A feasibility study of two alternate proton radiation compensator designs for use in proton radiation therapy

The purpose of the current thesis was to conduct a feasibility study of alternate methods for creating proton range compensators. Currently, proton range compensators are made of solid materials, but an interest in creating a proton range compensator using fluid has arose in respect to a need for cost and time efficiency. The current process of making proton compensators is costly and time consuming. A fluid-based design is expected to allow doctors to quickly "dial up" a dose within a matter of minutes. The current study included the fabrication, and testing, of a fluid-based range compensator. The fluid-based design consisted of a block of acrylic with an array of holes. Each of the holes was plugged with an acrylic plunger. The plungers were depressed to a desired depth to achieve a specific dosimetric value. The testing sequence used in the current study included multiple compensator configurations that were used to compare the fluid-based design to the conventional solid design. Photon radiation was passed through each compensator and each compensator's exposure image was compared. The results of the statistical analysis showed no significant similarities between the conventional compensator design and the fluid-based compensator design. Reflection of the current study discusses the potential for the fluid-based design to be used as an alternative method to achieve proton range compensation rather than a replacement for the conventional solid design.