11 Detector Simulation
521
11.6.1 Medical Imaging
A key application of Monte Carlo simulation in medical imaging is the development
of novel instrumentation, e.g. progress in Position Emission Tomography (PET) and
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Particle transport simulation enables an evaluation of new materials, geometries or system configurations
in multiple versions without the expense of always creating a hardware prototype
[123].
Dedicated particle transport tools have been developed specifically for the
simulation of PET or SPECT devices. An early tool PET-EGS [124] used EGS,
with GEANT4 used in the leading tool, GATE [125], and in GAMOS [126], and
Penelope in PeneloPET [127].
GATE is one of the most commonly used dedicated simulation tools for PET
[123]. This is due to its simplicity in generating setups and steering the simulation
using text commands, and due to the benefits of the validation of the GEANT4
toolkit.
Particle transport simulation is a standard tool in many applications. However,
one of its key drawbacks is the large computation times required. Methods have
been therefore developed to mitigate this problem. As an example, networked
computers are being employed to speed up the calculations. Alternatively, hybrid
computational models are being employed, such as generating the initial photons
using SIMSET [128] or using EGSnrc as its core simulation engine [129].
11.6.2 Proton and Hadron Therapy
As in photon radiotherapy, the recent advances of proton and ion beam therapy
have heavily relied on radiation transport Monte Carlo tools [130]. Due to the
need for short computation time, specialized Treatment Planning Systems (TPS)
with analytical or simplified models for the fast estimation of dose delivery are the
clinical standard.
GEANT4 validation for proton-therapy involves selection of the best performing
physics models [131]. These tools are also essential in evaluating potential improvements in TPS methods [132].
Another critical aspect is the simulation of the effects of organ motion on dose
delivery, e.g. with the GEANT4-based GATE and standalone applications [133].
Specialized applications were developed to use GEANT4 in particle therapy and
provide tailored and validated physics configurations, interfaces to CT input, and
tools including the reading and writing of snapshots of particles at specific interfaces
as phase space files. In the past decade two dedicated applications, PTSim [134]
and TOPAS [135] targeted easy use by clinical physicists in Japan and the US
respectively. TOPAS emphasized reliable configuration, and modelling of the motion
521
11.6.1 Medical Imaging
A key application of Monte Carlo simulation in medical imaging is the development
of novel instrumentation, e.g. progress in Position Emission Tomography (PET) and
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Particle transport simulation enables an evaluation of new materials, geometries or system configurations
in multiple versions without the expense of always creating a hardware prototype
[123].
Dedicated particle transport tools have been developed specifically for the
simulation of PET or SPECT devices. An early tool PET-EGS [124] used EGS,
with GEANT4 used in the leading tool, GATE [125], and in GAMOS [126], and
Penelope in PeneloPET [127].
GATE is one of the most commonly used dedicated simulation tools for PET
[123]. This is due to its simplicity in generating setups and steering the simulation
using text commands, and due to the benefits of the validation of the GEANT4
toolkit.
Particle transport simulation is a standard tool in many applications. However,
one of its key drawbacks is the large computation times required. Methods have
been therefore developed to mitigate this problem. As an example, networked
computers are being employed to speed up the calculations. Alternatively, hybrid
computational models are being employed, such as generating the initial photons
using SIMSET [128] or using EGSnrc as its core simulation engine [129].
11.6.2 Proton and Hadron Therapy
As in photon radiotherapy, the recent advances of proton and ion beam therapy
have heavily relied on radiation transport Monte Carlo tools [130]. Due to the
need for short computation time, specialized Treatment Planning Systems (TPS)
with analytical or simplified models for the fast estimation of dose delivery are the
clinical standard.
GEANT4 validation for proton-therapy involves selection of the best performing
physics models [131]. These tools are also essential in evaluating potential improvements in TPS methods [132].
Another critical aspect is the simulation of the effects of organ motion on dose
delivery, e.g. with the GEANT4-based GATE and standalone applications [133].
Specialized applications were developed to use GEANT4 in particle therapy and
provide tailored and validated physics configurations, interfaces to CT input, and
tools including the reading and writing of snapshots of particles at specific interfaces
as phase space files. In the past decade two dedicated applications, PTSim [134]
and TOPAS [135] targeted easy use by clinical physicists in Japan and the US
respectively. TOPAS emphasized reliable configuration, and modelling of the motion