title: Fast 3D dosimetric verifications based on an electronic portal imaging device using a GPU calculation engine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To use a graphic processing unit (GPU) calculation engine to implement a fast 3D pre-treatment dosimetric verification procedure based on an electronic portal imaging device (EPID).
  
  
  METHODS
  The GPU algorithm includes the deconvolution and convolution method for the fluence-map calculations, the collapsed-cone convolution/superposition (CCCS) algorithm for the 3D dose calculations and the 3D gamma evaluation calculations. The results of the GPU-based CCCS algorithm were compared to those of Monte Carlo simulations. The planned and EPID-based reconstructed dose distributions in overridden-to-water phantoms and the original patients were compared for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment plans based on dose differences and gamma analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total single-field dose computation time was less than 8 s, and the gamma evaluation for a 0.1-cm grid resolution was completed in approximately 1 s. The results of the GPU-based CCCS algorithm exhibited good agreement with those of the Monte Carlo simulations. The gamma analysis indicated good agreement between the planned and reconstructed dose distributions for the treatment plans. For the target volume, the differences in the mean dose were less than 1.8%, and the differences in the maximum dose were less than 2.5%. For the critical organs, minor differences were observed between the reconstructed and planned doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GPU calculation engine was used to boost the speed of 3D dose and gamma evaluation calculations, thus offering the possibility of true real-time 3D dosimetric verification.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, China. zhugoldman@163.com.|Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 510060, Guangzhou, China. zhugoldman@163.com.
authors.forename: Jinhan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 510060, Guangzhou, China. chenlx@sysucc.org.cn.
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 510060, Guangzhou, China. along-chen@163.com.
authors.forename: Along
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 510060, Guangzhou, China. luogw@sysucc.org.cn.
authors.forename: Guangwen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 510060, Guangzhou, China. dengxw@sysucc.org.cn.
authors.forename: Xiaowu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275, Guangzhou, China. stslxw@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiaowei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D011881:Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated