First experimental test of a coded-mask gamma camera for proton therapy monitoring

Physics in Medicine and Biology, vol. 70, pp. 115017

Abstract

Abstract Objective. The objective of the presented study was to evaluate the feasibility of a coded-mask (CM) gamma camera for real-time range verification in proton therapy, addressing the need for a precise and efficient method of treatment monitoring. Approach. A CM gamma camera prototype was tested in clinical conditions. The setup incorporated a scintillator-based detection system and a structured tungsten collimator. The experiment consisted of the irradiation of PMMA phantom with proton beams of energies ranging from 70.51 to 108.15 MeV. Experimental data were benchmarked against Monte Carlo simulations. The distal falloff position (DFP) was determined for both experimental data and simulations. Main results. The tested CM camera achieved a statistical precision of DFP determination of 1.7 mm for 108 protons, which is consistent with simulation predictions, despite hardware limitations such as non-functional detector pixels. Simulations indicated that a fully operational setup would further improve the performance of the detector. The system demonstrated rate capability sufficient for clinical proton beam intensities and maintained performance without significant dead time. Significance. This study validates the potential of the CM gamma camera for real-time proton therapy monitoring. The technology promises to enhance treatment accuracy and patient safety, offering a competitive alternative to existing approaches such as single-slit and multi-slit systems.

Authors 16

1. Magdalena Kołodziej

   Jagiellonian University

   Affiliation as printed

   Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

   Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

   Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Łojasiewicza 11, Kraków, Małopolskie, 30-348, POLAND

2. Stephan Brons

   Heidelberg University · University Hospital Heidelberg

   Affiliation as printed

   Heidelberg Ion Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany

   HIT, UniversitätsKlinikum Heidelberg Heidelberger Ionenstrahl-Therapiezentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 450, D-69120 Heidelberg, Heidelberg, 69120, GERMANY

3. George N. Farah Aachen III. Physikalisches Institut B

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

   III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Otto-Blumenthal-Straße, Aachen, NRW, 52074, GERMANY

4. Alexander Fenger Aachen III. Physikalisches Institut B

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

   III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Otto-Blumenthal-Straße, Aachen, NRW, 52074, GERMANY

5. Ronja Hetzel Aachen III. Physikalisches Institut B Physics Institute III B

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

   Physics Institute III B, RWTH Aachen University, Otto-Blumenthal-Straße, Aachen, 52074, GERMANY

6. Jonas Kasper Aachen III. Physikalisches Institut B

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

   III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Otto-Blumenthal-Straße, Aachen, NRW, 52074, GERMANY

7. Monika Kercz

   Jagiellonian University

   Affiliation as printed

   Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

   Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

   Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Łojasiewicza 11, Kraków, Małopolskie, 30-348, POLAND

8. Barbara Kołodziej

   Jagiellonian University

   Affiliation as printed

   Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

   Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

   Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Łojasiewicza 11, Kraków, Małopolskie, 30-348, POLAND

9. Gabriel Ostrzołek

   Jagiellonian University

   Affiliation as printed

   Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

   Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Łojasiewicza 11, Kraków, Małopolskie, 30-348, POLAND

10. M. Rafecas

    University of Lübeck

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical Engineering, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

    Institute of Medical Engineering, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck, SH, 23562, GERMANY

11. J. Röser

    University of Lübeck

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Medical Engineering, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

    Institute of Medical Engineering, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck, SH, 23562, GERMANY

12. Katarzyna Rusiecka

    Jagiellonian University

    Affiliation as printed

    Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

    Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Łojasiewicza 11, Kraków, Małopolskie, 30-348, POLAND

13. A. Stahl Aachen III. Physikalisches Institut B

    RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    III. Physikalisches Institut B, RWTH Aachen University, Otto-Blumenthal-Straße, Aachen, NRW, 52074, GERMANY

14. Vitalii Urbanevych

    Jagiellonian University

    Affiliation as printed

    Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

    Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Łojasiewicza 11, Kraków, Małopolskie, 30-348, POLAND

15. Ming-Liang Wong

    Jagiellonian University

    Affiliation as printed

    Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

    Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Łojasiewicza 11, Kraków, Małopolskie, 30-348, POLAND

16. A. Wrońska

    Jagiellonian University

    Affiliation as printed

    Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

    Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, ul. Łojasiewicza 11, Kraków, Małopolskie, 30-348, POLAND