Showing papers in "Physics in Medicine and Biology in 1996"
TL;DR: Three experimental techniques based on automatic swept-frequency network and impedance analysers were used to measure the dielectric properties of tissue in the frequency range 10 Hz to 20 GHz, demonstrating that good agreement was achieved between measurements using the three pieces of equipment.
Abstract: Three experimental techniques based on automatic swept-frequency network and impedance analysers were used to measure the dielectric properties of tissue in the frequency range 10 Hz to 20 GHz. The technique used in conjunction with the impedance analyser is described. Results are given for a number of human and animal tissues, at body temperature, across the frequency range, demonstrating that good agreement was achieved between measurements using the three pieces of equipment. Moreover, the measured values fall well within the body of corresponding literature data.
3,996 citations
TL;DR: A parametric model was developed to enable the prediction of dielectric data that are in line with those contained in the vast body of literature on the subject.
Abstract: A parametric model was developed to describe the variation of dielectric properties of tissues as a function of frequency. The experimental spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz was modelled with four dispersion regions. The development of the model was based on recently acquired data, complemented by data surveyed from the literature. The purpose is to enable the prediction of dielectric data that are in line with those contained in the vast body of literature on the subject. The analysis was carried out on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Parameters are given for 17 tissue types.
3,985 citations
TL;DR: The dielectric properties of tissues have been extracted from the literature of the past five decades and presented in a graphical format to assess the current state of knowledge, expose the gaps there are and provide a basis for the evaluation and analysis of corresponding data from an on-going measurement programme.
Abstract: The dielectric properties of tissues have been extracted from the literature of the past five decades and presented in a graphical format. The purpose is to assess the current state of knowledge, expose the gaps there are and provide a basis for the evaluation and analysis of corresponding data from an on-going measurement programme.
2,932 citations
TL;DR: A method is described to determine improved CT calibrations for biological tissue (a stoichiometric calibration) based on measurements using tissue equivalent materials that is more precise than the tissue substitute calibration.
Abstract: Computer tomographic (CT) scans are used to correct for tissue inhomogeneities in radiotherapy treatment planning. In order to guarantee a precise treatment, it is important to obtain the relationship between CT Hounsfield units and electron densities (or proton stopping powers for proton radiotherapy), which is the basic input for radiotherapy planning systems which consider tissue heterogeneities. A method is described to determine improved CT calibrations for biological tissue (a stoichiometric calibration) based on measurements using tissue equivalent materials. The precision of this stoichiometric calibration and the more usual tissue substitute calibration is determined by a comparison of calculated proton radiographic images based on these calibrations and measured radiographs of a biological sample. It has been found that the stoichiometric calibration is more precise than the tissue substitute calibration.
929 citations
TL;DR: The technical aspects of gating the radiotherapy beam synchronously with respiration are dealt with: the optimal respiration monitoring system, measurements of organ displacement and linear accelerator gating.
Abstract: In order to optimize external-beam conformal radiotherapy, patient movement during treatment must be minimized. For treatment on the upper torso, the target organs are known to move substantially due to patient respiration. This paper deals with the technical aspects of gating the radiotherapy beam synchronously with respiration: the optimal respiration monitoring system, measurements of organ displacement and linear accelerator gating. Several respiration sensors including a thermistor, a thermocouple, a strain gauge and a pneumotachograph were examined to find the optimal sensor. The magnitude of breast, chest wall and lung motion were determined using playback of fluoroscopic x-ray images recorded on a VCR during routine radiotherapy simulation. Total dose, beam symmetry and beam uniformity were examined to determine any effects on the Varian 2100C linear accelerator due to gating.
677 citations
TL;DR: A pencil beam algorithm for proton dose calculations which takes accurate account of the effects of materials upstream of the patient and of the air gap between them and the patient is developed.
Abstract: The sharp lateral penumbra and the rapid fall-off of dose at the end of range of a proton beam are among the major advantages of proton radiation therapy. These beam characteristics depend on the position and characteristics of upstream beam-modifying devices such as apertures and compensating boluses. The extent of separation, if any, between these beam-modifying devices and the patient is particularly critical in this respect. We have developed a pencil beam algorithm for proton dose calculations which takes accurate account of the effects of materials upstream of the patient and of the air gap between them and the patient. The model includes a new approach to picking the locations of the pencil beams so as to more accurately model the penumbra and to more effectively account for the multiple-scattering effects of the media around the point of interest. We also present a faster broad-beam version of the algorithm which gives a reasonably accurate penumbra. Predictions of the algorithm and results from experiments performed in a large-field proton beam are presented. In general the algorithm agrees well with the measurements.
404 citations
TL;DR: Evaluation studies in phantoms with large scatter fractions show that the method yields images with quantitative accuracy equivalent to that of slice-collimated PET in clinically useful times.
Abstract: A method is presented that directly calculates the mean number of scattered coincidences in data acquired with fully 3D positron emission tomography (PET). This method uses a transmission scan, an emission scan, the physics of Compton scatter, and a mathematical model of the scanner in a forward calculation of the number of events for which one photon has undergone a single Compton interaction. The distribution of events for which multiple Compton interactions have occurred is modelled as a linear transformation of the single-scatter distribution. Computational efficiency is achieved by sampling at rates no higher than those required by the scatter distribution and by implementing the algorithm using look-up tables. Evaluation studies in phantoms with large scatter fractions show that the method yields images with quantitative accuracy equivalent to that of slice-collimated PET in clinically useful times.
386 citations
TL;DR: The phase shift of cells from type L 929 fibroblast and mitochondria from liver cells was measured and the Fraunhofer diffraction of the measured phase object is calculated.
Abstract: With a phase microscope the phase shift of cells from type L 929 fibroblast and mitochondria from liver cells was measured. Compared to the total phase shift caused by the cell relative to vacuum (approximately 1400 nm) the single phase shift of the mitochondria (approximately 180 nm) is small. Only the nucleus and the membrane of the cell give a visibly different phase shift relative to the mean value of the cell. The Fraunhofer diffraction of the measured phase object is calculated. With a simplified scattering theory, i.e. Rayleigh - Gans scattering, different phase objects are investigated and their differential cross section is discussed.
342 citations
TL;DR: A new method of dosimetry of ionizing radiations has been developed that makes use of tissue-equivalent polymer gels which are capable of recording three-dimensional dose distributions, including measurements of the complex distributions produced by multi-leaf collimators, dynamic wedge and stereotactic treatments, and for quality assurance procedures.
Abstract: A new method of dosimetry of ionizing radiations has been developed that makes use of tissue-equivalent polymer gels which are capable of recording three-dimensional dose distributions. The dosimetric data stored within the gels are measured using optical tomographic densitometry. The dose-response mechanism relies on the production of light scattering micro-particles which result from the polymerization of acrylic comonomers dispersed in the gel. The attenuation of a collimated light beam caused by scattering in the irradiated optically turbid medium is directly related to the radiation dose over the range 0 - 10 Gy. An optical scanner has been developed which incorporates an He - Ne laser, photodiode detectors, and a rotating gel platform. Using mirrors mounted on a translating stage, the laser beam scans across the gel between each incremental rotation of the platform. Using the set of optical density projections obtained, a cross sectional image of the radiation field is then reconstructed. Doses in the range 0 - 10 Gy can be measured to better than 5% accuracy with a spatial resolution of approximately 2 mm using the current prototype scanner. This method can be used for the determination of three-dimensional dose distributions in irradiated gels, including measurements of the complex distributions produced by multi-leaf collimators, dynamic wedge and stereotactic treatments, and for quality assurance procedures.
339 citations
TL;DR: The information contained in the report is mostly tabulated and drawn from a wide variety of ICRP reports, providing a compilation of age-dependent committed effective-dose coefficients for members of the general public due to inhalation or ingestion of a variety of radionuclides.
Abstract: This report is yet another valuable reference text in the series of International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) publications. The information contained in the report is mostly tabulated and drawn from a wide variety of ICRP reports (numbers 56, 67, 69 and 71), providing a compilation of age-dependent committed effective-dose coefficients for members of the general public due to inhalation or ingestion of a variety of radionuclides. The information is likely to be of direct benefit to those involved in radiation protection for the nuclear, environmental and health-care industries. It is unlikely to be of use to those interested in medical research since the chemical/pharmaceutical form is not considered in detail. It is a report for use by a specialist and not for casual reading: in short, a key text for any institution that already makes use of ICRP publications.
273 citations
TL;DR: Turbidity difference spectra are compared with theoretical spectra of efficiency factors for total scattering, derived using Mie-Debye theory, and the average sizes of the cross-linked particles produced by radiation, as a function of dose, are established.
Abstract: A newly developed method of radiation dosimetry makes use of the optical properties of polymer gels. The dose-response mechanism relies on the production of light-scattering polymer micro-particles in the gel at each site of radiation absorption. The scattering produces an attenuation of transmitted light intensity that is directly related to the dose and independent of dose rate. For the BANG polymer gel (bis, acrylamide, nitrogen, and gelatin) the shape of the dose-response curve depends on the fraction of the cross-linking monomer in the initial mixture and on the wavelength of light. At 500 nm the attenuation coefficient (mu) increases by approximately 0.7 mm-1 when the dose increases from 0 to 5 Gy. The refractive index of an irradiated gel shows no significant dispersion in the visible region and depends only slightly on the dose. Turbidity difference spectra are compared with theoretical spectra of efficiency factors for total scattering, derived using Mie-Debye theory, and the average sizes of the cross-linked particles produced by radiation, as a function of dose, are established. The particle sizes increase with dose and reach approximately the wavelength of red light. The dependence of the particle sizes on cross-linker fraction parallels a similar dependence of the water proton NMR transverse relaxation rate dose response.
TL;DR: The determination of absorbed dose is based on the air kerma determination (exposure measurement) method and the use of the F (rad/röentgen) conversion factor is abandoned and replaced by the ratio of the mass-energy absorption coefficients of water and air for converting absorbed dose to air to absorbed doses to water.
Abstract: This new code of practice for the determination of absorbed dose for x-rays below 300 kV has recently been approved by the IPEMB and introduces the following changes to the previous codes: (i) The determination of absorbed dose is based on the air kerma determination (exposure measurement) method. (ii) An air kerma calibration factor for the ionization chamber is used. (iii) The use of the F (rad/roentgen) conversion factor is abandoned and replaced by the ratio of the mass - energy absorption coefficients of water and air for converting absorbed dose to air to absorbed dose to water. New values for ratios of these coefficients are recommended. Perturbation and other correction factors are incorporated in the equations. (iv) New backscatter factors are recommended. (v) Three separate energy ranges are defined, with specific procedures for each range. These ranges are: (a) 0.5 to 4 mm Cu HVL; for this range calibration at 2 cm depth in water with a thimble ion chamber is recommended. (b) 1.0 to 8.0 mm Al HVL; for this range calibration in air with a cylindrical ion chamber and the use of tabulated values of the backscatter factor are recommended. (c) 0.035 to 1.0 mm Al HVL; for this range calibration on the surface of a phantom with a parallel-plate ionization chamber is recommended.
TL;DR: Investigation of more quantitative, objective methods of analysing the film-screen mammogram found measures of the skewness of the image brightness histogram, and of image texture characterized by the fractal dimension strongly correlated with radiologists' subjective classifications of mammographic parenchyma.
Abstract: Information derived from mammographic parenchymal patterns provides one of the strongest indicators of the risk of developing breast cancer. To address several limitations of subjective classification of mammographic parenchyma into coarse density categories, we have been investigating more quantitative, objective methods of analysing the film-screen mammogram. These include measures of the skewness of the image brightness histogram, and of image texture characterized by the fractal dimension. Both measures were found to be strongly correlated with radiologists' subjective classifications of mammographic parenchyma (Spearman correlation coefficients, Rs = -0.88 and -0.76 for skewness and fractal dimension measurements, respectively). Further, neither measure was strongly dependent on simulated changes in mammographic technique. Correlation with subjective classification of mammographic density was better when both the skewness and fractal measures were used in combination than when either was used alone. This suggests that each feature provides some independent information.
TL;DR: PTW diamond detectors and Monte Carlo techniques have been added to the above tools to measure and calculate SRS treatment planning requirements and it was shown that diamond detectors are potentially ideal for SRS and yield more accurate results than the above traditional modes of dosimetry.
Abstract: Accurate dosimetry of small-field photon beams used in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can be made difficult because of the presence of lateral electronic disequilibrium and steep dose gradients. In the published literature, data acquisition for radiosurgery is mainly based on diode and film dosimetry, and sometimes on small ionization chamber or thermolominescence dosimetry. These techniques generally do not provide the required precision because of their energy dependence and/or poor resolution. In this work PTW diamond detectors and Monte Carlo (EGS4) techniques have been added to the above tools to measure and calculate SRS treatment planning requirements. The validity of the EGS4 generated data has been confirmed by comparing results to those obtained with an ionization chamber, where the field size is large enough for electronic equilibrium to be established at the central axis. Using EGS4 calculations, the beam characteristics under the experimental conditions have also been quantified. It was shown that diamond detectors are potentially ideal for SRS and yield more accurate results than the above traditional modes of dosimetry.
TL;DR: It is shown that a single Monte Carlo simulation can be used to fit the data and to derive the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients for the particular case of time-resolved reflectance from a biological medium.
Abstract: We describe a fast, accurate method for determination of the optical coefficients of 'semi-infinite' and 'infinite' turbid media. For the particular case of time-resolved reflectance from a biological medium, we show that a single Monte Carlo simulation can be used to fit the data and to derive the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients. Tests with independent Monte Carlo simulations showed that the errors in the deduced absorption and reduced scattering coefficients are smaller than 1% and 2%, respectively.
TL;DR: The Bayesian protocol can produce substantial improvements in relative quantitation over the standard FBP protocol, particularly when short transmission scans are used.
Abstract: We describe a practical statistical methodology for the reconstruction of PET images. Our approach is based on a Bayesian formulation of the imaging problem. The data are modelled as independent Poisson random variables and the image is modelled using a Markov random field smoothing prior. We describe a sequence of calibration procedures which are performed before reconstruction: (i) calculation of accurate attenuation correction factors from re-projected Bayesian reconstructions of the transmission image; (ii) estimation of the mean of the randoms component in the data; and (iii) computation of the scatter component in the data using a Klein - Nishina-based scatter estimation method. The Bayesian estimate of the PET image is then reconstructed using a pre-conditioned conjugate gradient method. We performed a quantitation study with a multi-compartment chest phantom in a Siemens/CTI ECAT931 system. Using 40 1 min frames, we computed the ensemble mean and variance over several regions of interest from images reconstructed using the Bayesian and a standard filtered backprojection (FBP) protocol. The values for the region of interest were compared with well counter data for each compartment. These results show that the Bayesian protocol can produce substantial improvements in relative quantitation over the standard FBP protocol, particularly when short transmission scans are used. An example showing the application of the method to a clinical chest study is also given.
TL;DR: A novel approach to calculating the light transport was developed, using diffusion theory to analyze the scattering regions combined with a radiosity approach to analyzed the propagation through the clear region, which found that the presence of a clear layer had a significant effect upon the light distribution.
Abstract: Near-infra-red (NIR) spectroscopy is increasingly being used for monitoring cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics. One current concern is the effect of the clear cerebrospinal fluid upon the distribution of light in the head. There are difficulties in modelling clear layers in scattering systems. The Monte Carlo model should handle clear regions accurately, but is too slow to be used for realistic geometries. The diffusion equation can be solved quickly for realistic geometries, but is only valid in scattering regions. In this paper we describe experiments carried out on a solid slab phantom to investigate the effect of clear regions. The experimental results were compared with the different models of light propagation. We found that the presence of a clear layer had a significant effect upon the light distribution, which was modelled correctly by Monte Carlo techniques, but not by diffusion theory. A novel approach to calculating the light transport was developed, using diffusion theory to analyse the scattering regions combined with a radiosity approach to analyse the propagation through the clear region. Results from this approach were found to agree with both the Monte Carlo and experimental data.
TL;DR: Comparisons have been made with a traditional data thresholding procedure for the determination of tumour volumes on a set of patients with intracerebral glioma, with the morphological segmentation procedure having the advantages of being automated and faster.
Abstract: Accurate tumour volume measurement from MR images requires some form of objective image segmentation, and therefore a certain degree of automation. Manual methods of separating data according to the various tissue types which they are thought to represent are inherently prone to operator subjectivity and can be very time consuming. A segmentation procedure based on morphological edge detection and region growing has been implemented and tested on a phantom of known adjustable volume. Comparisons have been made with a traditional data thresholding procedure for the determination of tumour volumes on a set of patients with intracerebral glioma. The two methods are shown to give similar results, with the morphological segmentation procedure having the advantages of being automated and faster.
TL;DR: Data indicate that transit time measurements may be subject to errors due to the modification of the pulse shape during propagation through bone by attenuation and dispersion, and velocity measurement by phase spectral analysis appears to offer advantages over the transit time approach.
Abstract: Different methods for ultrasonic velocity determination using broad-band pulse transmission have been investigated in 70 human calcanae in vitro. The work took place within the context of the EC BIOMED1 concerted action Assessment of Quality of Bone in Osteoporosis. Ultrasonic velocities were determined using three different transit time definitions: first arrival (TTV1), thresholding (TTV2), and first zero crossing (TTV3). Phase velocity (PV) was determined over a range of frequencies from 200 to 800 kHz using a new phase spectral analysis technique. The different velocity measurements were compared in terms of their magnitudes and their inter-correlations. There were significant differences of up to between different transit time velocities (p < 0.0001), indicating the sensitivity of the measurement to the arrival criteria used. Phase velocities were lower than all of the transit time velocities (p < 0.0001) and decreased with increasing frequency (p < 0.005). A strong correlation was observed between PV at 400 kHz (PV400) and TTV3, with much weaker correlations between PV and the other transit time velocities. Reproducibility for transit time velocity measurement was optimal for TTV3 (coefficient of variation, cv = 0.41%), and for PV it was optimal at 600 kHz (cv = 0.34%). These data indicate that transit time measurements may be subject to errors due to the modification of the pulse shape during propagation through bone by attenuation and dispersion. Velocity measurement by phase spectral analysis appears to offer advantages over the transit time approach, and should be the method of choice for velocity measurement in trabecular bone. Where transit time velocity measurements are made, the first-zero-crossing criterion appears to be have some advantages over other arrival criteria. We also note that PV measurements provide new information on dispersion which could prove to be relevant to the structural and mechanical characterization of trabecular bone.
TL;DR: Since the early 1980s, ultrasound B-mode scanning has evolved to an indispensable adjunct to x-ray mammography and offers the possibility of computer-aided diagnosis by texture analysis and pattern recognition.
Abstract: A review of breast imaging has already appeared in 1982 in this journal. Consequently, the present article concentrates on a discussion of only those developments of a more recent nature. Although the emphasis is placed on the physical aspects of the different imaging methods concerned, the essential factors relating to the clinical background and the associated radiation risk are also outlined. The completeness of detail depends on the present clinical importance of the method under discussion. X-ray mammography, which is still the most important breast imaging technique and has proved to be an effective method for breast cancer screening, is therefore treated in greater detail. Since the early 1980s, ultrasound B-mode scanning has evolved to an indispensable adjunct to x-ray mammography. For Doppler sonography, diaphanography, contrast-enhanced MRI, CT and DSA, the visualization of a tumour depends essentially on the enhanced vascularity of the lesion. Whether this will prove to be a reliable indicator for malignancy remains to be shown in controlled clinical studies. Common to all imaging systems is the increasing use of digital methods for signal processing, which also offers the possibility of computer-aided diagnosis by texture analysis and pattern recognition.
TL;DR: There are two separate facets to the dose-rate effect for RIT in particular, one concerned with the relative ability of different tissues to recover from radiation damage, the other concerns with the absolute ability to control concurrent tumour re-growth.
Abstract: The physical dose delivered in radio-immunotherapy (RIT) may not, by itself, be a reliable indicator of the likely effectiveness of the treatment. Radiobiological considerations, in particular those relating to the dose-rate, are also very relevant. Dose-rate effects are important in conventional radiotherapy because of their ability to produce differential sparing effects between normal and malignant tissue. With targeted radiotherapy, in which dose-rates are likely to vary both spatially and temporally, the instantaneous dose-rate is additionally relevant since it determines whether or not any on-going clonogenic tumour re-population can be controlled. Therefore, for RIT in particular, there are two separate facets to the dose-rate effect, one concerned with the relative ability of different tissues to recover from radiation damage, the other concerned with the absolute ability to control concurrent tumour re-growth. In this article these two aspects are examined in terms of the linear-quadratic model and the implications assessed. Other radiobiological issues, such as re-oxygenation and cell cycle re-distribution are not discussed here.
TL;DR: The method is based on pairwise synchronizations of trajectories of adjacent leaf pairs, such that the delivered beam intensity in each 'tongue-and-groove' region is always equal to the smallest of the two prescribed intensities for the two corresponding leaf pairs.
Abstract: In all commercially available multileaf collimators, a `tongue-and-groove' - or similar - construction is used for reduction of leakage radiation between adjacent leaves. These constructions can cause serious underdosages in intensity-modulated photon beams. A method for leaf trajectory calculation for dynamic multileaf collimation, which fully avoids these underdosage effects, is presented. The method is based on pairwise synchronizations of trajectories of adjacent leaf pairs, such that the delivered beam intensity in each `tongue-and-groove' region is always equal to the smallest of the two prescribed intensities for the two corresponding leaf pairs. The effectiveness of the method has been proven for a large number of intensity-modulated fields, using the dynamic multileaf collimation mode of our MM50 Racetrack Microtron. Compared to dynamic multileaf collimation without synchronization, beam-on times are always equal or longer. For the cases that we studied, the beam-on time was typically increased by 5 to 15%.
TL;DR: Methods are supplied to describe the tissue-vessel interaction, the shift of the blood temperature profile describing the flow of blood along the vessel and the calculation of the vessel wall temperature.
Abstract: In hyperthermia treatment planning vessels with a diameter larger than 0.5 mm must be treated individually. Such vessels can be described as 3D curves with associated diameters. The temperature profile along the vessel is discretized one dimensionally. Separately the tissue is discretized three dimensionally on a regular grid of voxels. The vessel as well as the tissue are positioned in one global space. Methods are supplied to describe the tissue - vessel interaction, the shift of the blood temperature profile describing the flow of blood along the vessel and the calculation of the vessel wall temperature. The calculation of the interaction is based on tissue temperature samples and the blood temperature together with the distance between the centre of the vessel and the tissue temperature sample. An analytical expression for a vessel inside a coaxial tissue cylinder is then used for the calculation of the heat flow rate across the vessel wall. The basic test system is a vessel segment embedded inside a coaxial tissue cylinder. All the tests use this setup while the following simulation parameters are varied: position and orientation of the vessel relative to the tissue grid, vessel radius, sample density of the blood temperature and power deposition inside the tissue cylinder. The blood temperature profile is examined by calculation of the local estimate of the equilibration length. All tests show excellent agreement with the theory.
TL;DR: An algorithm is presented which enables the calculation of dose distributions due to irregular fields using pencil beam kernels derived from simple basic beam data usually measured on treatment units, i.e. central axis depth-dose curves and profiles.
Abstract: In radiotherapy, accurately calculated dose distributions of irregularly shaped photon beams are needed. In this paper, an algorithm is presented which enables the calculation of dose distributions due to irregular fields using pencil beam kernels derived from simple basic beam data usually measured on treatment units, i.e. central axis depth-dose curves and profiles. The only extra data that are needed, and are not currently measured, is the phantom scatter factor curve at the reference depth. The algorithm has been developed as an extension to a previously developed algorithm for rectangular fields which is based on the Milan-Bentley storage model. In the case of an irregular field, the depth dose and the boundary function are computed by convolution of a field intensity function with pencil beam kernels. The depth dose is computed by using a 'scatter' kernel, which is derived from the stored depth-dose curves and from the phantom scatter factor curve. The boundary function is computed by using a 'boundary' kernel, which is derived from the boundary profile of a number of large square fields. Because of the simplicity of the data used and the underlying concepts, which for instance do not separate the head scatter from the primary beam, this algorithm presents some shortcomings. On the other hand, this simplicity is also of great advantage and the inaccuracy is acceptable for most clinical situations.
TL;DR: The feasibility of using PET for proton dose monitoring is examined here in detail and the spatial correlation between dose depth profiles and depth activity profiles was found to be poor, hence the extraction of isodose profiles from activity profiles seems to be very difficult.
Abstract: The feasibility of using PET for proton dose monitoring is examined here in detail. First experimental studies in a Lucite phantom have been performed at the medical TRIUMF proton beamline for proton energies of 62 MeV and 110 MeV. The proton dose delivered to the phantom ranged from 16 Gy up to 317 Gy. The induced activity was analysed 20-40 min after the irradiation with a PET scanner. The obtained depth activity profiles were compared to our calculation based on a model using available isotope production cross-section data. Both the observed absolute count rates and the activity profiles were found to agree very well with this model. Effects such as proton range straggling, inelastic nuclear interactions and the energy spectrum of the emitted positrons were studied in detail and found to change the activities by 5-10%. The lateral deposition of dose in the phantom could be very well localized by the induced activity. However, the spatial correlation between dose depth profiles and depth activity profiles was found to be poor, hence the extraction of isodose profiles from activity profiles seems to be very difficult.
TL;DR: A method for scatter correction using dual energy window acquisition has been developed and implemented on data collected with a brain-PET tomograph operated in the septa retracted, 3D mode and found to provide accurate correction for scattered events arising from activity outside the direct detector field of view.
Abstract: A method for scatter correction using dual energy window acquisition has been developed and implemented on data collected with a brain-PET tomograph operated in the septa retracted, 3D mode. Coincidence events are assigned to (i) an upper energy window where both photons deposit energy between 380 keV and 850 keV or (ii) a lower energy window where one or both photons deposit within 200 keV and 380 keV. Scaling parameters are derived from measurements of the ratios of counts from line sources due to scattered and unscattered events in the two energy windows in head-sized phantoms. A scaled subtraction of the two energy windows produces a distribution of scatter which is smoothed prior to subtraction from the upper energy window. In phantoms, the correction was found to restore the uniformity, contrast and linearity of activity concentration. Relative activity concentrations were restored to within 7% of their true values in a multicompartment phantom. The method was found to provide accurate correction for scattered events arising from activity outside the direct detector field of view. In a three-compartment phantom containing water, and scanned in dynamic, multiframe mode, the half-lives of the two isotopes were restored to within 2% of their true value.
TL;DR: A numerical method using the biconjugate gradient algorithm in combination with the fast Fourier transform to solve a matrix equation resulting from the discretization of an integrodifferential equation representing the original physical problem for high-frequency magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.
Abstract: A numerical method is presented to compute electromagnetic fields inside a 2 mm high resolution, anatomically detailed model of a human head for high-frequency magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. The method uses the biconjugate gradient algorithm in combination with the fast Fourier transform to solve a matrix equation resulting from the discretization of an integrodifferential equation representing the original physical problem. Given the current distribution in an MRI coil, the method can compute both the electric field (thus the specific energy absorption rate (SAR)) and the magnetic field, also known as the field. Results for the SAR and field distribution, excited by a linear and a quadrature birdcage coil, are calculated and presented at 64 MHz, 128 MHz and 256 MHz, corresponding to the operating frequencies of the 1.5 T, 3 T and 6 T MRI systems. It is shown that compared with that at 64 MHz, the SAR at 128 MHz is increased by a factor over 5 and the SAR at 256 MHz is increased by a factor over 10, assuming the same current strength in the coil. Furthermore, compared with the linear excitation, the average SAR for the quadrature excitation is reduced by a factor over 2 and the maximum SAR is reduced by a factor over 3. It is also shown that the field at high frequencies exhibits a strong inhomogeneity, which is attributed to dielectric resonance.
TL;DR: A detailed comparison between MLS and the other two conventional projection access orderings in ART: the random permutation scheme (RPS) and the sequential access scheme (SAS) shows that one-iteration MLS produces the best reconstruction in many situations.
Abstract: In a previous report we presented a novel ART technique with the projections arranged and accessed in a multilevel scheme (MLS) for efficient algebraic image reconstruction, but whether the scheme is still superior in real situations where the data are noisy is unknown. In this paper, we make a detailed comparison between MLS and the other two conventional projection access orderings in ART: the random permutation scheme (RPS) and the sequential access scheme (SAS). By simulating reconstructions of a human head using different sizes of detector, taking different numbers of projections, each measurement under a different number of photons, a full mapping of the reconstruction accuracy measured by correlation coefficient for the three schemes has been made. Test results demonstrate that one-iteration MLS produces the best reconstruction in many situations. It outperforms one-iteration RPS when the noise level is low. SAS in many cases can never attain the image quality of one-iteration MLS, even with many more iterations. A convergence test using different initial guesses also demonstrates that MLS has less initial dependence. In the Fourier domain, it also represents an efficient and fast implementation of the Fourier slice theorem.
TL;DR: It seems likely that the optimal clinical role of targeted Auger therapy will be as one component of a multi-modality therapeutic strategy for the treatment of selected malignant diseases.
Abstract: Auger-emitting radionuclides have potential for the therapy of cancer due to their high level of cytotoxicity and short-range biological effectiveness. Biological effects are critically dependent on the sub-cellular (and sub-nuclear) localization of Auger emitters. Mathematical modelling studies suggest that there are theoretical advantages in the use of radionuclides with short half-lives (such as ) in preference to those (such as ) with long half-lives. In addition, heterogeneity of radionuclide uptake is predicted to be a serious limitation on the ultimate therapeutic effect of targeted Auger therapy. Possible methods of targeting include the use of analogues of DNA precursors such as iodo-deoxyuridine and molecules which bind DNA such as steroid hormones or growth factors. A longer term possibility may be the use of molecules such as oligonucleotides which can discriminate at the level of DNA sequence. It seems likely that the optimal clinical role of targeted Auger therapy will be as one component of a multi-modality therapeutic strategy for the treatment of selected malignant diseases.
TL;DR: A comparison of the iterative beam profiles with previous analytic solutions shows excellent agreement, indicating that iterative techniques are promising to create sophisticated treatment plans.
Abstract: Iterative algorithms used in imaging science are generalized to study inverse treatment planning in radiotherapy. These algorithms consist of iteratively changing trial incident fluence functions which eventually yield a dose distribution consistent with the prescribed distribution. Application of the algorithms is presented for test cases of a circular phantom with cylindrically symmetric dose distributions. A comparison of the iterative beam profiles with previous analytic solutions shows excellent agreement, indicating that iterative techniques are promising to create sophisticated treatment plans. The relationship between the algorithms and several existing inverse treatment planning methods is discussed.