A 3D technique for simulation of irregular electron treatment fields using a digital camera.

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Traditional Cerrobend inserts for electron field aperture definition rely on manual contour reproduction using perspex templates.
• Existing digital camera techniques for electron field simulation are limited to flat or near-flat surfaces, excluding complex anatomical contours.
• Image distortions from non-flat surfaces pose a challenge for accurate simulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel digital camera technique for simulating electron treatment fields on arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) anatomical surfaces.
• To overcome the limitations of previous methods in handling non-flat surfaces for accurate contour simulation.
• To provide a fast, accurate, and user-friendly procedure for radiation therapy planning.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a digital camera to capture contours directly from patient surfaces.
• Developing an image processing technique to correct for distortions on arbitrary 3D shapes.
• Applying the captured and processed contours for the manufacturing of electron field apertures.

Main Results:

• The new technique successfully simulates electron treatment fields contoured on complex 3D anatomical surfaces (e.g., neck, extremities, face, breast).
• The procedure demonstrates speed, accuracy, and ease of performance compared to manual methods.
• Eliminates the need for traditional perspex templates in electron field aperture definition.

Conclusions:

• The presented digital camera technique offers a significant advancement for electron beam therapy planning.
• It enables accurate simulation of electron field apertures on diverse and complex patient anatomies.
• This method improves efficiency and precision in radiation oncology workflows.