Open AccessBeam matching of two linear accelerators, identical model and brand
Author(s) -
T. Donmoon,
S. Wattanachaiyasit,
U. Kaewboonperm,
E. Meennuch,
C. Klaitong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1505/1/012019
Subject(s) - linear particle accelerator , quality assurance , vendor , medical physics , beam (structure) , computer science , radiation treatment planning , particle accelerator , dosimetry , matching (statistics) , optics , physics , nuclear medicine , medicine , radiation therapy , mathematics , engineering , operations management , statistics , radiology , external quality assessment , marketing , business
The final goal of this work is to interchange ongoing irradiated patients between the two linear accelerators (LINACs), without re-planning if any malfunction of one machine. Having two identical LINACs, only two years apart, it is our opportunity to try using beam matching techniques. First of all, we followed the vender’s criteria, however, these are insufficient to ensure the interchangeability of the patients. The purpose of this work is to describe further and compare measurements and parameters after the initial vendor-recommended beam matching of the two LINACs. After completion of the acceptance test and initial vendor-recommended beam quality test, several parameters were measured to confirm the level of beam matching in both LINACs. The measurement consisted of specific point dose (output factors, head scatter factors, and wedge transmission factors), percentage depth dose, and beam profile. All beam matching parameters from our two LINACs are comparable and acceptable value approximate ±1% or less for both photon and electron beams; therefore, it is possible to interchange accelerators for ongoing irradiated patients without re-planning for dosimetric data as part of the treatment planning system. However, these parameters should be frequently measured/re-checked and compared between LINACs in a part of hospital quality assurance programs. Additional, the safest and most practical way to ensure that two accelerators are within acceptable clinical accuracy is to include treatment planning system (TPS) calculations in the evaluation.