Simulation study of a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) with integrated inverse-geometry CT based on circularly distributed kV X-ray sources

Abstract Ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) radiotherapy (RT) or FLASH-RT can potentially reduce normal tissue toxicity. A small animal irradiator that can deliver FLASH-RT treatments similar to clinical RT treatments is needed for pre-clinical studies of FLASH-RT. We designed and simulated a novel small a...

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Main Authors: Yuewen Tan, Shuang Zhou, Jonathan Haefner, Qinghao Chen, Thomas R. Mazur, Arash Darafsheh, Tiezhi Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47421-0
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author Yuewen Tan
Shuang Zhou
Jonathan Haefner
Qinghao Chen
Thomas R. Mazur
Arash Darafsheh
Tiezhi Zhang
author_facet Yuewen Tan
Shuang Zhou
Jonathan Haefner
Qinghao Chen
Thomas R. Mazur
Arash Darafsheh
Tiezhi Zhang
author_sort Yuewen Tan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) radiotherapy (RT) or FLASH-RT can potentially reduce normal tissue toxicity. A small animal irradiator that can deliver FLASH-RT treatments similar to clinical RT treatments is needed for pre-clinical studies of FLASH-RT. We designed and simulated a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) based on distributed x-ray source technology. The SAFI system comprises a distributed x-ray source with 51 focal spots equally distributed on a 20 cm diameter ring, which are used for both FLASH-RT and onboard micro-CT imaging. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to estimate the dosimetric characteristics of the SAFI treatment beams. The maximum dose rate, which is limited by the power density of the tungsten target, was estimated based on finite-element analysis (FEA). The maximum DC electron beam current density is 2.6 mA/mm2, limited by the tungsten target's linear focal spot power density. At 160 kVp, 51 focal spots, each with a dimension of $$2\times 20$$ 2 × 20 mm2 and 10° anode angle, can produce up to 120 Gy/s maximum DC irradiation at the center of a cylindrical water phantom. We further demonstrate forward and inverse FLASH-RT planning, as well as inverse-geometry micro-CT with circular source array imaging via numerical simulations.
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spelling doaj.art-a650c7d3710a450db9192db582c02f8c2023-11-20T09:31:14ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-11-0113111210.1038/s41598-023-47421-0Simulation study of a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) with integrated inverse-geometry CT based on circularly distributed kV X-ray sourcesYuewen Tan0Shuang Zhou1Jonathan Haefner2Qinghao Chen3Thomas R. Mazur4Arash Darafsheh5Tiezhi Zhang6Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisAbstract Ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) radiotherapy (RT) or FLASH-RT can potentially reduce normal tissue toxicity. A small animal irradiator that can deliver FLASH-RT treatments similar to clinical RT treatments is needed for pre-clinical studies of FLASH-RT. We designed and simulated a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) based on distributed x-ray source technology. The SAFI system comprises a distributed x-ray source with 51 focal spots equally distributed on a 20 cm diameter ring, which are used for both FLASH-RT and onboard micro-CT imaging. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to estimate the dosimetric characteristics of the SAFI treatment beams. The maximum dose rate, which is limited by the power density of the tungsten target, was estimated based on finite-element analysis (FEA). The maximum DC electron beam current density is 2.6 mA/mm2, limited by the tungsten target's linear focal spot power density. At 160 kVp, 51 focal spots, each with a dimension of $$2\times 20$$ 2 × 20 mm2 and 10° anode angle, can produce up to 120 Gy/s maximum DC irradiation at the center of a cylindrical water phantom. We further demonstrate forward and inverse FLASH-RT planning, as well as inverse-geometry micro-CT with circular source array imaging via numerical simulations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47421-0
spellingShingle Yuewen Tan
Shuang Zhou
Jonathan Haefner
Qinghao Chen
Thomas R. Mazur
Arash Darafsheh
Tiezhi Zhang
Simulation study of a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) with integrated inverse-geometry CT based on circularly distributed kV X-ray sources
Scientific Reports
title Simulation study of a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) with integrated inverse-geometry CT based on circularly distributed kV X-ray sources
title_full Simulation study of a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) with integrated inverse-geometry CT based on circularly distributed kV X-ray sources
title_fullStr Simulation study of a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) with integrated inverse-geometry CT based on circularly distributed kV X-ray sources
title_full_unstemmed Simulation study of a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) with integrated inverse-geometry CT based on circularly distributed kV X-ray sources
title_short Simulation study of a novel small animal FLASH irradiator (SAFI) with integrated inverse-geometry CT based on circularly distributed kV X-ray sources
title_sort simulation study of a novel small animal flash irradiator safi with integrated inverse geometry ct based on circularly distributed kv x ray sources
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47421-0
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