title: Monte Carlo simulation of the image formation process in portal imaging.
abstract: We have written Monte Carlo programs to simulate the formation of radiological images. Our code is used to propagate a simulated x-ray fluence through each component of an existing video-based portal imaging system. This simulated fluence consists of a 512 x 512 pixel image containing both contrast-detail patterns as well as checker patterns to assess spatial resolution of the simulated portal imager. All of the components of the portal imaging system were modeled as a cascade of eight linear stages. Using this code, one can assess the visual impact of changing components in the imaging chain by changing the appropriate probability density function. Virtual experiments were performed to assess the visual impact of replacing the lens and TV camera by an amorphous silicon array, and the effect of scattered radiation on portal images.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Physics, Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada. jeanpierre.bissonnette@rmp.uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bissonnette
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity