Abstract: Radiation therapy planning uses a beam commissioning tool and a Monte Carlo dose calculation tool. In the beam commissioning, measured dose data are input into a data processor. The measured dose data are derived from exposing a phantom to radiation from a source; and measuring the radiation dose to obtain a measured dose in the phantom resulting from the exposing step. The dose is measured at a plurality of points within the phantom, at least some of said points being axial points located at positions along a substantially central axis of the radiation source and others of said points being transverse points located at positions along an axis transverse to the central axis. The method further performs a Monte Carlo simulation of the radiation source to determine a simulated dose at the plurality of points; and further models the radiation source using the simulated dose and the measured dose.

Abstract: A method of improving radiation therapy planning uses a beam commissioning tool and a Monte Carlo dose calculation tool. In the beam commissioning, measured dose data are input into a data processor. The measured dose data are derived from exposing a phantom to radiation from a source; and measuring the radiation dose to obtain a measured dose in the phantom resulting from the exposing step. The dose is measured at a plurality of points within the phantom, at least some of said points being axial points located at positions along a substantially central axis of the radiation source and others of said points being transverse points located at positions along an axis transverse to the central axis. The method further performs a Monte Carlo simulation of the radiation source to determine a simulated dose at the plurality of points; and further models the radiation source using the simulated dose and the measured dose.