Validation of 4D dose calculation using an independent motion monitoring by the calypso tracking system and 3D polymer gel dosimetry

This study aims to evaluate an in-house developed 4D dose calculation algorithm that uses Calypso motion tracking data and to compare the results against 3D polymer gel dosimetry measurements. For this, a cylindrical water phantom was constructed that allows to insert (i) the polymer gel, (ii) a PinPoint ® ionization chamber and (iii) Calypso beacons™ for motion tracking. A treatment plan covering a gel flask in the center of the static phantom plus a 1 mm margin homogeneously with dose was generated. During irradiation, however, the phantom was moved periodically by means of a robot with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 2.5 cm. The results of the 4D dose calculations show good agreement with the gel-dosimetric measurements in most of the volume. Remaining small deviations have to be evaluated in further experiments. The developed experimental setup allows for 3D-dosimetric validation of 4D dose calculations algorithms prior to application in patients.