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Biomedical subjects

E S Sternick

Publications and source records attributed to E S Sternick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Use of a 1 mm collimator to test the accuracy of stereotactic radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To develop a method of measuring locations of the center of dose in stereotactic radiotherapy relative to the center of the target, and thereby obtain a test of the accuracy of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: An insert was mounted in an SRT collimator on a 6 MV linear accelerator to provide a photon beam approximately 1 mm in diameter at isocenter, and a method of measuring radiation center coordinates of arced SRT beams. To simulate a small intracranial target, two halves of a Barium paste column were embedded in two adjacent slabs of a humanoid phantom. A film was placed between the slabs to image the radiation relative to the target center. A surgical head ring and computerized tomography (CT) localizer were attached to the phantom and CT scans were obtained. The scans were entered in a three-dimensional computerized treatment-planning system and radiation isocenter coordinates determined by iteratively moving the 90% isodose surface center of arced beam dose distributions to coincide with the target center. The phantom was bolted to an SRT floorstand with isocenter coordinates obtained from the treatment plan, and then irradiated in two sets of experiments. The first set applied five 1 mm noncoplanar arced beams with and without offsets of the planned coordinates in the transverse plane. The second set applied one large transverse arc coplanar to the film with and without offsets in the craniocaudal direction. Irradiations with coordinate offsets tested the sensitivity of the method. Films were developed and digitized with a high resolution film scanner to measure the location of the radiation relative to the target center. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The radiation center was found from 0.0 to 0.3 mm of the target center, within requirements of our clinical quality assurance program. The measurement and evaluation of coincidence of radiation and target centers are, thus, proposed as elements of radiosurgery facility acceptance and annual quality assurance.

Models, Anatomic↗
PubMed1996

Algorithms for the process management of sealed source brachytherapy.

Incidents and misadministrations suggest that brachytherapy may benefit from clarification of the quality management program and other mandates of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. To that end, flowcharts of step by step subprocesses were developed and formatted with dedicated software. The overall process was similarly organized in a complex flowchart termed a general process map. Procedural and structural indicators associated with each flowchart and map were critiqued and pre-existing documentation was revised. "Step-regulation tables" were created to refer steps and subprocesses to Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules and recommendations in their sequences of applicability. Brachytherapy algorithms were specified as programmable, recursive processes, including therapeutic dose determination and monitoring doses to the public. These algorithms are embodied in flowcharts and step-regulation tables. A general algorithm is suggested as a template from which other facilities may derive tools to facilitate process management of sealed source brachytherapy.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

Demographic characteristics of physicists who evaluate mammographic units.

PURPOSE: To determine whether there will be an adequate number of physicists to meet the 1996 American College of Radiology (ACR) Mammography Accreditation Program requirements and assess the qualifications of physicists available to evaluate mammography units as required by the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 21-question survey prepared by the ACR was sent to most medical physicists who perform evaluations of mammographic units. Replies were received from 1,011 individuals. RESULTS: Survey results are based on the replies of 824 individuals who indicated a willingness to perform evaluations in the future. In 1996, there will be approximately 510 certified physicists to evaluate an estimated 14,000 mammography units in the United States. CONCLUSION: A sufficient number of certified diagnostic medical physicists will be available to provide required annual performance evaluations of all mammography units in the United States only if the number of units evaluated per physicist increases substantially over current levels.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1994

Fine tuning of linear accelerator accessories for stereotactic radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Experience with the University of Wisconsin's stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) accessory system was applied to build a new system, facilitate alignment of linac photon beams with a Brown-Roberts-Wells (BRW) stereotaxy, and increase the versatility and stability of the stereotaxy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: High tensile strength stainless steel was used in the floor stand to increase the range of gantry rotation relative to ranges allowed by truss-mounted stands. The collimator assembly and floor stand were each fitted with two-axis gimbal and translation adjustments in addition to the floor stand's three-axis adjustments. The head ring positioning assembly was fitted with two braces to prevent the head ring from deforming with patient motion. Six MV linac photon beam characteristics were measured with a computer-controlled scanning system and a diode in water, at source to surface distances (SSD) of 80 and 100 cm, and for 13 divergent collimators ranging in diameter from 1-4 cm at 100 cm SSD. Quality assurance software was applied to screen data for questionable consistency or symmetry. Integrity of the stereotaxy was evaluated with target simulation films and repeated measurements which were part of the quality assurance of clinical treatments. A method was developed using a glass etched contact reticle to obtain average simulated target to beam center distances (delta av) from target simulation films. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: New aspects of the current system have improved the ability to fine tune and analyze stereotactic alignment. Beam characteristics met stringent output criteria and penumbral widths were the same or narrower than penumbral widths reported elsewhere. The precision of measuring delta av was 0.1 mm, and delta av averaged over 50 target simulation films was 0.7 +/- 0.1 mm. Results suggest that it may be useful to determine delta av from target simulation films with the method described here.

Humans↗
PubMed1984

Combined effect of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) and modest hyperthermia on Chinese hamster (V79) cell survival and DNA strand break repair following photon irradiation.

Previous studies from our institution have shown that 10(-4) M DDC enhances the effects of radiation and of hyperthermia treatment at 43 degrees C on the killing of Chinese hamster (DON) cells. We herein report studies on the combined effect seen at more modest temperatures (41 degrees C) which can be achieved in humans by whole body heating without the need for general anesthesia. Treatment of V79 cells with DDC for 60 minutes at 37 degrees C or 41 degrees C had minimal toxicity at concentrations up to 5 X 10(-5) M. When cells were irradiated with single doses up to 1000 rad (137Cs, 350 rad/min), pre-incubation with 10(-4) M DDC had no effect on cell survival at 37 degrees C, but markedly decreased survival at 41 degrees C (D37 = 475 rad without DDC, 270 rad with DDC). The mechanism of this increased cell killing is not known. We observed, however, that there is no repair of DNA single strand breaks in DNA from irradiated V79 cells previously held at 41 degrees C in the presence of 10(-4) M DDC. Without DDC, repair of SSB was similar at 37 degrees C and 41 degrees C.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

A FORTRAN program for the optimization of radiotherapy treatment planning using the complication probability factor (CPF).

The complication probability factor (CPF) is an objective function, based directly on radiobiological principles and clinical data, for the optimization of radiotherapy treatment planning; it measures the likelihood that a given radiation dose distribution will lead to serious complications in the patient as a result of damage to healthy tissue. A computerized search can be made for that treatment plan which delivers an acceptable tumoricidal dose, yet minimizes the CPF as averaged over the total volume of healthy tissue irradiated. The CPF FORTRAN program, run on a PDP 11/55 in conjunction with a commercially available radiotherapy treatment planning package, is described in detail.

Computers↗
PubMed1979

Real-time computer verification for radiation therapy treatment machines.

A computer based verification system which monitors the operation of a 4-MV linear accelerator is described. Fourteen parameters can be checked for proper alignment prior to irradiation. A training simulator was also built to minimize interference with treatment schedules and to provide technicians with experience in using the system during the developmental stages of the project.

Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment planning with a graphics tablet.

A graphics-tablet treatment planning system is described. The cost effectiveness of this approach is especially attractive where time-sharing use of a central computer facility is available.

Computers↗