanding of the factors affecting emission intensity could be developed.

Aim: This study aims to explore the change in diffuse Cherenkov emission intensity with x-ray beam energy from irradiated tissue, both theoretically and experimentally.

Approach: Derivation of the emitted Cherenkov signal was achieved using diffusion theory, and experimental studies with 6 to 18 MV energy x-rays were performed in tissue phantoms to confirm the model predictions as related to the radiation build-up factor with depth into tissue.