Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Monte Carlo characterization of a new Yb-169 high dose rate source for brachytherapy application

Journal Article · · Medical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1118/1.3301607· OSTI ID:22098505
; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854 (United States)
Purpose: The objective was to characterize a new Yb-169 high dose rate source for brachytherapy application. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the MCNP5 F6 energy deposition tallies placed around the Yb-169 source at different radial distances in both air-vacuum and water environments. The calculations were based on a spherical water phantom with a radius of 50 cm. The output from the simulations was converted into radial dose rate distribution in polar coordinates surrounding the brachytherapy source. Results: The results from Monte Carlo simulations were used to calculate the AAPM Task Group 43 dosimetric parameters: Anisotropy function, radial dose function, air kerma strength, and dose rate constant. The results indicate a dose rate constant of 1.12{+-}0.04 cGy h{sup -1} U{sup -1}, anisotropy function ranging from 0.44 to 1.00 for radial distances of 0.5-10 cm and polar angles of 0 deg. - 180 deg. Conclusions: The data from the Yb-169 HDR source, Model M42, presented in this study show that this source compares favorably with another source of Yb-169, Model 4140, already approved for brachytherapy treatment.
OSTI ID:
22098505
Journal Information:
Medical Physics, Journal Name: Medical Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 37; ISSN 0094-2405; ISSN MPHYA6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English