Bragg Peak Flattening Filter for Dose Delivery Utilizing Energy Stacking

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G. Warrell

Abstract

Proton beam radiotherapy is attractive for cancer treatment because of the unusually sharp Bragg peak exhibited by proton beams. However, many beam energies are needed to cover the entire volume of the tumor, increasing the sensitivity of the treatment to target motion. It is therefore desirable to have a flattening filter that necessitates fewer beam energies to cover the target by spreading out the Bragg peak. A prototype aluminum grid flattening filter was designed, manufactured, and tested at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF). It has been found feasible to use such a filter to treat the patient with fewer beam energies. However, further work is necessary to generate a sufficiently uniform dose for clinical purposes.

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