title: GPU-based fast pencil beam algorithm for proton therapy.
abstract: Performance of a treatment planning system is an essential factor in making sophisticated plans. The dose calculation is a major time-consuming process in planning operations. The standard algorithm for proton dose calculations is the pencil beam algorithm which produces relatively accurate results, but is time consuming. In order to shorten the computational time, we have developed a GPU (graphics processing unit)-based pencil beam algorithm. We have implemented this algorithm and calculated dose distributions in the case of a water phantom. The results were compared to those obtained by a traditional method with respect to the computational time and discrepancy between the two methods. The new algorithm shows 5-20 times faster performance using the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 card in comparison with the Intel Core-i7 920 processor. The maximum discrepancy of the dose distribution is within 0.2%. Our results show that GPUs are effective for proton dose calculations.
authors.affiliation: Hitachi, Ltd Energy and Environmental Systems Laboratory, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki, Japan. rintaro.fujimoto.ns@hitachi.com
authors.forename: Rintaro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Tsuneya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagamine
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003196:Computer Graphics; D006801:Humans; D061766:Proton Therapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D011522:Protons