A feasibility study of enhanced prompt gamma imaging for range verification in proton therapy using deep learning

In this study, we simulated proton pencil beams delivered at clinical dose rates and levels in a tissue-equivalent phantom using Monte-Carlo (MC). PG detection with a CC was simulated using the MC-Plus-Detector-Effects model. Images were reconstructed using kernel-weighted-back-projection algorithm, and were then enhanced by the proposed method. Results demonstrated that the method effectively restored the 3D shape of PGs with proton pencil beam range clearly visible in all testing cases. Range errors were within 2 pixels (4 mm) in all directions in most cases at a dose level of 10^9 protons/beam. The method is fully automatic and nearly real-time. Overall, the preliminary study demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed method to generate accurate 3D PG images, providing a powerful tool for high-precision in-vivo range verification of proton therapy.PMID:36848674 | DOI:10.1088/1361-6560/acbf9a
Source: Physics in Medicine and Biology - Category: Physics Authors: Source Type: research