The paper presents an optimization study based on genetic algorithms (GA’s) for a radio-frequency applicator used in heating dielectric band products. The weakly coupled electro-thermal problem is analyzed using 2D-FEM. The design variables in the optimization process are: the voltage of a supplementary “guard” electrode and six geometric parameters of the applicator. Two objective functions ar...

background: radiotherapy treatment planning requires different dosimetric quantities as input in order to calculate a desired dose distribution. this study has been focused to evaluate the depth dose characteristics of superficial x-rays being used for radiotherapy treatment. materials and methods: computerized 3-d water phantom of multi-data system was used. the measurements were made through ...

PURPOSE HDR (60)Co system has recently been developed and utilized for brachytherapy in many countries outside of the U.S. as an alternative to (192)Ir. In addition, the AccuBoost(®) technique has been demonstrated to be a successful non-invasive image-guided breast brachytherapy treatment option. The goal of this project is to evaluate the possibility of utilizing the BEBIG HDR (60)Co system f...

INTRODUCTION This study compared simulated temperature distributions of intraluminal heating devices, concerning penetration and homogeneity. A hot water balloon, a 434-MHz monopole and a 915-MHz dipole antenna, both with incorporated cooling, and a 27-MHz applicator were investigated. METHODS The hot water balloon had an inlet temperature of 45 degrees C and a flow rate of 7.85 ml s(-1). The...

Purpose The aim of this study is to describe a phantom designed for independent examination of a source position in brachytherapy that is suitable for inclusion in an external auditing program. Material and methods We developed a phantom that has a special design and a simple mechanism, capable of firmly fixing a radiochromic film and tandem-ovoid applicators to assess discrepancies in source...

This paper presents a patient safety applicator tool for implementing and assessing patient safety systems in health care institutions. The applicator tool consists of critical processes and performance measures identified in the context of the 2003 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence. The Delphi technique was used for gaining consensu...

PURPOSE To retrospectively compare the potential dosimetric advantages of a multichannel vaginal applicator vs. a single channel one in intracavitary vaginal high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy after hysterectomy, and evaluate the dosimetric advantage of fractional re-planning. MATERIAL AND METHODS We randomly selected 12 patients with endometrial carcinoma, who received adjuvant vaginal cuff ...