A technique for generating phase-space-based Monte Carlo beamlets in radiotherapy applications

Physics in Medicine and Biology
Karl BushS Zavgorodni

Abstract

As radiotherapy treatment planning moves toward Monte Carlo (MC) based dose calculation methods, the MC beamlet is becoming an increasingly common optimization entity. At present, methods used to produce MC beamlets have utilized a particle source model (PSM) approach. In this work we outline the implementation of a phase-space-based approach to MC beamlet generation that is expected to provide greater accuracy in beamlet dose distributions. In this approach a standard BEAMnrc phase space is sorted and divided into beamlets with particles labeled using the inheritable particle history variable. This is achieved with the use of an efficient sorting algorithm, capable of sorting a phase space of any size into the required number of beamlets in only two passes. Sorting a phase space of five million particles can be achieved in less than 8 s on a single-core 2.2 GHz CPU. The beamlets can then be transported separately into a patient CT dataset, producing separate dose distributions (doselets). Methods for doselet normalization and conversion of dose to absolute units of Gy for use in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan optimization are also described.

References

May 1, 1995·Medical Physics·D W RogersT R Mackie
Sep 3, 1999·Physics in Medicine and Biology·R Jeraj, P Keall
Oct 27, 1999·Medical Physics·C M MaA L Boyer
Mar 4, 2000·Physics in Medicine and Biology·J DengC M Ma
Aug 16, 2000·Physics in Medicine and Biology·W LaubF Nüsslin
Jun 1, 2001·Physics in Medicine and Biology·M K FixP Rüegsegger
Apr 5, 2002·Medical Physics·Daryoush Sheikh-Bagheri, D W O Rogers
Apr 5, 2002·Medical Physics·Daryoush Sheikh-Bagheri, D W O Rogers
Jun 19, 2002·Physics in Medicine and Biology·C M MaS Brain
Oct 4, 2002·Physics in Medicine and Biology·I Kawrakow
Oct 4, 2002·Physics in Medicine and Biology·Jeffrey V SiebersRadhe Mohan
Jan 7, 2003·Medical Physics·B R B WaltersD W O Rogers
Dec 5, 2003·Physics in Medicine and Biology·Frank Verhaegen, Jan Seuntjens
Dec 14, 2004·Medical Physics·Michael K FixJeffrey V Siebers
Apr 9, 2005·Physics in Medicine and Biology·U JeleńM Alber
Sep 24, 2005·Physics in Medicine and Biology·I A PopescuW A Beckham
Jun 23, 2006·Physics in Medicine and Biology·D W O Rogers
Nov 9, 2006·Medical Physics·Alanah M BergmanCheryl Duzenli
Feb 7, 2007·Medical Physics·Patricia E LindsayJoseph O Deasy
Feb 7, 2007·Medical Physics·Ludwig BognerZdenek Moravek

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 9, 2012·Medical Physics·Hualiang Zhong, Indrin J Chetty
Mar 22, 2014·Physics in Medicine and Biology·Reid W Townson, Sergei Zavgorodni
Jun 9, 2009·Physics in Medicine and Biology·Ludwig BognerMark Rickhey
Jun 5, 2013·Physics in Medicine and Biology·Reid W TownsonSteve B Jiang
Nov 27, 2016·Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft ... [et al]·Lorenzo BruallaAntonio M Lallena
Dec 17, 2014·Physics in Medicine and Biology·E HerranzJ M Udías

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.