Beam control system and output fine-tuning for safe and precise delivery of FLASH radiotherapy at a clinical linear accelerator.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

We have previously adapted a clinical linear accelerator (Elekta Precise, Elekta AB) for ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) electron delivery. To enhance reliability in future clinical FLASH radiotherapy trials, the aim of this study was to introduce and evaluate an upgraded beam control system and beam tuning process for safe and precise UHDR delivery.

Materials and methods

The beam control system is designed to interrupt the beam based on 1) a preset number of monitor units (MUs) measured by a monitor detector, 2) a preset number of pulses measured by a pulse-counting diode, or 3) a preset delivery time. For UHDR delivery, an optocoupler facilitates external control of the accelerator's thyratron trigger pulses. A beam tuning process was established to maximize the o

SUBMITTER: Konradsson E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10830783 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature