Publications by authors named "S Alnaghy"

Article Synopsis
  • The study explores the development of a linac-mounted photon-counting detector (PCD) for image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) that could significantly enhance imaging by improving soft-tissue contrast and spatial resolution compared to traditional flat panel detectors (FPDs).
  • Researchers characterized the image quality of the PCD, focusing on parameters like 2D spatial resolution, noise, and contrast, by comparing it with an FPD using various imaging techniques and calibration methods.
  • Results showed that the PCD provides a linear energy calibration and better raw contrast in images, suggesting its potential for improved tumor delineation in radiation therapy applications.
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There is growing interest in the development of novel materials and devices capable of ionizing radiation detection for medical applications. Organic semiconductors are promising candidates to meet the demands of modern detectors, such as low manufacturing costs, mechanical flexibility, and a response to radiation equivalent to human tissue. However, organic semiconductors have typically been employed in applications that convert low energy photons into high current densities, for example, solar cells and LEDs, and thus existing design rules must be re-explored for ionizing radiation detection where high energy photons are converted into typically much lower current densities.

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Spatially fractionated ultra-high-dose-rate beams used during microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) have been shown to increase the differential response between normal and tumour tissue. Quality assurance of MRT requires a dosimeter that possesses tissue equivalence, high radiation tolerance and spatial resolution. This is currently an unsolved challenge.

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Purpose: In this work, the potential of an innovative "edgeless" silicon diode was evaluated as a response to the still unmet need of a reliable tool for plan dosimetry verification of very high dose, non-coplanar, patient-specific radiosurgery treatments. In order to prove the effectiveness of the proposed technology, we focused on radiosurgical treatments for functional disease like tremor or pain.

Methods: The edgeless diodes response has been validated with respect to clinical practice standard detectors by reproducing the reference dosimetry data adopted for the Treatment Planning System.

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Purpose: Tumor motion during radiotherapy can cause a reduction in target dose coverage and an increase in healthy tissue exposure. Tumor motion is not strictly translational and often exhibits complex six degree-of-freedom (6DoF) translational and rotational motion. Although the dosimetric impact of prostate tumor translational motion is well investigated, the dosimetric impact of 6DoF motion has only been studied with simulations or dose reconstruction.

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