Open AccessProton therapy monitoring: spatiotemporal emission reconstruction with prompt gamma timing and implementation with PET detectors
Author(s) -
Francesco Pennazio,
Veronica Ferrero,
Grazia D'Onghia,
S. Garbolino,
Elisa Fiorina,
O.A. Martì Villarreal,
Félix Más Milián,
V. Monaco,
V. Monti,
Alessandra Patera,
J. Werner,
R. Wheadon,
M. Rafecas
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
physics in medicine and biology/physics in medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.312
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1361-6560
pISSN - 0031-9155
DOI - 10.1088/1361-6560/ac5765
Subject(s) - imaging phantom , monte carlo method , proton therapy , detector , robustness (evolution) , range (aeronautics) , computer science , algorithm , photon , physics , standard deviation , beam (structure) , optics , mathematics , statistics , materials science , biochemistry , chemistry , gene , composite material
Objective . In this study we introduce spatiotemporal emission reconstruction prompt gamma timing (SER-PGT), a new method to directly reconstruct the prompt photon emission in the space and time domains inside the patient in proton therapy. Approach . SER-PGT is based on the numerical optimisation of a multidimensional likelihood function, followed by a post-processing of the results. The current approach relies on a specific implementation of the maximum-likelihood expectation maximisation algorithm. The robustness of the method is guaranteed by the complete absence of any information about the target composition in the algorithm. Main results . Accurate Monte Carlo simulations indicate a range resolution of about 0.5 cm (standard deviation) when considering 10 7 primary protons impinging on an homogeneous phantom. Preliminary results on an anthropomorphic phantom are also reported. Significance . By showing the feasibility for the reconstruction of the primary particle range using PET detectors, this study provides significant basis for the development of an hybrid in-beam PET and prompt photon device.