An assessment of a 3D EPID-based dosimetry system using conventional two- and three-dimensional detectors for VMAT.

PURPOSE: To provide a 3D dosimetric evaluation of a commercial portal dosimetry system using 2D/3D detectors under ideal conditions using VMAT. METHODS: A 2D ion chamber array, radiochromic film and gel dosimeter were utilised to provide a dosimetric evaluation of transit phantom and pre-treatment 'fluence' EPID back-projected dose distributions for a standard VMAT plan. In-house 2D and 3D gamma methods compared pass statistics relative to each dosimeter and TPS dose distributions. RESULTS: Fluence mode and transit EPID dose distributions back-projected onto phantom geometry produced 2D gamma pass rates in excess of 97% relative to other tested detectors and exported TPS dose planes when a 3%, 3 mm global gamma criterion was applied. Use of a gel dosimeter within a glass vial allowed comparison of measured 3D dose distributions versus EPID 3D dose and TPS calculated distributions. 3D gamma comparisons between modalities at 3%, 3 mm gave pass rates in excess of 92%. Use of fluence mode was indicative of transit results under ideal conditions with slightly reduced dose definition. CONCLUSIONS: 3D EPID back projected dose distributions were validated against detectors in both 2D and 3D. Cross validation of transit dose delivered to a patient is limited due to reasons of practicality and the tests presented are recommended as a guideline for 3D EPID dosimetry commissioning; allowing direct comparison between detector, TPS, fluence and transit modes. The results indicate achievable gamma scores for a complex VMAT plan in a homogenous phantom geometry and contributes to growing experience of 3D EPID dosimetry.

The influence of antioxidant THPC on the properties of polymer gel dosimeter.

In order to decrease the negative influence of oxygen to the response of PAG dosimeters THPC has been added to the gel in the role of scavenger. Apart from the decreased influence of oxygen, THPC also influences other properties of gel dosimeters. This study examines these influences and their quantification. Previous studies have shown that increasing the concentration of THPC causes a decreasing response of the dosimeter (as measured in the relaxation rate R2). Evaluation of the IR spectrum of gels irradiated by a variety of doses has shown that it is caused mostly by the changed structure of the arising polymer, not due to the decreased polymerization. THPC also changes the kinetics of the subsequent reactions in the gel after the end of irradiation. THPC has its influence also on the size of the dose response overshoot that happens in the areas of steep dose gradients. An easy model of action in the gel was suggested, which allows one to estimate the size and kinetics of the changed response of the dosimeter after the end of irradiation depending on the content of THPC, the size of the dose and the dose gradient.