Varian
Proton Solutions
2010-2014: PhD at TU Darmstadt and GSI Darmstadt in the field of laser-driven ion acceleration 2014-2015: Postdoc at GSI Darmstadt in the field of laser-driven ion acceleration 2015-2018: Physicist Accelerator Development at Varian Medical Systems PT since 2018: Research Scientist at Varian Medical Systems PT

Presenter of 1 Presentation

ULTRA-HIGH DOSE RATE BEAM MONITORING AND CONTROL FOR A VARIAN PROBEAM SYSTEM

Session Type
FLASH Modalities Track (Oral Presentations)
Date
Fri, 03.12.2021
Session Time
14:30 - 15:30
Room
Hall C
Lecture Time
14:30 - 14:40

Abstract

Background and Aims

To enable ultra-high dose rate irradiations (e.g. necessary for FLASH RT) with a Varian ProBeam system, a new beam monitoring system for proton pencil beam scanning has been successfully designed, tested and put to use for first applications.

Methods

The new beam monitor system is based on established air-filled ionization chamber technology and includes two independent dose monitors as well as position monitors for the lateral x and y directions as needed for modern pencil beam scanning applications.

Results

Precise handling of ultra-high dose rate scanned proton pencil beams was demonstrated for up to 350 nA proton beam current in the treatment room nozzle with measured recombination losses in the dose monitors well below 1%.

Conclusions

A first installed new beam monitoring solution enables fully integrated use of ultra-high dose rate beams and is in use for the first clinical proton FLASH trial (FAST-01) and part of Varian's FLEX research kit for non-clinical use. A further optimized solution will in the future enable fast switching between conventional and ultra-high dose rate modes without the necessity of hardware changes.

This work has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement No. 730983.

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Author Of 2 Presentations

OVERVIEW AND CURRENT STATUS OF THE JOINT RESEARCH PROJECT UHDPULSE - “METROLOGY FOR ADVANCED RADIOTHERAPY USING PARTICLE BEAMS WITH ULTRA-HIGH PULSE DOSE RATES”

Session Type
FLASH Modalities Track (Oral Presentations)
Date
Wed, 01.12.2021
Session Time
14:50 - 15:50
Room
Room 2.15
Lecture Time
14:50 - 15:00

Abstract

Background and Aims

Dosimetry for FLASH radiotherapy, VHEE radiotherapy as well as for laser-driven beams cause significant metrological challenges due to the ultra-high dose rates and pulsed structure of these beams, in particular for real time measurements with active dosimeters. It is not possible to simply apply existing Codes of Practice available for dosimetry in conventional external radiotherapy here. However, reliable standardized dosimetry is necessary for accurate comparisons in radiobiological experiments, to compare the efficacy of these new radiotherapy techniques and to enable safe clinical application. UHDpulse aims to develop the metrological tools needed for reliable real-time absorbed dose measurements of electron and proton beams with ultra-high dose rate, ultra-high dose per pulse or ultra-short pulse duration.

Methods

Within UHDpulse, primary and secondary absorbed dose standards and reference dosimetry methods are developed, the responses of available state-of-the-art detector systems are characterised, novel and custom-built active dosimetric systems and beam monitoring systems are designed, and methods for relative dosimetry and for the characterization of stray radiation are investigated.

Results

Prototypes of different active dosimetry systems show promising results for real-time dosimetry for particle beams with ultra-high pulse dose rates. The results of the UHDpulse project will be the input data for future Codes of Practice.

Conclusions

A brief overview of the progress in the UHDpulse project and the involved institutions will be given.

Acknowledgement: This project 18HLT04 UHDpulse has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

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ULTRA-HIGH DOSE RATE BEAM MONITORING AND CONTROL FOR A VARIAN PROBEAM SYSTEM

Session Type
FLASH Modalities Track (Oral Presentations)
Date
Fri, 03.12.2021
Session Time
14:30 - 15:30
Room
Hall C
Lecture Time
14:30 - 14:40

Abstract

Background and Aims

To enable ultra-high dose rate irradiations (e.g. necessary for FLASH RT) with a Varian ProBeam system, a new beam monitoring system for proton pencil beam scanning has been successfully designed, tested and put to use for first applications.

Methods

The new beam monitor system is based on established air-filled ionization chamber technology and includes two independent dose monitors as well as position monitors for the lateral x and y directions as needed for modern pencil beam scanning applications.

Results

Precise handling of ultra-high dose rate scanned proton pencil beams was demonstrated for up to 350 nA proton beam current in the treatment room nozzle with measured recombination losses in the dose monitors well below 1%.

Conclusions

A first installed new beam monitoring solution enables fully integrated use of ultra-high dose rate beams and is in use for the first clinical proton FLASH trial (FAST-01) and part of Varian's FLEX research kit for non-clinical use. A further optimized solution will in the future enable fast switching between conventional and ultra-high dose rate modes without the necessity of hardware changes.

This work has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement No. 730983.

Hide