Benefits Analysis: SUN NUCLEAR

Sun Nuclear 3D SCANNER™ corporation

better outcomes through technology

introduction

Radiation oncology beam scanning with a water

tank has been the cornerstone of medical physics
dosimetry for decades. During this time there have been
numerous fundamental advancements in the radiation
oncology treatment portfolio and practice, including
computerization, intensity modulation, image guidance,
stereotactic, arc delivery, and more.

These advancements dictate the need for more accurate

cornerstone dosimetry measurements. Yet remarkably
little has changed in the way of water tank products,
whose fundamental square design dates to an era of
Cobalt-60 open field dosimetry. In that era, water tanks
were typically used once per month, creating familiarity.
Today a water tank may typically be used only once per
year or even less, creating a lack of familiarity.

The 3D SCANNER is Sun Nuclear’s first 3D water tank – and it

The demands placed upon medical physicists who
are responsible for dosimetry and QA have increased
dramatically as well. The need for high accuracy exists
now more than ever. Understanding the dependence
of accurate measurements on a reproducible and non-
subjective setup is equally important.
is different by design. 3D SCANNER has been developed from
the ground up to provide accurate, reproducible beam data in
an era of modern treatment options and busy clinical staff. The
geometrical design, setup process, and software have all been
developed to improve not only the accuracy of measurement
data, but also the water tank setup process, making it less
subjective and more reproducible.

3D SCANNER
TM

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auto setup

Auto Setup 1 Auto level

 D SCANNER measures water surface relative to

3

w Less subjective
the scanner at three points and automatically adjusts
the level of the scanner using two electric motors.

w Saves time 2 Auto center

Position once.  D SCANNER measures a 10x10cm beam to

3
determine the center of the beam relative to the

auto level
center of 3D SCANNER. Two electric motors then

No adjustment needed. align the center of the 3D SCANNER with the beam
center.
3D SCANNER compares
water surface to the scanning 3 Angle offset
mechanism at several points
Setup of a water tank greatly affects the collected data. Less to make leveling adjustments.
 D SCANNER uses a series of beam measurements
3
3D SCANNER then calibrates
frequent use of a water tank can increase the likelihood for the position of the detector to automatically establish sagittal and coronal home
non-reproducible setups. A reproducible, accurate setup is relative to the water surface.
positions for the unique ring drive mechanism.
a primary benefit of the 3D SCANNER.

To begin Auto-Setup, the 3D SCANNER with the specially

designed Lift Table is approximately positioned under the
auto center 1
beam using laser guidelines. Once positioned, Auto-Setup
10 x 10cm 2
will setup the 3D SCANNER in a reproducible manner,
eliminating subjectivity and saving time.

Couch ring

Since the 3D SCANNER Lift Table spans the

couch rotation ring, setup is not affected if the
ring is disturbed.

Lockable wheels are

clear of the couch ring.

The 3D SCANNER Lift Table spans the diameter of all

common couch rotation rings. By spanning the ring
completely, 3D SCANNER setup will not be affected if the Two measurements determine
Y (1) and X (2) shifts to center
couch ring is stepped on or moved. 3D SCANNER on Beam Center.
Shifts are applied automatically. 5
Setup complete.
X
Y

Required leveling adjustments

are applied automatically.

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consistent detector orientation: no tank shifts

3D SCANNER utilizes a ring drive mechanism to perform

all beam scans. This unique approach is extremely
o
360 of Scanning:
accurate and reproducible for detector positioning in a
3D volume.

The benefit of the ring drive design is consistent detector

orientation with respect to in-plane, cross-plane, and
diagonal beam scans, without the need to rotate or shift
Detector Freedom. 360 degrees of scanning with consistent
detector orientation results in better data
the tank. 3D SCANNER offers consistent detector orientation for
and less need to change setup.
in-plane, cross-plane, diagonal, and all other angles
o
Consistent detector orientation provides optimized data throughout the entire 360 circumference. This is
for the detector geometry, and eliminates variable dose accomplished with a 3D SCANNER rotation range of
o
volume averaging. Elimination of tank shifts removes the 330 , which eliminates the need for tank shifts.
likelihood of inconsistent setup, for a more consistent
and higher quality beam data set. Off-axis scans are also possible with this geometry if
rotation and diameter movements are combined during
measurement.

A/B/C o
360
Cross-Plane

A o
- Scanning Range
- Ring Range
3 30

Diagonal Square Tank

In-Plane
A For all Scans
C

3D SCANNER

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extended scanning ranges: no tank shifts integrated electronics

Square 3D water tanks cannot measure a full 40x40cm The 3D SCANNER design streamlines the packaging of a
field at 30cm depth and 100cm SSD unless the user 3D water tank system with several features:
shifts the water tank twice, taking two measurements of
two “halves” of the beam at different tank locations. This 1  ingle Cable – 3D SCANNER utilizes the same
S
technique is time intensive and can introduce errors that power/data cable that is used for other Sun Nuclear
compromise data quality. instruments, saving the user from installing another
cable in the bunker.
The cylindrical shape of the 3D SCANNER enables the
2 Electronics – The electronics housing attaches
most efficient scanning ranges compared to square water
to the 3D SCANNER and contains the following:
tanks. A 63cm scan range is possible without a shift of the
> Electrometer Unit – A dual channel electrometer
3D SCANNER*. This allows a 40x40cm measurement at
processes all field and reference data for the 3D
30cm depth and 100cm SSD, without the inconvenience
SCANNER. The electrometer is guarded against
and potential errors involved in shifting the water tank.
extra cameral volume and provides exceptional
*63cm scan range is achieved with an included detector offset specifications for low noise scan data that require
3D SCANNER MAX: 63cm = No tank shift
attachment. Two scans are merged and no tank shift is needed. minimal processing.
> Control Unit – 3D SCANNER control electronics for
motors and other hardware.
Square Tank MAX: 55cm = Tank shift
3 Connections – Detectors and scanning accessories
are all connected on the 3DS Scanner connection
panel, which also contains LED status indicators.

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software

3D SCANNER operates using SNC Dosimetry scanning

software. SNC Dosimetry is a modern software application

Intuitive Software:
designed to offer both familiar concepts from existing
water tank conventions, as well as new tools that were
not previously available with a 3D water tank system.

w Saves Time. Processing Layers

Each processing function is treated as a unique layer of the scan data. The processing layers do
not overwrite the original scan data, so users may revert to earlier unprocessed data at any time.
Queues
As with other 3D water
tanks, 3D SCANNER offers
queues to organize and
execute groups of scans. Projects
Queue results and analyses Data is organized on a top
are displayed instantly for level by a scan parameter
saving to a project. called “Project”. Project
allows organization of scan
data based on specific work
Database
tasks. Projects will cover top
All data are indexed in
level tasks such as annual
a searchable database.
QA and commissioning, as
Scanned data can be shared
well as any other desired
among users as needed.
dataset.

Graphs
Scanned data are displayed
Layers graphically.
Pre-processed data are
preserved and can be recalled
as needed.

Analysis
Selected scans present on-
screen analysis.

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 better outcomes through technology

Features and Specifications

Scanning: TPR/TMR Measurement:

Vertical (mm): 400.0 Drain rate (cm/min): ~ 20.0
630 with offset
Diameter (mm):
500 without offset Electrometer:
Ring (degrees): 330 Warm up time (min): < 1.0
Motors: Encoded stepper/servo Charge: 2pC - 10mC
Scanning modes: Continuous and step Rate: 2pA - 50nA
Scanning speed range (mm/sec): Variable up to 8 Leakage (pA): < 0.01
Scanning accuracy (mm): 0.1 Time constant (ms): 100 - 1000
Voltage (V): Adjustable, -400 to +400
Water Tank: Non-linearity: ± 0.1%
Thickness wall / bottom (mm): 13 / 19 Repeatability: <+/- 0.05%
Height (mm): 673 A/D Converter: 16 bit
Width (mm): 875 Linac pulse count: Included,
with threshold detection
Diameter inner (mm): 676
Water capacity (L): 166
Weight empty / full (kg): 44 / 210 Software:
Lift Table: Tank centering: Automatic
Vertical travel (cm): 40 Leveling: Automatic
Wheelbase (cm): 137 Surface detection: Automatic
X / Y Tank adjustment (mm): ± 30 RTP export: Included
Vertical stability (mm): 1.0 (tank full at max height)

Reservoir:
Max fill / empty speed (min): 6 / 3

3D SCANNER Reservoir

SUN NUCLEAR Corporate Headquarters

425A Pineda Court
corporation Melbourne, Florida 32940
tel: + 1 321 259-6862
Your Most Valuable QA and Dosimetry Tools web: www.sunnuclear.com

1230B02142011