VERBETERING VAN FILMDOSIMETRIE VOOR KWALITEITSBORGING IN RADIOTHERAPIE

The current project investigates 2D dosimetry system to execute patient-specific Quality Assurance of radiotherapy treatments. The main focus of the research is the reduction of the energy dependence of an Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) pre-treatment dosimetry system. The research first optimizes and analyses the energy dependence of the dosimeter based on Z-effective calculations and standardized measurements performed on clinical LINACS. Second we investigate and implement calibration protocols that account for signal-to-noise ratio, fading, rebounce, dose/ dose rate dependence, angular dependence etc.. Subsequently, the residual energy dependence will be investigated in function of state-of-the art radiotherapy treatments to verify class-specific solution specific effects. Finally, the dosimeter's performance will be evaluated a broad clinical context of IMRT, VMAT, brachytherapy, and proton therapy. All results will be benchmarked to the gold standard measurements (Ionization chambers, GafChromic film) and dose calculations. An additional investigation of the OSL film will evaluate the possibility to obtain 3D dose measurements. The research is part of a VLAIO project that investigates the whole bench-to-bedside trajectory for three luminescence-based dosimetry systems: pre-treatment dosimetry, in-vivo dosimetry, and post-treatment dosimetry. The project will be executed in collaboration with the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), the Innovation Office of AGFA NV and the LABORATORY EXPERIMENTAL RADIOTHERAPY.