Toward real-time, volumetric dosimetry for FLASH-capable clinical synchrocyclotrons using protoacoustic imaging.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Radiation delivery with ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy (RT) holds promise for improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects but poses challenges in radiation delivery accuracy due to its ultra-high dose rates. This necessitates the development of novel imaging and verification technologies tailored to these conditions.

Purpose

Our study explores the effectiveness of proton-induced acoustic imaging (PAI) in tracking the Bragg peak in three dimensions and in real time during FLASH proton irradiations, offering a method for volumetric beam imaging at both conventional and FLASH dose rates.

Methods

We developed a three-dimensional (3D) PAI technique using a 256-element ultrasound detector array for FLASH dose rate proton beams. In the study,

SUBMITTER: Wang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11530303 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature