{"title":"Development of a generic focal spot measurement method suitable for bore-type linacs.","authors":"Hidetoshi Shimizu, Kazuharu Nishitani, Tomoki Kitagawa, Koji Sasaki, Takahiro Aoyama, Takeshi Kodaira","doi":"10.1002/acm2.70077","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>In linear accelerators, deviations in the x-ray focal spot position significantly affect the accuracy of radiation therapy. However, as the focal spot position in bore-type linac systems such as the Radixact system, cannot be assessed using conventional methods, a new evaluation method is required. This study aimed to develop a novel method to measure the focal spot position of Radixact and evaluate any deviations from the ideal x-ray focal spot position.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A structurally simplified measurement system was developed to evaluate the focal spot position of the Radixact system. This system consisted of a vertically aligned metal bar and an ionization chamber, which was moved stepwise to acquire the beam profiles. The focal spot position deviation was calculated based on the center differences of the profiles obtained from two different upstream and downstream locations of the metal bar.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The measurement results indicated that the focal spot position shift was 0.42 mm and -0.36 mm at the target height in the IEC-X and -Y directions, respectively. The measurement uncertainty was 0.187 mm, confirming a slight deviation from the ideal focal position.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study developed a novel method to accurately evaluate the x-ray focal spot position of the Radixact system, which can potentially be applied to other conventional linear accelerators and bore-type systems, such as Halcyon, to improve the accuracy of radiotherapy. However, its generalizability and applicability to different radiotherapy machines must be explored further.</p>","PeriodicalId":14989,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics","volume":" ","pages":"e70077"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/acm2.70077","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: In linear accelerators, deviations in the x-ray focal spot position significantly affect the accuracy of radiation therapy. However, as the focal spot position in bore-type linac systems such as the Radixact system, cannot be assessed using conventional methods, a new evaluation method is required. This study aimed to develop a novel method to measure the focal spot position of Radixact and evaluate any deviations from the ideal x-ray focal spot position.
Methods: A structurally simplified measurement system was developed to evaluate the focal spot position of the Radixact system. This system consisted of a vertically aligned metal bar and an ionization chamber, which was moved stepwise to acquire the beam profiles. The focal spot position deviation was calculated based on the center differences of the profiles obtained from two different upstream and downstream locations of the metal bar.
Results: The measurement results indicated that the focal spot position shift was 0.42 mm and -0.36 mm at the target height in the IEC-X and -Y directions, respectively. The measurement uncertainty was 0.187 mm, confirming a slight deviation from the ideal focal position.
Conclusions: This study developed a novel method to accurately evaluate the x-ray focal spot position of the Radixact system, which can potentially be applied to other conventional linear accelerators and bore-type systems, such as Halcyon, to improve the accuracy of radiotherapy. However, its generalizability and applicability to different radiotherapy machines must be explored further.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics is an international Open Access publication dedicated to clinical medical physics. JACMP welcomes original contributions dealing with all aspects of medical physics from scientists working in the clinical medical physics around the world. JACMP accepts only online submission.
JACMP will publish:
-Original Contributions: Peer-reviewed, investigations that represent new and significant contributions to the field. Recommended word count: up to 7500.
-Review Articles: Reviews of major areas or sub-areas in the field of clinical medical physics. These articles may be of any length and are peer reviewed.
-Technical Notes: These should be no longer than 3000 words, including key references.
-Letters to the Editor: Comments on papers published in JACMP or on any other matters of interest to clinical medical physics. These should not be more than 1250 (including the literature) and their publication is only based on the decision of the editor, who occasionally asks experts on the merit of the contents.
-Book Reviews: The editorial office solicits Book Reviews.
-Announcements of Forthcoming Meetings: The Editor may provide notice of forthcoming meetings, course offerings, and other events relevant to clinical medical physics.
-Parallel Opposed Editorial: We welcome topics relevant to clinical practice and medical physics profession. The contents can be controversial debate or opposed aspects of an issue. One author argues for the position and the other against. Each side of the debate contains an opening statement up to 800 words, followed by a rebuttal up to 500 words. Readers interested in participating in this series should contact the moderator with a proposed title and a short description of the topic