A Study of the TPS Based Beam-Matching Concept for Medical Linear Accelerators at a Tertiary Hospital

The flexibility in radiotherapy can be improved if patients can be moved between any one of the department’s medical linear accelerators (LINACs) without the need to change anything in the patient’s treatment plan. For this to be possible, the dosimetric characteristics of the various accelerators must be the same, or nearly the same. The purpose of this work is to describe further and compare measurements and parameters after the initial vendor-recommended beam matching of the five LINACs. Deviations related to dose calculations and to beam matched accelerators may compromise treatment accuracy. The safest and most practical way to ensure that all accelerators are within clinical acceptable accuracy is to include TPS calculations in the LINACs matching evaluation. Treatment planning system (TPS) was used to create three photons plans with different field sizes 3 × 3 cm, 10 × 10 cm and 25 × 25 cm at a depth of 4.5 cm in Perspex. Calculated TPS plans were sent to Mosaiq to be delivered by five LINACs. TPS plans were compared with five LINACs measurements data using Gamma analyses of 2% and 2 mm. The results suggest that for four out of the five LINACs, there was generally good agreement, less than a 2% deviation between the planned dose distribution and the measured dose distribution. However, one specific LINAC named “Asterix” exhibited a deviation of 2.121% from the planned dose. The results show that all of the LINACs’ performance were within the acceptable deviation and delivering radiation dose consistently and accurately.

Commissioning of TrueBeamTM Medical Linear Accelerator: Quantitative and Qualitative Dosimetric Analysis and Comparison of Flattening Filter (FF) and Flattening Filter Free (FFF) Beam

Motive of the study is to present quantitative and qualitative analysis and comparison of beam data measurement with FF (flattening filter) and FFF (flattening filter free) beam in a Varian TrueBeamTM Medical Linear Accelerator. Critique of beam characterization and evolution of dosimetric properties for 6 MV, 10 MV, 15 MV FF beam and 6 MVFFF, 10 MVFFF FFF beam has been carried out. We performed the comparison of photon beam data for two standard FF photon energy 6 MV, 10 MV verses 6 MVFFF, and 10 MVFFF FFF beam. Determination and comparison of parameter involved PDD (Percentage depth dose), Depth dose profile, Symmetry, Flatness, Quality index, Relative output factor, Penumbra, Transmission factor, DLG (Dosimetric leaf gap), in addition to degree of Un-flatness and off-axis ratio of FFF beam. Outcomes of presenting study had shown that change of various parameters such as Percentage depth dose curves, Shape of the depth dose profile, Transmission, Value of quality index and significant rise in surface dose for FFF in comparison with FF beam. Differences in the output factor at lower and higher field sizes for FFF beam compared to that of FF beam were found. The maximum output factor deviation between 6 MV and 6 MVFFF was found to be 4.55%, whereas in 10 MV and 10 MVFFF was 5.71%. Beam quality TPR20/10 for FFF beam was found to be lesser in magnitude, 5.42% for 6 MVFFF whereas 4.50% for 10 MVFFF compared to 6 MV and 10 MV FF beam respectively. Jaw transmission and interleaf leakage for FFF beam were found to be lesser than FF beam. Also DLG for FFF beam was found to be lesser in magnitude comparable to that of flattened beam. This study is mainly inclined towards evaluation and comparison of the FF and FFF beam. It has been observed that, the outcome of a commissioning beam data generation fully complies with vendor specification and published literature.

AN ANALYSIS oF THE SHEAR FAILURE OF RIGID-LINEAR HARDENING BEAMS UNDER IMPULSIVE LOADING

A theoretical rigid-plastic analysis for the dynamic shear failure of beams under impulsive loading is presented when using a travelling plastic shear hinge model which tabes into account material strain hardening. The maximum dynamic shear strain and shear strain-rate can be predicted in addition to the permanent transverse deflections and other parameters. The conditions for the three modes of shear failure, i.e., excess deflection failure, excess shear strain failure and adiabatic shear failure are analyzed. The special case of an infinitesimally small plastic zone is discussed and compared with Nonaka's solution for a rigid, perfectly plastic material. The results can also be generalized to examine the dynamic response of fibre-reinforced beams.

NON-LINEAR FORCED VIBRATION OF AXIALLY MOVING VISCOELASTIC BEAMS

The non-linear forced vibration of axially moving viscoelastic beams excited by the vibration of the supporting foundation is investigated. A non-linear partial-differential equation governing the transverse motion is derived from the dynamical, constitutive equations and geometrical relations. By referring to the quasi-static stretch assumption, the partial-differential non-linearity is reduced to an integro-partial-differential one. The method of multiple scales is directly applied to the governing equations with the two types of non-linearity, respectively. The amplitude of near- and exact-resonant steady state is analyzed by use of the solvability condition of eliminating secular terms. Numerical results are presented to show the contributions of foundation vibration amplitude, viscoelastic damping, and nonlinearity to the response amplitude for the first and the second mode.

Numerical investigation of multi-beam laser heterodyne measurement with ultra-precision for linear expansion coefficient of metal based on oscillating mirror modulation

This paper proposes a novel method of multi-beam laser heterodyne measurement for metal linear expansion coefficient. Based on the Doppler effect and heterodyne technology, the information is loaded of length variation to the frequency difference of the multi-beam laser heterodyne signal by the frequency modulation of the oscillating mirror, this method can obtain many values of length variation caused by temperature variation after the multi-beam laser heterodyne signal demodulation simultaneously. Processing these values by weighted-average, it can obtain length variation accurately, and eventually obtain the value of linear expansion coefficient of metal by the calculation. This novel method is used to simulate measurement for linear expansion coefficient of metal rod under different temperatures by MATLAB, the obtained result shows that the relative measurement error of this method is just 0.4%.

Direct Measurement of Medical Linear Accelerator Electron Beam Width at Scattering Foil Position

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a method for the direct measurement of electron beam width and distribution at the scattering foil on the carrousel in a medical linear accelerator gantry head, which differs from an existing indirect method for measuring the focal spot size using a camera or metallic slit located outside the gantry head. Methods: The electron beam emitted by the linear accelerator was used to irradiate radiochromic film mounted on the scattering foil on the carrousel, which was not used for clinical treatment. The electron beam width at the scattering foil position was then evaluated using the full width at half maximum of the Gaussian distribution approximated from each one dimensional distribution of the irradiated radiochromic film. Results: The electron beam width at the scattering foil position was found to be 3.1 to 6.4 mm in the crossline direction and 2.8 to 5.5 mm in the inline direction with electron energy of 4 to 16 MeV. The two-dimensional distribution of the electron beam was therefore elliptical or distorted in shape, not circular. Conclusions: Direct measurement of the electron beam width at the scattering foil in the carrousel of a medical linear accelerator is possible, though the use of lower sensitivity film in addition to indirect methods is expected to bring about better results. However, as this method does not allow for direct measurement of the incident angle of the accelerated electron beam, further improvements and refinements are still needed.

FREE NON-LINEAR VIBRATION OF AXIALLY MOVING BEAMS WITH FIXED ENDS

The free non-linear vibration of axially moving, elastic, and tensioned beams on fixed supports is investigated in this paper. Two types of non-linearity, namely, the differential type and integro-differential type, are analyzed. Approximate solutions are sought using the method of multiple scales. The contribution of non-linearity to the response increases with the axial speed, and grows most rapidly near the critical speed. It has been found that the differential type non-linearity is stronger than the integro-differential type non-linearity by analyzing the non-linear effects on natural frequencies.

Maximal entanglement from photon-added nonlinear coherent states via unitary beam splitters

In this paper, we construct photon-added f-deformed coherent states （PAf-DCSs） for nonlinear bosonic fields by discussing Klauder＇s minimal set of conditions required to obtain coherent states. Using this set of nonlinear states, we propose a very useful scheme for generating the maximal amount of entanglement via unitary beam splitters for different strength regimes of the input field α, deformation q and excitation number m. Therefore, the possibility to create highly entangled states and to control the entanglement is proposed. Moreover, the condition for a maximal and separable output beam state is obtained. Finally, we examine the statistical properties of the PAf-DCSs through the Mandel parameter and exploit a connection between this quantity and the behavior variation of the output state entanglement. Our result may open new perspectives in different tasks of quantum information processing.

Radio Frequency Quadrupole for Bunching Electron Beam: Electromagnetic Field, Particle Velocity Range, and Accuracy at 10 GHz

The Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator invented by Kapchinskii and Tepliakov can focus, bunch, and accelerate charged-particle beams simultaneously. Typically, it operates at frequencies up to 500 MHz, for low particle velocities ( β ). The first attempt to design cylindrical RFQ for electrons in the GHz region was done using 3 GHz at Frascati in 1990. In this paper, an analytical approximation of the electromagnetic field is given, and linearized in the beam region for a rectangular Electron Radio Frequency Quadrupole (ERFQ). The differences between the proton-RFQ and the electron-RFQ are discussed. Then, it will be shown that contrary to the quadrupoles for protons or heavy-ions, the ERFQ is suited for electron velocities in the range 0.5 - 0.7 c, and possible applications are given. Finally, it is illustrated, with numerical field computations that this approach gives sufficient accuracy at 10 GHz.

Ultrasonic beam focusing characteristics of shear-vertical waves for contact-type linear phased array in solid

We investigate the beam focusing technology of shear-vertical(SV) waves for a contact-type linear phased array to overcome the shortcomings of conventional wedge transducer arrays. The numerical simulation reveals the transient excitation and propagation characteristics of SV waves. It is found that the element size plays an important role in determining the transient radiation directivity of SV waves. The transient beam focusing characteristics of SV waves for various array parameters are deeply studied. It is particularly interesting to see that smaller element width will provide the focused beam of SV waves with higher quality, while larger element width may result in erratic fluctuation of focusing energy around the focal point. There exists a specific range of inter-element spacing for optimum focusing performance. Moreover, good beam focusing performance of SV waves can be achieved only at high steering angles.

Asymptotic analysis on weakly forced vibration of axially moving viscoelastic beam constituted by standard linear solid model

The weakly forced vibration of an axially moving viscoelastic beam is inves- tigated. The viscoelastic material of the beam is constituted by the standard linear solid model with the material time derivative involved. The nonlinear equations governing the transverse vibration are derived from the dynamical, constitutive, and geometrical relations. The method of multiple scales is used to determine the steady-state response. The modulation equation is derived from the solvability condition of eliminating secular terms. Closed-form expressions of the amplitude and existence condition of nontrivial steady-state response are derived from the modulation equation. The stability of non- trivial steady-state response is examined via the Routh-Hurwitz criterion.

强流脉冲束流位置探测器标定技术

电子直线感应加速器性能提升对束流探测器提出了高精度测量要求,由此不仅要求高精度的探测器设计装配技术,而且也要求探测器的准确标定。从强流脉冲束流位置探测器测量原理出发,从理论和实验两方面开展强流脉冲束流位置探测器标定技术研究。在理论上采用解析方法,分析了不同的计算处理方法和标定方法的标定效果,提出了特征平面标定,在建立的位置标定系统上,对用于多脉冲电子直线感应加速器的No.23电阻环进行了标定实验研究,实验结果验证了理论分析结果,根据理论和实验研究结果,确定了强流脉冲束流位置探测器标定方法。

Truebeam与Triology加速器光子束匹配分析

目的:比较Varian公司Truebeam与Triology医用加速器光子束数据,探讨2台加速器6MV和10 MV光子束射束匹配的可能性。方法:Truebeam和Triology加速器安装验收完成后,利用IBA blue phantom 2三维水箱采集2台机器光子束数据,数据包括40 cm×40 cm射野以下的百分深度剂量、离轴剂量曲线、输出因子;对数据进行射束匹配分析。利用Ecilpse计划系统两种机器模型设计测试例和患者病例调强放射治疗计划,利用IBA公司Matrixx电离室矩阵进行验证。结果:2台机器中,6 MV-X射线对应能量,PDD差异<1%,profile差异<1%或<2 mm;射野输出因子差别<1%;测试例2台机器模型剂量误差<1%,调强患者计划验证通过率均>98%。结论:Truebeam和Triology2台医用加速器6 MV光子束可以进行数据匹配。

磁悬浮轨道梁均匀温度及温差分量极值研究

与一般公铁桥梁不同,磁悬浮轨道梁的温度场会受到周围磁场与功能件升温的影响。由于我国规范暂未对磁浮轨道梁均匀温度和温差分量的极值作出明确规定,研究具有概率保证的温度分量代表值具有重要意义。根据长沙磁浮运营线某混凝土箱梁1年多的现场温度监测数据,分析梁体均匀温度与竖向等效线性温差的时变特征。研究分别采用单变量线性回归法(ULR法)和梯度提升回归树法(GBRT法)建立基于气象因素的结构温度分量预测模型,对比发现GBRT法不仅能提高均匀温度的预测精度,还能克服ULR法无法预测竖向等效线性温差的局限性。而后将1960—2019年的长期气象数据输入到建立好的GBRT预测模型中,得到磁浮箱梁各温度分量60年的长期预测值,经整理后得到均匀温度和竖向等效线性温差的日极值、年极值样本。结合最大熵极值模型和Fourier函数得到各温度分量的日极值时变曲线,对年极值样本建立最大熵模型并确定百年重现期下的温度分量代表值。研究结果表明:磁浮箱梁均匀温度呈现以年为周期的季节性变化,竖向等效线性温差受太阳辐射影响,呈夏季高、冬季低的特点;百年重现期下磁浮箱梁均匀温度和竖向等效线性温差的代表值分别为44.4℃、8.6℃。该方法结合GBRT算法和最大熵极值模型,解决了极值分析中年极值样本不足的问题,结果可为磁浮轨道梁的温度变形设计提供参考。

医用直线加速器非标准束流状态下对剂量学输出影响的研究

目的探讨非标准束流状态对医用直线加速器剂量学参数的影响。方法以Elekta Precise医用直线加速器为研究对象,通过在维修模式调整6 MV束流的伺服参数,模拟常规参数的变化特性,获得4种非标准束流状态(以上参数不稳定致使设备报对应联锁,但复位后设备可继续出束),包括剂量率、2R Err(y方向的均整度与对称性报错值)、2T Err(x方向的均整度与对称性报错值)、Hump Err(峰值报错值)联锁。采用UNIDOS剂量仪、MatriXX二维矩阵及ArcCheck三维剂量验证设备分别测量不同非标准束流状态下的绝对剂量、能量辐射品质、均整度与对称性、调强剂量验证γ通过率等剂量学参数,并与标准束流状态的剂量学参数进行比较。结果非标准束流状态下,除2R Err联锁的剂量学参数与标准束流状态保持一致外,其他非标准束流状态的剂量学参数均与标准束流状态有明显差异。结论医用直线加速器偶尔报2R Err联锁不影响设备的剂量学参数及临床应用,但剂量率不稳、2T Err及Hump Err联锁会影响设备的剂量学参数,需及时进行质量控制。

一种小尺寸轫致辐射转换靶设计

以减小直线感应加速器X射线光源横向尺寸为目标,开展轫致辐射转换靶的设计。对聚焦打靶过程中电子束运动轨迹进行分析,指出同一个电子束轨迹分布,既可以描述为电子束在某纵向位置处具有一定的横向展宽,也可以描述为电子束保持较小横向尺寸时的轴向分布展宽,由此提出在束腰附近放置多个小靶片实现聚焦电子束有效阻挡的小尺寸多层靶概念设计。采用EGS4程序对X射线产额进行计算,发现靶厚度在一定范围内改变时X射线产额变化较小,基于这一规律完成了小尺寸多层靶的结构设计。进一步考察了一个设计应用实例,当聚焦电子束最小包络直径3 mm、会聚角100 mrad时,对比大尺寸靶,采用小尺寸多层靶可以获得等效直径减小约50%、产额减小约10%的X射线光源。该设计方法有望在相同的电子束品质和聚焦条件下,获得横向尺寸小于电子束最小束包络直径的X射线光源,具有一定的应用价值。

桥梁工程大跨双塔钢混组合梁施工控制技术研究

以某地区的大跨度桥梁工程双塔钢混组合梁结构为例,结合该工程实际情况分析该工程的施工控制难点,并确定施工控制原则后,进行主塔线形控制、主梁应力控制、斜拉索索力控制、钢箱梁合龙控制。对控制效果进行测试后得出:梁顶高程最大控制误差为15.6mm,斜拉索的索力控制偏差结果均在5%以内,满足桥梁工程的施工标准规范。

基于光束法平差的双线阵系统标定技术

针对线阵相机特殊使用场景中所需要的高精度图像,对线阵相机进行高精度标定;提出一种基于光束法平差的双线阵相机标定方法;通过背景差分法获取线阵相机的特征点的像素坐标;再利用已有的直接线性变换方法和非线性优化方法求出相机的内参、外参及畸变参数后,将得到的初始参数与世界坐标作为待优化集合,利用LM法和光束法平差对该集合进行更进一步的优化,使得双线阵系统的重投影误差降到最低;实验表明,该方法与传统的线阵相机标定方法相比重投影误差降低了75.01%。

新建南沙港铁路西江特大桥施工控制技术

跨西江主桥采用(2×57.5+172.5+600+4×57.5)m双塔钢箱混合梁斜拉桥结构,斜拉桥主梁由钢箱梁和混凝土箱梁组成,采用非对称混合梁斜拉桥形式。主桥中跨及合龙段钢箱梁采用悬臂拼装施工,其余钢箱梁及现浇梁采用支架现浇施工。采用有限元仿真计算、几何监测、应力监测、斜拉索索力监测调整等关键控制技术,保证桥梁线形状态良好。

针对TrueBeam医用直线加速器的质量控制方法

美国瓦里安公司全新设计的医用直线加速器True Beam的质量控制方法与传统直线加速器的质量控制方法存在一些不同。本文将介绍专门针对True Beam直线加速器的常用的质量控制方法。