Validation of Leaf Design Characteristics of an Add-on Automated Multi Leaf Collimator for Telecobalt Therapy Machine

Background: In developing countries like India, cobalt-60 machines still find their applicability, considering the cost and maintenance issues. With a view to deliver conformal treatment plans using teletherapy machines, an automated Multi-Leaf Collimator (MLC) was developed for the existing machine...

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Main Authors: Roopa Rani Akula, Komanduri Ayyangar, Alla Ramalinga Reddy, Ayyalasomayajula Anil Kumar, Pal Reddy Yadagiri Reddy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2021-12-01
Series:Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jbpe.sums.ac.ir/article_47223_cdc67b07dbb30aedc33d24b3a59cc7d2.pdf
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author Roopa Rani Akula
Komanduri Ayyangar
Alla Ramalinga Reddy
Ayyalasomayajula Anil Kumar
Pal Reddy Yadagiri Reddy
author_facet Roopa Rani Akula
Komanduri Ayyangar
Alla Ramalinga Reddy
Ayyalasomayajula Anil Kumar
Pal Reddy Yadagiri Reddy
author_sort Roopa Rani Akula
collection DOAJ
description Background: In developing countries like India, cobalt-60 machines still find their applicability, considering the cost and maintenance issues. With a view to deliver conformal treatment plans using teletherapy machines, an automated Multi-Leaf Collimator (MLC) was developed for the existing machines as a retrofit attachment to the collimator assembly without any modifications to the unit. Objective: This study aims to investigate the radiation characteristics of leaf designs incorporated in two add-on prototype MLC systems with respect to the shape of leaf projected at the isocenter plane and the isodose distribution around the target. Besides, the dosimetric characteristics of prototype MLC with divergent leaf design are validated through simulation and experimental measurements.Material and Methods: In this experimental study, two add-on prototype MLC systems were designed and fabricated. The characteristic measurements of leaf designs incorporated in both the prototypes were carried out using Gafchromic films (GAF) and compared with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. For divergent leaf design, beam profiles were obtained using Monte Carlo simulations which are complemented with the results obtained from measurements of radiochromic films and ionization chamber (IC) profiler. Dosimetric characteristics like radiation field width and beam penumbra were evaluated. Results: The Monte Carlo simulated data are in agreement with experimental data from IC profiler as well as from Radiochromic films. The results of this study are well within acceptable tolerance limits. Conclusion: The prototype MLC system designed for existing telecobalt machines supports its clinical applicability for conformal therapy to better manage treatment in rural areas, which can provide superior cost effective treatments.
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spelling doaj.art-7d957b180fa54a3d9e58ef5d7ef319c12022-12-21T23:10:08ZengShiraz University of Medical SciencesJournal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering2251-72002021-12-0111672373410.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2002-107347223Validation of Leaf Design Characteristics of an Add-on Automated Multi Leaf Collimator for Telecobalt Therapy MachineRoopa Rani Akula0Komanduri Ayyangar1Alla Ramalinga Reddy2Ayyalasomayajula Anil Kumar3Pal Reddy Yadagiri Reddy4MSc, Department of Physics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, IndiaPhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, International Cancer Centre, MGMMT, Bhimavaram, IndiaPhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, International Cancer Centre, MGMMT, Bhimavaram, IndiaPhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Visakhapatnam, IndiaPhD, Department of Physics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, IndiaBackground: In developing countries like India, cobalt-60 machines still find their applicability, considering the cost and maintenance issues. With a view to deliver conformal treatment plans using teletherapy machines, an automated Multi-Leaf Collimator (MLC) was developed for the existing machines as a retrofit attachment to the collimator assembly without any modifications to the unit. Objective: This study aims to investigate the radiation characteristics of leaf designs incorporated in two add-on prototype MLC systems with respect to the shape of leaf projected at the isocenter plane and the isodose distribution around the target. Besides, the dosimetric characteristics of prototype MLC with divergent leaf design are validated through simulation and experimental measurements.Material and Methods: In this experimental study, two add-on prototype MLC systems were designed and fabricated. The characteristic measurements of leaf designs incorporated in both the prototypes were carried out using Gafchromic films (GAF) and compared with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. For divergent leaf design, beam profiles were obtained using Monte Carlo simulations which are complemented with the results obtained from measurements of radiochromic films and ionization chamber (IC) profiler. Dosimetric characteristics like radiation field width and beam penumbra were evaluated. Results: The Monte Carlo simulated data are in agreement with experimental data from IC profiler as well as from Radiochromic films. The results of this study are well within acceptable tolerance limits. Conclusion: The prototype MLC system designed for existing telecobalt machines supports its clinical applicability for conformal therapy to better manage treatment in rural areas, which can provide superior cost effective treatments.https://jbpe.sums.ac.ir/article_47223_cdc67b07dbb30aedc33d24b3a59cc7d2.pdfdeveloping countriesmonte carlo methodcobalt-60mlcs
spellingShingle Roopa Rani Akula
Komanduri Ayyangar
Alla Ramalinga Reddy
Ayyalasomayajula Anil Kumar
Pal Reddy Yadagiri Reddy
Validation of Leaf Design Characteristics of an Add-on Automated Multi Leaf Collimator for Telecobalt Therapy Machine
Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering
developing countries
monte carlo method
cobalt-60
mlcs
title Validation of Leaf Design Characteristics of an Add-on Automated Multi Leaf Collimator for Telecobalt Therapy Machine
title_full Validation of Leaf Design Characteristics of an Add-on Automated Multi Leaf Collimator for Telecobalt Therapy Machine
title_fullStr Validation of Leaf Design Characteristics of an Add-on Automated Multi Leaf Collimator for Telecobalt Therapy Machine
title_full_unstemmed Validation of Leaf Design Characteristics of an Add-on Automated Multi Leaf Collimator for Telecobalt Therapy Machine
title_short Validation of Leaf Design Characteristics of an Add-on Automated Multi Leaf Collimator for Telecobalt Therapy Machine
title_sort validation of leaf design characteristics of an add on automated multi leaf collimator for telecobalt therapy machine
topic developing countries
monte carlo method
cobalt-60
mlcs
url https://jbpe.sums.ac.ir/article_47223_cdc67b07dbb30aedc33d24b3a59cc7d2.pdf
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