GPU-based fast pencil beam algorithm for proton therapy

Performance of a treatment planning system is an essential factor in making sophisticated plans. The dose calculation is a major time-consuming process in planning operations. The standard algorithm for proton dose calculations is the pencil beam algorithm which produces relatively accurate results,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics in medicine & biology 2011-03, Vol.56 (5), p.1319-1328
Main Authors: Fujimoto, Rintaro, Kurihara, Tsuneya, Nagamine, Yoshihiko
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Computer Graphics
Humans
Protons - therapeutic use
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted - methods
Radiotherapy, Conformal - methods
Time Factors
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Summary:Performance of a treatment planning system is an essential factor in making sophisticated plans. The dose calculation is a major time-consuming process in planning operations. The standard algorithm for proton dose calculations is the pencil beam algorithm which produces relatively accurate results, but is time consuming. In order to shorten the computational time, we have developed a GPU (graphics processing unit)-based pencil beam algorithm. We have implemented this algorithm and calculated dose distributions in the case of a water phantom. The results were compared to those obtained by a traditional method with respect to the computational time and discrepancy between the two methods. The new algorithm shows 5-20 times faster performance using the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 card in comparison with the Intel Core-i7 920 processor. The maximum discrepancy of the dose distribution is within 0.2%. Our results show that GPUs are effective for proton dose calculations.
ISSN:0031-9155
1361-6560
DOI:10.1088/0031-9155/56/5/006