title: A method for achieving variable widths of the spread-out Bragg peak using a ridge filter.
abstract: A method for designing a variable-SOBP (spread-out Bragg peak) ridge filter has been proposed. First, ridge filter parameters are determined by using a Monte Carlo calculation followed by a fast two-step iterative optimization. Then, tilting the ridge filter results in continuous variation of the SOBP width. Monte Carlo calculations show that depth dose uniformity changes from +/- 1.3% to +/- 1.6% for SOBP widths ranging from 10.3 cm to 14.5 cm. Advantages of the proposed tilting ridge filter include a capability of continuous SOBP variation and cost-effective installation for a given SOBP width range.
authors.affiliation: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Advanced Technology R&D Center, Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoda
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results